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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________
FORM 20-F
[ ] REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003
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 001-14666
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ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
The Netherlands
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
15th Floor, Hofplein 20
3032 AC Rotterdam
The Netherlands
(Address of Registrant's principal executive offices)
____________________
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of
the Act.
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
------------------- -----------------------------------------
Class A Common Shares Euronext Amsterdam N.V.
(the "Amsterdam Stock Exchange")
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g)
of the Act.
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(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is reporting obligation pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act
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(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of the issuer's classes
of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the
annual report.
Class A Common Shares, par value EUR 0.01 per share.............49,587,492
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for past 90 days.
Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant
has elected to follow.
Item 17 [ ] Item 18 [X]
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION.................... 3
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS...................................................... 4
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS............. 5
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE........................... 5
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION................................................... 5
A. Selected Financial Data.......................................... 5
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness.................................. 7
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds........................ 7
D. Risk Factors..................................................... 7
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY........................................ 17
A. History and Development of the Company........................... 17
B. Business Overview................................................ 19
C. Organizational Structure......................................... 26
D. Property, Plant and Equipment.................................... 27
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS...................... 38
A. Operating Results................................................ 38
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.................................. 50
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.............. 55
D. Trend Information................................................ 55
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements................................... 58
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations.................... 58
G. Safe Harbor...................................................... 60
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES........................ 61
A. Directors and Senior Management.................................. 61
B. Compensation..................................................... 67
C. Board Practices.................................................. 69
D. Employees........................................................ 74
E. Share Ownership.................................................. 74
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS................. 75
A. Major Shareholders............................................... 75
B. Related Party Transactions....................................... 77
C. Interest of Experts and Counsel.................................. 77
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................. 78
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information.......... 78
B. Significant Changes.............................................. 82
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING............................................. 83
A. Offer and Listing Details........................................ 83
B. Plan of Distribution............................................. 84
C. Markets.......................................................... 84
D. Selling Shareholders............................................. 84
E. Dilution......................................................... 84
F. Expenses of the Issue............................................ 84
1
ITEM 10 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION............................................ 85
A. Share Capital.................................................... 85
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association........................... 85
C. Material Contracts............................................... 85
D. Exchange Controls................................................ 85
E. Taxation......................................................... 85
F. Dividends and Paying Agents...................................... 93
G. Statements by Experts............................................ 93
H. Documents on Display............................................. 93
I. Subsidiary Information........................................... 93
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK........ 94
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES............ 99
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES................... 100
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND
USE OF PROCEEDS........................................................ 100
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES........................................... 100
ITEM 16. [RESERVED]........................................................ 100
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT................................. 100
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS................................................... 100
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES........................... 100
PART III
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES....... 102
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................. 102
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.............................................. 102
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS.......................................................... 103
2
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND CERTAIN OTHER INFORMATION
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term "Ispat International"
refers to Ispat International N.V. and the term "Company", "corporation",
"enterprise" or "Ispat" refers to Ispat International and the operating
subsidiaries taken as a whole. In addition, unless the context otherwise
requires, all descriptions of the Company in this Annual Report are provided as
if the Company had existed since 1989 and the operating subsidiaries were owned
by Ispat International from their date of acquisition or creation by the
controlling shareholder.
This Annual Report contains audited consolidated financial statements
and notes thereto of the Company as at December 31, 2002 and 2003 and for each
of the years ended December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (together, the "Consolidated
Financial Statements") and selected consolidated financial information of the
Company for the periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements and
as of December 31, 1999, 2000 and 2001 and for the years ended December 31, 1999
and 2000. Prior to the formation of Ispat International and the consummation of
the Company's reorganization in July 1997, the operating subsidiaries other than
Ispat Duisburg, Ispat Inland and Ispat Unimetal were under common control and
the Consolidated Financial Statements and the selected unaudited financial
information have been prepared to reflect the reorganization of the operating
subsidiaries under common control (similar to a pooling of interests) for all
periods prior to the date of reorganization. The Consolidated Financial
Statements and the selected unaudited consolidated financial information, which
include the accounts of Ispat International and its subsidiaries, all of which
are controlled by Ispat International, have been prepared in accordance with
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("U.S. GAAP") (see also Note 2 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements) and have been audited by Deloitte &
Touche Accountants, independent auditors. Intercompany balances and transactions
have been eliminated on consolidation. The financial records of each of the
operating subsidiaries are maintained in the currency of the country in which
such subsidiary is located using the statutory or generally accepted accounting
principles of such country. For consolidation purposes, financial statements
have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP and expressed in U.S. Dollars,
the reporting currency.
3
CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
All references to 'Ispat International' are to 'Ispat International
N.V.'; to 'Ispat Inland' are to Ispat Inland Inc.; to 'Imexsa' or 'Ispat
Mexicana' are to Ispat Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.; to 'Ispat Sidbec' are to Ispat
Sidbec Inc.; to 'Caribbean Ispat' are to Caribbean Ispat Limited; to 'Ispat
Europe' or 'Ispat Europe Group' are collectively to Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke
GmbH ('IHSW' or 'Ispat Hamburg'), Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH ('ISRG' or 'Ispat
Ruhrort'), Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld GmbH ('IWHG' or 'Ispat Hochfeld'), Ispat
Unimetal S.A., Trefileurope S.A. and SMR SNC. All references to the "controlling
shareholder" refer, collectively, to Lakshmi N. Mittal and the members of his
immediate family.
Unless otherwise stated, all references to "Dollars" or "$" or "USD"
are to the currency of the United States of America. All references to "Pesos"
are to Mexican Pesos, the currency of Mexico. All references to "C$" are to
Canadian dollars, the currency of Canada. All references to "Euro" or "(euro)"
are to the currency of the euro zone.
The term "operating subsidiary" refers to each of the subsidiaries of
the Company that are engaged in the manufacture of steel and steel-related
products.
As used herein, all references to "cash cost of production" are to all
direct and indirect manufacturing costs (excluding depreciation) for the
applicable product translated from the currency in which it is reported into
Dollars at the average exchange rate for the relevant period.
"Production capacity" means the annual production capacity of plant and
equipment based on existing technical parameters as estimated by management.
"Steel products" as used herein refers to finished and semi-finished steel
products and excludes direct reduced iron ("DRI"). All quantity figures for
shipments of our steel products include intercompany sales.
The term "tonnes" as used herein means a metric tonne. A metric tonne
is equal to 1,000 kilograms or 2,204.62 pounds. The term "ton" as used herein
means a short ton. One short ton is equal to 2,000 pounds. All references to
iron ore, iron ore pellets, DRI, hot metal and scrap are calculated using
tonnes, and all references to steel products including liquid steel are
calculated using tons.
All references to "Sales" include shipping and handling fees and costs
as per EITF Issue No. 00-10. All references to "Net Sales" exclude shipping and
handling fees and costs.
4
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
Not applicable
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not applicable
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. Selected Financial Data
The following table presents selected consolidated financial information of
the Company for each of the periods indicated. This data should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company included
in this Annual Report, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
(All amounts in $ millions except per share and quantity Years Ended December 31,
information) --------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Statement of Income Data
Sales(1) $ 4,898 $ 5,343 $ 4,486 $ 4,889 $ 5,441
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation)(1) 4,270 4,670 4,273 4,356 4,943
Gross profit (before deducting depreciation) 628 673 213 533 498
Gross margin as percentage of Sales 12.8% 12.6% 4.7% 10.9% 9.2%
Depreciation 164 177 177 177 183
Selling, general and administrative expenses 156 181 155 152 164
Other operating expenses -- -- 75 62 --
Operating income / (loss) 308 315 (194) 142 151
Operating margin as percentage of Sales 6.3% 5.9% (4.3%) 2.9% 2.8%
Adjusted Operating Income/(Loss)(2) 308 315 (119) 204 151
Adjusted Operating margin(2) 6.3% 5.9% (2.7)% 4.2% 2.8%
Other income (expense) - net(3) 15 23 13 44 53
Financing costs:
Net interest expenses (184) (216) (228) (203) (151)
Net gain / (loss) from foreign exchange and
monetary position (11) -- (9) 23 4
Income / (Loss) before taxes(3) 128 122 (418) 6 57
Net income / (loss) 85 99 (312) 49 66
Basic and diluted earnings / (loss) per common
share(4) 0.71 0.82 (2.58) 0.24 0.53
Cash dividends per common share(5) $ 0.15 $ 0.15 -- -- --
At December 31,
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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Balance Sheet Data
Cash and cash equivalents, including
short-term investments $ 317 $ 292 $ 85 $ 77 $ 80
Property, plant and equipment - net 3,333 3,299 3,109 3,035 3,091
Total assets 5,966 5,978 5,313 5,512 5,635
Payable to banks and current portion of
long-term debt 457 391 338 262 363
Long-term debt 2,184 2,124 2,041 2,022 1,914
Shareholders' equity 854 884 338 128 149
5
(All amounts in $ millions except per share and quantity At December 31,
information) --------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Other Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities 599 381 40 168 189
Net cash used in investing activities (184) (195) (48) (80) (124)
Net cash used by financing activities (432) (139) (123) (101) (63)
Total production of DRI
(thousands of tonnes) 6,353 6,872 4,918 5,893 7,202
Total shipments of steel products
(thousands of tons) 15,430 16,356 14,118 15,037 15,162
(1) In 2001, the Company adopted EITF 00-10 (issued by the FASB Emerging Issues
Task Force) which requires the inclusion of all shipping and handling fees
and costs billed to customers in the Sales figure as well as in Cost of
Sales. The Company accordingly recast prior period numbers for 1999 and
2000 to reflect the same. In the above, the Sales are inclusive of shipping
and handling fees and costs; and Sales and Cost of Sales for 1999, 2000,
2001, 2002 and 2003 are based on the EITF 00-10 methodology. The
application of EITF 00-10 does not affect earnings, as it only involves
inclusion of shipping and handling fees and costs in both Sales and Cost of
Sales.
A reconciliation of Sales and Net Sales is given below:
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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Sales 4,898 5,343 4,486 4,889 5,441
Less: Freight and handling costs 218 246 208 243 247
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Net Sales 4,680 5,097 4,278 4,646 5,194
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(2) Adjusted Operating Income / (Loss) is after adjusting for certain one-time
costs. These costs are non-recurring in nature and have been added back to
operating income / (loss) to reflect the true underlying trend of operating
income / (loss). A reconciliation of reported operating income / (loss) to
Adjusted Operating Income is given below:
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1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
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Reported Operating Income / (Loss) 308 315 (194) 142 151
Add: Other Operating Expenses
Write down in value of e-commerce software 17
Provision for arbitration related to scrap
Supply contract 19
Irish Ispat Closure 17
Impairment loss on oceangoing vessels 22
Write-down of 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar Mill 23
Write-down in investments of Empire Mine 39
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Adjusted Operating Income / (Loss) 308 315 (119) 204 151
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(3) During the first quarter of 2003, the Company purchased $22 million ($39
million in first quarter of 2002) of its own bonds at discounts from face
value. As a result of these purchases, the Company recognized a gain of $13
million ($19 million net of tax in 2002) in other income. In accordance
with adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 145: Rescission
of FASB Statements 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and
Technical Corrections ("SFAS 145") by the Company as of January 1, 2003,
gain or loss on extinguishments of debt that was previously classified as
an extraordinary item in prior periods was reclassified and included within
"other (income) expense-net" on the Company's income statement.
(4) Earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods
presented. For purposes of computing the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding, the capital structure resulting from the formation of
Ispat
6
International on May 27, 1997 and its reorganization which was consummated
in July 1997 has been given retroactive effect in order to reflect shares
outstanding subsequent to the reorganization as if they had been
outstanding for all periods presented.
(5) Dividends are presented on cash basis.
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Our business, financial condition or results of operations could be
materially adversely affected by any of the risks and uncertainties described
below. Additional risks not presently known to us, or that we currently deem
immaterial, may also impair our financial condition and business operations.
Suspension of our acquisition activities may affect our competitive position and
financial performance
In the past, the acquisition and successful turnaround of under-performing
assets was an important contributor to the Company's growth. Because of the
Company's current financial situation and high leverage, and the decision to
focus on debt reduction, the Company has not made any significant acquisitions
in the period 2000-2003, and may not be able to make acquisitions in the future.
This may adversely affect the Company's competitive position and, consequently,
its results of operations and financial performance.
Our high debt level may limit our flexibility in managing our business
At December 31, 2003, we had outstanding $2,277 million in aggregate
principal amount of indebtedness consisting of $363 million of short-term
indebtedness (including current portion of long-term debt) and $1,914 million of
long-term indebtedness. Additionally, a portion of our working capital financing
consists of uncommitted lines of credit, which may be cancelled by the lenders
in certain circumstances.
The high level of debt outstanding could have important adverse
consequences to the Company, including the following:
o We have significant cash interest expense and principal repayment
obligations;
o Our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital,
capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or
other purposes may be impaired;
o Our current debt level may limit our flexibility to adjust to changing
market conditions, reduce our ability to withstand competitive
pressures and make us more vulnerable to a downturn in general
economic conditions; and
o Adverse business conditions may lead to difficulties in debt servicing
which may limit our ability to make acquisitions, finance capital
expenditures and working capital requirements.
We have guaranteed our subsidiaries' debt, which may limit our flexibility in
managing our business
We have provided guarantees for some of the debt and credit lines of our
operating subsidiaries. We may also enter into liquidity support agreements that
may require us to make capital contributions or subordinated loans to certain of
our subsidiaries.
Out of the total debt of $2,277 million at December 31, 2003, approximately
$1,500 million was guaranteed by Ispat International. Some of these guarantees
have provisions whereby a default in one operating subsidiary could, under
certain circumstances, lead to defaults at other operating subsidiaries.
7
Any possible invocation of any of these guarantees could cause some or all
of the other guaranteed debt to accelerate, creating severe liquidity pressures.
Further, it may also limit our ability to raise additional financing and may
limit our flexibility in managing our business.
We have limited our capital expenditure
Due to the severe liquidity constraints during the last three years, our
capital expenditure has been limited to spending required to maintain the
operating condition of our plant and equipment.
Capital expenditure in 2003 was $164 million as compared to $108 million in
2002 and $97 million in 2001. However, included in the total capital
expenditures mentioned above, $89 million in 2003 and $12 million in 2002
pertained to the reline of Blast Furnace No. 7 at Ispat Inland.
Our limited capital expenditure may affect our ability to upgrade current,
or purchase new, plant and equipment and may, therefore, lead to reduced
efficiencies. Any reduction in efficiency may adversely affect our revenues,
profit margins and cash flows as well as our competitive position.
Our income taxes may substantially increase if changes in the tax laws or their
interpretation occur
We may face a significant increase in our income taxes if tax rates in the
jurisdictions where our operating subsidiaries operate increase and/or are
modified by regulatory authorities in a manner adverse to our Company. This may
adversely affect our cash flows, liquidity and ability to pay dividends.
See "Item 5--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects--Income taxes".
In the past, we have paid minimal income taxes due to, among other things:
o A favorable tax regime in Trinidad and Tobago allowed Caribbean Ispat
to be exempt from tax on all income derived from exports, which
constitute a substantial portion of Caribbean Ispat's sales. This tax
regime has now been amended and this benefit no longer exists;
o The existence of net operating losses at certain of our operating
subsidiaries prior to their acquisition, which were allowed to be
carried forward created tax savings in tax in the past. These may not
be available in the future;
o The availability of accelerated depreciation resulted in lower taxes
on a cash basis due to timing differences between the recognition of
certain expenses for tax and book purposes at certain of our operating
subsidiaries. Further, we also had the benefits of consolidation of
entities within one jurisdiction, in particular Imexsa. This benefit
has been reduced by the recent changes in the tax laws in Mexico,
which restrict the extent to which such set-offs could be used in any
given year; and
o A recent change in the tax laws in Germany that (a) removes
deductibility provisions with respect to certain types of interest
payments and (b) provides for certain minimum cash tax liability in
relation to reported income is expected to increase the amount of cash
tax payable by our German operating subsidiaries.
Changes in tax laws, amendments to certain provisions in such laws,
modification or withdrawal of special provisions in the tax laws, changes in the
interpretation of applicable tax law provisions or new or changed administrative
procedures in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate could result in a
material change to our tax liabilities and could have a resultant adverse impact
on the results of our operations and cash flows.
See also "Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings" and Note 16 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
8
Pension Plan under-funding at some of our operating subsidiaries and the need to
make substantial cash contributions, which may increase in the future, may
reduce the cash available for our business
The Company's principal operating subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada,
Trinidad, Germany and France provide defined benefit pension plans to their
employees. Some of these plans are currently under-funded, in particular Ispat
Inland's pension plan. As at December 31, 2003, the value of Ispat Inland's
pension plan assets was $1,781.4 million, while the projected benefit obligation
was $2,555.9 million, resulting in a deficit of $774.5 million.
Please see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
A large part of our pension liabilities and funding requirements are at our
U.S. operating subsidiary.
The funded status of Ispat Inland's pension plan has been adversely
affected in the last few years by a number of factors including low interest
rates, equity market performance, reduction in discount rate and significant
changes in actuarial assumptions. This also has had an impact on future cash
funding requirements. In addition to the agreement with the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC"), there are also significant cash contribution
requirements under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, or ERISA. Assuming continuing legislative relief, modestly
rising interest rates, and reasonable market returns, the total of these
contribution requirements (including the contributions required under the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Ryerson Tull agreements) could exceed
$500 million over the next four to five years and could be significantly higher
depending on future asset performance, the levels of interest rates used to
determine ERISA minimum funding requirements, actuarial assumptions and
experience, union negotiated changes and future government regulations. Total
cash contributions made to Ispat Inland's pension plan were $313.5 million from
1998 through December 31, 2003. The contribution required in 2004 is $111.5
million.
The funding requirements may be even higher than the amounts mentioned
above in 2004, 2005 and/or 2006 if temporary funding relief provisions currently
before the U.S. Congress are not enacted. In January 2004, the Senate passed HR
3108, which included both interest rate relief and deficit reduction
contribution relief for steel companies. However, the bill needs to be
reconciled with the House of Representatives version in a conference committee.
The Senate has appointed conferees to the committee, but the House of
Representatives has not. After the bill comes out of conference, it must be
signed by the President to become law. The Administration has threatened to veto
legislation that includes deficit reduction contribution relief. Despite being
passed by the Senate, there can be no assurance that HR 3108 will become law.
Our funding obligations depend upon future asset performance, the level of
interest rates used to measure ERISA minimum funding levels, actuarial
assumptions and experience, union negotiated changes and future government
regulation.
Due to the large number of variables that determine pension funding
requirements, which are difficult to predict, as well as any legislative action,
future cash funding requirements for our pension plans could be significantly
higher than amounts currently estimated. These funding requirements could have a
material unfavourable impact on our business, operating results and cash flows.
We may be unable to fully utilize our deferred tax asset
As at December 31, 2003, we had $565 million recorded as a deferred tax
asset on our balance sheet. These assets can only be utilized if, and to the
extent that, our operating subsidiaries generate adequate levels of taxable
income in future periods to setoff the loss carryforwards and reverse the
temporary differences before they expire. Our ability to generate taxable income
is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory
and other factors which are beyond our control. Consequently, we cannot assure
you that we will generate sufficient taxable income to realize our deferred tax
asset. If we generate lower taxable income than the amount we have assumed in
determining the deferred tax asset, then a valuation reserve will be required,
with a corresponding charge against income.
International trade actions or regulations and trade-related legal proceedings
may adversely affect our sales, revenues and business in general
Ispat International is an international company with sales spanning many
countries, and, therefore, its business has significant exposure to the effects
of trade actions and barriers. Recently, various countries, including the United
States have, or are contemplating, the institution of trade actions and
barriers. For example,
9
in March 2000 the United States imposed a "Section 201" tariff rate quota on
imports of steel wire rod, and in 2001 and 2002, U.S. trade agencies made
affirmative determinations under U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty laws
against exports of steel wire rod to the United States. In March 2002, the U.S.
administration again invoked Section 201 to limit certain steel imports into the
United States. The action included 30% tariff rate increases for hot-rolled
sheet, cold-rolled sheet, coated sheet, and hot-rolled bar, with the rate
declining to 24% in the second year and 18% in the third. In addition, there was
a tariff rate quota imposed on steel slab. These measures had a generally
positive effect on the results of our U.S. operating subsidiary.
While the Section 201 trade protection measures have been withdrawn in
2003, we cannot predict the timing and nature of similar or other trade actions
by the United States or any other country. Because of the international nature
of our operations, we will be affected by any trade actions or restrictions
introduced by the European Union, the United States, Canada, Mexico or any other
country where we sell, or have the potential for selling, our products. Any such
trade actions could adversely affect our sales, revenues and results of
operations; and, depending on the timing, nature and jurisdiction of such
actions, such adverse effects could be material.
In addition to the more general trade barriers described above, if we were
party to a regulatory or trade-related legal proceeding that was decided against
us or any of our operating subsidiaries, it could adversely affect our business,
financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. See also
"Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings" and Note 16 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Due to our global presence, we could be affected by changes in governmental
policies and international economic conditions
Governmental, political and economic developments relating to inflation,
interest rates, taxation, currency fluctuations, social or political
instability, diplomatic relations, international conflicts and other factors, in
countries in which we have operations, may adversely affect our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We do not have, and do not intend to obtain, political risk insurance in
any country where we conduct business.
Absence of domestic markets in certain subsidiaries may limit our flexibility in
managing our business
Some of our subsidiaries are primarily export oriented, as domestic markets
are not adequate to support operations. Any rise in trade barriers or trade
related actions in main export markets, or any fall in demand in these markets
due to weak economic conditions or other reasons, may adversely affect the
operations of these subsidiaries and may limit our flexibility in managing
business.
See also "Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings" and Note 16 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Over dependence on domestic markets in certain subsidiaries may also limit our
flexibility in managing our business
Certain of our subsidiaries are substantially dependent on the domestic
market in their country of operation. While this provides stability to the
operations most of the time by building long term customer relationships, it
could also in certain situations have an adverse impact. A prolonged fall in
demand prompted by weak economic or industry conditions could adversely affect
financial results, as non-domestic market alternatives may be difficult to find.
10
We may experience currency fluctuations and become subject to exchange controls
that could adversely affect our business
We operate and sell our products in a number of countries, and as a result,
our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be
adversely affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. Major changes in exchange
rates, particularly changes in the value of the Dollar against the currencies
where we have operations, could have an adverse effect on our business and
profits. For example, the recent significant depreciation of the Dollar against
several currencies, particularly against the Canadian dollar, had a major
adverse effect on the competitiveness and the export sales of our Canadian
operating subsidiary.
The imposition of exchange controls or other similar restrictions on
currency convertibility in the countries where we have operations could
adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects While we are not currently affected by any foreign exchange controls
or restrictions in the countries where we operate, we could be impacted by such
controls or restrictions in the future.
We could experience labor disputes which could disrupt our business
A substantial majority of our employees are represented by labor unions and
are covered by collective bargaining or similar agreements, which are subject to
periodic renegotiation. Strikes or work stoppages could occur prior to, or
during the negotiations leading to new collective bargaining agreements, during
wage and benefits negotiations or, occasionally, during other periods for other
reasons. For example, there was a 12-day strike at Imexsa in August 2003 because
of a dispute at a neighboring, unrelated steel plant with whom Imexsa's
employees share a common union.
Each of our operating subsidiaries has concluded collective bargaining
agreements with labor unions representing a substantial majority of its
employees. At some of our subsidiaries, these agreements include a "no strike"
clause. Although we believe that we will successfully negotiate new collective
bargaining agreements with our unions when existing agreements expire, such
negotiations:
o may not be successful;
o may result in a significant increase in the cost of labor; or
o may break down and result in the disruption of the operations of our
operating subsidiaries.
Any such breakdown leading to work stoppage and disruption of operations
could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
Additionally, many of the contractors working at our operating
subsidiaries' plants employ workers who are represented by various trade unions.
Disruptions with these contractors could also adversely impact our operations.
Credit rating downgrades or similar triggers may affect our flexibility in
managing business
Our Company does not have a high credit rating and has been downgraded by
the rating agencies in the past. For example, during the course of 2002 as a
result of developments relating to the restructuring of the debt at Imexsa,
certain of the credit ratings of the Company and its subsidiaries were
downgraded. Following the successful restructuring of Imexsa, these credit
ratings were upgraded, although in certain instances not to previous levels.
More recently, in October 2003, our credit rating was placed on credit watch for
a possible downgrade by Standard & Poor's arising from concerns relating to
liquidity. This credit watch has since been removed. Although we do not have
negative rating triggers in our debt agreements, any decline in our credit
rating may lead to some of our lenders recalling loans, withdrawing credit lines
or increasing the cost of borrowing. Any of these actions may adversely affect
liquidity management, our competitiveness and ability to manage our business.
Cyclicality of the steel industry
The steel industry is highly cyclical in nature and sensitive to general
economic conditions and other factors beyond our control, such as worldwide
production capacity and fluctuations in steel imports and tariffs,
11
which are difficult to predict. Because we obtain nearly all of our revenues
from the sale of steel and steel-related products, any economic downturn in
Europe, North America, Asia or elsewhere could result in a significant decrease
in demand or prices for our steel and steel-related products, which could in
turn result in decreases in our gross and operating margins and declines in our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. For example,
in 2000-2001, an economic downturn in North America and other parts of the
world, combined with a surge in imports into some of our principal markets,
primarily the United States, resulted in significantly lower steel prices, which
resulted in a substantial reduction in profits and operating margins for our
Company. Although the market for steel products has generally improved, this
improvement has been accompanied by substantial increases in the prices of raw
materials, energy and transportation. The volatility and the length and nature
of business cycles affecting the steel industry have become increasingly
unpredictable, and the recurrence of another major downturn in the industry
before the cycle recovers adequately and long enough to allow our financial
condition to improve may have a material adverse impact on our business,
operations, profits and financial condition.
We face significant price and other forms of competition from other steel
producers, which could hurt our results of operations
Generally, the markets in which we conduct business are highly competitive.
Increased competition could cause us to lose market share, increase expenditures
or reduce pricing, any one of which could hurt our results of operations. The
global steel industry has historically suffered from substantial over-capacity.
Excess capacity in some of the products sold by us will intensify price
competition for such products. This could require us to reduce the price for our
products and, as a result, negatively impact our results of operations. We
compete primarily on the basis of quality and the ability to meet customers'
product specifications, delivery schedules and price. Some of our competitors
may:
o Benefit from greater capital resources;
o Have lower employee post retirement benefit costs. See also "Item
5--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects";
o Have different technologies; and
o Have lower raw material and energy costs.
In addition, our competitive position within the global steel industry may
be affected by, among other things:
o The recent trend toward consolidation amongst our competitors in the
steel industry, particularly in Europe and the United States;
o Exchange rate fluctuations that may make our products less competitive
in relation to the products of steel companies based in other
countries; and
o The development of new technologies for the production of steel and
steel-related products.
We may encounter supply shortages and increases in cost of raw materials, energy
and transportation
We require substantial amounts of raw materials/energy in our production
process, consisting principally of iron ore fines, iron ore pellets, scrap,
electricity and natural gas. Any prolonged interruption in the supply of raw
materials or energy, or substantial increases in their costs, could adversely
affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
For example, there was a temporary loss of production at Imexsa in the fourth
quarter of 2002 caused by a natural gas supply disruption following an explosion
at the supplier's premises. The availability and prices of raw materials may be
negatively affected by:
o New laws or regulations;
o Suppliers' allocations to other purchasers;
o Interruptions in production by suppliers;
12
o Accidents or other similar events at suppliers' premises or along the
supply chain;
o Changes in exchange rates;
o Consolidation in steel-related industries;
o Worldwide price fluctuations and other factors; and
o Availability and cost of transportation.
In addition, energy costs, including the cost of natural gas and
electricity, make up a substantial portion of our cash cost of production. The
price of energy has varied significantly in the past and may vary significantly
in the future largely as a result of market conditions and other factors beyond
our control. Because the production of DRI and steel involves the use of
significant amounts of natural gas, we are sensitive to the price of natural
gas.
Further, global developments, particularly the dramatic increase in the
demand for materials and inputs used in steel manufacturing from China, may
cause severe shortages and/or substantial price increases of key raw materials
and ocean transportation capacity. Inability to recoup such cost increases from
increases in the selling prices of our products, or inability to cater to our
customers' demands because of non-availability of key raw materials or other
inputs, may adversely impact our operations and profits.
Competition from other materials may negatively affect our results of operations
In many applications, steel competes with other materials, such as aluminum
(particularly in the automobile industry), cement, composites, glass, plastic
and wood. Additional substitutes for steel products could adversely affect
future market prices and demand for steel products.
Equipment downtime or shutdowns could adversely affect our results of operations
Our manufacturing processes are dependent on critical steelmaking
equipment, such as furnaces, continuous casters, rolling mills and electrical
equipment (such as transformers), and this equipment may incur downtime as a
result of unanticipated failures or other events, such as fires or furnace
breakouts. Our manufacturing plants have experienced, and may in the future
experience, plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of such
equipment failures or other events. Such disruptions could have an adverse
effect on operations, customer service levels and financial results.
We have a controlling shareholder who can appoint our directors and determine
the outcome of shareholder votes
Our controlling shareholder indirectly has the right to make binding
nominations for the appointment of all members of our Board of Managing
Directors (the "Board of Directors") and to determine the outcome of any action
requiring shareholder approval. In addition, the controlling shareholder will
have the ability, by virtue of his indirect ownership of class B common shares,
to prevent or cause a change in control of our Company and our subsidiaries.
Some of our debt could become due prior to its stated maturity following a
change in control of our Company if the controlling shareholder were to decide
to dilute his ownership below stated levels of ownership.
As of the date of this report, our controlling shareholder indirectly owned
all of our class B common shares and 26,149,500 class A common shares,
representing 48% of the class A common shares, with an aggregate of
approximately 96% of the voting rights. Holders of class A common shares are
entitled to one vote per share, and holders of class B common shares are
entitled to ten votes per share.
We may encounter potential conflicts of interest
Our controlling shareholder or entities owned or controlled by our
controlling shareholder may make acquisitions in the same or related lines of
business. In addition to his shareholding in Ispat International, our
controlling shareholder currently also owns and controls P.T. Ispat Indo, a
mini-mill in Indonesia and LNM Holdings N.V. LNM Holdings N.V. in turn owns and
controls several steel and steel-related companies,
13
including Ispat Karmet JSC in Kazakhstan, Ispat Sidex S.A. in Romania, Ispat
Tepro S.A. in Romania, Ispat Petrotub S.A. in Romania, Ispat Annaba Spa in
Algeria, Ispat Tebessa Spa in Algeria and Ispat Nova Hut a.s. in the Czech
Republic. In addition, LNM Holdings N.V. also has a significant minority
interest (and is currently seeking regulatory approval to acquire a majority
interest) in Iscor Limited in South Africa. Further, in March 2004 LNM Holdings
N.V. acquired a majority shareholding in Polskie Huty Stali S.A. an integrated
steel plant in Poland. Also, in October 2003 LNM Holdings N.V entered into a
binding share purchase agreement for the acquisition of a majority shareholding
in S.C. Siderurgica S.A., a long steel products manufacturing plant in Romania.
Our controlling shareholder, who is Chairman of our Board of Directors,
also acts as a director of LNM Holdings N.V., Ispat Karmet JSC in Kazakhstan,
Ispat Annaba Spa in Algeria, Ispat Sidex S.A. in Romania, P.T. Ispat Indo in
Indonesia, Ispat Nova Hut a.s. in the Czech Republic, Iscor Limited in South
Africa and Poliskie Huty Stali S.A. in Poland. Each of LNM Holdings N.V., Ispat
Karmet JSC and P.T. Ispat Indo is a party to a management services agreement
with our Company, pursuant to which LNM Holdings N.V., Ispat Karmet JSC and P.T.
Ispat Indo pay a periodic fee to our Company as compensation for management
services rendered to them by our Company.
We have engaged in commercial and financial transactions with affiliates,
as detailed in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We conduct these
transactions on terms that are no less favorable to us than those we could have
obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
The existence of two separate entities under common ownership and engaged
in similar business could give rise to potential conflicts of interest.
Because we are a holding company with no revenue-generating operations of our
own, we depend on cash flows and earnings of our subsidiaries, which may not be
sufficient to meet our needs
Because Ispat International is a holding company with no business
operations of its own, we are dependent upon the earnings and cash flows of, and
dividends and distributions from, our operating subsidiaries to pay our
expenses, meet any future debt obligations including contingent obligations in
relation to the guarantees issued by us and pay any cash dividends or
distributions on the class A common shares that may be authorized by our Board
of Directors and shareholders. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow
from such earnings and distributions from our subsidiaries, we may have to delay
or cancel the payment of dividends on class A common shares. The Company did not
pay a dividend to the class A common shares in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Other
potential measures to obtain funds, such as by selling assets, may be restricted
by our operating subsidiaries' debt instruments, and our ability to use equity
financings is dependent on our results of operations and prevailing market
conditions.
Our major assets are interests in the capital stock of our operating
subsidiaries. We rely on our operating subsidiaries to generate sufficient
earnings and cash flows to pay dividends or distribute funds to our Company to
enable us to pay our expenses and meet any future debt obligations. Our
operating subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to us is subject to limitations
under the applicable laws of their respective jurisdictions and the terms of
certain of their debt agreements.
The ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or distribute
funds to our Company may also be restricted by, among other things, the
imposition of, or increases in the rate of, taxes on dividends or distributions
in the jurisdictions in which the operating subsidiaries operate or are taxable,
or by the imposition of policies restricting the ability of our operating
subsidiaries to convert the currencies of the countries in which they operate
into other currencies.
Under Dutch law, we can only pay dividends distributions to the extent we
receive dividends from our subsidiaries, recognize gain from the sale of our
assets, or record share premium as a result of the issuance of common shares.
See Notes 8 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, since
we have guaranteed certain debt obligations of some of our operating
subsidiaries, we face other limitations under the guarantees on our ability to
make dividend payments, distributions and other similar payments as well as on
our ability to incur additional debt. See "Item 8--Financial
Information--Dividend Distributions" and Notes 8 and 10 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
14
Our competitive position depends on our senior management team and loss of its
members could materially hurt our business
Our ability to maintain our competitive position and to implement our
business strategy is dependent to a large degree on the services of our senior
management team, particularly Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Ispat International, who has managed
our Company since its inception. The loss of or any diminution in Mr. Mittal's
services or those of the other members of Ispat's senior management team or an
inability to attract, retain and maintain additional senior management personnel
could materially hurt our business, financial condition, results of operations
or prospects. We may not be able to retain our existing senior management
personnel or to attract additional qualified senior management personnel in the
future. We do not maintain key man life insurance on any members of our senior
management.
Natural disasters could significantly damage our production facilities
Natural disasters could significantly damage our production facilities and
the general infrastructure. In particular, Imexsa's production facilities are
located in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico, an area that has historically
experienced earthquakes of varying magnitude. Extensive damage to Imexsa's
production complex or any of our other major production complexes, whether as a
result of an earthquake or other natural disasters, could materially hurt our
business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects. The book
value of Imexsa's production facilities represented 15% of our total assets at
December 31, 2003; Imexsa's sales in 2003 accounted for 16% of our sales; and
Imexsa's operating income in 2003 accounted for approximately 57% of our
operating income in 2003.
Our insurance policies have limited coverage and we may not be insured against
some of the risks to our business
The occurrence of an event that is uninsurable or not fully insured could
materially affect our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
We maintain comprehensive insurance on all of our property and equipment in
amounts that we believe are consistent with industry practices but we may not be
fully insured against some risks to our business. Our insurance policies cover
physical loss or damage to the property and equipment of our Company on a
reinstatement basis arising from a number of specified risks and certain
consequential losses, including business interruption arising from the
occurrence of an insured event under the policy. Under the all-risk policy,
damages and losses caused by certain natural disasters, such as earthquakes,
floods and windstorms, are also covered. Each of our operating subsidiaries also
maintains various other insurances, such as workmen's compensation insurance and
marine insurance. Notwithstanding the insurance coverage that we carry, the
occurrence of an accident that causes losses in excess of limits specified under
the policy, or losses arising from events not covered by insurance policies,
could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.
Product liability claims could adversely affect us
We sell products to major manufacturers of such goods as automobiles and
appliances. Furthermore, our products are also sold to, and used in, certain
safety-critical applications. If we were to sell steel that is inconsistent with
the specifications of the order or the requirements of the application,
significant disruptions to the customer's production lines could result. There
could also be significant consequential damages resulting from the use of such
products. We do have a limited amount of product liability insurance coverage
but a major claim for damages related to the products we sell could have a
material adverse impact on our financial results.
We may have to spend substantial sums to meet environmental regulations
We have spent, and can be expected to spend in the future, substantial
amounts to comply with environmental laws and regulations, which, over time,
have become more stringent. If this trend continues, we may be required to make
changes in our operations and our costs may increase. Our operations are subject
to strict environmental laws and regulations in each of the jurisdictions in
which we operate. These laws and regulations govern, generally, air and water
pollution, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and the
remediation of contamination. These requirements, or enforcement of these
requirements, may become even more stringent in the future. Failure to comply
could result in the assessment of civil and criminal penalties, the suspension
of operations and lawsuits by private parties. Ispat Inland is a defendant in
various administrative or judicial actions initiated by governmental agencies,
including a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") consent decree, which
will require significant expenditures over the next several years that
15
may be material to our results and operations or our financial condition. Please
also read the section entitled "Item 8 Financial Information--Legal Proceedings"
and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a more detailed
description of the 1993 EPA consent decree and other environmental actions
affecting our business.
Forward-looking statements and associated risks
This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements reflect the
Company's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Actual
results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements as a result of many factors, including the factors discussed above.
In addition, among the other factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially are the following: inventory risks due to shifts in market demand
and/or price erosion of purchased inputs; changes in product mix; costs and
yield issues associated with initiating production at new factories and the
factors affecting future performance listed above. The words "believe,"
"expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan" and similar expressions
identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their
dates. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.
Neither our independent auditors, nor any other independent accountants,
have compiled, examined or performed any procedures, with respect to the
prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any
opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability,
and assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the
prospective financial information.
16
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company.
Ispat International N.V. was incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands
on May 27, 1997 to hold various steel and steel-related companies owned by
Lakshmi N. Mittal and members of his immediate family (collectively, the
"controlling shareholder") which were contributed or transferred to Ispat
International by its controlling shareholder in connection with a reorganization
that was consummated in July 1997.
The registered offices of Ispat International N.V. are located at 15th
Floor, Hofplein 20, 3032 AC Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The telephone number of
the registered offices is (+31) 10 217 8800.
We are the world's eleventh largest steel producer with steel-making
operations in six countries. Our operating philosophy embraces both integrated
mini-mill and blast furnace processes for steel-making. Our steel shipments have
increased from 1.5 million tons in 1992 to 15.2 million tons in 2003. In 2003,
our consolidated sales, operating income and net income were $5,441 million,
$151 million and $66 million, respectively.
We have grown through a series of acquisitions and by improving the
operating performance of each acquired facility, through focused capital
expenditure programs and implementation of improved management practices,
resulting in increases in production and shipment of steel products, reduction
in cash costs of production and increases in productivity. Our aggregate capital
expenditures were approximately $164 million, $108 million and $97 million
during 2003, 2002 and 2001 respectively. Following is a brief outline of the
history and development of our Company:
Caribbean Ispat. In May 1989, Caribbean Ispat began leasing the plant
assets of ISCOTT, and in December 1994, Caribbean Ispat purchased the plant
assets of ISCOTT, exercising its purchase option under the ISCOTT Lease (as
defined herein) for a purchase price of $70 million, which was paid in cash. As
part of the acquisition, Caribbean Ispat made certain commitments to spend $73.5
million in capital expenditures over a three-year period, all of which has been
spent. Total capital expenditure by Caribbean Ispat from its inception until
2003 was $413 million. This includes two major projects, namely, the erection
and commission of the DRI 3 plant and Electric Arc Furnace Emission control.
Caribbean Ispat's total shipments went up from 395 thousand tons in the year
prior to acquisition to approximately 1 million tons in 2003.
Imexsa. In January 1992, Imexsa acquired the assets and selected
liabilities of Siderurgica del Balsas, S.A. de C.V. and equity interests in
several related companies, as part of the privatization of the Mexican steel
industry, for an aggregate purchase price of $220 million. As part of the
acquisition, Imexsa committed to spend $50 million in capital expenditures over
a period of five years from the date of acquisition, all of which has been
spent. In addition, we agreed to invest up to $300 million for the construction
of a hot strip mill, failing which 5% of the capital stock of Caribbean Ispat
would be transferred by our controlling shareholder to the Mexican government.
In 1995, we obtained the consent of the Mexican government to substitute a $300
million capital expenditure program by Imexsa, all of which was completed as of
December 31, 1997. Over the entire period of our ownership, between 1992 and
2003, total capital expenditures were $525 million, which includes two major
projects, a Pelletizer plant and a new DRI Megamod plant, which were completed
in 1996 and 1997 respectively. Imexsa has made significant progress during this
period, with total shipments going up from 528 thousand tons in the year prior
to acquisition to 3.7 million tons in 2003, representing a compounded average
annual growth rate of approximately 18%.
Ispat Sidbec. In August 1994, we acquired all of the capital stock of
Sidbec-Dosco Inc. from a company owned by the Government of the Province of
Quebec for a purchase price of approximately $52 million and assumed debt of
approximately $134 million. As part of the acquisition, Ispat Sidbec committed
to spend $73 million in capital expenditures over a five-year period from the
date of acquisition, all of which has been spent. Pursuant to the agreements
relating to the acquisition, we made a Canadian dollar $30 million
(approximately $22 million) capital contribution to Sidbec. Total capital
expenditures by Ispat Sidbec between August 1994 and December 2003 was $193
million. Ispat Sidbec's total shipments grew from approximately 1.3 million tons
in the year prior to acquisition to 1.6 million tons in 2003.
Ispat Hamburg. Effective January 1, 1995, our controlling shareholder,
through an indirect subsidiary, acquired the shares of Ispat Hamburg for
approximately $6 million. Such subsidiary concurrently purchased from a creditor
of Ispat Hamburg its outstanding indebtedness for approximately $39 million,
which was paid in
17
cash in 1996. Pursuant to the agreements related to the Ispat Hamburg
acquisition, such subsidiary made a DM 30 million (approximately $21 million)
capital contribution to Ispat Hamburg. We also agreed to spend DM 70 million
(approximately $50 million) on capital expenditures over a five-year period,
which has been fully spent within the stipulated period, which ended on December
31, 1999. Total capital expenditure during the period of our ownership (1995 to
2003) was $95 million. Ispat Hamburg's total annual shipments during this
period, increased from approximately 936 thousand tons to 949 thousand tons.
Ispat Duisburg. In October 1997, we acquired Ispat Ruhrort and Ispat
Hochfeld (together, "Ispat Duisburg") from Thyssen Stahl AG for DM 30 million,
of which DM 6 million was paid in cash, with the balance payable over a period
of six years. In addition, we assumed a debt of DM 90 million payable over a
period of three years (since fully repaid). As part of the acquisition, Thyssen
is committed to supply Ispat Duisburg hot metal for 10 years at a price based on
certain formula and Thyssen is obligated to purchase 90% of its bloom
requirements from Ispat Duisburg at an agreed price formula. Total capital
expenditure during the period of our ownership was $78 million. Ispat Duisburg's
shipments declined marginally from approximately 1.5 million tons in the year
prior to acquisition to approximately 1.4 million tons in 2003.
Irish Ispat. In May 1996, we acquired Irish Steel, the predecessor to Irish
Ispat, from the Irish Government for IR(pound) 1 and assumed debt of
approximately $51 million. Since the acquisition, the Company has injected
(euro)30 (approximately $30) million to fund capital investments and operating
losses at Irish Ispat.
On June 15, 2001 Irish Ispat announced the shutdown of its steelmaking
operations in Haulbowline, County Cork, Ireland, and the calling of a creditors
meeting for the appointment of a liquidator. This decision was taken in view of
continuing losses of Irish Ispat, the continuing deterioration of the steel
market with no prospect for recovery in the near to medium term, and the
inability of Irish Ispat to implement certain cost reduction and production
increase proposals which did not have sufficient support from trade unions. As a
result of these developments, Ispat International made the decision to cease to
support financially the operations of Irish Ispat. As a consequence, Irish Ispat
shut down its operations.
Ispat Inland. In July 1998, we acquired Ispat Inland from Inland Steel
Industries ("ISI") for an aggregate purchase price of $1,399 million, which
consisted of a net cash payment of $1,115 million and assumption of debt of $284
million. As part of the acquisition, Ispat Inland entered into an agreement with
the PBGC to provide certain financial assurances with respect to Ispat Inland's
pension plan.
In accordance with the Agreement, Ispat Inland provided the PBGC with a
$160 million letter of credit, which expired on July 9, 2003, and made $242
million of contributions to the Pension Trust through June 30, 2003. Ispat
Inland made an additional payment of $54.5 million during the first quarter of
2003. In addition, Ispat Inland granted to the PBGC a first priority lien on
selected assets. In July 2003, Ispat Inland reached an agreement with the PBGC
regarding alternative security for the $160 million letter of credit. The letter
of credit was allowed to expire, and in its place, Ispat Inland agreed to
contribute $160 million to its pension plan over the next two years. Ispat
Inland contributed $50 million in July 2003, $21 million in September 2003, and
is required to contribute $82.5 million in 2004 and $27.5 million in 2005.
Additionally, Ispat Inland pledged $160 million of non-interest bearing First
Mortgage Bonds to the PBGC as security until the remaining $110 million has been
contributed to the pension plan and certain tests have been met.
Total capital expenditure at Ispat Inland between July 1998 and December
2003 was $355 million. In October 2003, Ispat Inland completed the reline of its
Blast Furnace No. 7, enhancing its production capacity and efficiency. Ispat
Inland's annual shipments have remained unchanged at 5.3 millions tons during
this period.
Ispat Unimetal. In July 1999, we acquired Ispat Unimetal, Trefileurope and
SMR from Usinor for a total consideration of Euros 100 million ($107 million).
Ispat Unimetal spent approximately $57 million in capital expenditure between
July 1999 and 2003. Ispat Unimetal's shipments declined during the period of our
ownership, from approximately 1.4 million to approximately 1.2 million tons.
Since 1999, we have not made any significant acquisitions. See "Item
3D--Risk Factors".
18
B. Business Overview
We have a high degree of both product and geographic diversification. We
produce a broad range finished and semi-finished steel products that include
hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled, electro-galvanized and coated steels, bars, wire
rods, wire products, pipes, billets and slabs. Our plants manufacture steel
products of different specifications, including many difficult and technically
sophisticated ones; and they sell these products to customers for use in a
number of high-end applications. During 2003, we shipped our products to over
eighty-five countries worldwide, with our largest markets in North America and
Europe. See "Item 4--Information on the Company--Products." We conduct our
business through our subsidiaries operating in six countries. These operations
are: (i) Ispat Inland, the fourth largest integrated steel producer in the
United States; (ii) Imexsa, the largest steel producer in Mexico; (iii) Ispat
Sidbec, the fourth largest steel producer in Canada; (iv) Caribbean Ispat, the
largest steel producer in the Caribbean; (v) Ispat Hamburg and Ispat Duisburg,
both long products producers in Germany; and, (vi) Ispat Unimetal, long products
producer in France. Most of these operations are strategically located with
access to on-site deep-water port facilities, which allow for cost-efficient
import of raw materials and export of steel products.
The following tables set forth our operations in different geographic
areas:
2003
Operating Year Product Production Steel Shipments
Subsidiary Acquired Location Category Process (000's tons)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat Inland ....... 1998 U.S. Flat/Long BOF/EAF 5,300
Imexsa ............. 1992 Mexico Flat DRI/EAF 3,748
Ispat Sidbec ....... 1994 Canada Flat/Long DRI/EAF 1,559
Caribbean Ispat..... 1989 Trinidad Long DRI/EAF 1,002
Ispat Duisburg...... 1997 Germany Long BOF 1,411
Ispat Unimetal...... 1999 France Long EAF 1,193
Ispat Hamburg ...... 1995 Germany Long DRI/EAF 949
Total ......... 15,162
======
19
Americas Europe
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Others and Consoli-
US Mexico Canada Trinidad France Germany Ireland Eliminations dated
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------
Year ended December
31, 2001
Sales to unaffiliated
customers $ 2,212 $ 534 $ 503 $ 103 $ 535 $ 582 $ 17 $ -- $ 4,486
Net Sales 2,143 481 479 285 508 620 17 (255) 4,278
Operating income (127) (49) 21 (11) 15 31 (2) (72) (194)
Total assets at December
31, 2001 3,080 1,480 857 528 266 327 -- (1,225) 5,313
Depreciation 104 21 19 18 6 5 1 3 177
Capital expenditures 29 22 13 9 15 10 -- (1) 97
Year ended December
31, 2002
Sales to unaffiliated
customers $ 2,388 $ 588 $ 557 $ 129 $ 618 $ 609 $ -- $ -- $ 4,889
Net Sales 2,316 654 534 322 598 673 -- (451) 4,646
Operating income 33 57 41 18 38 (7) -- (38) 142
Total assets at December
31, 2002 3,162 1,449 883 523 451 377 -- (1,333) 5,512
Depreciation 99 21 20 19 7 7 -- 4 177
Capital expenditures 52 9 14 6 10 16 -- 1 108
Year ended December
31, 2003
Sales to unaffiliated
customers $ 2,340 $ 868 $ 591 $ 238 $ 642 $ 719 $ -- $ 43 $ 5,441
Net Sales 2,268 846 560 208 608 661 -- 43 5,194
Operating income (4) 86 1 50 (26) 52 -- (8) 151
Total assets at December
31, 2003 3,183 1,458 971 492 427 658 -- (1,554) 5,635
Depreciation 97 22 24 20 10 7 -- 3 183
Capital expenditures 111 15 8 8 6 16 -- -- 164
20
Products
Steelmakers primarily produce two types of steel products, flat-rolled and
long. Flat-rolled products, such as sheet or plate, are produced from
semi-finished slabs. Long products, such as bars, rods and structural shapes,
are rolled from blooms and/or billets.
Steelmaking Process
There have historically been two kinds of primary steel producers,
"integrated" and "mini-mill". Over the past few decades, a third type of steel
producer has emerged that combine the strengths of both the integrated and the
mini-mill processes and they are referred to as "integrated mini-mill
producers".
Integrated Steelmaking
In integrated steel production, coal is converted to coke in a coke oven,
and then combined in a blast furnace with iron ore and limestone to produce pig
iron, which is subsequently combined with scrap in a "basic oxygen" or other
furnace to produce raw or liquid steel. Once produced, the liquid steel is
metallurgically refined and then transported to a continuous caster for casting
into a slab, which is then further shaped or rolled into its final form. Various
finishing or coating processes may in turn, follow these processes. The recent
modernization efforts of integrated steel producers have focused on cutting
costs through eliminating unnecessary production steps, reducing manning levels
through automation, and decreasing waste generated by the process. In recent
years, integrated steel production has declined as a proportion of total steel
production due to the high costs of building, operating and maintaining
integrated steel operations, including lost production time associated with
periodic blast furnace relinings. This reduction in integrated production
capacity has increased the market share of the remaining producers of the
highest value-added products that require the cleanest steel.
Mini-Mills
A mini-mill employs an EAF to directly melt scrap and/or scrap substitutes
such as DRI, thus entirely replacing all of the steps up to and including the
energy-intensive blast furnace. A mini-mill incorporates the melt shop, ladle
metallurgical station, casting, and rolling into a unified continuous flow. As a
group, mini-mills are generally characterized by lower costs of production and
higher productivity than integrated steelmakers. This is due, in part, to the
mini-mills' lower capital costs and to their lower operating costs resulting
from their streamlined melting process and more efficient plant layouts. The
quality of steel produced by mini-mills is primarily limited by the quality of
the metallic raw materials used in liquid steelmaking, which is affected by the
limited availability of high-quality scrap or virgin one-based metallics for use
in the EAFs. Mini-mills are substantially dependent on scrap, which in recent
years has been characterized by price volatility and generally rising prices.
Integrated Mini-Mills
Integrated mini-mills are mini-mills which produce their own metallic raw
materials that consist of high quality scrap substitutes such as DRI. Unlike
most mini-mills, integrated mini-mills are able to produce steel with the
quality of an integrated producer, since scrap substitutes such as DRI are
derived form virgin iron ore, which has fewer impurities. The internal
production of scrap substitutes as the primary metallic feedstock provides
integrated mini-mills with a competitive advantage over traditional scrap-based
mini-mills by insulating the integrated mini-mills form dependence on scrap,
which is generally more expensive and has been subject to price volatility and
limited availability form time to time. The internal production of metallic
feedstock also enables integrated mini-mills to reduce handling and
transportation costs. The high percentage use of scrap substitutes such as DRI
also allows the integrated mini-mills to take advantage of periods of low scrap
prices by procuring a wide variety of lower-cost scrap grades, which can be
blended with the higher-purity DRI charge. Because the production of DRI
involves the use of significant amounts of natural gas, integrated mini-mills
are more sensitive to the price of natural gas than mini-mills using scrap.
Key Products
We have a high degree of both product and geographic diversification. Our
plants produce a broad range of finished and semi finished steel products that
include hot rolled sheet, cold rolled, electro galvanized and coated steels,
bars, wire rods, wire products, pipes, billets and slabs. Our plants manufacture
steel products
21
of different specifications, including many difficult and technically
sophisticated ones; and they sell these products to demanding customers for use
in a number of high-end applications.
Hot-rolled sheet
All coiled flat-rolled steel is initially hot-rolled, a process that
consists of passing a cast slab through a multi-stand rolling mill to reduce its
thickness to less than a one-half inch. Hot-rolled steel is minimally processed
steel coil that is used in the manufacture of various non-surface critical
applications, such as automobile suspension arms, frames, wheels, and other
unexposed parts in auto and truck bodies, agricultural equipment, construction
products, machinery, tubing, pipe and guard rails.
Cold-rolled sheet
Cold-rolled sheet is hot-rolled steel that has been further processed
through a pickle line, which is an acid bath that removes scaling from steel's
surface, and then successively passed through a rolling mill without reheating
until the desired gauge, or thickness, and other physical properties have been
achieved. Cold rolling reduces gauge and hardens the steel and, when further
processed through an annealing furnace and a temper mill, improves uniformity,
ductility and formability. Cold rolling can also impart various surface finishes
and textures. Cold-rolled steel is used in exposed steel applications that
demand higher surface quality or finish, such as exposed automobile and
appliance panels. As a result, cold-rolled prices are higher than hot-rolled
prices. Typically, cold-rolled material is coated or painted prior to sale to an
end-user.
Coated sheet
Coated sheet is cold-rolled steel that has been coated with zinc to render
it corrosion-resistant and to improve its paintability. Hot-dipped galvanized,
electro-galvanized and aluminized products are types of coated steels. These are
also the highest value-added sheet products because they require the greatest
degree of processing and tend to have the strictest quality requirements. Coated
steel is used for many applications, often where exposed to the elements, such
as automobile exteriors, major household appliances, roofing and siding, heating
and air conditioning equipment, air ducts and switch boxes, as well as in
certain packaging applications, such as food containers.
Galvanized sheet
Galvanized sheet is a product produced when hot or cold rolled sheet is
coated with zinc. Zinc coating provides corrosion resistance. Galvanized sheet
is used in certain automotive parts, appliances, expanded metal, construction
materials and pipe manufacturing.
Special bar quality ("SBQ")
SBQ steel is the highest quality steel long product, and is typically used
in safety-critical applications by manufacturers of engineered products. SBQ
steel must meet specific applications' needs for strength, toughness, fatigue
life and other engineering parameters. SBQ steel is the only bar product that
typically requires customer qualification, and is generally sold under contract
to long-term customers. End-markets are principally the automotive, heavy truck
and agricultural sectors, and products made with SBQ steel include axles,
crankshafts, transmission gears, bearings and seamless tubes.
Wire rods:
Wire rod is one of hot rolled steels classified by shape. In general, wire
rod is ring-shaped coiled steel with diameters ranging from 5.5mm to 42mm. Wire
rods are used in automotive, construction, welding and engineering sectors.
Billet Bloom
A billet is a semi-finished steel product with a square cross section up to
155mm x 155mm. This product is either rolled or continuously cast and is used
for further processing by rolling to produce finished products like wire rod,
merchant bars and other sections. The range of semi-finished products above
155mm x 155mm are called blooms.
22
Slab
A slab is a semi-finished steel product obtained by rolling ingots on a
rolling mill or processing them through a continuous caster and cutting them
into various lengths. The slab has a rectangular cross section and is used as a
starting material in the production process of flat products, i.e., hot rolled
coils.
Wire products
Wire products include a broad range of products produced by cold reducing
wire rod though a series of dies to improve surface finish, dimensional
accuracy, and physical properties. Wire products are used in a variety of
applications such as springs, concrete wire, electrical conductors, structural
cables, etc.
Direct Reduced Iron or DRI
DRI is iron produced by a direct reduction process that removes the oxygen
from the iron ore without melting it. DRI is used as feedstock for electric arc
furnaces.
Our principal products currently include:
o DRI;
o Semi-finished flat products such as slabs;
o Finished flat products such as hot and cold-rolled and hot dipped and
electro galvanized steels;
o Semi-finished long products such as blooms and billets; and
o Finished long products such as bars, wire rods and wire products.
The following table sets forth our total production of DRI, and our total
shipments of flat and long products in 2003 by major product category:
Ispat Ispat Ispat Ispat
Inland Imexsa Sidbec CIL Germany Unimetal Total
------ ------ ------ --- ------- -------- -----
DRI production (tonnes) ........ -- 3,859 503 2,275 565 -- 7,202
Flat Products shipments (tons)
Semi-finished .................. -- 3,748 129 -- -- -- 3,877
Finished ....................... 4,781 -- 600 -- -- -- 5,381
Long Products shipments (tons)
Semi-finished .................. -- -- 47 262 872 -- 1,181
Finished ....................... 519 -- 784 739 1,489 1,193 4,724
------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ----- ------
Total Steel Products ........... 5,300 3,748 1,559 1,001 2,361 1,193 15,162
------ ------ ------ ----- ----- ----- ------
Direct Reduced Iron
In 2003, we remained the world's largest producer of Direct Reduced Iron
("DRI"), a pure iron raw material, with production for the year of 7.2 million
tonnes. DRI is a high quality substitute for scrap, and enables the Company to
control the quality and consistency of its metallic input, which is essential to
ensure uniform high quality of the finished products. It has also historically
given the Company a cost advantage compared to scrap. However, the cost
advantage was partially offset in 2003 by the high costs of iron ore pellets,
natural gas and ocean freight. This situation continues to prevail as strong
Chinese demand has altered the world market balance. At all our EAF based steel
making facilities, we have a considerable degree of flexibility in terms of
switching between DRI and scrap.
23
Raw Materials and Energy
Our principal strategic raw materials are iron ore fines, iron ore pellets,
scrap, alloys and coke. Our strategy for the procurement of raw materials
comprises:
o Pursuing the lowest prices available and lowest cost of ownership
through aggregated purchasing, and supply chain optimization;
o Exploiting our global purchasing reach; and
o Leveraging local cost advantages on a global scale.
Our main suppliers for iron ore feed and iron ore pellets include CVRD and
MBR in Brazil, Shougang Hierro in Peru, CVG in Venezuela and QCM in Canada. In
addition, we obtain a portion of our iron ore from Minorca and Empire mines in
the United States and iron ore pellets from Pena Colorada mine in Mexico. We
normally procure our scrap locally, from suppliers with proximity to our
operating plants.
Prices of externally sourced iron ore pellets are typically determined
annually on a contractual basis, and these prices are generally influenced by
global supply and demand considerations. Prices of iron ore pellets sourced from
our own subsidiaries or from joint ventures in which we have an interest are
based on the application of agreed upon pricing methodology.
Scrap prices are generally based on spot markets, and have experienced
significant fluctuations during 2003. In North America, based on the Chicago
Iron Age Market Index, prices increased by about 40%, while in Europe, based on
the Association of Steel Industry prices increased by about 18%.
Metallurgical coke is only used at our U.S. operating subsidiary. Like
other steel industry raw materials the market for coke has also been affected by
the developments in the Chinese market. Rapidly rising demand for coke combined
with port congestion in the Far East has created an extremely challenging market
situation, affecting both availability and prices. We are working on different
alternatives to ensure adequate availability of coke for our operations. The
impact on costs will however remain.
Energy costs, particularly natural gas and electricity, constitute a
considerable portion of our production cost. The price of energy has varied
significantly in the past and may vary significantly in the future largely as a
result of market conditions and other factors beyond our control. As DRI
production utilizes a significant amount of natural gas, our production costs
are sensitive to the price of natural gas. The price of natural gas increased
significantly in 2003.
Prices of natural gas at our subsidiaries generally fall into one of three
categories: (a) spot, (b) administered prices, based on movements in spot
prices, or (c) fixed contractual prices. At our U.S., Canadian and European
Operating Subsidiaries, natural gas prices are typically based on spot prices.
At our Trinidadian operation, natural gas is supplied by a regulated agency, and
the prices are fixed by contract. At our Mexican operating subsidiary, natural
gas is supplied by a government agency. In 2001, Ispat Mexicana entered into a
three-year fixed price take-or-pay contract covering approximately 70% of its
natural gas requirements. Following the expiration of this contract in December
2003, the natural gas has been supplied at prices that are linked to market
prices.
We regularly take advantage of hedging opportunities to manage our natural
gas costs.
Electricity is another major source of energy at our plants and a major
cost component. At all our locations except in the United States, electricity is
procured from local, regulated utility companies at prices fixed by either
contract or tariff. Electricity unit prices for merchant power purchases are
typically indexed to the fuel costs incurred by the merchant generator. Our U.S.
operating subsidiary purchases a significant portion (42%) of its power from
onsite generation owned by third parties. Additionally, it generates a minor
amount of power from its own generation assets.
24
Government Regulations
See "Item 3D--Risk Factors--International Trade"; "--Environmental
Regulations" and "--Foreign Governmental Policies and International Economic
Conditions," and "Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings."
Management
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of the Company is Lakshmi
N. Mittal. Mr. Mittal's vision and his ability to guide our Company in its
formulation and execution of appropriate business strategies to meet the
challenges of an increasingly dynamic industry and business environment, has
helped us to emerge as a world leader in steel production utilizing the
integrated mini-mill and blast furnace processes, with a strong manufacturing
base in the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA") region and Europe. We
are the only steelmaker in the NAFTA region to have steel making facilities in
each of United States, Canada and Mexico.
Local management operates each operating subsidiary with assistance from
our corporate management team. Each operating subsidiary maintains its own
manufacturing, engineering and commercial staff who implement our business
strategy on a daily basis. In addition, we have a corporate management team that
assists our operating subsidiaries at a strategic level. Within corporate
management there are specialized and experienced executives in fields such as
finance, marketing, purchasing, operations, shipping, human resources,
communications, internal assurance, strategic planning, technology and law.
We extensively practise our Knowledge Integration Program ("KIP"), which is
a quality, cost and efficiency improvement program designed to allow each
operating subsidiary to benefit from the best practices utilized by other
operating subsidiaries. Under the KIP, senior and middle level managers
periodically meet with their counterparts from other operating subsidiaries to
share technical and operating experiences, coordinate activities and stay
abreast of technical and commercial developments and company-wide practices. We
believe that the KIP contributes significantly to reducing procurement and
conversion costs through bulk purchasing and improving overall profitability and
operating efficiencies through mutual assistance.
Marketing
Our marketing strategy is to work with our customers on product development
to meet their present and future requirements while utilizing our assets in the
most efficient and profitable manner. We focus our efforts on providing
solutions to our customers to reduce their costs and becoming their preferred
supplier of high quality steel products.
The large majority of our products are sold directly to customers through
our own sales force. A small proportion is sold through intermediate
international traders.
Business Strategy
Our strategy is to enhance shareholder value by continuously strengthening
our position as a low cost, high quality steel producer and achieving the
maximum benefits from our global position. We strive to identify, capture, and
create value by formulating and implementing efficient solutions to our
procurement, marketing, operating and financial challenges and opportunities.
Our strategy includes the following key elements:
o Leverage our Global Position. Our position as one of the largest and
most international steel producers in the world provides opportunities
to achieve operational synergies and cost savings. A key element in
our strategy is to maximize the realization of these advantages.
o Organic Growth. We continue to examine and pursue opportunities to
improve the operating performance of our facilities and enhance our
low cost production capabilities. Historically, we have been
successful at enhancing our production capabilities at relatively low
capital costs per ton.
25
o Use Technology as a Competitive Tool. We believe the judicious
application of technological advances is essential to continued
competitiveness. We will continue to invest in incremental
technological improvements wherever it is appropriate.
o Remain a Low Cost Producer. We believe that our efficient use of
steel-making facilities and our superior operating practices makes us
one of the lowest cost steel producers in each of the markets in which
we compete. We seek to further protect and enhance our competitive
position through continuous cost reduction programs and through our
KIP. We believe that KIP has already provided significant benefits,
including reduced procurement costs of raw materials, consumables and
spare parts, as well as increased productivity through the transfer of
technological know-how among our operating subsidiaries.
o Strengthen our Leading Market Positions and Reputation for Quality.
Over the years, we have built strong customer franchises in a number
of markets and products. We are one of the largest producers and
consumers of DRI in the world. Our European operations collectively
are the largest producers of high-quality wire rod on the continent
and Ispat Inland is one of the leading suppliers to the automobile and
appliance industries in North America and has leading positions with
Ford, Honda and Toyota. In addition, we believe we have established a
reputation for producing high-quality steel products, in part due to
our tradition of partnering with key customers. We intend to continue
such partnering with key customers in research and development efforts
and in assisting them with their product design initiatives. We
believe this helps ensure strong, long-term customer relationships and
enables us to produce higher quality steel products and create
long-term growth opportunities. In the future, we believe we can
further enhance our profitability by leveraging these leading market
positions to sell a broader range of higher value-added products.
o Reduce existing indebtedness through cash flow generation. It is our
goal to use the cash flow that our business generates to reduce
existing debt and improve our liquidity and overall financial
flexibility.
C. Organizational Structure
Ispat International is a holding company with no business operations of its
own. Our significant subsidiaries are:
o Ispat Inland, incorporated in the United States;
o Ispat Mexicana, incorporated in Mexico;
o Ispat Sidbec, incorporated in Canada;
o Caribbean Ispat, incorporated in Trinidad and Tobago;
o Ispat Europe Group, incorporated in Luxembourg;
o Ispat Hamburg, incorporated in Germany;
o Ispat Ruhrort, incorporated in Germany;
o Ispat Hochfeld, incorporated in Germany; and
o Ispat Unimetal, incorporated in France.
All of these significant subsidiaries are wholly-owned by Ispat
International, indirectly through intermediate holding companies.
26
This chart represents the operational rather than the exact legal or
ownership structure of our Company.
-------------------
Ispat International
(The Netherlands)
-------------------
-------- ------------
Ispat Ispat
Shipping Europe Group
(U.K.) (Luxembourg)
-------- ------------
-----------------------
------ -------- ------- --------- -------- | -------- -------- | --------
Ispat Ispat Ispat Caribbean Ispat | Ispat Ispat | Ispat
Inland Mexicana Sidbec Ispat Hamburg | Hochfeld Ruhrort | Unimetal
(U.S.) (Mexico) (Canada) (Trinidad) (Germany) | (Germany) (Germany)| (France)
------ -------- ------- --------- -------- | -------- -------- | --------
| Ispat Duisburg |
------------------------
D. Property, Plant and Equipment
Our principal operating subsidiaries are Ispat Inland, Imexsa, Ispat
Sidbec, Caribbean Ispat, Ispat Hamburg, Ispat Duisburg and Ispat Unimetal. In
addition, we conduct operations through other subsidiaries and affiliates. All
of our operating subsidiaries are wholly-owned by Ispat International through
intermediate holding companies.
Certain of the Company's assets are encumbered in favor of the Company's
lenders. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Ispat Inland Inc. ("Ispat Inland")
General
Ispat Inland is the fourth largest integrated producer of steel in the
United States, with shipments of 5.3 million tons in 2003. Ispat Inland was
established in 1893 and produces and sells a wide range of steel products,
largely carbon and high-strength low-alloy steel grades, in flat-rolled and bar
forms.
Flat Products generated 89% of Ispat Inland's 2003 revenue. This division
manufactures and sells hot-rolled, cold-rolled, coated and galvanized steel
sheets used in various applications including automotive, steel service center,
appliance, office furniture and electrical motor markets. Ispat Inland's Flat
Products division also manages Ispat Inland's iron ore and iron-making
operations, and produces the major portion of its raw steel requirements. Ispat
Inland is one of the leading producers in the United States of automotive sheet,
the highest value-added flat-rolled carbon steel product, and the largest
supplier of steel to the appliance market. Over 80% of Ispat Inland's
flat-rolled steel revenues are generated by value-added cold-rolled or coated
steels. Essentially all of Ispat Inland's steel products are made to fill
specific orders due to the unique chemistry, surface quality, and width and
gauge requirements of our customers.
Ispat Inland's Bar division generated 11% of Ispat Inland's 2003 revenue,
and manufactures and sells a variety of bar products, including SBQ to the
automotive industry directly, as well as through forgers and cold finishers, and
also to heavy equipment manufacturers and steel service centers. SBQ steel is
used by our
27
customers in the automotive, agricultural and transportation industries, among
others, to manufacture safety-critical products such as axles and bearings.
All raw steel made by Ispat Inland is produced at its Indiana Harbor Works
located in East Chicago, Indiana. The property on which this plant is located,
consisting of approximately 1,900 acres, is held by Ispat Inland in fee. The
basic production facilities of Ispat Inland at its Indiana Harbor Works consist
of furnaces for making iron; basic oxygen and electric furnaces for making
steel; a continuous billet caster, a continuous combination slab/bloom caster
and two continuous slab casters; and a variety of rolling mills and processing
lines which turn out finished steel mill products. A continuous anneal line and
slitting equipment, are held by Ispat Inland under leasing arrangements. Ispat
Inland has granted the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") a lien upon
the Caster Facility to secure the payment of future pension funding obligations.
Substantially all of the remaining property, plant and equipment at the Indiana
Harbor Works, other than the Caster Facility and leased equipment, is subject to
the lien of the First Mortgage of Ispat Inland dated April 1, 1928, as amended
and supplemented. The Indiana Harbor Works is also subject to a second lien in
favor of the United Steelworkers of America to secure a post retirement health
benefit.
I/N Tek, a partnership in which a subsidiary of Ispat Inland owns a 60%
interest, has constructed a 1.7 million ton annual capacity cold-rolling mill on
approximately 200 acres of land, which it owns in fee, located near New
Carlisle, Indiana. Substantially all the property, plant and equipment owned by
I/N Tek is subject to a lien securing related indebtedness. The I/N Tek facility
is adequate to serve the present and anticipated needs of Ispat Inland planned
for such facility.
I/N Kote, a partnership in which a subsidiary of Ispat Inland owns a 50%
interest, has constructed a 1 million ton annual capacity steel galvanizing
facility on approximately 25 acres of land, which it owns in fee, located
adjacent to the I/N Tek site. Substantially all the property, plant and
equipment owned by I/N Kote is subject to a lien securing related indebtedness.
The I/N Kote facility is adequate to serve the present and anticipated needs of
Ispat Inland planned for such facility.
PCI Associates, a partnership in which a subsidiary of Ispat Inland owns a
50% interest, has constructed a pulverized coal injection facility on land
located within the Indiana Harbor Works. Ispat Inland leases PCI Associates the
land upon which the facility is located. A 50% undivided interest in
substantially all of the property, plant and equipment at the PCI facility is
subject to a long-term lease, with the balance of the PCI facility owned by PCI
Associates. The PCI facility is adequate to serve the present and anticipated
needs of Ispat Inland planned for such facility.
Ispat Inland owns property at the Indiana Harbor Works used in connection
with its joint project with Sun and Private Energy LLC.
A subsidiary of Ispat Inland owns a fleet of 350 coal hopper cars (100-ton
capacity each) used in unit trains to move coal and coke to the Indiana Harbor
Works. Ispat Inland time-charters three vessels for the transportation of iron
ore and limestone on the Great Lakes. During 1998, Ispat Inland transferred
ownership of such vessels to a third party subject to a lien in favor of the
PBGC on the vessels to secure the payment of future pension funding obligations.
Such equipment is adequate, when combined with purchases of transportation
services from independent sources, to meet the present and anticipated
transportation needs of Ispat Inland.
Ispat Inland also owns and maintains research and development laboratories
in East Chicago, Indiana. Such facilities are adequate to serve its present and
anticipated needs.
28
Production Facilities
The following table sets forth a general description of Ispat Inland's
principal production units.
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------------------- ------------------
Blast furnace 3 Blast furnaces 5.7 million tons of hot metal 4.2 million tons
Basic oxygen furnace 2 BOFs with 4 vessels with 5.9 million tons of liquid 4.7 million tons
(BOF) ladle metallurgy stations steel
and one RH type vacuum
degasser
Slab and bloom caster 3 continuous Slab and Bloom casters 5.6 million tons 4.6 million tons
80" Hot strip mill With 5 roughing stands, 6 finishing 6.0 million tons 5.1 million tons
stands, 3 walking beam slab reheat
furnaces
Cold rolling mill 2 continuous pickle lines 3.1 million tons 2.4 million tons
56" and 80" tandem mill 3.7 million tons 2.4 million tons
Continuous annealing facilities 457,000 tons 304,000 tons
Batch annealing facility 1.7 million tons 1.6 million tons
3 temper rolling mills 2.9 million tons 2.1 million tons
5 finishing lines 2.1 million tons 1.7 million tons
Coating lines 3 coating lines 928,000 tons 750,000 tons
Electric arc furnace (EAF) One 120 ton AC EAF (60 MVA) with ladle 610,000 tons of liquid steel 372,000 tons
metallurgy station
Billet caster Four-strand continuous caster 800,000 tons 359,000 tons
12" bar mill Rod and Stelmor coil mill with rounds, 700,000 tons 522,000 tons
hexagons and square products
Ispat Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. ("Imexsa")
General
Imexsa is the largest steel producer in Mexico. It is also the world's
largest slab producer dedicated to the manufacture and sale of slabs solely to
outside customers. Slabs are an intermediate steel product used for
manufacturing a broad range of flat products such as plates and hot-rolled
coils. Slabs are purchased both by steel manufacturers without primary steel
making facilities and by steel manufacturers with either a temporary or
permanent reliance on external sources for a portion or all of their needs.
Imexsa's product line mainly caters to high-end applications of its customers.
Imexsa utilizes DRI as its primary metallic input for virtually all of its
production. Imexsa operates a pellitizer plant, two DRI plants, an efficient
EAF-based steel making plant and continuous casting facilities. Imexsa has
advanced secondary metallurgical capabilities, including ladle refining, vacuum
degassing and calcium silicon injection, which permit it to produce higher
quality slabs utilized for specialized steel applications in the automotive,
line pipe manufacturing, shipbuilding and appliance industries.
Imexsa's production facilities are located on 1,075 acres adjacent to a
major deep-water port in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Mexico, through which most
of its slabs are shipped for export and its raw materials are received. The port
is the largest bulk material handling port in Mexico and the second largest bulk
material handling port in Latin America. The port includes a metals and minerals
wharf with three berths, operated by
29
Corporacion del Balsas, S.A. de. C.V. under a concession from the Mexican
government which expires in 2014, and a multipurpose terminal berth operated by
Imexsa, which currently accepts vessels up to Handymax size. Imexsa operates the
multipurpose terminal berth under a concession from the Mexican government which
expires in 2010.
During the year 2003, Imexsa qualified for the QS 9000 award (earlier
awarded in 1999) and holds several certifications for manufacturing customer
specific shipbuildings grades. Some of the value added products developed in
2003 were, heat treatment grades for plate manufacturing, Oil Country Tubular
Goods ("OCTG"), high chromium grade for oil exploration applications and also
for gas transportation industry. As part of moving up the value chain, Imexsa is
planning to invest up to $13.5 million in the Ruhrstahl Heraeus Top Lance
("RHTL") project, which will enable it to produce up to 1.0 million tons of
ultra low carbon Interstitial Free grades of steel mainly for the automobile
segment. Imexsa will also benefit from a new Oxygen Gas Plant being put up by a
group subsidiary in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan in terms of strategic and cost
benefits. It is expected that both these projects would commence operation in
the fourth quarter of 2004. Since its inception, Imexsa has been an
export-focused company. For the year ended December 31, 2003, approximately 71%
of Imexsa's slabs were exported to finished steel product manufacturers in the
United States, China, Korea, Thailand and Germany, through dedicated deep water
port facilities located adjacent to its production complex in Lazaro Cardenas,
Michoacan, on Mexico's Pacific coast.
In addition to its core steel-making facilities, Imexsa holds a 50% equity
interest in Consorcio Minero Benito Juarez Pena Colorada, S.A. de C.V., an iron
ore mining and pelletizing company. This joint venture is implementing an
expansion programme which will increase its capacity by 0.5 million tonnes, to
4.0 million tonnes by the fourth quarter of 2004. Imexsa also has strategic
interests in several other ancillary companies, which provide significant
benefits. These include:
o A 50% interest in Corporacion del Balsas, S.A. de C.V., which manages
captive port facilities;
o A 50% interest in Servicios Siderurgicos Integrados, S.A. de C.V.,
which provides various products such as, industrial gas and services
to Imexsa, at its cost of producing these services; and
o A 50% interest in Cal del Balsas, S.A. de C.V., providing lime
products.
Production Facilities
The following table sets forth a general description of Imexsa's principal
production units:
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
--------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------ --------------------
Pelletizing plant Straight grate plant with area of 4.0 million tonnes of pellets 3.2 million tonnes
4,994 sq.ft
HyL DRI plant HyL III continuous plant with four 2.4 million tonnes of DRI 2.0 million tonnes
reactors
MIDREX(TM)DRI plant MIDREX(TM) 1. 7 million tonnes of DRI 1.5 million tonnes
MEGAMOD(TM)plant
EAFs (steel melt shop) Four 242-tons EAFs with 150 MVA 4.0 million tons of liquid steel 3.3 million tons
transformers
Second metallurgy Two 242-tons ladle furnaces, one -- --
calcium silicon injection system,
one vacuum degassing unit
Continuous casting Two twin-strand slab casting 3.8 million tons of slabs 3.1 million tons
machines, capable of producing a
range of slab sizes
30
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
--------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------ --------------------
Thermal power station Two 140-tonnes/hour steam boilers. 40 megawatts (two 20 megawatt units) 88.24 million kwh
(Multiple fuels) Two steam-driven turbo generators
Ispat Sidbec Inc. ("Ispat Sidbec")
General
Ispat Sidbec is the fourth largest steelmaker in Canada, based on
2003 shipments of approximately 1.6 million tons of finished steel products.
Ispat Sidbec manufactures a wide range of steel products, including hot, cold
and galvanized sheet, wire rods, bar and pipe products, and markets these
products primarily in Canada and the United States. Ispat Sidbec is currently
the only Canadian steelmaker utilizing internally produced DRI as the primary
raw material for steelmaking. Ispat Sidbec has two MIDREX(TM) DRI plants with an
aggregate production capacity of 1.5 million tonnes.
Production Facilities
Ispat Sidbec's facilities are located in the Province of Quebec on
approximately 1,050 acres of land in Contrecoeur, 100 acres in Longueuil and 23
acres in Montreal. The following table sets forth a general description of Ispat
Sidbec's principal production facilities.
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------
Contrecoeur
DRI plants Two MIDREX(TM)Modules 1.5 million tonnes of DRI 503,000 tonnes
EAFs Two 150-ton EAFs with 130 MVA 1.8 million tons of liquid steel 1.7 million tons
transformers
Secondary metallurgy Two 150-ton ladle furnaces -- --
Continuous casting One single-strand slab casting machine 900,000 tons of slabs 800,000 tons
One six-strand billet casting 900,000 tons of billets 800,000 tons
Hot strip mill One two-high reversing stand and one 683,000 tons of hot bands 640,000 tons
four-high finishing stand
Cold rolling mill Pickling line 470,000 tons 430,000 tons
Two Sendzimir 470,000 tons 379,000 tons
cold-rolling mills
19 annealing furnaces including a new 330,000 tons 261,000 tons
Hydrogen Furnace
One Temper mill 330,000 tons 261,000 tons
Rod and bar mill One rod and bar mill with 450,000 tons of rods and bars 345,000 tons
125-ton/hour gas-fired furnace to
reheat billets with 10 finishing
stands
Longueuil
Bar mill Bar mill with one 90-ton/ hour 410,000 tons of finished bars 373,000 tons
gas-fire furnace to reheat billets
with 16 finishing stands
31
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------- -------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ------------------
Montreal
Pipe mill Pipe mill with 100 foot furnace 109,000 tons of pipe 76,000 tons
six-strand forming mill
The Contrecoeur works have direct access to a water terminal, owned by the
Port of Montreal, with docks on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River,
through which iron ore is received and steel products may be shipped. The St.
Lawrence River is accessible by ship for most of the year, although shipping
costs rise in the winter months when icebreakers are needed. As a result, during
the fall months, iron ore is stockpiled for use during the coldest months of the
year. Scrap is shipped by truck or rail. All plants have railway access, with
the exception of the Longueuil plant.
Acufil
Acufil, a wholly owned Canadian limited partnership, is one of
Canada's finest wire producers. Established in 1995 in Montreal, Acufil shipped
approximately 70,000 tons of wire, in 2003, to customers located in Canada and
the United States. Acufil is geographically located very close to its wire rod
supplier, Ispat Sidbec, and services customers in the automotive, agricultural,
construction, bedding, furniture, cable, pulp tie and consumer product
industries.
Acufil produced 69,000 tons of wire products in 2003. Acufil has a
production capacity of approximately 99,000 tons per year of wire products. The
facility is located in Montreal, Canada and consists of a modern acid picking
line, two wire galvanising lines, one patenting line and 20 wire drawing
machines.
Its 300,000 square feet facility received certification for ISO 9002 in
September 2000. The plant also has a complete ISO certified testing facility
used by its customer service metallurgists to support product development and
other challenges faced by customers.
Delta Tube and Company, Limited
Delta Tube and Company, Limited was formed by Ispat Sidbec Inc. (40%) and
Nova Steel (60%) to manufacture pipe for Ispat Sidbec and hollow structural
sections of Nova Steel. Delta Tube is equipped with two Electric Resistant Weld
lines that produce pipes from two to six inches in diameter for the account of
its two owners, which are then sold by such owners. The facility is located in
Montreal, Canada, operates on a tolling arrangement per ton transformed and a
production capacity of 75,000 tons. In 2003, Delta Tube rolled 65,700 tons.
Sorevco
Sorevco, a 50%-50% joint venture with Dofasco Inc., operates a hot dip
galvanising line with a production capacity of 250,000 tons. It produces
galvanized sheet in widths of up to 55 inches, in thickness varying between 0.01
to 0.13 inches in a wide variety of zinc coatings. Ispat Sidbec and its partner
are each committed to supply 50% of Sorevco's full hard substrate requirements,
its primary raw material. Sorevco is of strategic importance to Ispat Sidbec as
it permits the sales of value-added flat-rolled products without requiring
additional production capacity for annealing and temper rolling at the
Contrecoeur plant. The hot dip galvanising line has a new galvanising process
for two-sided zinc coating of cold-rolled coil for the production of culvert
pipe used in road construction, which offers good market opportunities in North
America.
Walker Wire Inc. ("Walker Wire")
Walker Wire, established in 1944, has manufacturing facilities located in
Ferndale, Michigan, United States. Walker Wire is geographically positioned to
provide service to its customers in the automotive, agricultural, construction,
and consumer product industries.
32
Walker Wire, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Ispat Sidbec, produces cold
drawn wire and bars. Walker Wire purchases rod requirements primarily from Ispat
Sidbec and from rod mills in the United States and Europe. Walker Wire is
equipped with two acid pickling lines and annealing facilities and specializes
in value-added products for the automotive industry; its location provides it
with cost-effective access to automotive part manufacturers in the Detroit and
Chicago areas. Walker Wire is of strategic importance to Ispat Sidbec as it
permits the sales of value-added wire and bars products without requiring
additional production capacity for cold drawing at the Contrecoeur plant. In
2003, Walker Wire shipped 69,000 tons of wire products.
Walker Wire has a revolving credit facility with a financial institution,
secured by its accounts receivable and inventory and certain
related assets, providing for a maximum borrowing of approximately $16 million.
This facility bears interest at floating rates based on certain lending indices
(at the option of Walker Wire), less a margin of 1%. At December 31, 2003,
approximately $5.8 million was outstanding under this facility.
Caribbean Ispat Limited ("Caribbean Ispat")
General
Caribbean Ispat, located in Trinidad, is the largest steelmaker in the
Caribbean, based on 2003 shipments of one million tons of steel products.
Caribbean Ispat operates DRI plants, an EAF-based steel-making plant, continuous
casting facilities and a high-speed rolling mill. Caribbean Ispat produces wire
rods for use in a wide range of industrial applications, including the
manufacture of welding electrodes, cables, chains, springs, fasteners, wire
strands and wire ropes, pre-stressed concrete strands, tyre beads, as well as in
the construction industry. In 2003, substantially all of Caribbean Ispat's wire
rod shipments were exported, primarily to steel fabricators in South and Central
America, the Caribbean and the United States. Caribbean Ispat is also a
significant producer, exporter, and user of DRI.
Production Facilities
Caribbean Ispat's facilities are located on approximately 260 acres at the
Point Lisas Industrial Complex in Point Lisas, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Caribbean Ispat leases the property on which the facilities are located from the
Point Lisas Industrial Port Development Company (the "PLIPDECO"). On February
12, 1996, Caribbean Ispat and PLIPDECO entered into a lease agreement extending
the terms of the lease of such property until April 10, 2038. The following
table and discussion set forth a general description of Caribbean Ispat's
principal production facilities.
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------- ---------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------
DRI plants Two MIDREX(TM)Series 400 modules 1.3 million tonnes of DRI 965,000 tonnes
MIDREX(TM)MEGAMOD(TM)plant 1.4 million tonnes of DRI 1,310,000 tonnes
EAFs Two 132-ton EAFs with 80 MVA 1.2 million tons of liquid steel 1,029,000 tons
transformers
Secondary metallurgy Two 132-ton ladle furnaces -- --
Continuous casting Two four-strand casting machines 1.1 million tons of billets 988,000 tons
Rod mill One 154-ton/hour reheating furnace 810,000 tons of wire rods 706,000 tons
and rolling mill
Caribbean Ispat's production facilities are located adjacent to a dedicated
deep-water dock facility near the waterfront of the Gulf of Paria. Caribbean
Ispat operates the facility, which is leased from National Energy Corporation of
Trinidad and Tobago Limited on a long-term basis (until the year 2015), for
receipt and dispatch of various raw materials, consumables and finished
products. The berth of the dock facility has a service length of about 450 yards
and a depth of 45 feet. Pellet ore for the DRI plant and limestone for the
calcining plant are the primary imported materials received at the dock.
33
Ispat Europe Group S.A.
Ispat Europe Group S.A. is the holding company of all our operating
subsidiaries in Europe.
(a) Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH ("Ispat Hamburg")
General
Ispat Hamburg operates the only integrated mini-mill in Europe. Ispat
Hamburg operates a DRI plant, an EAF-based steel-making plant, continuous
casting facilities and a high-speed rolling mill. These facilities use advanced
processing techniques such as a high pressure intensive cooling process by which
liquid steel is cooled in the continuous casting machine. Ispat Hamburg's wire
rods are sold to customers principally in Germany, other European Union
countries and the Far East.
In addition, Ispat Hamburg owns Kent Wire Ispat Ltd., a leading producer of
wire mesh fabric in the United Kingdom. Further, Ispat Hamburg owns 33.3% of
Westfalische Drahtindustrie GmbH ("WDI"), located in Hamm, Germany. WDI has one
of the largest wire drawn facilities in Germany.
Production Facilities
Ispat Hamburg's facilities are located on 145 acres on the Elbe River in
Hamburg, Germany. Ispat Hamburg leases the property on which the production and
port facilities are located from the City of Hamburg pursuant to a long-term
lease expiring in 2013, which is renewable for an additional 15-year term. Most
of Ispat Hamburg's raw material imports and steel products are shipped through a
dedicated deep-water port facility situated on the Elbe River adjacent to its
production complex in Hamburg, Germany. The following table sets forth a general
description of Ispat Hamburg's principal production facilities:
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
--------------------- ---------------------------------- -------------------------------- -------------------
DRI plant One MIDREX(TM)Series 400 module 600,000 tonnes of DRI 565,000 tonnes
EAF One 143-ton EAF with 105 MVA 1.2 million tons of liquid steel 1.1 million tons
transformer
Secondary metallurgy One ladle furnace with -- --
25 MVA transformer
Continuous casting One six-strand billet caster 1.1 million tons of billets 1.0 million tons
Rolling mill One high speed two-strand wire rod 992,000 tons of wire rods 897,000 tons
mill
(b) Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH ("Ispat Ruhrort") and Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld
GmbH ("Ispat Hochfeld") (collectively, "Ispat Duisburg")
General
Ispat Duisburg uses basic oxygen furnace technology to produce
semi-finished blooms and billets. Ispat Duisburg transforms purchased hot metal
into low residual steel in the converter shop using secondary metallurgy
equipment, including a ladle furnace and vacuum degassing equipment.
Production Facilities
Ispat Duisburg has two production facilities located on approximately 613
acres in Duisburg, Germany. Ispat Duisburg's plant contains a continuous bloom
caster using the soft reduction process which enables us to produce higher
quality blooms. The following table sets forth a general description of Ispat
Duisburg's principal production facilities:
34
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
--------------------- --------------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------
Converter (liquid Two 154-ton 1.7 million tons of liquid 1.5 million tons
steel facility) converters steel
Secondary metallurgy One ladle furnace -- --
and one ladle vacuum
degasser
Continuous bloom One linear six-strand 1.7 million tons 1.1 million tons
caster(1) bloom caster
Continuous billet One six-strand billet 1.3 million tons 325,400 tons
caster(1) caster
Billet rolling mill Two high reversing 1.0 million tons 754,600 tons
(including stands and finishing
conditioning mill) lines
Wire rod mill One three-strand 1.0 million tons 629,200 tons
rolling mill and one pusher type
reheating furnace
-----------------
(1) The combined casting capacity is significantly higher than the steelmaking
capacity.
(c) Ispat Unimetal
General
The Company believes Ispat Unimetal is one of the largest wire rods and
bars producers in France, with 2003 annualized shipments of approximately 1.0
million tons of steel products. Ispat Unimetal manufactures a wide range of
high-quality billets, bars and rods in coils such as tire cord, free-cutting,
cold heading, forging, springs, pre-stressed concrete wire and other wire
drawing qualities. Ispat Unimetal operates a twin-shell design DC electric arc
furnace using the cost-effective "single convert" route of steelmaking.
Production Facilities
Ispat Unimetal's facilities are located on 678 acres in Gandrange, France
and 8 acres in Schifflange, Luxembourg. Ispat Unimetal's location provides
proximity to its core markets in France, Germany and the Benelux countries. The
following table sets forth a general description of Ispat Unimetal's principal
production facilities:
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ------------------
EAF One 182-ton EAF 1.6 million tons of liquid steel 1.1 million tons
Secondary metallurgy Two ladle furnaces and one ladle -- --
vacuum degasser
Continuous casting One six-strand bloom and one 2.0 million tons 1.1 million tons
six-strand billet casting machine
Billet rolling mill One continuous mill with 12 vertical 1.0 million tons 393,000 tons
and horizontal stands
Coil and bar mill One single-strand continuous mill 600,000 tons 332,000 tons
with 20 vertical and horizontal stands
Wire rod mill One two-strand high speed rolling mill 1.0 million tons 572,000 tons
35
Certifications
Ispat Unimetal has several certifications:
o Standards ISO 9002 - quality system requirements;
o ISO 14001 - environmental management system requirements for Gandrange
Plant;
o Customers Manuals EAQF - quality system requirements of French
Automotive constructors (European Equivalence with VDA6 (Germany) and
AVSQ 94 (Italy));
o QS9000 - quality system requirements for Ford, General Motors,
Chrysler; and
o Standard ISO/CEI 17025 - for steel shop laboratory (general
requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories).
(d) Trefileurope
General
In 2003, Trefileurope had 314,000 tons of shipments. Trefileurope is in the
wire drawing business and manufactures a wide of steel wires and ropes for use
in industrial applications including automotive and clutch springs, armoring
wires for flexible off-shore pipes, elevator ropes, aerial and ski-lift cables,
hoisting and fishing, pre-stressed concrete wires, domestic appliances, window
fasteners, wind screen wipers, bolts, nuts and nails. Trefileurope operates 9
production mills, 7 in France and one each in Belgium and Italy, all of which
are ISO 9001 or 9002 certified.
Production Facilities
Trefileurope's facilities are located on 37 acres in Bourg en Bresse, 32
acres in Lens, 37 acres in Commercy, 32 acres in Marnaval, 35 acres in Ste.
Colombe, 5 acres in Perigueux, 10 acres in Manois, all in France, 22 acres in
Belgium and 7 acres in Italy. The following table sets forth a general
description of Trefileurope's principal production facilities:
Facility Description Production Capacity Production in 2003
-------------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------
Bourg en Bresse and Lens Roping wire drawing machines 75,000 tons 44,000 tons
Stranding and closing machines
Pickling lines
Galvanizing lines
Oil tempering / quenching line
Commercy, Marnaval and Trefilac Drawing machines 153,200 tons 159,500 tons
Annealing machines
Galvanizing lines
Lacquering lines
Ste.-Colombe, Belgium and Italy Pickling lines 163,000 tons 93,000 tons
Drawing machines
Stranding machines
Plastic coating
Perigueux and Marnaval Drawing machines 27,500 tons 15,000 tons
Nail heading
Galvanizing machines
Quenching line
---------------------
36
(e) Downstream Activities
Ispat Europe manufactures a number of downstream products such as steel
wire, wire ropes, wire mesh and bright bars. It is the largest wire drawer in
France and one of the largest in Europe. Ispat Europe conducts its downstream
operations through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Trefileurope (as detailed in
(d) above), Kent Wire in the United Kingdom, and SMR, a leading bright bar
producer in France. Markets for Ispat Europe's downstream products include the
automobile industry and processors of steel wires for a wide range of uses such
as springs, elevator or hoisting ropes, wire mesh and free cutting. These
downstream companies source their wire rod and bar requirements mainly from
Ispat Europe's steelmaking facilities.
Ispat Hamburg owns 33.3% of Westfalische Drahtindustrie, located in Hamm,
Germany, and operates one of the largest wire drawn facility in Germany.
The customers are mainly in the automotive and engineering sector as well as the
construction industry.
Ispat Shipping Limited ("ISL"), U.K.
Ispat Shipping Limited is responsible for providing cost effective ocean
transportation solutions to the company's manufacturing subsidiaries and
affiliates, covering both raw materials and finished products. Its location in
London, a key hub of the global shipping business is a strategic advantage. In
2003, ISL handled 20.3 million tonnes of cargo.
37
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
Certain sections of Operating and Financial Review and Prospects include
forward-looking statements concerning trends or events potentially affecting the
businesses of the Company. These forward-looking statements typically contain
words such as "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects" or similar words
indicating that future outcomes are not known with certainty and are subject to
risk factors that could cause these outcomes to differ significantly from those
projected. In accordance with "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, these statements are accompanied by cautionary
language identifying important factors, though not necessarily all such factors
that could cause future outcomes to differ materially from those set forth in
forward-looking statements.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report. The
Consolidated Financial Statements, which include the accounts of Ispat
International and its subsidiaries, all of which are controlled by Ispat
International, have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Inter-company
balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation. Total shipments
of steel products include intercompany shipments. All references to "Sales"
include shipping and handling fees and costs as per EITF Issue No. 00-10. All
references to "Net Sales" exclude shipping and handling fees and costs. See
"Item 3A-Selected Financial Data", footnote 1 for reconciliation between sales
and net sales.
The records of each of our operating subsidiaries are maintained in the
currency of the country in which the operating subsidiary is located, using the
statutory or generally accepted accounting principles of such country. For
consolidation purposes, the financial statements which result from such records
have been translated to conform to U.S. GAAP and converted into Dollars, the
reporting currency. The functional currency for Ispat Sidbec is the Canadian
dollar and for Ispat Europe Group the Euro. Transactions in currencies other
than the functional currency of a subsidiary are recorded at the rates of
exchange prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and
liabilities in currencies other than the functional currency are re-measured at
the rates of exchange prevailing at the balance sheet date and the related
transaction gains and losses are reported in the statements of income. Upon
consolidation, the results of operation of our subsidiaries and affiliates whose
functional currency is other than the Dollar are translated into Dollars at
weighted average exchange rates in the year and assets and liabilities are
translated at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are presented as
a separate component of other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Financial
Statements and are included in net earnings only upon sale or liquidation of the
underlying foreign subsidiary or affiliated company.
A. Operating Results
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2002
Ispat International
Ispat International is the world's eleventh largest steel producer, with
major steelmaking operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Trinidad and
Tobago, Germany and France. The Company produces a broad range of coated, cold
rolled and hot rolled carbon steel products, bars and wire rods and
semi-finished steel products in the form of slabs, blooms and billets. In
addition, the Company is also the world's largest producer and consumer of DRI
and is also in the merchant DRI business. In 2003, Ispat International shipped
approximately 15 million tons of steel products to customers in about
eighty-five countries, with over 90% of sales revenue generated from shipments
to participating countries of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and
the European Union. Ispat International's products are mainly used in the
automotive, agriculture, transportation, construction and consumer appliances
sectors. Our business is sensitive to trends in these cyclical industries which
are in turn driven by the state of the economy of the region or other factors.
Almost all our revenues are generated from the sale of DRI, steel and steel
products.
For a detailed description of our business, products and facilities please
refer to "Item 4B--Business Overview" of this Form 20-F.
38
Factors affecting our business
Cyclicality of the steel industry
The steel industry is highly cyclical and is affected significantly by
general economic conditions and other factors such as worldwide production
capacity, fluctuations in steel imports/exports and tariffs. Steel prices are
sensitive to a number of supply and demand factors. Steel markets recently have
been experiencing larger and more pronounced cyclical fluctuations. This trend,
combined with the upward pressure on costs of key inputs, mainly metallics and
energy, presents an increasing challenge for steel producers. The key drivers
for maintaining a competitive position and good financial performance in this
challenging environment are product differentiation, customer service, cost
reduction and cash management.
2001 was one of the worst years in recent history for the steel industry.
The global economic situation caused a drastic reduction in sales volumes and
prices. Selling prices declined to record low levels, and stayed at those levels
for a longer period of time as compared to many of the past cyclical troughs.
These negative trends were further exacerbated by significant increases in the
cost of key inputs, mainly energy and iron ore.
In 2002 there was a gradual reversal of the cycle which, along with the
Section 201 trade rulings in the United States and certain emerging shifts in
the global demand-supply situation for steel, brought about improvements in both
demand for and pricing of steel products.
In 2003, world crude steel production increased by 7%, primarily due to
China where production increased by 21%, making it the largest steel producing
nation. Further, steel imports into China increased by 53% from 2002 to meet the
demand from the automobile, white goods and construction sectors. The strong
demand in China increased prices for steel as well as key raw materials such as
iron ore, coke, scrap and alloys. To partly mitigate these input cost increases,
steel companies in the U.S. started applying surcharges ranging from $20-$100
per ton in early 2004.
Consolidation in the U.S. steel industry
Over 35 steel and steel-related companies in the U.S. have sought
protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code since the
beginning of 1997. Many of these companies have continued to operate, while
reducing prices to maintain volumes and cash flow, and obtaining concessions
from their labor unions and suppliers. Some companies have even expanded and
modernized while in bankruptcy. Upon emerging from bankruptcy, these companies,
or new entities that purchased their facilities through the bankruptcy process,
have been relieved of many obligations, including environmental, employee and
retiree benefit and other obligations, commonly referred to as "legacy costs".
This enables such companies to have a more competitive cost structure,
particularly for their fixed costs, than they did before entering bankruptcy.
Within the past two years, these financial conditions have led to
significant consolidation, led by International Steel Group ("ISG"), US Steel
and Nucor. ISG is a new company formed through the acquisition of Bethlehem
Steel, LTV, Acme Steel and, the proposed acquisition of the assets of bankrupt
Weirton Steel in 2004. US Steel acquired National Steel; Nucor acquired
Birmingham Steel and Trico, while Steel Dynamics acquired Qualitech Steel and
GalyPro.
Global steel trade
The steel industry's and our ability to sell products is influenced in
varying degrees by trends in global trade for steel products, particularly
trends in imports of steel products into our principal markets. In the U.S.,
section 201 tariffs were in place through most of 2003. U.S. steel imports fell
by 29% primarily due to higher prices in China and most other markets, higher
ocean freight costs and the weakening of the U.S. dollar. Largely driven by
strong Chinese demand, steel prices began accelerating at the beginning of 2004.
It is generally expected that this upward trend in prices is likely to continue
in the first half of 2004.
The European long products steel industry
The European Union ("EU") economy continued to be sluggish during 2003. A
sharp appreciation of the Euro, high unemployment, budgetary pressures and
recession in Germany led to a 0.3% increase in the GDP of the Eurozone
countries.
39
Industrial production in the EU declined by 0.2% from 2002 levels while
demand for steel declined by more than 1% in 2003. Most of the end-user sectors
of steel were in recession during 2003, led by automobile production which was
down by 1.4% compared to 2002. Demand in the construction and metal working
sectors remained at 2002 levels. Steel pricing in Europe remained weak despite
an increase in input costs. Production cutbacks at mills were required to match
the demand-supply conditions in Europe. Lastly, the strength of the Euro
encouraged steel imports (long product steel imports increased by 19% in 2003
into the Eurozone) and export prices were affected by the appreciation of the
Euro against the U.S. dollar.
Raw materials and ocean freight costs
The iron ore market in 2003 was tight with prices for certain grades
increasing by between 20-40%. The resulting shortage in iron ore was driven
primarily by unprecedented demand for steel in China and shortage of shipping
capacity. Chinese steel mills, which have usually sourced their iron ore from
Australia, had to source iron ore from as far as Brazil to meet growing demand.
In 2003, China imported in excess of 150 million tonnes of iron ore, which led
to higher ore prices. The increase in imports contributed to an imbalance of
shipping capacity and increased ocean freight costs.
In 2003, there was a severe shortage of coking coal due to reduced
deliveries from China and Japan and production restraints in the United States.
Export licenses for coking coal were somewhat restricted by the Chinese
authorities in view of the mine closures due to environmental and safety reasons
and strong local demand from power companies and other industrial users. On the
other hand, demand for coking coal continued rising with the growth in the
Chinese steel industry. This increased coking coal imports into China to 2.6
million tonnes in 2003 (2002: 0.3 million). These factors contributed to a
three-fold increase in prices of coking coal globally.
Prices of ferro alloys also increased steeply in 2003 primarily due to
supply side issues and strong demand from China. In the past, China contributed
20-25% per annum of total manganese ferro alloy exports. With the surge in
demand, local Chinese producers struggled to meet the requirements. In addition,
power shortages and transportation difficulties in certain parts of China also
affected production of ferro alloys. These factors contributed to the overall
tightness in the ferro alloys market globally and increased prices.
Natural gas prices in North America also continued to increase in 2003.
Demand for natural gas in North America is increasing at around 3% per annum
while supplies are increasing by only 1%. Prices were also affected by lower
levels of natural gas inventory in North America in the first half of 2003 and a
severe winter, which resulted in a surge in demand for natural gas.
Scrap prices increased by up to 40%, depending on the grade, from 2002
levels mainly due to strong export demand from China. Scrap generation in China
is relatively small compared to more mature economies.
Ocean freight rates increased throughout 2003. Strong demand in China for
metallics has also increased the need for Capesize and Panamex vessels to
transport coking coal and ore. In addition, longer voyage times to the Far East
and port congestion in Asia contributed to the shortage of ships in the Western
Hemisphere. Given the inelastic nature of shipping capacity in the short term,
this has increased freight costs by up to five times from September 2002 levels.
Impact of Exchange Rate Movements
The comparability of our consolidated financial statements for the periods
presented in this annual report is affected by currency translation resulting
from our global operations. This translation primarily affects those
subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The U.S.
dollar weakened against the Euro by 20% and against the Canadian dollar by 16%
from December 2002. These exchange rate movements had an adverse impact on costs
and competitive position of some of our subsidiaries, particularly our Canadian
operating subsidiary. On the other hand, Ispat Inland, our U.S. operating
subsidiary should benefit going forward as imports become more expensive due to
the weakness of the U.S. dollar.
Fluctuations in the exchange rates of the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the
Canadian dollar, the Mexican Peso and other currencies expose our global
business operations and, consequently, our reported financial results and cash
flows to transaction risk. We manage this risk through specific hedges to the
extent management considers possible, but within limits set by the Board of
Directors.
40
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Judgments and Estimates
The information regarding and analysis of the Company's operational results
and financial condition are based on figures contained in the Company's
Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company
management to make judgments in relation to certain estimates and assumptions
used in the application of accounting policies. These judgments and estimates
are made on the basis of available facts and are a normal part of the process of
preparing financial statements. While the use of different assumptions and
estimates could have caused the results to be different from those reported, the
Company believes that the possibility of material differences between two
periods is considerably reduced because of the consistency in the application of
such judgments.
The accounting policies that the Company considers critical, in terms of
the likelihood of a material impact arising from a change in the assumptions or
estimates used in the application of the accounting policy in question, are
outlined below.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets
According to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, an
impairment loss must be recognized when the carrying amount of a long-lived
asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a
long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the expected sum of the
undiscounted cash flows over its remaining useful life. Additionally, Accounting
Principles Board (APB) No. 18, "The Equity Method of Accounting For Investment
in Common Stock," requires that a loss in value of an equity method investment
that is other than a temporary decline should be recognized. Based on these
accounting standards, the Company recognized the following impairments in 2002:
o Impairment of the idled 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar Mill, resulting in an
asset write-off of $23 million, following an assessment that those
facilities, which were idled in the fourth quarter of 2001, were
unlikely to be restarted.
o Write-off of the assets associated with the Empire Mine of $39 million
in connection with the sale, effective December 31, 2002, of part of
our interest in the Empire Partnership (and the sale of our related
fluxing equipment) to a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., thereby
reducing our interest in the Empire Mine from 40% to 21%.
The Company has assessed the impact of SFAS 144 in 2003 and concluded that
there was no impact on the 2003 financial statements.
Deferred Tax Assets
The Company charges tax expenses or accounts for tax credits based on the
differences between the financial statement amounts and the tax base amounts of
assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the
estimated future effects of tax losses carried forward. The Company annually
reviews the deferred tax assets in the different jurisdictions in which it
operates to assess the possibility of realizing such assets based on projected
earnings. It takes an appropriate valuation allowance where it appears more
likely than not, based on these projections, that the deferred tax assets will
not be realized. The Company expects that it is more likely than not that the
deferred tax assets of $565 million as at December 31, 2003 will be fully
realized.
Provisions for Pensions and Other Post Employment Benefits (SFAS 87 and 106)
The Company's operating subsidiaries have different types of pension plans
for their employees. Also, most of the subsidiaries in North America offer post
employment benefits, primarily post employment health care. The expense
associated with these pension plans and employee benefits, as well as the
carrying amount of the related liability/asset on the balance sheet is based on
a number of assumptions and factors such as the discount rate, expected wage
increases, expected return on plan assets, future health care cost trends and
market value of the underlying assets. Changes in any of these assumptions or
market values, particularly in the case of the U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries,
could have a material impact on the associated liabilities. In 2003, the
combined effects of improved market value of underlying pension assets and a
reduction in the discount rate from 7.1% to 6.25%. In the U.S. operating
subsidiary resulted in an after tax charge of $82 million to Other Comprehensive
Income (2002: $273 million).
41
Review of Operating Results
Summary
During 2003, the Company experienced some of the benefits from an increase
in global demand for steel. Sales increased by 11% to $5,441 million in 2003 due
to a better average price realization. Average prices realized in U.S. dollar
terms increased by 7% due to a favorable mix of products. Shipments increased by
1% to 15.2 million tons. Net Sales (sales less freight and other handling costs)
increased by 12% to $5,194 million.
Average cost per ton increased by 10% compared to 2002, to $308 primarily
due to the increase in cost of iron ore, scrap, electricity, natural gas and
transportation costs of key inputs. The rise in input prices was primarily due
to strong demand from the Chinese steel industry. Consequently, gross margins
declined from 11.5% to 9.6% in 2003 as increases in input costs could not be
fully recovered through increases in prices.
Operating income in 2003 was $151 million compared to $142 million in 2002.
However, after adjusting for certain one-time items discussed below, operating
income declined by 26% in 2003. This was due to a combination of lower gross
profits and increase in selling general and administrative expenses. Selling
general and administrative expenses increased by 8% only because of the
appreciation of the Euro and the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.
However, in local currency, these expenses decreased from 2002 levels in local
currency.
Interest expenses decreased by 26% due to lower average borrowings and
lower interest rates. On the other hand current income tax provision increased
to $57 million due to certain additional provision in our U.S. Operating
subsidiary.
A combination of the above factors contributed to the increase in net
income from $49 million in 2002 to $66 million in 2003.
The key performance indicators which management uses to analyze each
operating subsidiary are Net Sales, average selling price, shipments, cost per
ton, production, gross profit and operating income. Management's analysis of
liquidity and capital resources is driven by working capital and operating cash
flow. The following analysis presents these key performance indicators by each
operating unit. The gross profit and operating income analyses is carried out
for the Company as a whole.
Net Sales and Average Selling Prices
The Company uses Net Sales numbers for managing its business. All analyses
presented here onwards are based on Net Sales numbers. Net Sales exclude
shipping and handling fees and costs charged to customers. See Item 3A, footnote
1 for a reconciliation between Sales and Net Sales. Net Sales numbers are
stand-alone numbers for certain operating subsidiaries and include inter-company
shipments. The following table gives a summary of key Net Sales numbers:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiary Net Sales(1) Changes in
------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2003 Net Sales Shipments Average Selling
Price
$ Million $ Million % % %
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat Inland 2,223 2,151 (3) (6) 3
Ispat Mexicana 649 850 31 23 9
Ispat Sidbec 534 560 5 2 (8)*
Caribbean Ispat - Steel 183 234 28 17 9
Caribbean Ispat - DRI 138 142 3 (8) 11
Ispat Europe Group 1,129 1,297 15 (10) 5*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* For Ispat Sidbec and Ispat Europe Group change in Net Selling Price is based
on C$ and Euro prices respectively.
At Ispat Inland, steel shipments in 2003 decreased to 5.3 million tons due
to lower production levels resulting from the reline of the Blast Furnace No. 7
and generally softer market conditions. The reduction in sales volume decreased
sales revenue by 6% while higher selling prices increased sales revenue by 3%.
Average selling prices per ton increased by 3% to $419 per ton in 2003 from $407
per ton in 2002. The
---------------------------
(1) Net Sales numbers are standalone numbers for certain operating subsidiaries
and include inter-company sales.
42
improvement in prices came largely from our contract business which more than
offset the deterioration in spot market prices.
Ispat Mexicana benefited significantly from the strong global demand for
slabs in 2003. Ispat Mexicana's Net Sales increased 31% compared to the prior
year due to higher shipments. Though Ispat Mexicana's principal markets are
NAFTA member states, higher demand in Asia, particularly China, resulted in
lower imports from Asia and increased demand for Ispat Mexicana's products in
its principal markets. Shipments to Asia contributed 22% of total shipments
compared to none in 2002. In 2002, production was disrupted by a natural gas
shortage due to an explosion at the Pemex facilities in the fourth quarter.
During 2003, approximately 155,000 tons of production was lost due to a strike.
Average selling prices also increased by 9% during the year due to strength of
the metallics market.
Ispat Sidbec's performance was affected by the appreciation of the Canadian
dollar by 12%, weak market conditions in North America and U.S. tariffs. In
Canadian dollars, average prices declined by 8% due to an unfavorable mix of
products. Weaker sales of finished products and higher sales of semi-finished
products, namely slabs and billets, reduced the average price realization in
2003. The United States is the main export market for wire rods and these sales
were adversely affected by the strength of the Canadian dollar and U.S. tariffs.
Net Sales at Caribbean Ispat increased by 17% compared to 2002 primarily
due to higher sales of wire rods and billets. Billet sales benefited from a
strong overseas demand led by a tight market for metallics. Average billet
prices increased by 19% and shipments increased by 171%. Carribean Ispat's
billet shipments and prices benefited from the strong demand for metallics in
China. Wire rod sales increased by 8% due to a 10% increase in average prices,
offset by a decline in shipments by 2% due to the weak market in the United
States. and the impact of tariffs. Wire rod prices improved primarily due to a
better geographic mix.
Ispat Europe's Net Sales increased by 15% compared to 2002 mainly due to
the translation effect of the appreciation of the Euro in 2003. The Euro
appreciated by 20% against the U.S. dollar in 2003. Average selling prices
increased by approximately 5% in Euros and by 26% in U.S. dollar terms.
Shipments declined by 10% due to weak market conditions during 2003.
Cost of Sales and Cost Per Ton
Cost per ton at Ispat Inland increased by 9% in 2003 over the prior year.
Higher costs were incurred for natural gas, scrap, pension costs and higher
absorption of fixed costs due to lower production. Natural gas cost, which is
largely driven by spot market gas prices in North America, increased by 90% from
2002 levels. Average cost of scrap increased by 28% in 2003 due to strong export
demand for scrap from China. Ispat Inland's average cost was also affected by
the purchase of slabs during the reline of Blast Furnace No. 7 which increased
overall cost of sales by $53 million, based on management estimates. Lower
production was largely due to the reline of Blast Furnace No. 7 for 77 days in
2003.
Ispat Mexicana's cost per ton increased in 2003 by 9% over the prior year
due to higher prices of natural gas, electricity and pellet feed. Natural gas
prices at Ispat Mexicana increased by 9% due to the strong demand in North
America. Increases in natural gas prices were mitigated to some extent through
gas hedges. Pellet feed costs increased due to higher prices and higher ocean
freight costs. Higher labor costs under a new wage agreement also contributed to
an increase in the cost per ton.
Cost per ton at Ispat Sidbec increased in 2003 by 13% mainly due to higher
scrap, natural gas and DRI prices combined with the appreciation in the
Canadian dollar by 12%. Scrap prices increased by 37% at Ispat Sidbec due to the
strength of the Canadian dollar and shortage of scrap in North America which
increased scrap prices. Natural gas costs increased by 32% due to higher natural
gas prices.
Caribbean Ispat's cost per ton for DRI increased by 8% in 2003
mainly due to a 15% increase in iron ore prices. Cost per ton of steel was flat,
as increases in metallics cost and higher absorption of fixed costs were offset
by improved yield and lower costs of billets used in wire rods. Wire rod
production was lower due to weaker demand and temporary shutdown for plant
improvements to increase the efficiency of the wire rod plant.
Cost per ton at Ispat Europe increased in 2003 by 27% over the prior year,
in US$ terms due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar, increase in iron ore
prices, increase in scrap prices, higher energy costs and higher
43
absorption of fixed costs due to lower shipments. In Euro terms, the cost per
ton increased by 8% primarily due to 18% increase in scrap prices and 6%
increase in electricity prices.
Gross Profit
Overall gross profit (sales less cost of sales, excluding depreciation)
declined by 7% and gross margin (gross profit divided by Net Sales) declined to
9.6% (2002: 11.5%). Increases in average selling price were only 7% compared to
increase in the average cost per ton of 10% which reduced the overall gross
margins. The comparative numbers of gross margin at the Company's operating
subsidiaries were as follows:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subsidiary Gross Margin
(%)
2002 2003
---------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------
Ispat Inland 9.8 5.6
Ispat Mexicana 14.9 14.7
Ispat Sidbec 13.9 5.3
Caribbean Ispat 13.8 20.2
Ispat Europe Group 10.0 9.2
---------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2003, by 8%
mainly due to the appreciation of the Euro and the Canadian dollar against the
U.S. dollar. In local currency terms, these expenses were lower than 2002.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses in 2002 related to $39 million towards the
write-off of Empire Mine investments and $23 million towards an impairment loss
on the 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar mill. These costs were absent in 2003. See Note 13
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Operating Income
Comparative numbers of operating income and operating margin at the
Company's operating subsidiaries were as follows:
---------------------- --------------------------- -----------------------------
Subsidiary Operating Income/(Loss) Operating Margin
$ Million (%)
2002 2003 2002 2003
---------------------- --------------------------- --------------- ------------
Ispat Inland 33* (4) 1.2 (0.2)
Ispat Mexicana 61 84 9.4 9.8
Ispat Sidbec 41 (6) 7.7 (1.2)
Caribbean Ispat 18 51 5.6 13.4
Ispat Europe Group 31 27 2.7 2.1
---------------------- --------------------------- --------------- ------------
* After write down of $62 million towards Empire Mine and 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar
Mill
After adjusting for "one-time" other operating expenses, adjusted operating
income reduced by 26% during 2003. Management believes that adjusted operating
income is an useful indicator of the underlying trend in operating income. These
items represent one-off items relating to impairment of fixed assets, write off
of investments and closure of a subsidiary in 2001. The inclusion of these items
in operating income does not reflect the true underlying trend of operating
income. See Item 3A, footnote 2 of this Form 20F and Note 13 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. A reconciliation of reported operating income with
adjusted operating income is summarized below:
44
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
$ Million $ Million $ Million
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reported Operating Income (194) 142 151
Add: Other Operating Expenses 75 62 -
Adjusted Operating Income (119) 204 151
Adjusted Operating Margin
as a % of sales (2.7)% 4.2% 2.8%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Income/(Expense)
Other income was higher by $9 million, or 20%, during 2003. This increase
was mainly due to the following "one-time" items:
On September 15, 2003, Ispat Inland entered into a settlement agreement
with Ryerson Tull under which, among other things, Ryerson Tull paid us $21
million to release Ryerson Tull from various environmental and other
indemnification obligations arising out of the sale by Ryerson Tull of Ispat
Inland to the Company. The $21 million received from Ryerson Tull was paid into
the Ispat Inland Pension Plan and went to reduce the amount of the Ryerson Tull
guaranty/letter of credit. Ispat Inland also agreed with Ryerson Tull to, among
other things, make specified monthly contributions to the its Pension Plan
totaling $29 million over the twelve-month period beginning January 2004,
thereby eliminating, by the end of such year, the obligation of Ryerson Tull to
provide a continuing guaranty and letter of credit to the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation in connection with the Pension Plan, which guaranty/letter
of credit we had previously committed to take all necessary action to eliminate.
In addition, Ispat Inland committed to reimburse Ryerson Tull for the cost of
the letter of credit to the PBGC, and to share with Ryerson Tull one-third of
any proceeds which Ispat Inland might receive in the future in connection with a
certain environmental insurance policy. As a result of this settlement agreement
with Ryerson Tull, an amount of $11 million was included under other income.
The Company's facilities in Duisburg, Germany had land in excess of its
current and future requirements. This surplus land was sold in 2003 resulting in
a gain of $3 million, which was recognized as other income.
During the first quarter of 2003, the Company purchased $25 million ($39
million in first quarter of 2002) of its own bonds at discounts from face value.
As a result of these purchases, the Company recognized a gain of $14 million
($19 million net of tax in 2002) in other income. In accordance with adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standard 145: Rescission of FASB Statements 4,
44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections ("SFAS
145") by the Company as at January 1, 2003, gain or loss on extinguishments of
debt that was previously classified as an extraordinary item in prior periods
was reclassified and included within "other (income) expense, net" on the
Company's income statement.
Other components of Other income include a) higher profits from joint
ventures; b) income from royalties for the use of the Ispat trademark; and c)
income from management services. For further details see Note 6 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financing Costs
Net interest expense (interest expenses less interest income) was 26% lower
in 2003 at $151 million. Interest expense decreased as a result of lower average
borrowings and lower interest rates which reduced borrowing costs.
Net Gain or Loss from Foreign Exchange
The Company uses U.S. dollars as its reporting currency. Movements in the
exchange rates of the currencies of the countries in which the Company has
operations versus the U.S. dollar have an impact on the earnings of the Company.
Such exchange rate movements, however, affect both revenues and costs.
At the Company's Canadian operating subsidiary, there is a U.S. dollar
denominated term loan with an outstanding balance at December 31, 2003 of $236
million related to the acquisition of Ispat Inland. Movements in the Canadian
dollar / U.S. dollar exchange rates result in foreign exchange gains and losses
at the subsidiary level, however, these are eliminated on consolidation.
45
At Ispat Europe Group and the Trinidadian operating subsidiary, the net
impact of exchange rate movements is not significant.
At the Mexican operating subsidiary, exchange rate movements have an impact
on earnings arising from (a) translation of certain Peso denominated
liabilities, primarily deferred tax, (b) the impact on local currency cost items
and (c) tax credits or expense arising from translation of the U.S. dollar
denominated monetary liabilities. In 2003, Ispat Mexicana recorded an exchange
gain of US$6 million compared to $24 million in 2002. This was mainly due to the
lower depreciation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. dollar. In 2002, the
Mexican Peso depreciated by 14% while in 2003, the depreciation was only 8%.
Income Tax
The Company recorded a current tax expense of $22 million in 2003 ($18
million in 2002). Apart from the normal tax on profits, the Company's current
tax expenses increased due to certain additional non-cash provisions made at
Ispat Inland. In 2002, the deferred tax benefit was higher due to the exchange
loss on dollar denominated net monetary liabilities arising from depreciation of
the currency during the year at Ispat Mexicana. In 2003, this benefit was
significantly lower at Ispat Mexicana.
Effect of Change in Accounting Principle
The Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards 143: Accounting for asset retirement obligations ("SFAS 143") from
January 1, 2003. Based on analysis the Company has performed, it has been
determined that the assets for which an asset retirement obligation must be
recorded are the Company's Minorca Mine, a subsidiary of Ispat Inland, and a
property in Hamburg. The cumulative impact of adopting SFAS 143 on January 1,
2003, is an increase in assets and liabilities of $9 million and $19 million,
respectively. At Ispat Europe, there was a provision of $11 million for
retirement obligations on the same asset but not calculated in accordance with
the provisions of SFAS 143. Since this provision was no longer required, it was
reversed. Accordingly, a cumulative post-tax gain of $1 million is reflected on
the Consolidated Statement of Income as a Cumulative Effect of change in
Accounting Principle.
Year Ended December 31, 2002 compared to Year Ended December 31, 2001
Summary
In 2002, Ispat International's sales volumes and selling prices increased
by 7% and 6%, respectively, compared to 2001. Operating income in 2002 was $142
million as compared to an operating loss of $194 million in 2001. Net income for
2002 was $49 million as against net loss of $312 million for 2001.
Results of Operations
Revenue
Sales increased by 9% from $4,486 million in 2001 to $4,889 million in
2002. Total steel shipments increased by 7% from 14.1 million tons to 15.0
million tons. Net Sales also went up during the same period from $4,278 million
to $4,646 million, an increase of 9%. Please refer to Item 3A for reconciliation
between Sales and Net Sales.
The Company uses Net Sales numbers for managing its business. All the
analyses presented here onwards are based on Net Sales numbers.
All the North American subsidiaries achieved improvements both in volume
and average selling prices due to general improvements in the market conditions.
At Ispat Europe, Net Sales in Dollars were higher due to appreciation of Euro by
6% during the same period whereas steel shipments remained flat and average
selling prices in Euros were marginally lower.
46
The following table gives a summary of key sales numbers:
Net Sales(2) Changes in
Subsidiary 2002 2001 Net Sales Shipments Selling prices
$ Million $ Million % % %
Ispat Inland 2,223 2,008 11 6 5
Ispat Mexicana 649 470 38 18 18
Ispat Sidbec 534 463 15 7 7
Caribbean Ispat - Steel 183 156 17 13 3
Caribbean Ispat - DRI 138 128 8 1 7
Ispat Europe Group 1,129 1,070 5 1 (1)*
* For Ispat Europe Group the percentage change is based on Euro selling prices.
At Ispat Inland, the 5% increase in selling prices was primarily due to an
improvement in the spot market prices and certain contract sales, that were
negotiated in the second half of 2002 as well as better product mix.
At Ispat Mexicana, shipments increased by 18% in spite of loss of
production in the fourth quarter of 2002 caused by natural gas supply disruption
following an explosion at the supplier's premises. Additionally, there was an
18% increase in selling prices primarily due to improved market conditions for
slabs, mainly in the U.S. market, helped in part by the favorable Section 201
trade ruling.
At Ispat Sidbec, the 7% increase in shipments and the 7% increase in
selling prices were primarily due to general improvement in the North American
market environment following the Section 201 ruling in the United States.
At Caribbean Ispat, steel shipments in 2002 were higher by 13% as compared
to 2001. This, however, was primarily due to the fact that shipments in 2001
were partly impacted by the caster project implementation in the fourth quarter.
DRI shipments were marginally higher in spite of being negatively impacted by
non-availability of ships due to the prolonged general strike in Venezuela in
the fourth quarter of 2002. This impact was offset in part by higher selling
prices primarily due to better market conditions.
At Ispat Europe, Net Sales in Dollars were higher due to appreciation of
Euro by 6% during the same period whereas steel shipments remained flat and
average selling prices in Euro were marginally lower.
Costs
The Company's focus on cost reductions continued in 2002, resulting in cost
savings of $125 million. However, there were increases in the prices of key
metallic inputs such as iron ore and scrap, resulting in a lower net cost
reduction.
At Ispat Inland, costs were lower excluding the negative impact of $62
million from two one-time items as discussed below. This was due to the benefits
of ongoing cost saving efforts offset in part by increased prices of metallics.
At Ispat Mexicana, costs were marginally lower due to increased production
offset in part by higher metallic prices.
At Ispat Sidbec, cost increased primarily due to increased cost of metallic
inputs offset in part by better raw material input mix and ongoing cost
reduction effort.
At Caribbean Ispat, cost of steel decreased primarily due to increased
production as against the previous year. DRI cost decreased mainly due to better
ore mix offset in part by higher costs.
At Ispat Europe, costs continued to be negatively impacted by increases in
the prices of scrap. Other increases include wage increases as per collective
agreements. These cost increases were partly mitigated by ongoing cost saving
efforts.
----------
(2) Net Sales numbers are stand-alone for certain operating subsidiaries and
include inter-company shipments.
47
The selling, general and administrative expenses were marginally lower, in
spite of higher levels of operations.
Gross Profit and Operating Income
The Company improved in both gross profit(3) (sales less cost of sales,
exclusive of depreciation) and operating income as a result of continuous cost
reduction efforts as well as marginal increase in selling prices. Gross profit
increased by 150% from $213 million to $533 million. There was an operating
income of $142 million in 2002 as compared with an operating loss of $194
million in 2001.
The gross profit margin (gross profit as a % of Net Sales) improved from
5.0% to 11.5%, mainly due to improvements at the North American subsidiaries
offset in part by reduction in Ispat Europe Group. The operating margin
(operating income as a % of Net Sales) was positive at 3.0% as against negative
at 4.5% in 2001.
The comparative numbers of gross profit margin at the Company's operating
subsidiaries were as follows:
Subsidiary Gross Profit Margin %
2002 2001
---- ----
Ispat Inland 10.0 0.5
Ispat Mexicana 14.9 3.7
Ispat Sidbec 13.9 9.0
Caribbean Ispat 13.8 4.7
Ispat Europe Group 10.0 11.3
Comparative numbers of operating income and operating margin at the
Company's operating subsidiaries were as follows:
Subsidiary Operating Income Operating Margin
$ Million (%)
2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ----
Ispat Inland 33(4) (127)(5) 1.5 (6.3)
Ispat Mexicana 61 (18) 9.4 (3.8)
Ispat Sidbec 41 5 7.7 1.1
Caribbean Ispat 18 (11) 5.6 (3.8)
Ispat Europe Group 31 38 2.7 3.6
Other operating expenses during the year were $62 million as against $75
million in the previous year. (Reference is made to the Section on One-Time
Items).
Financing Costs
Net interest expense (interest expenses less interest income) was $203
million in 2002 compared to $228 million in 2001. The decrease in interest
expense was primarily due to the following reasons:
(i) Interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2001 was higher due to
inclusion of non-cash expenses of $15 million in accordance with SFAS
No. 133, from marking to market value, in an interest hedge contract,
(ii) Savings in interest cost on floating rate debt due to a fall in LIBOR,
and
(iii) Reduction of debt.
This decrease was offset in part by debt restructuring costs at Ispat
Mexicana.
Impact of Exchange Rate Movements
----------
(3) Management believes that gross profit provides useful management
information as it is a measure of profit margins over cost of sales.
(4) After write down of $62 million towards Empire Mine and 2A Bloomer and 21"
Bar Mill.
(5) After including $38 million towards certain one-time items. Refer to the
section below.
48
The Company uses U.S. Dollars as its reporting currency and has major steel
manufacturing operations in six countries, including the United States of
America. Movements in the exchange rates of the currencies of the countries in
which it has operations versus the U.S. Dollar could normally be expected to
have an impact on the earnings of the Company. Such exchange rate movements,
however, affect both revenues and costs. At the Company's Canadian, European and
Trinidadian subsidiaries, the net impact of exchange rate movements is not
significant. At the Mexican subsidiary, exchange rate movements have an impact
on earnings arising from (a) translation of certain Peso denominated
liabilities, primarily deferred tax, (b) the impact on local currency cost items
and (c) tax credits or expense arising from translation of the U.S. denominated
monetary liabilities. In 2002, there was a gain from foreign exchange of $23
million and a Deferred Tax Credit of $56 million.
One-Time Items (Expense) Income
The Company recorded the following one-time items ($ Million):
Item Description 2002 2001 Included in
Slab reheating furnace start-up costs (28) Cost of sales
Workforce restructuring provision (18) Cost of sales
Credit for settlement of lawsuit 8 Cost of sales
Write down in value of e-commerce software (17) Other operating expenses
Impairment loss on ocean-going vessels (22) Other operating expenses
Provision for arbitration related to scrap supply contract (19) Other operating expenses
Irish Ispat Closure (17) Other operating expenses
Write-off of investments in e-commerce activities (19) Other income / (expense)
Write-down of 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar Mill (23) Other operating expenses
Write-down in investments of Empire Mine (39) Other operating expenses
Gain on sale of assets by pipe making subsidiary in Mexico 7 Other income / (expense)
--------------- ---------------
(62) (132)
=============== ===============
During 2002, the Company recognized impairment of its idled 2A Bloomer and
21" Bar Mill at Ispat Inland, resulting in an asset write-off of $23 million. In
the case of the 2A Bloomer, Ispat Inland conducted a FAS 144 impairment test
based on the comparative costs of the two alternatives of (a) using the Bloomer
to produce billets and purchase additional slabs and (b) idle the Bloomer and
purchase billets instead. It was determined, following the above comparative
evaluation and based on current and expected market conditions for semi-finished
steel, that it would not be economical to operate the 2A Bloomer.
In the case of the 21" Bar Mill, Ispat Inland took into account the fact
that, arising from recent developments in the market, its competitive position
has been adversely affected. Ispat Inland determined, considering this and other
factors, that the continued operation of the 21" Bar Mill will not generate
positive long-term cash flow.
Ispat Inland also recognized the write-off of its investment in the Empire
Mine. The amount of the write-off was $39 million. The write off was based on
the determination, following a FAS 144 impairment test, which was performed
taking into account the negative and deteriorating financial performance over
the last two years as well as the terms of the recently concluded sale of part
of its interest in the Mine, that its investment in the Mine was impaired and
the fair value of the investment was $1.
Ispat Mexicana recorded a gain of $7 million, representing its share of the
profit arising from the sale of assets of its 51%-owned pipe making subsidiary.
During 2002, the U.S. operating subsidiary purchased $39 million bonds at
discounts from face value. As a result of these early redemptions, the U.S.
operating subsidiary recognized an extraordinary gain of $30 million. This gain
after tax was $19 million.
NOTE: In accordance with adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standard 145: Rescission of FASB Statements 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB
Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections ("SFAS 145") by the Company as of
January 1, 2003, gain or loss on extinguishments of debt that was previously
classified as an extraordinary item in prior periods was reclassified and
included within "other (income) expense, net" on the Company's income statement.
49
Income Tax
The Company recorded a current tax expense of $18 million ($8 million in
2001) in 2002 primarily due to inclusion of certain tax payments at Imexsa
arising as a result of the 1999 Tax Reforms of the Mexican Tax Code's
Consolidation Regime.
There was deferred tax benefit of $72 million in 2002 (benefit of $114
million in 2001). The deferred tax benefit was primarily due to the exchange
loss on the U.S. Dollar denominated net monetary liabilities arising from
depreciation of the currency during the year in Mexico as well as losses at
Ispat Inland due to non-cash write down as discussed above.
Net Income
There was a net income of $49 million in 2002 compared to a net loss of
$312 million in 2001 due to the reasons discussed before. The 2002 net income
included an extraordinary gain of $19 million after tax arising out of
repurchase of debt at a discount at Ispat Inland as mentioned before.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Year ended December 31, 2003 compared to year ended December 31, 2002
The Company's principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from
operations and various working capital credit lines at its operating
subsidiaries. A summary of the cash flow is given below.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ Million $ Million $ Million
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided from operating activities 40 168 189
Net cash used in investing activities (48) (80) (124)
Net cash used by financing activities (123) (101) (63)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided From Operating Activities
In 2003, cash flow from operations increased by 13% or $21 million mainly
due to improvement in working capital. Net working capital (defined as Accounts
Receivable plus Inventories plus Other Current Assets minus Trade Accounts
Payable minus Accrued Expenses) improved by $124 million primarily due to the
reduction of inventories and receivables. Inventories decreased by $106 million
and trade accounts receivable decreased by $49 million. Cash flow from operating
activities also included $126 million of cash contribution to its pension plan
by our U.S. operating subsidiary.
Net Cash Provided From Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $44 million due to
capital expenditure on the reline of Blast Furnace No.7 at Ispat Inland. The
reline of Blast Furnace No.7 constituted $89 million of the total capital
expenditure of $164 million. Other capital expenditure at Ispat Inland
aggregated $22 million.
Capital expenditure in 2003 was $164 million as against $108 million in
2002 and $97 million in 2001. Apart from $ 89 million in 2003 and $ 12 million
in 2002 spent on the reline of Blast Furnace No.7 at Ispat Inland (included in
the total capital expenditure mentioned above) capital expenditure in 2003 and
2002 was largely restricted to spending required to maintain the operating
condition of our plant and equipment.
The Company expects to incur the following amounts, over and above the
maintenance capital expenditure on the following projects in 2004:
o Furnace repair for Blast Furnace No. 6 at Ispat Inland - $3 million.
o Installation of zinc quench technology at Ispat Inland - $2 million.
o RHTL Degasser and an oxygen plant at Ispat Mexicana - $21 million.
o Change of tubes and catalyst for DRI plant at Caribbean Ispat - $5 million.
50
Net Cash Provided From Financing Activities
Net utilization of cash from financing activities reduced to $63 million
(2002 utilization: $101 million). Total long term debt repaid during 2003 was
$155 million (2002: $118 million). The Company also received a long term loan of
$94 million from an affiliate. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Total debt decreased by $7 million in 2003. This reduction is a result of
debt repayments of $152 million at certain of our subsidiaries offset by $145
million relating to additional borrowing and the exchange rate impact. The
Company has scheduled amortizations of debt in the year 2004 of $196 million. In
general, the Company plans to accelerate debt reduction by using all surplus
cash generated towards debt repayment. The Company expects its liquidity to
improve in 2004. The improvement is expected to come mainly from cash generated
by operations. Overall liquidity in 2004 is expected to be adequate to meet the
needs of the business, to finance capital expenditure (expected to be
approximately $105 million), meet the scheduled amortization of debt, and
provide for additional debt amortization. See also "Recent Developments".
Source and Use of Cash
Working Capital
At December 31, 2003, the Company's cash and cash equivalents were $80
million ($77 million at December 31, 2002). In addition, the Company's operating
subsidiaries had available borrowing capacity under their various credit lines,
including receivable factoring and securitization facilities, of $337 million
($308 million at December 31, 2002). The following table gives the details of
working capital credit facilities at our principal operating subsidiaries:
--------------------------------- ------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------
Subsidiary Limit Utilization Availability*
($ Millions) Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003
--------------------------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
Ispat Inland 294 381 234 281 60 100
Ispat Sidbec 111 123 13 30 98 93
Caribbean Ispat 57 65 57 61 - 4
Ispat Europe 66 75 41 50 25 25
--------------------------------- ------------- ---------------- ------------- ------------- ----------- --------------
* Corresponding exercisable limits are lower, which are based on the level of
inventory/receivable
Factoring and Securitization
In addition to the credit facilities listed above, certain of the Company's
European subsidiaries were parties to receivables factoring and securitization
facilities as per the following details:
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ --------------------------- ---------------------------
Subsidiary Limit Utilization Availability*
($ Millions) Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003
------------------------------------------ --------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Ispat Europe - Receivables factoring 257 261 132 159 125 102
------------------------------------------ --------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
* Corresponding exercisable limits are lower, which are based on the level of
inventory/receivable
For further details, please refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
51
Debt
The Company's total external debt - both long and short term, was $2,277
million at December 31, 2003. The corresponding amount as at December 31, 2002
was $2,284 million. The following table gives details of debt at our principal
operating subsidiaries:
-------------------- ---------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------------- -----------------------------
Subsidiary Long Term Debt (LTD) Payable to Bank Current Portion of LTD Total Debt
($ Millions) Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003 Dec 2002 Dec 2003
-------------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------------- -------------
Ispat Inland 1,086 1,100 9 21 7 7 1,102 1,128
Ispat Mexicana 428 387 - - 15 31 443 418
Ispat Sidbec 236 118 13 30 54 119 303 267
Caribbean Ispat 106 80 57 61 29 26 192 167
Ispat Europe 131 139 41 50 4 1 176 190
-------------------- --------------- ------------ ------------- ----------- ------------- ------------ --------------- -------------
Total debt of Ispat Europe in local currency terms was reduced by(euro)18
million for the year. The increase in U.S. dollar amount is due to translation
from the Euro to U.S. dollar.
Most of the Company's debt is secured by liens on specified assets of the
relevant subsidiary and carries interest rates at varying levels based on a
combination of fixed and variable interest rates. The details are given in Note
8 of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Most of the loan agreements require
our subsidiaries to comply with certain financial and other covenants. At
December 31, 2003, all our subsidiaries were in compliance with all such
covenants. Approximately $1.5 billion of the above debt is guaranteed by Ispat
International.
Please refer to "Item 5D--Trend Information-Funding" for a discussion on
certain refinancing activities.
Ispat Inland Pension Funding
On July 16, 1998, Ispat International entered into an agreement with the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to provide certain assurances with respect
to Ispat Inland's pension obligations and issued a $160 million standby letter
of credit in favor of the PBGC. Also on July 16, 1998, Ryerson Tull, Ispat
Inland's previous parent, guaranteed $50 million of Ispat Inland's pension plan
obligations, later issuing a letter of credit to secure this guarantee. In July
2003, Ispat Inland reached a new agreement with the PBGC. Under the new
agreement, Ispat Inland contributed an additional $50 million to its pension
plan on July 9, 2003; agreed to contribute $110 million between January 1, 2004
and June 1, 2005, and pay 50% of its excess cash flows (as defined in the
agreement with the PBGC) from its operations to its pension plan; and issued
$160 million of non-interest bearing First Mortgage Bonds pledged to the PBGC as
security for its pension plan obligations. The $160 million letter of credit was
also allowed to expire, and will not be renewed. On September 15, 2003, Ryerson
Tull, in exchange for the elimination of certain indemnities, paid $21 million
to Ispat Inland, which in turn was contributed to the Ispat Inland pension plan.
The related letter of credit provided by Ryerson Tull was reduced to $29
million. Ispat Inland agreed to satisfy the amount of the remaining $29 million
letter of credit through additional periodic payments to its pension plan during
the period between January 15, 2004 and December 15, 2004.
Ispat Inland has made cash contributions to its pension plan of
approximately $313.5 million since 1998 through December 31, 2003, including
approximately $125.5 million during 2003. Ispat Inland is committed to
contribute $111.5 million to its pension plan in 2004.
Funding obligations depend upon future asset performance, the level of
interest rates used to measure Employee Retirement Income Security Act minimum
funding levels, actuarial assumptions, union negotiated changes and future
government regulation. Any such funding requirements could have an unfavorable
impact on our borrowing arrangements and cash flows.
52
For further details concerning our pension plans, please refer to Note 11
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Shareholders' Equity
In 2003, the combined effect of improved market value of underlying pension
assets and a reduction in the discount rate from 7.1% to 6.25% resulted in an
after tax charge of $79 million to Other Comprehensive Income (2002: $273
million).
Shareholders' equity increased by $21 million to $149 million at December
31, 2003. During 2003, the Company repurchased 2.6 million of its own shares for
$9 million.
Year ended December 31, 2002 compared to year ended December 31, 2001
The Company's principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from its
operations and various working capital credit lines at its operating
subsidiaries.
In 2002, the Company generated $168 million of cash from its operating
activities as compared with $40 million during 2001. Since volumes of operations
and sales were higher than the last year, particularly in the fourth quarter,
inventory levels were higher, but net working capital (defined as Accounts
Receivable plus Inventories plus Other Current Assets minus Trade Accounts
Payable minus Accrued Expenses) was maintained at approximately the same level
as last year.
Capital expenditure during 2002 was $108 million compared to $97 million in
2001. Capital expenditure during the year included partial reline of Blast
Furnace No. 5 at Ispat Inland at a cost of approximately $17 million. The
Company also incurred $13 million for the preparatory work for reline of Blast
Furnace No. 7 and completion of a Bar Mill upgrade (Kocks Block) at Ispat
Unimetal at a cost of $4 million.
At December 31, 2002 the Company's cash and cash equivalents were $77
million ($85 million at December 31, 2001). In addition, the Company's operating
subsidiaries had available borrowing capacity under their various credit lines,
including receivable factoring and securitization facilities, of $308 million
($354 million at December 31, 2001). The following table gives the details of
working capital credit facilities at various units:
Subsidiary Limit Utilization Availability*
---------- ----- ----------- ----------------
($Millions) 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ispat Inland 294 305 234 202 60 103
Ispat Sidbec 111 105 13 13 98 92
Caribbean Ispat 57 81 57 81 - -
Ispat Europe 66 87 41 31 25 56
Off Balance Sheet Facilities (Refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements)
In addition to the credit facilities listed above, certain of the Company's
European subsidiaries were parties to receivables factoring and securitization
facilities as per the following details:
Subsidiary Limit Utilization Availability*
($Millions) ----- ----------- -------------
2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ispat Europe Receivables 257 213 132 110 125 103
(factoring and securitization)
* Corresponding exercisable limits are lower, which are based on the level of
inventory/receivable.
53
Debt (Refer to Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
The Company's total external debt, both long and short term, was $2,284
million. The corresponding amount as at December 31, 2001 was $2,379 million.
The following table gives significant details:
Subsidiary Long-Term Debt ("LTD") Payable to Bank Current portion of LTD Total Debt
---------- ---------------------- --------------- ---------------------- ----------
2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002 2001
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Ispat Inland 1,086 1,093 9 23 7 7 1,102 1,123
Ispat Mexicana 428 377 - - 15 124 443 501
Ispat Sidbec 236 295 13 13 54 18 303 326
Caribbean Ispat 106 135 57 81 29 26 192 242
Ispat Europe 131 120 41 31 4 - 176 151
Most of the debt is secured by liens on specified assets of the relevant
subsidiary and carry interest rates at varying levels based on a combination of
fixed and variable interest rates. The details are given in Note 8 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements. Most of the loan agreements require our
subsidiaries to comply with certain financial and other covenants. At December
31, 2002, all our subsidiaries were in compliance with all such covenants.
Approximately $1.6 billion of the above debt is guaranteed by Ispat
International.
The Company has been able to decrease its total debt at all its operating
subsidiaries. At Ispat Europe Group, although Long-Term Debt was reduced during
the year by (euro)10 million, the translation effect arising from the
strengthening of Euro against the U.S. Dollar by 19% caused the Long-Term Debt
in the U.S. Dollar to increase by $11 million.
Debt repayments during the year were $105 million.
The Company has scheduled amortizations of debt in the year 2003 of $125
million. The Company plans to accelerate debt reduction by using all surplus
cash generated towards debt repayment.
The main sources of the improvements in cash generated by operations are
higher average selling prices of its products, higher shipments and cost savings
from its ongoing cost reduction program (offset partly by expected increases in
certain key cost items). However, the expected improvements in liquidity are not
entirely dependent on higher prices and cost reductions. If average selling
prices and cost levels were to stay at the same levels as in the fourth quarter
of 2002, the Company's overall liquidity would still be adequate to take care of
working capital needs of the business, capital expenditure as planned and
scheduled amortization of debt. In such an event, the impact will be only on
cash availability to repay debt over and above the scheduled amortizations.
Out of the $308 million undrawn lines available at December 31, 2002, $57
million at Caribbean Ispat consisted of uncommitted (on demand) lines, while all
the rest consisted of committed lines.
Shareholders' Equity
As a result of changes in the market value of pension assets and key assumptions
used in estimating pension cost and liability, the Company's U.S. and Canadian
subsidiaries recorded additional minimum pension liability. This adjustment was
recorded in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") and the amount was approximately
$273 million net of income tax. The Shareholders' Equity reduced from $338
million at December 31, 2001 to $128 million at December 31, 2002. Out of the
above OCI adjustment of $273 million, Ispat Inland recorded a $251 million
Additional Minimum Pension Liability due to the combined effects of declining
equity market performance and a reduction in the discount rate from 7.5% to
7.1%.
Treasury stock movements
During the year 2002, the Company sold 2,117,781 of its treasury stock
shares to Ispat Inland Pension Fund for a total consideration of $5 million.
Also, the Company bought back 139,200 of its shares from the open
54
market during the year at an average consideration of $2.25 per share under a
share buy-back program announced by the Company on October 28, 2002.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses
Research and development costs were $14 million in 2003, unchanged from
2002. These costs are fully expensed as incurred.
D. Trend Information
Steel Industry
The steel markets continue to be significantly influenced by the high and
growing demand from China for both steel products and steel-related inputs. The
global demand for steel is increasing by 3% per annum. The North American
markets are showing signs of recovery led by a pick up in the construction and
industrial activity and the low levels of inventory in the pipeline. Even with
the repeal of Section 201 tariffs, imports into the U.S. are not expected to
increase significantly in the short term due to the weakness of the US$ and high
ocean freight costs. See also below "Recent Developments--Section 201".
In North America, price surcharges to compensate for the surge in raw
material price were announced in December 2003, and again in 2004. By the second
quarter of 2004, the combination of surcharges and general price increases is
likely to increase spot prices in North America by over $100 per ton. Contract
prices are also expected to increase significantly, albeit at varying rates.
In Europe, steel production in 2004 is expected to grow as trade stocks are
starting from low levels and as demand picks up at the end-user industries.
Further, the accession of 10 new countries into the European Union in May 2004
is expected to add 40 million tons capacity and may lead to some pressure on
prices after the transitional arrangements come to an end. Steel consumption in
the Eurozone is expected to increase by 3% from 2003. Production in end-user
industries is expected to continue the modest recovery seen in the last quarter
of 2003. The automobile market is unlikely to see a significant increase in
activity while construction and other industrial sectors may experience some
growth in 2004. The slow pace of recovery in Germany is also expected to slow
growth in the European steel industry.
Sales
In 2004, the Company expects to benefit from stronger demand, improved
steel prices and higher operating levels following the successful reline of the
Blast Furnace No. 7 at Ispat Inland which was completed early in the fourth
quarter of 2003. Improved market conditions are being driven by a recovery in
the U.S. economy as well as increased global demand for steel, particularly the
unprecedented growth in China. The Company's U.S. operating subsidiary is
expected to benefit from these developments. Our Mexican and Trinidadian
Operating Subsidiaries are expected to benefit from higher prices for slabs,
billets and DRI. Overall, we expect higher shipments, higher average price and
improved product mix.
Costs
The increased global demand for steel has resulted in significant upward
price movements for key commodity inputs such as iron ore, scrap, coke and
alloys. Even with upward price movements, timely availability of inputs could be
a key focus for 2004. Input price increases will adversely impact our operating
costs significantly. Shortage of supply of key raw materials may also result in
production constraints. However, our internal resources and negotiated
commitments should enable us to avoid any material decrease in steel production
resulting from shortfalls in raw materials.
In 2004, iron ore demand and prices are expected to increase. Most of the
increase in demand is expected to come from China and the rest from Europe,
Japan and other countries as world steel production is forecast to exceed one
billion tonnes. The Company's iron ore requirements will be met through
production from its wholly or partly owned mines, long term purchase contracts
and some spot purchases.
Scrap prices in Europe are expected to increase primarily due to a strong
export demand. Chinese demand for steel is increasing but scrap generation is
low, resulting in large imports of scrap. Further, potential barriers to export
of scrap from the United States could also contribute to a short term increase
in scrap prices in
55
the global market. The Company does not have any long term contracts for scrap.
Consequently, Ispat Europe and Ispat Sidbec are vulnerable to movements in spot
market scrap prices. However, scrap constitutes only a portion of the metallics
requirements of these two subsidiaries. Ispat Sidbec also uses internally
produced DRI. Ispat Europe also uses hot metal which it procures under long-term
contracts with ThyssenKrupp and Arcelor in Germany and France respectively.
Coking coal prices are expected to remain high due to lower exports from
China. Chinese exports are expected to be lower due to reduction in export
quotas, lower export incentives for coke export, and higher cost of licenses to
export outside allocated quotas. The Company's major coke requirements are at
Ispat Inland. Approximately 65% of its coke requirements are satisfied under a
long term purchase contract with a supplier that constructed a heat recovery
coke battery on land leased from Ispat Inland at our Indiana Harbor Works. Most
of our requirements for 2004 have been contracted.
Natural gas prices softened in the past few weeks following a seasonal
spike and are expected to ease marginally towards the end of the first quarter
of 2004. The natural gas futures contracts for 2004 in North America are
currently trading at around $5.5 per mmbtu.
Ocean freight costs are at record high levels and increasing due to
continued shortages in shipping capacity. Though shipping capacity is expected
to improve in 2004 due to a reduction in ship breaking activities, demand for
vessels will continue to grow in the first half of 2004. The increase in global
demand, particularly in China for iron ore and metallics are expected to
continue to fuel demand and consequently increase freight costs in the first
half of 2004. The Company has contracted a portion of its ocean freight
requirements.
Ispat Inland will be negotiating a new labor agreement with the United
SteelWorkers of America ("USWA") in July 2004. The existing agreement contains
provisions that the USWA will cooperate with Ispat Inland to continuously
improve the productivity of its operations. At the expiration of the agreement,
both parties have agreed to negotiate a successor agreement without resorting to
strikes or lockouts. The successor agreement will be patterned on the agreements
established at the time by the other domestic integrated steel producers.
Funding
We have $1,283 million of scheduled debt amortization between 2004 and
2006. Out of this $898 million relates to our U.S. and Canadian operating
subsidiaries - $662 million at Ispat Inland and $236 million at Ispat Sidbec.
On March 9, 2004 Ispat Inland announced its intention to raise $800 million
through a private offering of senior secured notes. These notes will be offered
in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The notes are
expected to be issued at prices and on terms consistent with market conditions
at the closing date. Proceeds from the issue of these notes will be used to
repay in full the outstanding balance of the existing Term Loans, with the
balance to be used to pay-down working capital credit facilities.
Ispat Sidbec has approached its lenders with a proposal that provides for
extension of the maturity of both the July 2004 and January 2005 installments to
January 2006. Currently these negotiations are at an advanced stage and are
expected to be concluded shortly.
Additionally, Ispat Sidbec's working capital facility terminates in July
2004. Currently, Ispat Sidbec is engaged in discussions with the existing lender
for extending the maturity and is hopeful of completing this process at the same
time as the maturity extension on the long-term debt.
While we are confident that both the offering of senior secured notes at
Ispat Inland and the extension of maturities at Ispat Sidbec will be completed
as planned, no assurance can be given that either or both these transactions
will be completed on time, on the terms currently contemplated or at all.
We expect the pension expense at Ispat Inland for 2004 will be higher due
to a further decrease in interest rates during 2003. Ispat Inland is committed
to contribute $111.5 million to its pension plan in 2004.
56
Recent Developments
Section 201
On March 5, 2002, following an investigation under Section 201 of U.S.
trade laws, the U.S. imposed tariffs on imports into the United States of
numerous steel products. Following the issuance of a mid-term review of the
Section 201 program, the U.S. ended the Section 201 program on December 4, 2003,
finding that the domestic steel industry's increased productivity, decreased
production costs, and new labor agreements demonstrated that the industry had
made sufficient progress in its restructuring efforts.
With the repeal of Section 201 tariffs, no significant increase in steel
imports into the U.S. was expected due to the effects of other factors such as
exchange rates and freight costs. However, recent statistics appear to indicate
that imports into the U.S. increased in January 2004, although the increase was
mostly of semi-finished products and from the low levels in 2003.
On December 13, 2003, following the elimination of the U.S. Section 201
tariffs, the European Union repealed duties on steel products from the United
States that it had introduced in September 2002 in response to the Section 201
tariffs. Canada initiated its own steel safeguard proceedings in response to the
U.S. Section 201 tariffs, but it did not impose tariffs against steel imports,
citing World Trade Organization ("WTO") compliance issues and NAFTA market
distortion concerns.
See also "Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings".
Countervailing Duty ("CVD") at Ispat Sidbec
On November 3, 2003, following a joint request from U.S. producers and our
Canadian operating subsidiary, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a
changed circumstances review of the countervailing duty order on carbon and
certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada. These duties were imposed in 2001. As
a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce revoked the countervailing duty order
on January 23, 2004 and instructed U.S. Customs to refund all countervailing
duty deposits made by the Canadian operating subsidiary on or after February 8,
2002. See also "Item 8--Financial Information--Legal Proceedings".
Sale and Refinance of Ships
On March 21, 2003, the Company sold M/V Ispat Kirti for $7.5 million and by
a charter agreement of the same date chartered the same vessel for a term of 6
years.
By an agreement dated August 22 2003, another vessel M/V Bulk Ispat Leher
jointly owned by the Company and Coeclerici Ceres Bulk Carriers N.V. was
refinanced through DVD Bank A.G. for $15 million.
On February 18, 2004, the Company sold M/V Geeta for $18.2 million and by a
charter agreement of the same date chartered the same vessel for a term of 5
years with an option to the buyer of the ship to extend the term of the charter
by an additional two years.
Natural Gas Contract at Imexsa
On December 31, 2003, a fixed price contract for the purchase of natural
gas, entered into between our Mexican operating subsidiary and Pemex Gas y
Petroquimica Basica ("Pemex") on February 8, 2001, expired. This contract
provided for the purchase by Imexsa of 25,350 Gcal per day of natural gas
(representing approximately 65% of Imexsa's natural gas requirements) at a fixed
price of $4 per mmbtu excluding transportation charges. Following the expiry of
this contract Imexsa has to procure all of its natural gas requirements at
prevailing spot prices although Imexsa does regularly enter into hedging
transactions to fix the gas price in advance. Imexsa has covered its entire
first quarter 2004 requirements through hedging contracts. In 2004, Imexsa is
expected to consume approximately 39,000 Gcal per day of natural gas.
Expansion of European Union ("EU")
Following an agreement between the Member States of the EU signed on April
16, 2003, it was agreed that effective May 1, 2004, the EU will be expanded to
include the following ten new Member States: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. This EU
expansion
57
will have an effect on the free movement of goods, capital and persons as well
as the freedom to provide services, subject to certain transitional
arrangements. The acceding countries include several major steel producing and
consuming countries. It is difficult to predict how this expansion will affect
our business.
Nippon Steel agreement
A framework agreement was signed on October 27, 2003 between the U.S.
operating subsidiary and Nippon Steel Corporation under which Nippon Steel
agreed to assist our U.S. operating subsidiary, and I/N Tek and I/N Kote, the
two joint ventures between the parties, with technology for the production of
high-quality sheet and galvanized sheet. The new agreement will benefit our U.S.
operating subsidiary by enhancing its technological capabilities.
Completion of Blast Furnace No.7 reline
Early in the fourth quarter of 2003, our U.S. operating subsidiary
completed the reline of its Blast Furnace No.7 at a cost of approximately $101
million. This reline is expected to extend the life of the furnace for another
20 years, as well as increase its capacity and efficiency.
Certain Refinancing Activities
For information, see "Trend Information--Funding" above.
Carbon Emissions Trading
Under Directive 2003/87/EC ("the Directive") dated October 13, 2003 the
European Union, established a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance
trading within the Community. Member States must ensure that, from January 1,
2005, no installation undertakes any activity listed in Annex I of the
Directive, resulting in emissions specified in relation to that activity unless
its operator holds a permit issued by a competent authority. The Company is
currently examining the matter and will formulate a response to this development
during the first half of 2004.
Income Taxes
Germany has introduced significant tax law changes which may result in
increased tax payments from fiscal years 2004 onwards. Major items are the
introduction of a restriction concerning the utilization of loss carry forwards
(minimum taxation) which affects the German companies in respect of corporate
tax. The loss utilization is restricted to only 60% of the annual taxable
income. In addition, tightened thin capitalization rules have been introduced,
which could have a significant impact as from 2005. The debt to equity ratio for
the qualified German holding companies has been set at 1.5:1 instead of previous
3:1.
See "Item 3--Key Information--Risk Factors--Our income taxes may
substantially increase if changes in the tax laws or their interpretation
occur."
E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no unconsolidated special purpose financing or partnership entities
that are likely to create material contingent obligations. See also Note 19 of
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For a discussion of off-balance sheet arrangements for the year ended
December 31, 2002 compared to year ended December 31, 2001, please see "Item
5A--Operating Results".
F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
The Company has various purchase commitments for materials, supplies and
items of permanent investment incidental to the ordinary course of business.
Management believes that these commitments are not in excess of current market
prices and reflect normal business operations. The Company had outstanding at
December 31, 2003, various long-term obligations that will become due in 2004
and beyond. These various purchase commitments and long-term obligations will
have an effect on the Company's future liquidity and capital resources. The
table below shows, by major category of commitment and long-term obligations
outstanding as of December 31, 2003, the Company's current estimate of their
annual maturities.
58
Nature and business purpose Less than More than
of the transaction ($ Millions) Total 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years 5 years
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-Term Debt Obligations - Note 8
to the Consolidated Financial Statements $2,110 $196 $1,497 $102 $315
Operating Lease Obligations - Note 15
to the Consolidated Financial Statements 89 19 27 4 39
Environmental Commitments *
I/N Kote Debt Guarantee 55 55
Pension Agreements* 139 112 27
Other Post retirement Benefits* 249 48 98 103
Purchase Obligations 3,296 335 664 619 1,678
Other Long-Term Liabilities 132 18 19 8 87
Total of above* 6,070 728 2,387 836 2,119
* These are not the total obligations, refer to further discussion below.
Estimated payments for long-term obligations have been determined by the
Company based on payment schedules for those long-term obligations where set
payments exist. For long-term obligations with no set payment schedules,
estimates have been made by the Company based on the most likely timing of cash
payments based on the facts and circumstances that exist at of December 31,
2003. The ultimate timing of these future cash flows may differ due to events
and circumstances that are out of the direct control of the Company. Also
included are liabilities related to environmental matters, which are further
discussed in Note 16 to Consolidated Financial Statements. For further details
on commitments, please refer to Note 15 of the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
In addition to the long-term obligations and commitments disclosed above,
the Company has, in the normal course of business, provided guarantees to third
parties in connection with indebtedness of its subsidiaries. The Company
estimates that the fair value of these guarantees is not material and does not
expect to incur material losses as a result of these guarantees. The Company has
provided guarantees to third parties for indebtedness of its subsidiaries, the
outstanding value of which was approximately $1.5 billion as at December 31,
2003. Based on the scheduled amortizations of the guaranteed debt the
outstanding value of these guarantees will decrease by $177 million in 2004,
$942 between 1 and 3 years; $236 million between 3 and 5 years and $165 million
beyond 5 years. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Environmental Commitments
On June 10, 1993, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Indiana entered a consent decree that resolved all matters raised by a lawsuit
filed by the EPA in 1990 (the "Consent Decree") against, among others, Ispat
Inland. Ispat Inland cannot presently reasonably estimate the costs or time
required to satisfy these obligations under the Consent Decree. In October 1996,
the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, as lead administrative
trustee, notified Ispat Inland and other potentially responsible parties that
the natural resource trustees (which also include the Indiana Department of
Natural Resources, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Fish and Wildlife
Service and the National Park Service) intended to perform a natural resource
damage assessment on the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal System. It
is not possible to predict the timing or the total obligation. At December 31,
2003, we have recognized $37 million for environmental liabilities.
Pension Agreements
These amounts are required under Ispat Inland's agreements with the PBGC
and Ryerson Tull. We have not included any amounts that may be required beyond
these contractual commitments due to the significant difficulty in forecasting
these amounts with any accuracy.
Other Post Retirement Benefits
We accrue an annual cost for these benefit obligations under plans covering
current and future retirees in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. These amounts could differ significantly from the
59
estimates forecasted because of changes in Medicare, or other regulations and/or
health care costs. We believe it is impossible to make an accurate prediction of
cash requirements for these obligations beyond five years.
G. Safe Harbor
All information that is not historical in nature and disclosed under "Item
5--Operating and Financial Review and Prospects" is deemed to be a forward
looking statement. See "Item 4D--Risk Factors--forward looking statements and
associated risks".
60
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A. Directors and Senior Management
Management of our business is vested in the Board of Directors of Ispat
International. Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal is Chairman of the Board of Directors and
Chief Executive Officer of Ispat International. In establishing our strategic
direction and corporate policies, Mr. Mittal is supported by members of Ispat
International's executive management team with substantial professional and
worldwide steel industry experience.
It is our intention, and our controlling shareholder has confirmed to us
that he intends, to maintain on the Board of Directors at all times at least two
directors who are not and have not been senior managers or employees of any of
Ispat International's subsidiaries or affiliates.
We continue to have a strong emphasis on corporate governance. Ispat
International has five external directors on its Board of Directors. The
Company's Audit Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee are
comprised exclusively of three independent members each.
Current members of our Board of Directors are set forth below:
Name Age Date joined Board Position within Ispat International
---- --- ----------------- -----------------------------------
Lakshmi N. Mittal...................... 53 May 1997 Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer
Aditya Mittal.......................... 28 May 2000 Member of the Board of Directors and
Director Finance
Malay Mukherjee........................ 56 July 1997 Member of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Operating Officer
Ambassador Andres Rozental 6,7,8,9..... 58 July 1997 Member of the Board of Directors
Fernando Ruiz Sahagun 9................ 60 July 1997 Member of the Board of Directors
Narayanan Vaghul 6,7,8,9............... 67 July 1997 Member of the Board of Directors
Rene Lopez 8,9......................... 59 November 2002 Member of the Board of Directors
Muni Krishna T. Reddy 6,7,9............ 58 November 2002 Member of the Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Lakshmi N. Mittal, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief
Executive Officer of Ispat International. Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal has
approximately 32 years of experience in steel and related industries. Mr.
Lakshmi N. Mittal is the founder of Ispat International and has been responsible
for the strategic direction and development of the Company's business. Mr.
Mittal is also the Chairman of LNM Holdings N.V. and its main steel making
subsidiaries. He is also a non-executive director of Iscor Limited, a member of
the Board of Directors of the International Iron and Steel Institute and a
director of Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation India Limited.
Mr.Lakshmi N. Mittal was named Steel Maker of the Year in 1996 by New Steel, a
leading industry publication. Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal was also awarded the 8th
honorary Willy Korf Steel Vision Award, the highest recognition for worldwide
achievement in the steel industry. The award was presented by American Metal
Market and World Steel Dynamics.
Aditya Mittal, Member of the Board of Directors and Director Finance
Mr. Aditya Mittal joined Ispat International in January 1997, where he is
now Director Finance of Ispat International. Mr. Aditya Mittal managed Ispat
International's IPO in 1997, and was instrumental in its acquisition efforts
including Ispat Inland and Ispat Unimetal. He is also Vice-Chairman of LNM
Holdings N.V. where he has been responsible for all its Mergers and Acquisitions
(M&A) activities, and serves on the Board of Iscor Limited. Prior to joining
Ispat International, Mr. Aditya Mittal worked at Credit Suisse First Boston for
a year in the M&A area. He holds a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Economics
from the Wharton School in
----------
6 Audit Committee
7 Nomination Committee
8 Remuneration Committee
9 Non Executive
61
Pennsylvania with specialization in Strategic Management and Corporate Finance,
from where he graduated magna cum laude. He is the son of Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal.
Malay Mukherjee, Member of the Board of Directors and President and Chief
Operating Officer
Mr. Mukherjee is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ispat
International and has over 31 years of experience in a range of technical,
commercial and general management roles in the steel industry. Mr. Mukherjee has
held various senior management positions within the Company, including Managing
Director of Ispat Mexicana S.A. de C.V. and Managing Director of Ispat Karmet
JSC ("Ispat Karmet"), a Group affiliate, and President and CEO of Ispat Europe
SA, Luxembourg.
Ambassador Andres Rozental, Member of the Board of Directors
Ambassador Andres Rozental has a long and distinguished career in the
Mexican Diplomatic Service. Over the past 35 years, he has held various senior
government and diplomatic posts including Ambassador of Mexico to the United
Kingdom, Ambassador of Mexico to the Kingdom of Sweden, Ambassador, Permanent
Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, as well as Deputy Foreign
Minister of Mexico. From December 2000 to January 2002, he was
Ambassador-at-Large and Special Presidential Envoy for President Fox of Mexico.
Ambassador Rozental has received several awards, including the Grand Cross of
the Polar Star (Sweden) and the Grand Cross of the Civil Merit Order (Spain). He
is also an officer of the National Order of Merit (France). Ambassador Rozental
is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Deutsche Latin American
Companies Trust, Grupo Industrial Omega, Aeroplazas de Mexico and Fumisa. He is
Chairman of the Board of Latinoamericana de Duty Free and the President of his
own consulting firm, Rozental & Asociados in Mexico City.
Fernando Ruiz Sahagun, Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Ruiz has approximately 30 years of experience in the field of
accounting, finance and tax and is currently a partner at Chevez, Ruiz,
Zamarripa y Cia., S.C., a leading tax consulting firm in Mexico. Mr. Ruiz is a
member of several professional associations, including the Instituto Mexicano de
Ejecutivos de Finanzas, Colegio de Contadores Publicos de Mexico, Instituto de
Contadores Publicos and Academia de Estudios Fiscales de la Contaduria Publica.
He is the President of the Business Coordinator Counsel's Tax Committee (CCE)
and a board member of various companies including Kimberly Clark de Mexico, S.A.
de C.V., Accel, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Financiero Santander Serfin, S.A. de C.V.,
Corporacion San Luis, S.A. de C.V., Grupo Palacio de Hierro, S.A. de C.V., Grupo
Camesa, S.A. de C.V., BASF Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (a subsidiary of BASF AG),
Bacardi, S.A. de C.V. (a subsidiary of Bacardi International Ltd.).
Muni Krishna T. Reddy, Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Muni Krishna T. Reddy has over 33 years of experience in financial
services and he is presently the Chairman of State Bank of Mauritius Ltd (SBM
Group). He holds the following directorships: Chairman of the Board of SBM
Nedbank International Ltd.; Director on the Boards of Air Mauritius Ltd; British
American (Holdings) Ltd;, Nassau; British American Insurance Company of the
Bahamas Ltd; British American International Corporation Ltd; British American
(UK) Ltd; Fidelity Bank & Trust International Ltd; GloBAL Financial Services
Group plc, Malta; India Growth Fund Inc, New York; Intercommercial Bank Ltd,
Trinidad; Intercommercial Trust & Merchant Bank Ltd; Ispat International N.V.;
Mauritius Telecom Ltd; Overseas Telecommunication Services Ltd and South East
Asia Regional Fund Ltd. Mr Reddy has taken over as Chairman of SBM Group in
October 2003 having been the Chief Executive Office of SBM Group for more than
16 years. Prior to taking over as Chief Executive Officer of SBM Group in 1987,
Mr. Reddy worked in Singapore and India. Mr. Reddy was conferred in 1993 with
the title "Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean"
(GOSK), by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius for distinguished
services in banking.
Rene Lopez, Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Lopez has approximately 36 years of experience in international
finance, manufacturing and marketing with multinational corporations including
Alcatel-Alsthom and GEC Alsthom, where he has worked since 1966. He was
President and General Manager of Alcatel-Alsthom and GEC Alsthom Canada.
Currently Mr. Lopez is owner and President of Gesterel Inc. in Canada, a
consultancy services boutique specializing in mergers and acquisitions, finance
and technology transfer management.
62
Narayanan Vaghul, Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Vaghul has 48 years of experience in the financial sector and has been
the Chairman of Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India Limited
for 16 years and of ICICI Bank for the last two years. Prior to this, he was
Chairman of the Bank of India and Executive Director of the Central Bank of
India. He was chosen as the Businessman of the Year in 1992 by Business India, a
leading Indian publication, and has served as a consultant to the World Bank,
the International Finance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank. Mr. Vaghul
was also a visiting Professor at the Stern Business School at New York
University. Mr. Vaghul is Chairman of the Indian Institute of Finance Management
& Research and is also a board member of various other companies, including
Wipro Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra, Nicholas Piramal India Limited and Apollo
Hospitals.
Senior Management
Bhikam C. Agarwal, Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Agarwal is the Chief Financial Officer of Ispat International and has
over 28 years of experience in steel and related industries. He has held various
senior executive positions within the Company since its first acquisition in
1989. He has been responsible for the financial strategy of the Company and has
been chief coordinator of its prior activities in the capital markets, two of
which received "deal of the year" awards from International Financing Review, a
leading global financial publication. Mr. Agarwal has also led the finance and
accounting functions of the Company across all the operating subsidiaries.
Ashok Aranha, Director Materials and Information Technology
Mr. Aranha joined the Company in 1991 and is responsible for the
development and implementation of the Company's purchasing strategy and the
implementation of most global purchases for the Company. He has over 34 years of
experience in materials and procurement management. Mr. Aranha was the Head of
materials at Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH and at Caribbean Ispat Ltd. prior
to this position. He holds an MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur, India.
Vijay K Bhatnagar, Managing Director, Ispat Mexicana
Mr. Bhatnagar is the Managing Director of Ispat Mexicana since October 2002
with over 34 years of experience in aluminium and electronics industries. He is
a metallurgical engineer by qualification and worked in various line and staff
positions at INDAL (erstwhile ALCAN subsidiary) in India for over 31 years. He
later became the Joint Managing Director and then the Managing Director of AT&S
Indian operations (a subsidiary of AT&S AG Austria) and worked in these
positions from 1999 until 2002.
Arvind Chopra, Director Internal Assurance
Mr. Chopra joined the Company in April 2000 and is responsible for the
facilitation of management's performance of risk assessments and for the
evaluation of internal controls. He is also in charge of the independent
internal auditing function. Formerly a partner with KPMG, Mr. Chopra has over 18
years of experience in internal auditing, risk management, internal control
evaluations and corporate governance related matters. He has also held positions
at Arthur Andersen, Nestle and Price Waterhouse. Mr. Chopra is a member of
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the Institute of Internal
Auditors.
Leonard Chuderewicz, Executive Vice President, Manufacturing of Ispat Inland
Inc.
Mr. Chuderewicz joined Ispat Inland in February 2004. Prior to this, he was
a career employee of United States Steel Corporation, with 32 years of service
in a variety of management positions. Among his positions at US Steel were
general manager of their Gary Indiana Works, president of USS/Kobe Steel
Company, a bar products joint venture, president of USS-Posco Industries, a cold
rolling/coating joint venture, and president of the Double Eagle Steel Coating
Company. Mr. Chuderewicz holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
from the University of Pittsburgh, U.S. and an MBA from Duquesne University,
Pittsburgh U.S.
63
Simon Evans, General Counsel
Mr. Evans joined the Company in September 2001 as General Counsel. He has
over 15 years experience in corporate and commercial law in both industry and
private practise. Formerly, Mr. Evans was European Counsel at Rohm and Haas and
prior to that he worked at the law firm Taylor Joynson Garrett, London. Mr.
Evans is a graduate of Oxford University and the College of Law, Guildford.
Denis Fraser, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Ispat Sidbec
Inc.
Mr. Fraser joined Ispat Sidbec in February 1999 as Commercial Director,
Wire Rod, and was until April 2002, General Manager of the Wire Rod business
unit. Mr. Fraser holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the
Ecole Polytechnique and an MBA in Finance and Accountancy from McGill
University. In his 19-year career with a major oil company prior to joining
Ispat Sidbec, he held several key positions in operations, sales and marketing.
Alain Grenaut, Chief Executive Officer, Ispat Unimetal S.A.
Mr. Grenaut is the Chief Executive Officer of Ispat Unimetal. Prior to
this, he was the Corporate Marketing Director of Lucchini Group for 2 years, and
before that as, Vice-President for Strategy, Research and Development at Ispat
Europe. He has vast experience of long products in the European Steel Industry,
having been responsible for various functions in Quality Control, Production and
Marketing for different French and European companies during the last 33 years.
He is a graduate of the French High School of Mines.
John Kuriyan, Managing Director, Caribbean Ispat Limited
Mr. Kuriyan is the Managing Director of Caribbean Ispat and has over 31
years experience in engineering, manufacturing and general management in the
steel and tyre industry. Prior to joining Caribbean Ispat, he was Director
General of Servicios Siderurgicos Integrados, S.A. de C.V., a subsidiary of
Imexsa. He has also served as Senior Vice President, Manufacturing at Dunlop
India Limited and as President and CEO of Falcon Tyres Limited. He is a graduate
of the Indian Institute of Technology and holds a Bachelor of Technology degree
in Mechanical Engineering and is a Postgraduate from the same institute in
Industrial Engineering.
Abdellatif Laasraoui, Director Strategy and Business Development
Mr. Laasraoui is the Director, Strategy and Business Development for the
Company. He has extensive international experience in the steel and aluminum
industries in areas such as corporate strategy, performance improvement,
investment strategy, process technology and related areas. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Laasraoui was a Senior Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company,
based in Chicago, where he worked since 1993. He has also worked as a
Metallurgical Process Engineer at Hatch Associates, Toronto & Montreal in
Canada.
Bernard Laupretre, Chief Executive Officer, Trefileurope S.A.
Mr. Laupretre was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of Trefileurope, a
wire drawing company and subsidiary of Ispat Unimetal in Europe in September
2002. He joined the Company in February 1990 and has held various senior
management positions. Mr. Laupretre holds an engineer degree from Arts et
Metiers school (France) and a MBA from ISA (France).
Richard Leblanc, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ispat Sidbec Inc.
Mr. Leblanc is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ispat Sidbec
and has approximately 35 years of experience in the steel industry. Mr. Leblanc
spent 18 years in various senior management positions at Stelco Inc. before
joining Sidbec in 1987 as Vice-President, Production. He became President and
Chief Executive Officer in 1996. Mr. Leblanc is a Director of the American Iron
and Steel Institute and the Canadian Steel Producers Association. He holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Laval University,
Quebec, Canada.
64
Greg Ludkovsky, Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Ludkovsky is Chief Technology Officer of the Company, as well as Vice
President Research and Development and Chief Technology Officer of Ispat Inland
Inc. Mr. Ludkovsky joined Inland Steel in 1979 and advanced through a number of
positions in steel products research prior to becoming Vice President, Research
and Development of Inland Steel in 1995. Dr. Ludkovsky has a PhD in
Metallurgical Engineering.
Gregor Munstermann, Managing Director, Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH
Mr. Munstermann has been Managing Director of Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke
GmbH since March 2001. He has over 16 years experience in the steel industry.
His previous positions include General Manager of the Steel Plant and the Direct
Reduction Plant, Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH. Mr. Munstermann holds a
Diploma at University Clausthal-Zellerfeld.
Jean-Pierre Picard, Director Marketing - Flat Products
Mr. Picard, Director, Marketing, Flat Products is responsible for flat
products marketing strategy ensuring a strong market driven approach in the
development of the Company's business strategy and the delivery of value to the
customers. He joined Ispat Sidbec in 1980 as Vice-President of Marketing and
Sales. He was previously Senior Vice-President of British Steel, Canada where he
worked for 13 years. Mr. Picard has been active in many steel industry related
associations. He holds a Master Degree in Commercial Sciences from Laval
University, Quebec, Canada.
Thekkemadom N. Ramaswamy, Director Finance
Mr. Ramaswamy is Director, Finance for Ispat International. He is
responsible for corporate finance and financial strategy. He has 34 years
experience covering a wide range of financial management functions and has been
with the Company since 1989, previously holding positions as General Manager,
Finance at Caribbean Ispat (1989 - 1992), Director, Finance at Ispat Mexicana
(1992 - 1994) and CFO at Ispat Sidbec (1994 - 2002). He holds a Bachelor of
Commerce Degree from the University of Madras, India, an MBA from the Indian
Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, India and is a Fellow Member of The
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK.
Gerhard Renz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ispat Europe S.A.
Mr. Renz is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ispat Europe and
has over 30 years of experience in the steel industry. Mr. Renz formerly worked
as the Managing Director of Ispat Germany. Mr. Renz is a board member of Verein
Deutsche Eisenhuttenleute, Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl and the European Iron
and Steel Institute. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Engineering. Michal G.
Rippey, Executive Vice President Commercial and Chief Financial Officer, Ispat
Inland Inc.
Mr. Rippey joined the Inland Steel (now Ispat Inland) finance organization
in 1984 and advanced through positions of increasing responsibility before being
named vice president Finance and CFO Ispat Inland in 1998. His responsibilities
also include purchasing and marketing functions for the Company. Mr. Rippey has
a bachelor's degree from Indiana University; a master's degree in banking and
finance from Loyola University, Chicago; and an MBA from the University of
Chicago.
Henk Scheffer, Company Secretary
Mr. Scheffer joined the Company in March 2003 as Company Secretary, and he
is responsible for compliance with corporate legal requirements and supporting
and facilitating the Board of Directors. Previously, Mr. Scheffer worked at
Canon for 13 years in various legal and general management positions. Mr.
Scheffer holds a law degree from Rijks Universiteit Groningen (RUG) and was
admitted to the Amsterdam Bar.
Louis Schorsch, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ispat Inland Inc.
Dr. Schorsch is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Ispat Inland
Inc. and has over 25 years experience in consulting and managerial roles
predominantly relating to the steel industry. Prior to joining Ispat Inland in
October 2003, Dr Schorsch held various senior positions in the consulting and
e-commerce sectors.
65
His immediate previous assignments have been as President and CEO of GSX.Com Inc
and Principal at McKinsey & Company, where he worked from 1985 until 2000.
Whilst at McKinsey he was also a co-leader of the metals & mining practise. Dr.
Schorsch has published numerous articles in Business Week and Challenge
publications and has also co-authored a book on steel - "Upheaval in a Basic
Industry".
Peter D. Southwick, Director Quality Assurance and Application Development
Dr. Southwick is the Director - Quality Assurance and Application
Development. He has recently moved to this position from his previous position
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Ispat Inland. Dr. Southwick has over
23 years of experience in the steel industry, and he joined Inland Steel in
1980. Prior to his recent position, Dr. Southwick has held various senior
positions at Ispat Inland including Executive Vice President, Operations and
Vice President, Operations - Flat Products. Dr. Southwick has published numerous
technical papers and a book titled "Accelerated Cooling of Steels". In 2003, he
served as the Vice Chairman of American Iron and Steel Institute. He is member
of the Iron and Steel Society, the American Society for Quality and the
Institute of Materials.
Dr. Olaf-Roman Baron von Engelhardt, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Ispat
Europe S.A.
Dr. von Engelhardt is Vice President Sales and Marketing of Ispat Europe
S.A. Dr. von Engelhardt joined the Company in 1999 and is responsible for sales
and marketing of products manufactured by its steel-making operations in Europe.
He has over 30 years of experience in the steel industry, including Head of
Marketing, Planning, Dispatching and General Services at Arbed Saarstahl GmbH,
General Manager of Saarstahl GmbH, formerly Arbed Saarstahl GmbH, in charge of
direct sales and Managing Director of Vertriebsgesellschaft Saarstahl GmbH,
Germany.
Viral C. Vora, Director Shipping
Mr. Vora joined the Company in 1989. He is responsible for the
implementation of transportation policy and strategy for the Company's raw
materials and finished products. He is also responsible for the operation,
chartering and management of the Company owned/chartered ships. He has over 29
years of experience in the shipping industry and has worked in the areas of
chartering, operations and insurance. Mr. Vora was formerly General Manager,
Shipping at Caribbean Ispat Limited. Mr. Vora has a degree in statistics and
mathematics.
Inder Walia, Director Human Resources
Mr. Walia joined the Company in 2000 and is responsible for the development
and implementation of human resources strategies for the Company. He has 23
years of experience in human resources positions. He has a post-graduate degree
in Human Resources from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India. He is
also an active member of various human resource committees. Mr. Walia has held
various positions in human resources at Modi Corp and HCL Hewlett Packard.
Bernd Webersinke, Managing Director Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld GmbH and Ispat
Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH
Mr. Webersinke has been Managing Director of Ispat Walzdracht Hochfeld GmbH
since 1997 and Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH since 1999, and has over 26 years of
experience in the steel industry. Prior to his current position, he worked as
General Manager in production and maintenance at Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke
GmbH. Mr. Webersinke is a Board Member of Germany's Steel Makers Association
(VDEh). He is a metallurgical engineer by qualification.
66
B. Compensation
The total remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors at December
31,2003 is as follows:
(Thousands of U.S. Dollars, except for share data) 2002 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- -----------------
Base salary 2,273 3,526
Short-term performance-related bonus 1,460 822
Long-term incentives (number of options) 230,000 --
The annual remuneration of the members of the Board of Directors was as follows:
2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003
------ ------ -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------
(Thousands of U.S. Short-term Short-term Long-term Long-term
Dollars, except performance performance Number of Number of
for share data) related bonus related bonus Options Options
-------------------------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------
Lakshmi N. Mittal 863 1,247 670 429 80,000 --
Aditya Mittal 260 710 195 187 25,000 --
Malay Mukherjee 473 870 355 206 50,000 --
Dr. Peter Southwick* 404 420 240 0 45,000
Narayanan Vaghul 83 84 -- -- 10,000 --
Ambassador Andres Rozental 94 86 -- -- 10,000 --
Fernando Ruiz Sahagun 90 60 -- -- 10,000 --
Muni Krishna T. Reddy 1 84 -- -- -- --
Rene Lopez 5 65 -- -- -- --
------ ------ -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------
2,273 3,526 1,460 822 230,000 --
------ ------ -------------- ------------- ----------- ----------
* Dr. Peter Southwick resigned from the Board of Directors on October 1, 2003.
The amount outstanding at December 31, 2003 in respect of loans and
advances to members of the Board of Directors was $0 (2002: $0).
The following table provides summarized information on the options
outstanding and the movements on the options granted to the Board of Directors
(in 2003 no options have been granted):
Weighted
average
Granted in Granted in Granted in exercise
1999 2000 2002 Total (1) price
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Lakshmi N. Mittal 80,000 80,000 80,000 240,000 7.59
Aditya Mittal 7,500 7,500 25,000 40,000 5.26
Malay Mukherjee 40,000 40,000 50,000 130,000 7.18
Dr. Peter Southwick (2) 30,000 30,000 45,000 105,000 6.83
Narayanan Vaghul -- 5,000 10,000 15,000 4.36
Ambassador Andres Rozental -- 5,000 10,000 15,000 4.36
Fernando Ruiz Sahagun -- 5,000 10,000 15,000 4.36
Muni Krishna R. Reddy -- -- -- --
Rene Lopez -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
157,500 172,500 230,000 560,000
---------- ---------- ---------- --------- --------
Exercise Price (3) $ 11.94 $ 8.57 $ 2.26
Term (in years) 10 10 10
----------
(1) None of the options have been exercised.
(2) Dr. Peter Southwick resigned from the Board of Directors on October 1st,
2003.
(3) All options were granted at an exercise price equal to the market value on
the date of grant.
67
Stock Option Plan
In 1999, the Company established the Ispat International N.V. Global Stock
Option Plan (the 'Ispat Plan') which is described more fully in Note 10. Under
the terms of the Ispat Plan, the Company may grant options to senior management
of Ispat International and its affiliates for up to six million class A shares
(increased up to a maximum of ten million class A shares in 2003). The exercise
price of each option equals not less than the fair market value of Ispat
International stock on the date of grant, with a maximum term of 10 years.
Options are granted at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors or its
delegate. The options vest either ratably upon each of the first three
anniversaries of the grant date, or, in total, upon the death, disability or
retirement of the participant.
Prior to 2003, the Company accounted for those plans under the recognition
and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation
cost is reflected in 2001 and 2002 net income, as all options granted under
those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying
common stock on the date of grant.
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"), prospectively to all employee awards
granted, modified, or settled after January 1, 2003. This prospective adoption
of the fair value provisions of SFAS 123 is in accordance with the transitional
provisions of SFAS No. 148, 'Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation' ("SFAS
148") issued in December 2002 for recognizing compensation cost of stock
options. There were no stock options granted, modified or settled during 2003
and accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in 2003.
SFAS 148 also requires that if awards of stock-based employee compensation
were outstanding and accounted for under the intrinsic value method of Opinion
25 for any period in which an income statement is presented, a tabular
presentation is required as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ended December 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income, as reported $ (312) $49 $66
Add: Stock-based employee compensation
expense included in reported net income,
net of related tax effects - - -
Deduct: Total stock-based employee
compensation expense determined under
fair value based method for all 3 3 1
awards, net of related tax effects
Pro forma net income $ (315) $46 $65
Earnings per share:
Basic and diluted--as reported $(2.58) $0.24 $0.53
Basic and diluted--pro forma $(2.60) $0.37 $0.53
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fair value of each option grant of Ispat International stock is
estimated on the date of grant using Black-Scholes Model Method with the
following weighted-average assumptions used:
Year of grant
--------------------------------------------------
2001 2002 2003
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend yield - - -
Expected annualized volatility - 83% -
Discount rate - Bond equivalent yield - 5.03% -
Expected life in years - 8 -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
68
The status of the Ispat Plan with respect to the Company is summarized below at
December 31, 2003:
Weighted
Number of Average exercise
shares Price
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening balance as of January 1, 2001 2,512,000 10.19
Granted during the year - -
Exercised -
Forfeitures (310,000) 10.30
Outstanding at December 31, 2001 2,202,000 10.17
Granted during the year 1,349,500 2.26
Exercised - -
Forfeitures (160,000) 7.95
Outstanding at December 31, 2002 3,391,500 7.13
Granted during the year - -
Exercised (91,166) 7.08
Forfeitures/restoration 39,000 11.72
Outstanding at December 31, 2003 3,339,334 7.32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At December 31, 2003, the stock options are exercisable as follows:
Average Exercise
Year Options price (1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 2,530,111 8.93
2004 2,934,723 8.01
2005 3,339,334 7.32
2006 3,339,334 7.32
2007 3,339,334 7.32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Based on Exercise Price of $11.94 , $8.57 and $2.26 for 1999, 2000 and
2002, the respective years of the grant date.
C. Board Practices
Article 18, paragraph 1 of our Articles of Association provides that our
Board of Directors shall consist of five or more class A, class B and class C
directors (and composed at all times by one class A director and at least two
class C directors). Article 18, paragraph 2 stipulates that members of the Board
of Directors are appointed by the general meeting of shareholders for a term
commencing on the day following the annual general meeting of shareholders up to
and including the day of the annual general meeting of the shareholders in the
next financial year. Article 18, paragraph 2 further provides that as long as
the controlling shareholder is entitled directly or indirectly to cast the
majority of the votes that may be cast by all shareholders, the provisions of
paragraph 2 of Article 18 do not apply to class A director.
Corporate Governance
In June 2001, we adopted a Corporate Governance framework in conformity
with best practices on corporate governance. We will continue to diligently
monitor new, proposed and final U.S. and Dutch Corporate regulatory requirements
and will make adjustments to our Corporate Governance controls and procedures to
stay in full compliance with these requirements on a timely basis. The Company
is fully committed to meeting and whenever possible exceeding the Corporate
Governance mandates and requirements under current and proposed Securities
Exchange Commission ("SEC") and New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules and Dutch
law. There are no significant differences between the current corporate
governance
69
practices of the Company and those currently required to be followed by U.S.
domestic companies under the NYSE listing standards.
The new Dutch Corporate Governance Code was published on December 9, 2003.
During 2004, we will discuss the requirements of the new Dutch Corporate
Governance Code in our Board of Directors and in our General Shareholders
Meeting. We expect to be in compliance with the vast majority of the provisions
of the Code by the end of 2004, in accordance with the implementation
provisions. One area where we expect our practise to differ from the Dutch
Corporate Governance Code is with regard to the separation of the post of
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
is Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal, who is expected to continue in 2004 in both positions.
Any material deviations will be explained to shareholders at the General
Shareholders Meeting, and their approval will be sought in accordance with the
Dutch Corporate Governance Code.
Role of the Board of Directors and Management
Ispat International's business is conducted through operating subsidiaries,
which are managed by their board of directors and headed by the subsidiary's
CEO/President. The Board of Directors of Ispat International N.V. and the senior
corporate management provide the oversight to enhance the value to the
stakeholders.
Director Independence
As per the criteria laid out by Ispat International's Board of Directors,
directors will be considered "independent" if they do not have a material
relationship with the Company. Ispat International's Board of Directors consists
of eight directors, of which five are independent, constituting a majority of
the Board of Directors. Of the five independent directors only one of the
directors has a relationship with the Company. This relationship is below the
threshold laid down by the Board of Directors, of less than one percent of the
revenues of the firm on which the director serves as an executive officer. This
director, however, does not serve on any committees of the Board of Directors.
Function of the Board of Directors
As per Ispat International's Corporate Governance guidelines adopted in
June 2001, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for the stewardship of
the Company and should assume responsibility for the adoption of a corporate
strategy; monitoring of risk and control; succession planning including
appointing, training and monitoring of senior management personnel; maintaining
an investor relations program for the Company; ensuring the integrity of the
Company's internal control and management information system; setting of
remuneration policy which incorporates appropriate performance hurdles.
Qualification
Directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics and
integrity, and be committed to representing the interests of the stakeholders.
Ispat International's directors possess experience in managing large companies
and contribute towards the protection of the stakeholder interests in the
Company through expertise in their respective fields. All directors bring an
independent judgment to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources and
standards of conduct.
Size of the Board of Directors and Selection Process
All directors are subject to election by shareholders (except where the
Articles of Association provide otherwise). The names of directors submitted for
election or re-election shall be accompanied by sufficient biographical details
to enable shareholders to make an informed decision on their election. Ispat
International's Board of Directors currently consists of eight members, which is
considered reasonable given the size of the Company. All members of the Board of
Directors and its respective Committees, except for Mr. Lakshmi N. Mittal and
Mr. Aditya Mittal (who as class A directors are currently exempted, as per
provisions of the Articles of Association), will next be considered for
re-appointment at the annual shareholders meeting in 2004.
During 2003, Dr. Peter Southwick, one of the class B directors, resigned
from the Board of Directors. He has not been replaced and there is currently no
intention to replace him. Dr. Southwick continues to be employed by one of our
subsidiaries.
70
Board Committees
The Board of Directors has established the following Committees to assist
the Board of Directors in discharging its responsibilities: (i) Audit; (ii)
Remuneration; and (iii) Nomination. The Committees have written charters and
consist solely of independent directors.
Board Agenda
The items placed before the Board of Directors include, among others,
strategic plans of the Company; annual operating plans and budgets and any
updates; capital budgets and any updates; quarterly results for the Company and
its strategic business units; minutes of Audit Committee and other committee
meetings; the information on recruitment and remuneration of senior management
just below the Board of Directors level; environment, health and safety related
matters; risk management policy of the group and such other matters considered
important for the Board's oversight.
Ethics and Conflict of Interest
Ethics and conflicts of interest are governed by the Code of Business
Conduct adopted by the Company. The Code of Business Conduct sets out standards
for ethical behavior, which are to be followed by all employees and directors in
the discharge of their duties. They must always act in the best interests of the
Company and must avoid any situation where their personal interests conflict, or
could conflict with their obligations toward the Company. As employees, they
must not acquire any financial or other interest in any business or participate
in any activity that could deprive the Company of the time or the scrupulous
attention that they need to devote to the performance of their duties. Any
behavior that deviates from Ispat International's code of conduct is to be
reported to the employee's supervisor, a member of the management, the head of
the legal department or the head of the internal audit / internal assurance
department.
The Company's Code of Business Conduct is available on the Company's
website at http://www.ispat.com.
Separate meeting of Non-Executive Directors
The non-executive directors regularly schedule meetings without the
presence of management.
Audit Committee
Charter and Meetings
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of
Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing: the
financial reports and other financial information provided by the Company to any
governmental body or the public; the Company's system of internal control
regarding finance, accounting, legal compliance and ethics that the management
and the Board of Directors have established and the Company's auditing,
accounting and financial reporting processes generally.
The Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to serve as
an independent and objective party to monitor the Company's financial reporting
process and internal controls system; review and appraise the audit efforts of
the Company's independent accountants and internal auditing department; provide
an open avenue of communication among the independent accountants, financial and
senior management, the internal auditing department and the Board of Directors.
It is responsible for approving the appointment and fees of the independent
auditors. It is also responsible for monitoring the independence of the external
auditors.
The Company's Audit Committee charter is available on the Company's website
at http://www.ispat.com.
The Audit Committee met nine times during 2003. Of these meetings, four
were physical meetings and five were teleconference meetings.
71
Audit Committee Members
The Audit Committee consists of three directors: Mr. Narayanan Vaghul, Mr.
Muni Krishna T. Reddy and Ambassador Andres Rozental, all of whom are
independent under the Company's Corporate Governance guidelines; the NYSE
standards as well as the Dutch Corporate Governance Code. The Chairman of the
Audit Committee is Mr. Narayanan Vaghul, who has significant experience and
financial expertise. Mr. Vaghul is the Chairman of ICICI Bank, a company that is
listed on the NYSE and Mumbai Stock Exchange. Both Mr. Muni Krishna T. Reddy and
Ambassador Andres Rozental have considerable experience in managing companies'
affairs.
Process for Handling Complaints about Accounting Matters
As part of the Board of Directors' procedures for receiving and handling
complaints or concerns about the Company's financial accounting, internal
controls and auditing issues, Ispat international's Code of Business Conduct
encourages all employees to bring such issues to the Audit Committee's
attention.
Employees reported no significant complaints of this nature during 2003.
Internal Audit/Internal Assurance
The Company has an Internal Audit function. The function is under the
responsibility of the Director - Internal Assurance, who reports to the Audit
Committee. The function is staffed by full time professional staff located at
each of the principal operating subsidiaries and at the corporate level.
Recommendations and matters relating to internal control and processes are made
by the Internal Audit function, and their implementation is regularly reviewed
by the Audit Committee.
External Auditors' Independence
The appointment and determination of fees of the external auditors is the
direct responsibility of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is further
responsible for obtaining annually a written statement from the external
auditors that their independence has not been impaired. The external auditors
have informed the Company of their intention to rotate their lead and engagement
partners in line with the new requirements in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The
Audit Committee has obtained a confirmation from the external auditors that none
of their former employees are in a position with the Company, which may impair
their independence.
Remuneration Committee
Charter and Meetings
The Remuneration Committee is comprised of three independent directors. The
purpose of having a Remuneration Committee consisting exclusively of directors
who are independent of management is to have members who are free of any
business or other relationship, which could interfere with the exercise of their
independent judgment. The Board of Directors has established the Remuneration
Committee to determine on their behalf and on behalf of the shareholders within
agreed terms of reference, the Company framework of remuneration and
compensation, including stock options for executive directors, the CFO, the
Chief Executive Officers of the Company's principal operating subsidiaries and
designated senior management at the corporate level. The Remuneration Committee
met twice in 2003.
The charter of the Remuneration Committee is available on the Company's
website at http://www.ispat.com.
Remuneration Committee Members
The Remuneration Committee consists of three directors: Mr. Narayanan
Vaghul, Ambassador Andres Rozental and Mr. Rene Lopez, all of whom are
independent.
The chairman of the Remuneration Committee is Ambassador Andres Rozental.
72
Remuneration Principles
The Remuneration Committee's principal responsibility in compensating
executives is to encourage and reward performance that will lead to long-term
enhancement of shareholder value. None of the members of the Board of Directors
currently has entered into any contracts with the Company or any of its
subsidiaries that provide benefits upon termination of employment. The
Remuneration Committee reviews the remuneration of executive members of the
Board of Directors, CFO, and CEO's of operating subsidiaries and designated
senior management at the corporate level.
Stock Option Plan
The Company's Global Stock Option Plan ('the Plan'), was adopted at the
meeting of the Board of Directors held on September 15, 1999 and has a duration
of ten years. Under the Plan, eligible employees (senior management of the
Company or any of its Affiliates) may be awarded options to purchase stock in
the Company (or equivalent stock appreciation rights at an exercise price not
less than the fair market value of the shares of the Company at the date of
award). Awards vest in three installments on each of the first, second and third
anniversary of the date of grant (or earlier on the termination of employment
due to death, disability or retirement) and are exercisable within ten years of
grant (or until the date of earlier termination of employment for some other
reason). The maximum number of shares of common stock available with respect to
all the awards under the plan is currently ten million shares in the aggregate.
The Stock Option Plan of the Company was approved by the shareholders at a
general meeting held on October 11, 2002.
Nomination Committee
Charter and Meetings
Ispat International has a Nomination Committee comprised exclusively of
three independent directors. The Nomination Committee elects its Chairman and
members of the Nomination Committee are appointed and can be removed by the
Board of Directors. The Nomination Committee met two times in 2003.
The charter of the Nomination Committee is available on the Company's
website at http://www.ispat.com.
Nomination Committee Members
The Nomination Committee consists of three directors: Mr. Narayanan Vaghul,
Mr. Muni Krishna T. Reddy and Ambassador Andres Rozental, all of whom are
independent. Ambassador Andres Rozental is the Chairman of the Nomination
Committee.
Function of the Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee will at the request of the Board of Directors,
consider any appointment or reappointment to the Board of Directors. It will
provide advice and recommendations to the Board of Directors on such
appointment. The Committee is also responsible for developing, monitoring and
reviewing Corporate Governance principles applicable to the Company.
Risk Mitigation
We initiated a comprehensive group wide risk assessment in 2001, including
the creation of a Risk Committee. Risk mitigation plans identifying major risks
and mitigation strategies have been drawn up and implemented for each operating
subsidiary and compliance therewith is reviewed at defined regular intervals.
Risk mitigation at each principal operating subsidiary was reviewed during 2003
and mitigation plans for new risks have been incorporated.
73
D. Employees
The Company had 14,811 employees in 2003 (2002 - 15,640; 2001 - 16,344).
The table below sets forth the breakdown of the total year-end number of
employees by geographical area for the past three years:
2001 2002 2003
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unites States 7,389 6,895 6,461
Canada 2,133 2,102 1,933
Mexico 1,215 1,172 1,254
Trinidad 796 802 766
Europe 4,811 4,669 4,397
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 16,344 15,640 14,811
===============================================================================
In general, we have a good relationship with our employees and with the
labor unions. See "Item 3D--Risk Factors--labor disputes".
E. Share Ownership
The share ownership of our directors and senior management is 79,761 shares
of class A common shares (excluding shares owned by controlling shareholder).
The number of options granted to directors and senior management in 1999 was
352,500 at an exercise price of $11.94, in 2000 was 369,500 at an exercise price
of $8.57 and in 2002 was 596,500 at an exercise price of $2.26. No options were
granted during 2001 and 2003. These options vest either ratably upon each of the
first three anniversaries of the grant date, or, in total, upon the death,
disability or retirement of the participant. The option term expires ten years
after the grant date.
In accordance with the new Dutch Corporate Governance Code, non-executive
directors of the Company will no longer receive any share options.
74
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A. Major Shareholders
The authorized common shares of the Company consisted of 500,000,000 Class
A shares, with a par value of (euro) 0.01 per share, and 72,150,000 Class B
shares, with a par value of (euro) 0.10 per share. At December 31, 2003,
54,850,000 Class A shares and 72,150,000 Class B shares were issued and
49,587,492 (2002 - 51,735,794) Class A shares and 72,150,000 (2002 - 72,150,000)
Class B shares were outstanding.
The preference and relative rights of the class A shares and class B shares
are substantially identical except for disparity in voting power and conversion
rights. Holders of class A shares are entitled to one vote per share and holders
of class B shares are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted
to a vote of shareholders. Each class B share is convertible, at the option of
the holder, into one class A share.
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2003 with
respect to the beneficial ownership of our class A common shares and class B
common shares by each person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more
than 5% of either class of shares, and all directors and senior management as a
group.
Class A Class B
Common Shares Common Shares
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Percentage Percentage
of of
Number Class Number Class
--------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Controlling Shareholder.................. 26,149,500 47.68 72,150,000 100.00
Treasury Stock(1)........................ 5,262,508(2) 9.59 -- --
Steelhead LLC(3)......................... 6,976,800 12.72
Other Public Shareholders................ 16,461,192 30.01 -- --
--------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Total.................................... 54,850,000 100.00 72,150,000 100.00
=============== =========== ========== ===========
Directors and Senior Management.......... 79,761(4)(5) 0.15 -- --
Total Common Shares
--------------------------------
Percentage
of Total
Common
Number Shares
------------ ----------
Controlling Shareholder.................. 98,299,500 77.40
Treasury Stock(1)........................ 5,262,508 4.14
Steelhead LLC(3)......................... 6,976,800 5.50
Other Public Shareholders................ 16,461,192 12.96
------------ ----------
Total.................................... 127,000,000 100.00
============ ==========
Directors and Senior Management.......... 79,761 0.06
----------
(1) Represents class A common shares repurchased by Ispat International
pursuant to the previously announced share repurchase programs of the
company.
(2) Consisting of 2,263,000 class A common shares repurchased in fiscal year
ended December 31, 2003, 139,200 class A common shares repurchased in
fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, 368,000 class A common shares
repurchased in fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, 242,600 class A common
shares repurchased in fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, 5,358,200 class
A common shares repurchased in the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 and
1,458,960 class A common shares repurchased in the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 and excluding 253,140 class A common shares awarded to
certain senior executives of the company, 23,532, 2,117,781 and 2,081,833
class A shares issued to Ispat Inland Pension Fund in 2003, 2002 and 2001
respectively and 91,166 class A common shares for options exercised under
the Ispat Plan during 2003.
(3) SEC Filing of February 5, 2004
(4) These 79,761 class A common shares are included in shares owned by public
shareholders indicated above.
(5) During 1998 the Company awarded 198,750 common shares to certain senior
management of the Company in connection with the Company's initial public
offering undertaken in 1997 and also awarded 54,390 common shares to
certain senior executives as Bonus shares in connection with the Company's
stock bonus plan (the "Stock Bonus Plan").
Our class A common shares may be held in registered form or bearer form, as
the holder may elect. Registered shares may consist of either New York Shares,
which are registered in a register kept by or on behalf of Ispat International
by its New York transfer agent, or Dutch Shares, which are registered in a
register kept by or on behalf of Ispat International by its Dutch transfer
agent. Shares in registered form may be evidenced by certificates. The bearer
shares may be represented by either K-certificates, legal title to which passes
by possession, or CF-certificates, which must be deposited with an authorized
custodian and are transferred by means of the book-entry transfer system
maintained by NECIGEF (Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor Giraal
75
Effectenverkeer, The Netherlands Central Institute for Giro Securities). Bearer
shares will be settled through the book-entry transfer system maintained by
NECIGEF and its participants, including Euroclear and Cedel Bank, S.A.
At January 28, 2004, there were 85 U.S. record holders holding an aggregate
of 27,441,745 of New York Shares, representing 50% of the class A common shares
outstanding. Our knowledge of the number of New York Shares held by U.S. holders
is based solely on the records of our New York transfer agent regarding
registered class A common shares.
At January 28, 2004, there are 1,308,255 of the class A common shares being
held in the Netherlands. We cannot present the number of holders in the
Netherlands because the shares are held as bearer shares.
Voting Rights
At January 28, 2004, the controlling shareholder owned all of the class B
common shares and 26,149,500 class A common shares, representing 48% of the
class A common shares, with an aggregate of 96% of the voting rights. The
controlling shareholder indirectly has the right to make binding nominations for
the appointment of all members of the Board of Directors and to determine the
outcome of any action requiring shareholder approval. In addition, the
controlling shareholder will have the ability, by virtue of his indirect
ownership of class B common shares, to prevent or cause a change in control of
the Company and its subsidiaries.
Conversion: Restriction on Transfers
Under our Articles of Association, each class B common share is convertible
at any time and from time to time at the option of the holder thereof into one
class A common share. However, the conversion of a class B common share into a
class A common share is a reduction of the issued share capital of Ispat
International under Dutch law and requires approval by the shareholders. In
addition, the conversion of a class B common share into a class A common share
will result in a reduction of the votes of the holder from ten to one. The class
A common shares have no conversion rights.
The controlling shareholder and Ispat International have entered into a
shareholder and registration rights agreement (the "Shareholder's Agreement").
Pursuant to the Shareholder's Agreement, no person holding record or beneficial
ownership of class B common shares may transfer (as defined in the Shareholder's
Agreement) such class B common shares, except to a permitted transferee
("Permitted Transferee"). A Permitted Transferee means: (i) Mr. Lakshmi N.
Mittal; (ii) his parents, spouse, children (natural or adopted), grandchildren
or other issues; (iii) trusts the primary beneficiaries of which are any of the
foregoing persons or any charitable organization designated by any of them,
which trusts are controlled, directly or indirectly, by any of the persons under
clause (i), (ii) or (v); (iv) corporations, partnerships, limited liability
companies and other persons if at least 80% of the economic interest in any such
person is owned by any of the persons under clause (i) and (ii) or any
charitable organization designated by any of them; and (v) in the case of any
person in clause (i) and (ii), the heirs, executors, administrators or personal
representatives upon the death of such person or upon the incompetence or
disability of such person for the purposes of the protection and management of
such individual's assets. The Shareholder's Agreement further provides that if
at any time a record or beneficial holder of class B common shares ceases to be
a Permitted Transferee, such holder (i) will not be entitled to exercise the
voting rights attached to such class B common shares and (ii) will notify the
Board of Directors that it is no longer a Permitted Transferee, which
notification shall be deemed to be a request to convert such class B common
shares into class A common shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time
a holder of class B common shares enters into a contract to transfer to a person
that is not a Permitted Transferee (a "Non-Permitted Transferee") a number of
class A common shares equivalent to that which would result from the conversion
of all or a portion of such holder's class B common shares and thereafter such
conversion is opposed by creditors of Ispat International in accordance with
applicable Dutch law, which opposition has not been finally determined within
six months after the commencement thereof, such holder shall be free to transfer
its class B common shares to such Non-Permitted Transferee. By its terms, the
Shareholder's Agreement may not be amended, other than for manifest error,
except by approval of a majority of the class A common shareholders (other than
the controlling shareholder and Permitted Transferees) at a general
shareholders' meeting.
76
B. Related Party Transactions
We engage in certain commercial and financial transactions with companies
that are wholly-owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by our controlling
shareholder. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
C. Interest of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
77
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 19 for a list of financial statements filed under Item 18.
Export Sales
Management considers our steel operations to be a single business segment.
Because Ispat International has no operations in its home country of the
Netherlands, all of its sales are considered to be foreign sales. Annual sales
to individual customers did not exceed 10% of total Net Sales in any of the
periods presented.
Legal Proceedings
Ispat Inland is involved in various environmental and other administrative
or judicial actions initiated by governmental agencies. While it is not possible
to predict the results of these matters, Ispat Inland does not believe
environmental expenditures, excluding amounts that may be required in connection
with the 1993 consent decree in the 1990 Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
lawsuit, materially affect the results of operations or financial position.
Corrective actions relating to the EPA Consent Decree may require significant
expenditures over the next several years that may be material to the results of
operations, the financial position and the liquidity of the Company. At December
31, 2003, the reserves for environmental liabilities totaled $28 million, $22
million of which is related to the sediment remediation under the 1993 EPA
Consent Decree. These amounts were unchanged from those outstanding at December
31, 2002.
On September 15, 2003, Ispat Inland entered into a settlement agreement
with Ryerson Tull Inc. pursuant to which Ryerson Tull paid Ispat Inland $21
million to release Ryerson Tull from various environmental and other
indemnification obligations arising out of the sale by Ryerson Tull of Ispat
Inland to Ispat in 1998. The $21 million received from Ryerson Tull was paid
into the Ispat Inland pension plan, and went to reduce the amount of a Ryerson
Tull guaranty/letter of credit provided to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation ("PBGC") upon the sale of Ispat Inland. Ispat Inland also agreed
with Ryerson Tull to, among other things, make specified monthly contributions
to Ispat Inland's Pension Plan totaling $29 million over the twelve-month period
beginning January 2004, thereby eliminating, by the end of such year, the
obligation of Ryerson Tull to provide the continuing guaranty and letter of
credit to the PBGC, which guaranty/letter of credit Ispat Inland had previously
committed to take all necessary action to eliminate. In addition, Ispat Inland
committed to reimburse Ryerson Tull for the cost of the letter of credit to the
PBGC, and to share with Ryerson Tull one-third of any proceeds which may become
due in connection with the NRDA settlement (see below) under an environmental
insurance policy.
In October 1996, Ispat Inland was identified as a potentially responsible
party due to alleged releases of hazardous substances from its Indiana Harbor
Works facility and was notified of the Natural Resource Damages Act ("NRDA")
Trustees' intent to perform an environmental assessment on the Grand Calumet
River and Indiana Harbor Canal System. A form of Consent Decree has been
negotiated and Ispat Inland currently believes it will be approved by the
appropriate court in the first half of 2004 under which Ispat Inland would pay
approximately $1.5 million in the first year and approximately $1.7 million in
each of the four years thereafter, for a total of approximately $8.2 million.
Ispat Inland has also incurred approximately $0.5 million in costs related to
this matter which will be payable within 30 days of the Consent Decree. Although
Ispat Inland has implemented an accounting reserve on this matter for
approximately $8.7 million, Ispat Inland currently believes that, as a result of
related ongoing negotiations with the EPA, Ispat Inland will be able to reduce
the amount of a separate $28 million environmental reserve established
concerning Ispat Inland's 1993 environmental Consent Decree by $7 - $9 million.
Until such time as the matter is finally resolved, it is not possible to
accurately predict, beyond the currently established reserve, the amount of
Ispat Inland's potential liability or whether this potential liability could
materially affect Ispat Inland's financial position.
On July 2, 2002, Ispat Inland received a Notice of Violation ("NOV") issued
by the EPA against Ispat Inland, Indiana Harbor Coke Co, L.P. ("IHCC") and
Cokenergy Inc., alleging violations of air quality and permitting regulations
for emissions from the Heat Recovery Coal Carbonization facility, which is
operated by IHCC. An amended NOV stating similar allegations was issued on
August 8, 2002. Although Ispat Inland currently believes that its liability with
respect to this matter will be minimal, Ispat Inland could be found liable for
violations and this potential liability could materially affect the financial
position of Ispat Inland.
78
Ispat Inland is anticipated to make capital expenditures of $2 million to
$5 million annually in each of the next five years for construction, and have
ongoing annual expenditures (non capital) of $35 million to $40 million for the
operation of, air and water pollution control facilities to comply with current
federal state and local laws and regulations.
Ispat Inland and an independent, unaffiliated producer of raw materials are
parties to a long-term supply agreement under which Ispat Inland was obligated
to fund an escrow account to indemnify said producer of raw materials against a
specific contingency. Contributions to the escrow were determined by the
agreement and the funds were restricted from Ispat Inland's use while in the
escrow. Ispat Inland received full recovery of $39 million, the escrowed amount,
in April of 2001.
In December 2001, Caribbean Ispat settled arbitration proceedings with
respect to a scrap supply contract. This amounted to $21 million of which $16
million was paid in cash and the balance of $5 million is being paid in twelve
quarterly installments which started on March 31, 2002. No interest is to accrue
on the remaining balance unless the remaining installments are not paid when
due. During 2002, a claim by a third party for alleged entitlement to the
settlement monies was the subject of separate proceedings in Trinidad which has
been settled without any additional liability against the Company.
In September 2003, the owners of a bulk cargo vessel commenced arbitration
proceedings against Caribbean Ispat, and an affiliate in connection with the
loss of the vessel which had been chartered by the affiliate to carry a cargo of
DRI from Trinidad to Indonesia. No specific claim has been made at the current
time against Caribbean Ispat. The Company is unable to estimate the amount of
liability, if any, of Caribbean Ispat.
On March 5, 2002, as a result of an investigation under Section 201 of U.S.
trade laws, President Bush imposed tariffs on imports into the United States of
numerous steel products. These remedies included 30% tariff rate increases for
hot-rolled sheet, cold-rolled sheet, coated sheet, and hot-rolled bar with the
rates declining to 24% in year two and 18% in year three. The Section 201 remedy
allowed Ispat Inland to increase U.S. prices for some of the covered products,
benefiting Ispat Inland's financial position.
Several foreign supplying countries challenged the President's action
through the dispute resolution procedures of the WTO, and on November 11, 2003
the WTO issued a final ruling against the Section 201 remedy. The EU and Japan
announced that they would impose retaliatory tariffs on a wide range of products
if the United States did not repeal the Section 201 tariffs. Following the
issuance of a mid-term review of the Section 201 program, the President ended
the Section 201 program on December 4, 2003, finding that the domestic steel
industry's increased productivity, decreased production costs, and new labor
agreements demonstrate that the industry has made sufficient progress in its
restructuring efforts.
On December 13, 2003, in response to the elimination of the U.S. Section
201 tariffs, the EU repealed duties on steel products from the United States. In
response to the Section 201 tariffs, the EU had imposed quotas on several
hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products in September 2002, with tariffs
ranging from 15.7 to 23.4% on imports above quota levels. Canada initiated its
own steel safeguard proceedings in response to the U.S. Section 201 tariffs, but
it did not impose tariffs against steel imports, citing WTO compliance issues
and NAFTA market distortion concerns.
The March 2002 Section 201 remedy did not cover steel wire rod, the product
sold in the United States by Caribbean Ispat. However as a result of an earlier
Section 201 proceeding relating to steel wire rod, Caribbean Ispat had received
a 247,000 ton annual quota with a 5% duty above this level, which has restricted
its ability to sell steel wire rod to the U.S. market. This restriction for wire
rod ended on March 1, 2003.
In 2002, U.S. trade agencies also made affirmative determinations under
U.S. anti-dumping ("AD") and countervailing duty ("CVD") laws for steel wire
rod. Caribbean Ispat, Ispat Sidbec, Ispat Europe and certain of the operating
companies under Ispat Europe were required to post bonds on their exports to the
U.S. in 2001, and in 2002 final dumping and CVD margins were issued. For
Caribbean Ispat, the margins are 11.40% and 0%, respectively, which entitles the
Company to receive a refund of the CVD already paid. For Ispat Sidbec, the AD
and CVD margins were 2.54% and 6.61%, respectively. No margins were assessed
against the operating companies under Ispat Europe, since the investigation was
terminated as to Germany following a finding of "negligibility" in the German AD
case. On November 3, 2003, following a joint request from U.S. producers and
Ispat Sidbec, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated a changed circumstances
review of the countervailing duty order on carbon and certain alloy steel wire
rod from Canada. As a result, the Department of Commerce
79
revoked the countervailing duty order on January 23, 2004 and will instruct U.S.
Customs to refund all countervailing duty deposits made by Ispat Sidbec on or
after February 8, 2002.
Twice, in 2000 and 2002, U.S. petitioners sought to have antidumping and
countervailing duties assessed against cold-rolled imports from 12 countries and
20 countries, respectively. Both times, the U.S. International Trade Commission
("ITC") issued negative final injury determinations, effectively terminating the
investigations. U.S. petitioners appealed the 2000 ITC decision to the U.S.
Court of International Trade ("CIT"), which remanded that decision to the ITC on
October 28, 2003. The ITC is expected to issue its revised findings by March 31,
2004. U.S. petitioners have appealed the 2002 ITC decision to the CIT, while
some of the respondents have raised on appeal issues relating to the final
tariff margin determinations of the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Commerce") in
that investigation. Also, in May of 2004, the U.S. government - Commerce and the
ITC -- will begin a review of existing countervailing duty and antidumping
orders against hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from Brazil, Japan and
Russia that could result in the orders' termination. These events could have a
modestly negative impact on the financial condition of the Company's U.S.
subsidiary.
Under the U.S. Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 ("CDSOA"),
commonly known as the "Byrd Amendment," Ispat Inland was awarded approximately
$1.2 million in collected customs duties for the year 2002, based on its
participation in or support for various U.S. AD and CVD cases. The payment is
based on "qualifying expenditures" and is distributed to U.S. steel companies
out of funds collected from foreign producers under AD and CVD orders. Ispat
Inland was scheduled to receive approximately $2 million under the CDSOA for the
year 2003, but the funds have been withheld by U.S. Customs pending a resolution
of the issue of whether "successor companies" can receive CDSOA distributions.
On September 2, 2002, the WTO issued a final ruling condemning the CDSOA. In its
ruling the WTO recommended that the U.S. repeal the Byrd Amendment in order to
comply with its findings. The U.S. government has appealed the decision, but the
future of the CDSOA and offset distributions is questionable.
While several of the developments described above may be expected to
benefit certain subsidiaries of the Company, there can be no assurance that
potential benefits will ultimately accrue because of WTO challenges, exclusion
requests, and various economic uncertainties.
The European Commission has raised claims of (euro)47 million for repayment
by DSG Dradenauer Stahlgesellschaft mbH ("DSG") of loan amounts alleged to
qualify as improper subsidies from the City of Hamburg. These subsidies are
claimed to be contradictory to the European Commission's rulings on competitive
markets in the steel industry and the European Commission has initiated legal
action to settle the matter. In April 2002, the European Court of Justice
decided that the loan was an unauthorized subsidy under EC law. DSG has stated
that the loan is fully repaid. The court in Hamburg, Germany has confirmed the
position of DSG. An appeal is now pending in the German courts and a decision is
expected in March 2004. The Company cannot predict the final outcome of these
proceedings. In August 2002, DSG was sold and consequently is no longer a
subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to a constitutional challenge to the 1999 Tax Reforms of the
Mexican Tax Code's Consolidation Regime by the Company's Mexican holding
company, Grupo Ispat International S.A. de C.V. ("Grupo"), Grupo and or
consolidated subsidiaries had to pay the difference between the provisional
amount paid under the old rules and the provisional amount required under the
new rules adjusted for actualization and penalties. The net amount payable to
the authorities was approximately $13 million and this was paid in full in June
2002. In December 2002, a settlement agreement was signed with the Mexican tax
authorities concerning the full amount.
In May 2003, the Irish Government commenced proceedings against Ispat
Mexicana and the Company, claiming certain environmental cleanup costs relating
to the site of Irish Ispat Limited, which was closed in 2001. See "Item
4A--Information on the Company--History and Development of the Company". The
Irish Government has not yet served its Statement of Claim. The Company is
currently unable to assess the amount, if any, of Ispat Mexicana or the
Company's liability.
In the Autumn of 2002, three subsidiaries of the Company (Trefileurope
S.A., Trefileurope Italia S.r.l. and Fontainunion S.A.), along with other
European manufacturers of pre-stressed wire and strands steel products, received
notice from the European Commission that it was conducting an investigation into
possible anti-competitive practices. The Company and its subsidiaries are
cooperating fully with the European Commission in this investigation. Should the
European Commission find that the companies have breached EC
80
law, it may impose a fine on the company or companies that it holds responsible
for the conduct, through decisive influence or otherwise. The fine levied cannot
exceed the limit set in Article 15(2) of EC Council Regulation 17/62. The
Company is currently unable to assess the ultimate outcome of the proceedings
before the European Commission or the amount of any fines that may result. As
the alleged anti-competitive activities would have taken place in large part
prior to the acquisition of the subsidiaries, the Company has notified the
previous owners that it will hold them liable for all consequences of the
investigation.
In addition to the foregoing, the Company is party to various legal actions
arising in the ordinary course of business.
The Company does not believe that the adverse determination of any such
pending routine litigations, either individually or in the aggregate, will have
a material adverse affect on results of operations, its financial condition or
cash flows.
Dividend Distributions
Under Dutch Corporate law, at December 31, 2003, our consolidated retained
earnings are restricted from distributions. We can only pay dividends or make
distributions to the extent we receive dividends from our subsidiaries,
recognize gains from sale of our assets, or record share premium to a reserve
not being the Special Reserve as a result of the issuance of new common shares
in each case provided the rules summarized below allow us to do so. See Note 10
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, pursuant to certain
guarantee agreements we have entered into, there are restrictions on our ability
to incur additional indebtedness and make certain payments.
The Board of Directors may reserve a portion or all of our annual profits.
The portion of our annual profits that remains unreserved will be distributed to
the shareholders. The Board of Directors may resolve that we make distributions
out of our general share premium account and out of any other reserves that are
available for shareholder distributions under Dutch law. The Board of Directors
may resolve that we may make stock dividends as well as cash dividends. The
Board of Directors may also resolve that we pay interim dividends. We may not
make distribution or pay dividends, or interim dividends, if the payment would
reduce shareholders' equity to an amount less than the sum of our issued share
capital plus reserves that are required to be maintained by Dutch law or the
Articles of Association. Rights to cash dividends and distributions that have
not been collected within five years and two days after the date on which they
became due and payable revert to the Company.
All calculations to determine the amounts available for dividends will be
based on our statutory accounts, which will, as a holding company, be different
from our Consolidated Financial Statements. Because we are a holding company and
have no operations of our own, we are dependent on dividends or other advances
from our operating subsidiaries to fund any cash dividends. See "Item 3D--Risk
Factors--Reliance on Dividends from Operating Subsidiaries; Significant
Indebtedness."
The holders of the class A common shares and the class B common shares are
entitled to receive pro rata to the number of shares held by such shareholder
without regard to the class or par value of such shares such dividends, if any,
as may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. Our Articles of Association provide that future dividends, if any,
will be declared and paid in U.S. Dollars unless the Board of Directors
determines otherwise. Cash dividends payable to holders of New York Shares will
be paid to the New York Transfer Agent and Registrar. Cash dividends payable to
holders of the Bearer Shares and registered shares registered in The Netherlands
will be paid to the Dutch Transfer and Paying Agent who will convert such
dividends into the Euro for disbursement to such holders. In certain cases,
however, cash dividends will be paid directly to the holders of K-certificates.
We currently anticipate that almost all of our earnings, if any, will be
reinvested in our business and we do not expect to declare a dividend on profits
earned, in financial year of 2003. Any determination to pay cash dividends will
be at the discretion of our Board of Directors, in accordance with Dutch law and
the Articles of Association of the Company, and after taking into account
various factors, including our financial condition, results of operations,
outstanding indebtedness, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for
expansion as well as commercial restrictions and other factors affecting our
operating subsidiaries.
81
B. Significant Changes
Not applicable.
82
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A. Offer and Listing Details
Nature of Trading Market
The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices for our class A
common shares on the New York Stock Exchange and the Amsterdam Stock Exchange
during the periods indicated.
New York Amsterdam
---------- -----------
$ (euro)
Jan. 1, 1999 - Dec. 31, 1999
High........................................ 16.13 15.80
Low......................................... 6.94 6.50
Jan. 1, 2000 - Dec. 31, 2000
High........................................ 18.25 17.70
Low......................................... 2.13 2.60
Jan. 1, 2001 - Dec. 31, 2001
High........................................ 4.06 4.36
Low......................................... 0.80 0.90
Jan. 1, 2002 - Dec. 31, 2002
High........................................ 3.08 3.20
Low......................................... 1.26 1.55
Jan. 1, 2003 - Dec. 31, 2003
High........................................ 8.96 7.20
Low......................................... 2.15 2.10
Jan. 1, 2002 - Mar. 31, 2002
High........................................ 1.93 2.24
Low......................................... 1.26 1.55
Apr. 1, 2002 - Jun. 30, 2002
High........................................ 3.08 3.20
Low......................................... 1.84 2.16
Jul. 1, 2002 - Sep. 30, 2002
High........................................ 2.98 3.10
Low......................................... 1.97 2.09
Oct. 1, 2002 - Dec. 31, 2002
High........................................ 2.46 2.70
Low......................................... 2.05 2.05
Jan. 1, 2003 - Mar. 31, 2003
High........................................ 3.31 3.09
Low......................................... 2.15 2.10
Apr. 1, 2003 - Jun. 30, 2003
High........................................ 4.65 4.00
Low......................................... 3.24 3.07
Jul. 1, 2003 - Sep. 30, 2003
High........................................ 6.05 5.30
Low......................................... 4.07 3.30
Oct. 1, 2003 - Dec. 31, 2003
High........................................ 8.96 7.20
Low......................................... 5.38 4.48
Sep. 1, 2003 - Sep. 30, 2003
High........................................ 6.05 5.30
Low......................................... 4.44 4.10
Oct. 1, 2003 - Oct. 31, 2003
High........................................ 5.74 4.95
Low......................................... 5.38 4.48
Nov. 1, 2003 - Nov. 30, 2003
High........................................ 6.85 5.80
Low......................................... 5.75 4.79
Dec. 1, 2003 - Dec. 31, 2003
83
New York Amsterdam
---------- -----------
$ (euro)
High........................................ 8.96 7.20
Low......................................... 7.08 5.91
Jan. 1, 2004 - Jan. 31, 2004
High........................................ 9.20 7.29
Low......................................... 7.35 5.67
Feb. 1, 2004 - Feb. 29, 2004
High........................................ 8.48 6.65
Low......................................... 7.30 5.60
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
In the United States, our class A common shares are traded on the New York
Stock Exchange, the principal U.S. trading market. Outside the United States,
our class A common shares are also traded on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
84
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A. Share Capital
Not applicable.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
Pursuant to Article 2 of our Articles of Association, the objects and
purposes of the Company are the following:
o To participate in, take an interest in, and conduct the management of
business enterprises;
o To finance, to provide security for or undertake the obligations of third
parties; and
o To conduct all activities incidental to any of the foregoing.
We hereby incorporate by reference the following sections from our
Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Reg. No. 333-7206), as declared effective on
August 6, 1997, "Description of Capital Stock--Shareholder and Voting Rights,"
"--Liquidation Rights," "--Issue of Common Shares; Preemptive Rights,"
"--Repurchase of Shares," "--Reduction of Share Capital," "--Amendment of the
Articles of Association" and "--Limitations on Rights to Hold or Vote class A
Shares."
C. Material Contracts
None.
D. Exchange Controls
There are no legislative or other legal provisions currently in force in
The Netherlands or arising under the Articles of Association restricting the
payment of dividends to holders of the class A common shares not resident in The
Netherlands, except for regulations restricting the remittance of dividends and
other payments in compliance with United Nations and European Union sanctions.
There are no limitations, either under the laws of The Netherlands or in
the Articles of Association or other constituent documents, on the right of
foreigners to hold or vote on our shares.
E. Taxation
United States Taxation
The following discussion contains a description of the material United
States (or "U.S.") federal income tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of class A common shares generally applicable to the following
persons who beneficially own such class A common shares as capital assets ("U.S.
Shareholders"): (i) citizens or residents of the United States (as defined for
U.S. federal income tax purposes), (ii) corporations or partnerships created or
organized in or under laws of the United States or of any state or the District
of Columbia, (iii) estates the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source and (iv) trusts the administration of which is
subject to the primary supervision of a court in the United States and with
respect to which one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive
description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant to a U.S.
Shareholder's decision to acquire class A common shares. In particular, this
summary does not address: (a) the tax treatment of special classes of U.S.
Shareholders, such as banks, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations or
dealers in securities; (b) the tax treatment of U.S. Shareholders that own
(directly, indirectly or through attribution) 10% or more of the voting power of
all shares of Ispat International; or (c) any aspect of state, local or non-U.S.
tax laws.
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), judicial decisions, administrative pronouncements and existing and
proposed Treasury regulations, changes to any of which after the date of this
Annual Report could have a retroactive effect.
85
This discussion does not address any aspects of United States taxation
other than federal income tax. Prospective investors should consult their tax
advisors as to the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition in class A
common shares in light of their particular circumstances, including the effect
of any non-United States taxes and United States federal, state, or local taxes.
Taxation of Capital Gains
Gain or loss, if any, recognized by a U.S. Shareholder on the sale
or other disposition of class A common shares will be subject to U.S. federal
income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference
between the U.S. Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the class A common shares
and the amount realized on the disposition. Any such gain or loss will generally
be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder's holding
period with respect to the class A common shares is longer than one year. For a
non-corporate U.S. Shareholder, long-term capital gains recognized on or after
March 6, 2003 and before January 1, 2009 are generally taxed at a maximum rate
of 15%. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, capital losses are subject to
limitations on deductibility. Gain realized by a U.S. Shareholder on the sale or
other disposition of class A common shares generally will be treated as income
from sources within the United States for the purposes of the foreign tax credit
limitation, unless the gain is attributable to an office or fixed place of
business maintained by the U.S. Shareholder outside the United States, and
certain other conditions are met.
Taxation of Distributions on class A Common Shares
The gross amount of any distribution by Ispat International (including
Dutch taxes withheld there from) with respect to class A common shares generally
will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Shareholder as dividend income
to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of Ispat
International, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the
extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds Ispat International's current
and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, the distribution will
be first treated as a tax-free return of the capital to the extent of the U.S.
Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the class A common shares and to the extent
that such distribution exceeds the U.S. Shareholder's adjusted tax basis in the
class A common shares, such excess will be taxed as a capital gain.
Distributions treated as dividends generally will be treated as income from
sources outside the United States and generally will be passive income for
purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation. U.S. Shareholders will not be
entitled to the dividends received deduction with respect to such dividends.
Dividends paid to a non-corporate U.S. shareholder after December 31, 2002
and before January 1, 2009 that constitute qualified dividend income will
generally be taxable to the shareholder at a maximum rate of 15% provided that
the class A common shares are held for more than 60 days during the 120 day
period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date and that the holder meets
other holding period requirements.
If a U.S. Shareholder receives a distribution in Euro denominated
distribution (or other non-U.S. currency), the amount of the distribution for
U.S. federal income tax purposes will be the U.S. dollar value of the
distribution (determined at the spot rate on the date of such payment)
regardless of whether the payment is later converted into U.S. dollars. In such
case, the U.S. Shareholder may recognize ordinary income or loss as a result of
currency fluctuations between the date on which the distribution is made and the
date the distributed amount is converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain
or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the
date the dividend payment is includible in income to the date such payment is
converted to U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will
not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend
income. Such gain or loss generally will be income from sources within the
United States for foreign tax credit purposes.
Credit for Foreign Taxes Withheld
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 904 of the Code, the
Netherlands tax withheld in accordance with the Netherlands and United States
income tax treaty and remitted to the Netherlands with respect to dividends on
the class A common shares generally will be eligible for credit against a U.S.
Shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability. Alternatively, a U.S.
Shareholder may claim a deduction for such amount of withheld Netherlands taxes,
but only for a year for which such U.S. Shareholder elects to do so with respect
to all foreign income taxes. Currently, Ispat International may, with respect to
certain dividends received from qualifying non-Netherlands subsidiaries, credit
taxes withheld from those dividends against the Netherlands withholding tax
imposed on a dividend paid by Ispat International, up to a maximum of the lesser
of (i) 3% of the portion of the gross amount of the dividend paid by Ispat
International that is subject to
86
withholding, and (ii) 3% of the gross amount of the dividends received from
qualifying non-Netherlands subsidiaries. The credit reduces the amount of the
dividend withholding tax that Ispat International is required to pay to The
Netherlands Tax Administration but does not reduce the amount of tax Ispat
International is required to withhold from the dividends. Ispat International
will endeavor to provide to U.S. Shareholders information concerning the extent
to which it has applied the reduction described above with respect to dividends
paid to U.S. Shareholders. To the extent that Ispat International utilizes this
regime U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the
appropriate U.S. tax treatment of the dividends and the Netherlands tax withheld
from the dividend payment. The overall limitation on foreign taxes eligible for
credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. The
rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex and
U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether and to
what extent a credit would be available.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Status
Special U.S. federal income tax rules apply to U.S. persons owning capital
stock of a "passive foreign investment company" ("PFIC"). A foreign corporation
will be considered a PFIC for any taxable year in which 75% or more of its gross
income is passive income or in which 50% or more of the average value (or, if
elected, the adjusted tax basis) of its assets are considered "passive assets"
(generally assets that generate passive income). Ispat International believes
that it currently is not a PFIC for U.S federal income tax purposes and does not
anticipate that it will become a PFIC in the future. This conclusion is based
upon an analysis of its financial position and an interpretation of the PFIC
provisions that Ispat International believes is correct. However, no assurances
can be made that the applicable tax law or other relevant circumstances will not
change in a manner that affects the PFIC determination. If Ispat International
were classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Shareholder would be subject to increased tax
liability (possibly including an interest charge) upon the sale or other
disposition of class A common shares or upon receipt of "excess distributions,"
unless such U.S. Shareholder elected to be taxed currently (as discussed below)
on its pro rata portion of Ispat International's income, whether or not such
income was distributed in the form of dividends or otherwise. An excess
distribution is generally, any distribution to the U.S. Shareholder in respect
to the shares during a single taxable year that is greater than 125% of the
average annual distributions received by the U.S. Shareholder in respect to the
class A common shares during the three preceding taxable years, or if shorter,
the U.S. Shareholder's holding period for the shares.
The special PFIC tax rules described above will not apply to a U.S.
shareholder if the U.S. shareholder elects to have Ispat International treated
as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF"). U.S. Shareholders should consult their
tax advisors as to the availability and consequences of such election. Special
rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to
excess distributions by a PFIC, or in certain cases, QEF inclusions. If the
class A common shares are shares in a PFIC and treated as a marketable stock, a
U.S. shareholder may also make a mark-to-market election and will not be subject
to the PFIC rules described above. Instead, in general, the U.S. shareholder
will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market
value of the class A common shares at the end of the taxable year over the U.S.
shareholder's adjusted basis in the class A common shares. These amounts of
ordinary income will not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to
qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. The U.S. shareholder will
also be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of
the adjusted basis of the class A common shares over the fair market value at
the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of
previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election). The U.S.
shareholder's basis in the class A common shares will be adjusted to reflect any
such income or loss amounts. In addition, notwithstanding any election made with
regard to the class A common shares, dividends received will not constitute
qualified dividend income to a U.S. shareholder if Ispat International is a PFIC
either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year.
Dividends that do not constitute qualified dividend income are not eligible for
taxation at the 15% maximum rate applicable to qualified dividend income.
Instead, U.S. shareholders must include the gross amount of any such dividend
paid by Ispat International out of its accumulated earnings and profits (as
determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes in their gross income, and it be
subject to tax at rates applicable to ordinary income. A U.S. shareholder that
owns class A common shares during any year that Ispat International is a PFIC
must file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.
In the event that Ispat International becomes aware that it is a PFIC for
any taxable year, it will promptly notify its U.S. Shareholders of such
determination.
87
Foreign Personal Holding Company Status
A foreign corporation will be classified as a foreign personal holding
company (an "FPHC") if (i) at any time during its taxable year, five or fewer
individuals, who are U.S. citizens or residents, directly or indirectly own more
than 50% of the corporation's stock (by either voting power or value) (the
"shareholder test") and (ii) the corporation receives at least 60% of its gross
income (reduced to at least 50% after the initial year of qualification), as
adjusted, for the taxable year from certain passive sources (the "income test").
Because Ispat International will derive most of its income from dividends paid
by wholly owned subsidiaries with active operations, Ispat International
believes that it meets, and expects that it will continue to meet, the income
test. Ispat International believes that the shareholder test was not met prior
to the Global Offering and will not be met immediately after the Global
Offering. However, due to a number of factors (including the FPHC stock
attribution rules, possible change in residence by current indirect
shareholders, and possible acquisition of class A common shares by purchase,
gift or bequest by individuals related to, or partners of, current indirect
shareholders) there can be no assurances that Ispat International will not
become an FPHC in the future. If Ispat International were classified as an FPHC,
U.S. Shareholders (including certain indirect holders) would be required to
include in income, as a dividend, their pro rata share of Ispat International's
undistributed FPHC income if they were holders on the last day of Ispat
International's taxable year (or, if earlier, the last day on which Ispat
International satisfies the shareholder test). In addition, if Ispat
International became an FPHC, U.S. persons who acquire class A common shares
from decedents would not receive a "stepped-up" basis in such class A common
shares. Instead, such a holder would have a tax basis equal to the lower of fair
market value or the decedent's basis. Ispat International will notify U.S.
Shareholders in the event that it becomes aware that it is classified as an FPHC
for any taxable year.
Backup Withholding
Dividend payments made in respect of class A common shares made within the
United States to a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder will generally be subject to
"backup withholding" at a rate of 28% for payments made in 2003 through 2010 if
the holder or beneficial owner fails to provide an accurate taxpayer
identification number in the manner required by United States law and applicable
regulations, if there has been notification from the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service of a failure by the holder or beneficial owner to report all interest or
dividends required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns or, in
certain circumstances, if the holder or beneficial owner fails to comply with
applicable certification requirements.
Similarly, payment of the proceeds from the sale of class A common shares
to or through a U.S. office of a broker may be subject to U.S. backup
withholding. However, backup withholding generally will not apply to a payment
made outside the United States of the proceeds of a sale of class A common
shares through an office outside the United States of a non-United States
broker.
Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be credited against
a U.S. Shareholder's U.S. tax liability, and a U.S. Shareholder may obtain a
refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by
filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
and providing the required information.
Netherlands Taxation
The following discussion of certain Dutch tax issues is included for
general information purposes only and does not address every potential tax
consequence of an investment in class A common shares under the laws of the
Netherlands. Each shareholder and prospective investor should consult his or her
own tax advisor with respect to the tax consequences of acquiring, owning and
disposing of class A common shares.
Dutch Taxation of Resident Shareholders
This section is only intended for the following investors:
o Individuals who are resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands
for tax purposes or who have opted to be taxed as resident in the
Netherlands and who invest in class A common shares, excluding (i)
individuals who invest in class A common shares that form part of a
substantial interest or a deemed substantial interest in Ispat
International or (ii) individuals who are, or are deemed to be,
88
employees, directors or board members of Ispat International or individuals
who are, or are deemed to be, employees, directors, board members of any
entity related to Ispat International ("Dutch Individuals"); and
o Corporate entities, which term includes associations which are taxable as
corporate entities, that are resident or deemed to be resident in the
Netherlands for tax purposes and who invest in class A common shares,
excluding corporate entities that are (i) not subject to Dutch corporate
income tax, (ii) exempt from Dutch corporate income tax including but not
limited to pension funds ("pensioenfondsen") as defined under Dutch law or
(iii) investment institutions ("beleggingsinstellingen") as defined under
Dutch Law (Corporate Entities).
o Generally, a holder of class A common shares will not have a substantial
interest if he, his partner, certain other relatives (including foster
children) or certain persons sharing his household, do not hold, alone or
together, whether directly or indirectly, the ownership of, or certain
other rights over, class A common shares representing five per cent or more
of the total issued and outstanding capital (or the issued and outstanding
capital of any class of shares) of Ispat International, or rights to
acquire shares, whether or not already issued, that represent at any time
(and from time to time) five per cent or more of the total issued and
outstanding capital (or the issued and outstanding capital of any class of
shares) of Ispat International or the ownership of certain profit
participating certificates that relate to five per cent or more of the
annual profit of Ispat International or to five per cent or more of the
liquidation proceeds of Ispat International. A deemed substantial interest
is present if (part of) a substantial interest has been disposed of, or is
deemed to have been disposed of, on a non-recognition basis.
Individual and Corporate Income Tax
Dutch Individuals not engaged in an enterprise
A Dutch Individual (i) who holds class A common shares that are not
attributable to an enterprise of which the resident derives a share of the
profit, whether as an entrepreneur or pursuant to a co-entitlement to the net
worth of an enterprise other than as an entrepreneur or a shareholder, (ii) who
is not performing other activities in the Netherlands in respect of the A common
shares including activities which are beyond the scope of normal investment
activities and (iii) who does not have a substantial interest or a deemed
substantial interest in Ispat International, generally is subject to income tax
at a rate of 30% on a deemed yield of 4% of the individual's net aggregate
investment assets less applicable exemptions.
Dutch Individuals engaged in an enterprise and Corporate Entities
Any benefits derived from class A common shares (including any capital
gains realized on the disposal thereof) that are attributable to an enterprise
of which the resident derives a share of the profit, whether as an entrepreneur
or pursuant to a co-entitlement to the net worth of an enterprise other than as
an entrepreneur or a shareholder, generally are subject to income tax at
progressive rates. Any benefits derived from shares (including any capital gains
realized on the disposal thereof) that are held by a Dutch corporate entity
generally are subject to corporate income tax. This is different in case the
Dutch participation exemption would apply to the share interest held by the
Dutch corporate entity.
Withholding Tax
Dividends distributed by Ispat International generally are subject to a
withholding tax imposed by the Netherlands at a rate of 25%. The expression
"dividends distributed by Ispat International" as used herein includes, but is
not limited to:
(i) Distributions in cash or in kind, deemed and constructive distributions
and repayments of paid-in capital not recognized for Netherlands dividend
withholding tax purposes;
(ii) Liquidation proceeds, proceeds from the redemption of class A common
shares or, as a rule, consideration for the repurchase of class A common shares
by Ispat International in excess of the average paid-in capital recognized for
Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes;
(iii) The par value of shares issued to a holder of class A common shares
or an increase of the par value of class A common shares, as the case may be, to
the extent that it does not appear that a contribution, recognized for
Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes, has been made or will be made;
and
89
(iv) Partial repayment of paid-in capital, recognized for Netherlands
dividend withholding tax purposes, if and to the extent that there are net
profits ("zuivere winst"), unless the general meeting of shareholders of Ispat
International has resolved in advance to make such repayment and provided that
the par value of the class A common shares concerned has been reduced by an
equal amount by way of an amendment of the Articles of Association.
Dutch Individuals and Dutch corporate entities generally can credit the
withholding tax against their Netherlands income tax or corporate income tax
liability and generally are entitled to a refund of dividend withholding tax
insofar as the withholding tax exceeds their aggregate income tax or corporate
income tax liability. In the case of certain holders of class A common shares
subject to Dutch corporate income tax and enjoying the participation exemption,
no withholding tax may need to be withheld at all. Withholding tax is however
levied and cannot be credited by Dutch individuals and Dutch corporate entities
in case the shareholder has entered into a prior dividend stripping transaction
(as defined below).
Distribution Tax
In the period from January 1, 2001 up to and including December 31, 2005,
Ispat International will be subject to a temporary special distribution tax at a
rate of 20% on certain dividends, that are qualified as "excessive". Dividends
are considered to be "excessive" e.g. when the total proceeds distributed during
a particular calendar year, exceed the highest of (1) 4% of Ispat
International's market capitalization at the beginning of the relevant calendar
year; (2) twice the amount of the average annual dividends (exclusive of
extraordinary distributions) by reference to the three calendar years
immediately preceding January 1, 2001; or (3) our adjusted consolidated
commercial result for the preceding book year. Certain exceptions exist. To the
extent dividends that are subject to this surtax are distributed to certain
qualifying shareholders, Ispat International is not required to withhold
Netherlands dividend withholding tax.
Gift, Estate and Inheritance Taxes
Netherlands gift, estate or inheritance taxes may apply to an acquisition
of class A common shares by way of a gift by, or on the death of, a holder of
class A common shares who is resident or deemed to be resident in the
Netherlands.
For purposes of Netherlands gift, estate and inheritance tax, an individual
who holds the Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in the
Netherlands if he has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the
ten years preceding the date of the gift or his death. Dutch Court has asked the
European Court of Justice to rule whether this ten year period is in violation
with European Union law. The European Court of Justice has not yet given its
opinion.
For purposes of Netherlands gift tax, an individual not holding the
Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in the Netherlands if he
has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the twelve months
preceding the date of the gift.
Dutch Taxation for Non-Resident Shareholders
Withholding Tax
Dividends distributed by Ispat International generally are subject to a
withholding tax imposed by the Netherlands at a rate of 25%. The expression
"dividends distributed by Ispat International" as used herein includes, but is
not limited to:
(i) Distributions in cash or in kind, deemed and constructive distributions
and repayments of paid-in capital not recognized for Netherlands dividend
withholding tax purposes;
(ii) Liquidation proceeds, proceeds from the redemption of class A common
shares or, as a rule, consideration for the repurchase of class A common shares
by Ispat International in excess of the average paid-in capital recognized for
Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes;
(iii) The par value of shares issued to a holder of class A common shares
or an increase of the par value of class A common shares, as the case may be, to
the extent that it does not appear that a contribution, recognized for
Netherlands dividend withholding tax purposes, has been made or will be made;
and
90
(iv) Partial repayment of paid-in capital, recognized for Netherlands
dividend withholding tax purposes, if and to the extent that there are net
profits ("zuivere winst"), unless the general meeting of shareholders of Ispat
International has resolved in advance to make such repayment and provided that
the par value of the class A common shares concerned has been reduced by an
equal amount by way of an amendment of the Articles of Association.
If a holder of class A common shares is resident in a country other than
the Netherlands and if a taxation convention is in effect between the
Netherlands and such country, such holder of class A common shares may,
depending on the terms of such double taxation convention, be eligible for a
full or partial exemption from, or refund of, Netherlands dividend withholding
tax.
Under the double taxation convention in effect between The Netherlands and
the United States (the "Treaty"), dividends paid by Ispat International to a
resident of the United States (other than an exempt organization or exempt
pension organization) are generally eligible for a reduction of the 25%
Netherlands withholding tax to 15%, or in the case if certain U.S. corporate
shareholders owning at least 10% of the voting power of Ispat International, 5%,
unless the class A common shares held by such resident are attributable to a
business or part of a business that is, in whole or in part, carried on through
a permanent establishment or a permanent representative in The Netherlands. The
Treaty provides for a complete exemption for dividends received by exempt
pension organizations and exempt organizations, as defined therein. Except in
the case of exempt organizations, the reduced dividend-withholding rate can be
applied at source upon payment of the dividends, provided that the proper forms
have been filed in advance of the payment. Qualifying U.S. exempt organizations
must seek a full refund of the tax withheld by filing the proper forms. A holder
of class A common shares other than individual will not be eligible for the
benefits of the Treaty if such holder of class A common shares does not satisfy
one or more of the tests set forth in the limitation on benefits provisions of
Article 26 of the Treaty.
According to new legislation regarding anti-dividend stripping effective
retroactive per April 27, 2001, no exemption from, or refund of, Netherlands
withholding tax will be granted if the ultimate recipient of a dividend paid by
Ispat International is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such
dividend. Such recipient is not considered to be the beneficial owner if such
recipient paid a consideration (in cash or in kind) in connection with the
dividend and such payment forms part of a sequence of transactions, and further
it is likely that (i) an individual or a company (other than the holder of the
dividend coupon) benefited, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from
the dividend and such individual or company would be to a lesser extent entitled
to an exemption from, or refund of, Netherlands withholding tax than the
recipient of the dividend and (ii) such individual or company, directly or
indirectly, retains or acquires a position in the shares that is comparable with
his or its position in similar shares that he or it had before the sequence of
transactions began. The term "sequence of transactions" as used herein includes
the sole acquisition of one or more dividend coupons and the establishment of
short-time rights of enjoyment on shares, while the transferor retains the
ownership of the shares. The Treaty provides for a divergent definition of the
beneficial owner that may overrule the proposed definition of the beneficial
owner under the laws of the Netherlands.
Under certain circumstances, it will not be required to transfer the full
amount of withholding tax withheld to the Netherlands tax authorities with
respect to dividend distributions out of dividends received from Ispat
International's foreign affiliates. The amount not transferred cannot exceed 3%
of the gross amount of any cash dividend paid on the class A common shares. This
reduction is not paid out to holders of class A common shares, but remains with
Ispat International instead.
Distribution Tax
In the period from January 1, 2001 up to and including December 31, 2005
Ispat International will be subject to a temporary special distribution tax at a
rate of 20% on certain dividends that are qualified as "excessive". Dividends
are considered to be "excessive" e.g. when the total proceeds distributed during
a particular calendar year, exceed the highest of (1) 4% of Ispat
International's market capitalization at the beginning of the relevant calendar
year; (2) twice the amount of the average annual dividends (exclusive of
extraordinary distributions) by reference to the three calendar years
immediately preceding January 1, 2001; or (3) our adjusted consolidated
commercial result for the preceding book year. Certain exceptions exist. The
qualification of this surtax and the consequences thereof for foreign
shareholders is uncertain. To the extent dividends that are subject to this
surtax are distributed to certain qualifying shareholders, Ispat International
is not required to withhold Netherlands dividend withholding tax.
91
Taxes on Income and Capital Gains
A holder of class A common shares will not be subject to any Netherlands
taxes on income or capital gains in respect of dividends distributed by Ispat
International or in respect of any gain realized on the disposal of class A
common shares (other than the withholding tax described above), provided that:
(i) Such holder does not have an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise
that is, in whole or in part, (deemed to be) carried on through a permanent
establishment or a permanent representative in the Netherlands and to which
enterprise or part of an enterprise, as the case may be, the class A common
shares are attributable; and
(ii) Such holder does not have a substantial interest or a deemed
substantial interest in Ispat International or, if such holder does have such an
interest, it forms part of the assets of an enterprise.
Generally, a holder of class A common shares will not have a substantial
interest if he, his partner, certain other relatives (including foster children)
or certain persons sharing his household, do not hold, alone or together,
whether directly or indirectly, the ownership of, or certain other rights over,
class A common shares representing five per cent or more of the total issued and
outstanding capital (or the issued and outstanding capital of any class of
shares) of Ispat International, or rights to acquire shares, whether or not
already issued, that represent at any time (and from time to time) five per cent
or more of the total issued and outstanding capital (or the issued and
outstanding capital of any class of shares) of Ispat International or the
ownership of certain profit participating certificates that relate to five per
cent or more of the annual profit of Ispat International or to five per cent or
more of the liquidation proceeds of Ispat International. A deemed substantial
interest is present if (part of) a substantial interest has been disposed of, or
is deemed to have been disposed of, on a non-recognition basis.
Gift, Estate and Inheritance Taxes
No gift, estate and inheritance taxes will arise in the Netherlands with
respect to an acquisition of class A common shares by way of a gift by, or on
the death of, a holder of class A common shares who is neither a resident nor
deemed to be resident in the Netherlands, unless:
(i) The holder at the time of the gift has or at the time of his death had
an enterprise or an interest in an enterprise that is or was, in whole or in
part, carried on through a permanent establishment or a permanent representative
in the Netherlands and to which enterprise or part of an enterprise, as the case
may be, the class A common shares are or were attributable; or
(ii) In the case of a gift of class A common shares by an individual who at
the time of the gift was neither resident nor deemed to be resident in the
Netherlands, such individual dies within 180 days after the date of the gift,
while being resident or deemed to be resident in the Netherlands.
For purposes of Netherlands gift, estate and inheritance tax, an individual
who holds the Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in the
Netherlands if he has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the
ten years preceding the date of the gift or his death. Dutch Court has asked the
European Court of Justice to rule whether this ten-year period is in violation
with European Union law. The European Court of Justice has not yet given its
opinion.
For purposes of Netherlands gift tax, an individual not holding the
Netherlands nationality will be deemed to be resident in the Netherlands if he
has been resident in the Netherlands at any time during the twelve months
preceding the date of the gift.
Other Netherlands Taxes and Duties
Other than capital tax which will be payable by Ispat International, no
registration tax, transfer tax, stamp duty or any other similar documentary tax
or duty will be payable in the Netherlands in respect of or in connection with
the subscription, issue, placement, allotment or delivery of the class A common
shares.
92
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statements by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
A copy of any or all of the documents deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference, unless such documents have been modified or superseded as specified
herein, may be obtained at our registered office set out in Item 4.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
93
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our primary market risk exposures are to interest rate fluctuations and to
exchange rate movements. We use financial instruments, including fixed and
variable rate debts, as well as swap and collar contracts to finance our
operations and to hedge interest rate exposures. We do not hold or issue
derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The fair value
information presented is based on the information available to management as of
the date of the balance sheet. Although we are not aware of any factors that
would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have
not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements
since the debt dates, and therefore, the current estimates of fair value may
differ significantly from the amounts presented herein. The estimated fair
values of certain financial instruments have been determined using available
market information or other valuation methodologies that require considerable
judgment in interpreting market data and the developing estimates. The estimates
presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could
realize in the current market exchange.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
For debt obligations the following table presents principal cash flows and
related interest rates by fiscal year of maturity. Variable rates disclosed
represent the weighted average rate of the portfolio at the end of the period.
For the interest rate swaps and collars, the table presents notional amounts and
related interest rates by fiscal year of maturity. For these instruments, the
variable rates presented are based on employed forward (spot) rates in the yield
curve as of the end of each fiscal year. Employed forward (spot) rates should
not be considered the predictor for actual or future interest rates.
94
Expected maturity date
Fiscal year end 2003
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate
at December 31,
Long-term debt 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE INTEREST RATES:
First Mortgage Bonds (USD)..................... 7 331 324 --
Average Interest Rate.................... 5.41% 6.10% 7.58% 8.49%
Revolving credit facilities.................... 2% to -- 150 -- 90
4% 2.69% to 5.08% to
4.69% 7.08%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities (USD)......... 119 117 -- --
Average Interest Rate.................... 5.41% to 6.10% to 7.58% to
5.91% 6.60% 8.08%
Bank loans (USD)............................... 5 35 84 84
Average Interest Rate.................... 3.35% to 4.03% to 5.52% to 6.43% to 7.09% to
4.99% 5.68% 7.16% 8.07% 8.73%
Debt from an Affiliate (USD)................... -- 94 -- --
Average Interest Rate.................... 4.15% 6.32%
EXIM Bank--United States (USD)................. 6 6 6 6
Average Interest Rate.................... 2.05% 2.74% 4.22% 5.13% 5.79%
International Financial Corporation (USD)...... 8 3 2 --
Average Interest Rate.................... 5.19% to 5.36% to 6.71% to 7.77% to
5.30% 5.47% 6.82% 7.88%
Others......................................... 1% to 14 10 4 4
10%
----------- --------- --------- --------
159 746 420 184
----------- --------- --------- --------
-------------------------------------------------
Years Fair
Long-term debt 2008 there-after Total Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(amounts in million USD)
VARIABLE INTEREST RATES:
First Mortgage Bonds (USD)..................... -- -- 662 582
Average Interest Rate....................
Revolving credit facilities.................... -- -- 240 240
Senior Secured Credit Facilities (USD)......... -- -- 236 236
Average Interest Rate....................
Bank loans (USD)............................... 84 56 348 348
Average Interest Rate....................7.56% to 7.56% to
9.20% 9.20%
Debt from an Affiliate (USD)................... -- -- 94 94
Average Interest Rate....................
EXIM Bank--United States (USD)................. 5 -- 29 29
Average Interest Rate.................... 6.26%
International Financial Corporation (USD)...... -- -- 13 13
Average Interest Rate....................
Others......................................... 1 -- 33 33
-------- -------- ------ -------
90 56 1,655 1,575
-------- -------- ------ -------
95
Fiscal year end 2003
Expected maturity date
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate
at December 31,
Long-term debt 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED INTEREST RATES:
Senior Secured Notes .......................... 15 18 24 22
10.40% 10.40% 10.40% 10.40% 10.40%
Senior Export Notes ........................... 20 21 -- --
11.17% 11.17% 11.17%
First Mortgage bonds .......................... -- 1 5 40
5.75% to 5.75% to 5.75% to 5.75% to
7.90% 7.90% 7.90% 7.90%
Industrial development revenue
bonds .................................... -- -- -- 15
5.75% to 5.75% to
7.25% 7.25%
Senior Secured Notes denominated in Euro....... -- -- -- --
11.875%
Others......................................... 0.06% to 2 1 -- --
7.54%
-------------------------------------------------------------
37 41 29 77
-------------------------------------------------------------
196 787 449 261
-------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
Years Fair
Long-term debt 2008 thereafter Total Value
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(amounts in million USD)
FIXED INTEREST RATES:
Senior Secured Notes .......................... 9 -- 88 84
10.40% 10.40%
Senior Export Notes ........................... -- -- 41 41
First Mortgage bonds .......................... -- 38 84 69
5.75% to
7.90%
Industrial development revenue
bonds .................................... -- 84 99 53
5.75% to
7.25%
Senior Secured Notes denominated in Euro....... -- 137 137 107
11.875%
Others......................................... 3 -- 6 6
-------------------------------------------------
12 259 455 360
-------------------------------------------------
102 315 2,110 1,935
-------------------------------------------------
96
The following table presents principal cash flows and related interest
rates by fiscal year of maturity for the year ended 2002.
Fiscal year end 2002
Expected maturity date
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate
at December 31,
Long-term debt 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE INTEREST RATES:
First Mortgage Bonds (USD)..................... 7 7 330 324
Average Interest Rate.................... 5.65% 5.82% 7.17% 8.23% 8.92%
Revolving credit facilities.................... -- 76 149 --
2.44% to 3.96% to 5.02% to
2.94% 4.46% 5.52%
Senior Secured Credit Facilities (USD)......... 54 119 118 --
Average Interest Rate.................... 4.90% to 5.07% to 6.42% to 7.48% to
5.90% 6.07% 7.42% 8.48%
Bank loans (USD)............................... 4 5 63 85
Average Interest Rate.................... 4.20% to 4.37% to 5.72% to 6.78% to 7.48% to
6.08% 6.25% 7.60% 8.66% 9.36%
EXIM Bank--United States (USD)................. -- 6 6 6
Average Interest Rate.................... 2.50% 2.67% 4.02% 5.08% 5.78%
International Financial Corporation (USD)......
13 8 3 2
Average Interest Rate.................... 5.19% to 5.36% to 6.71% to 7.77% to 8.47% to
5.30% 5.47% 6.82% 7.88% 8.58%
Others......................................... 5% to 10% 20 13 13 4
--------- --------- --------- ---------
98 234 682 421
--------- --------- --------- ---------
--------------------------------------------------
Years Fair
Long-term debt 2007 thereafter Total Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(amounts in million USD)
VARIABLE INTEREST RATES:
First Mortgage Bonds (USD)..................... -- -- 668 443
Average Interest Rate....................
Revolving credit facilities.................... -- -- 225 225
Senior Secured Credit Facilities (USD)......... -- -- 291 291
Average Interest Rate....................
Bank loans (USD)............................... -- 195 352 352
Average Interest Rate.................... 7.97% to
9.85%
EXIM Bank--United States (USD)................. -- 11 29 29
Average Interest Rate.................... 6.27%
International Financial Corporation (USD)......
-- -- 26 26
Average Interest Rate....................
Others......................................... 4 1 55 55
--------- --------- --------- ---------
4 207 1,646 1,421
--------- --------- --------- ---------
97
Fiscal year end 2002
Expected maturity date
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate
at December 31,
Long-term debt 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED INTEREST RATES:
Senior Secured Notes........................... 13 15 18 23
10.40% 10.40% 10.40% 10.40% 10.40%
Senior Export Notes............................
11 20 31 --
11.17% 11.17% 11.17% 11.17%
First Mortgage bonds........................... -- 1 2 5
5.75% to 5.75% to 5.75% to 5.75% to
7.90% 7.90% 7.90% 7.90%
Industrial development revenue
bonds..................................... -- -- -- --
5.75% to
7.25%
Senior Secured Notes denominated in Euro.......
-- -- -- --
11.875%
Others......................................... 0.03% to 3 3 1 --
7.54%
--------------------------------------------------------------
27 39 52 28
--------------------------------------------------------------
125 273 734 449
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------
Years Fair
Long-term debt 2007 there-after Total Value
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(amounts in million USD)
FIXED INTEREST RATES:
Senior Secured Notes........................... 23 9 101 101
10.40% 10.40%
Senior Export Notes............................
-- -- 62 62
First Mortgage bonds........................... 39 41 88 57
5.75% to 5.75% to
7.90% 7.90%
Industrial development revenue
bonds..................................... 20 92 112 35
5.75% to
7.25%
Senior Secured Notes denominated in Euro.......
-- 129 129 115
11.875%
Others......................................... -- 2 9 9
--------------------------------------------------
82 273 501 379
--------------------------------------------------
86 480 2,147 1,800
--------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate Instruments
The U.S. operating subsidiary entered into a hedge as required under the
agreement. It is a 5-year interest rate collar based on London Interbank Offered
Rate ("LIBOR") with a floor of 4.50% and a ceiling of 6.26% on a notional amount
of $450 million. The facilities and the hedge are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by Ispat International. The hedge expired on October 16, 2003.
The Senior Secured Credit Facility is collateralized by all property, plant
and equipment of the Canadian operating subsidiary and a second ranking charge
on accounts receivables and inventories. The Company has no interest rate swap
agreement as of December 31, 2003 (2002 - $200 million).
Exchange Rate Sensitivity
The Company has operations in various countries around the world. Each
operation actively manages its foreign currency exposure by using derivative
financial instruments. We have established a control environment, which includes
polices and procedures for risk assessment and the approval and monitoring of
derivative financial instruments activities. These contracts generally are short
term in nature. In this way, we believe that we have substantially mitigated a
significant portion of the foreign exchange exposure. At December 31, 2002 and
2003, the estimated fair value of these forward exchange contracts amount to $16
million and $78 million, respectively, with a total notional contract amount of
$16 million and $78 million, respectively.
Commodity Price Sensitivity
The Company utilizes derivative commodity instruments not for trading
purposes but to hedge exposure to fluctuations in the costs of natural gas and
certain nonferrous commodities. Timing of these transactions corresponds to the
expected need for the underlying physical commodity and is intended as a hedge
against the cost volatility of these commodities. Contracts generally do not
extend out beyond one year.
98
At the U.S. operating subsidiary, futures and swap contracts are used to
manage fluctuations in the cost of natural gas and certain nonferrous metals,
primarily zinc which is used in the coating of steel. Timing of these
transactions corresponds to the expected need for the underlying physical
commodity and is intended as a hedge (not as defined by SFAS No. 133) against
the cost volatility of these commodities. The counterparties to these contracts
are internationally recognized companies which are not considered a credit risk
by the U.S. operating subsidiary. Such contracts generally do not extend out
beyond three years. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, the U.S. operating subsidiary
had entered into contracts for these commodities for notional amounts of $6
million and $15 million respectively.
At the Canadian operating subsidiary, an annual consumption of natural gas
of Canadian dollar 79 million (2002 - Canadian dollar 38 million) at an exchange
rate of 0.76 (Canadian dollar to U.S. Dollar) would result in an annual
consumption of $60 million (2002 - $29 million). Therefore, a hypothetical 10%
fluctuation in the purchase price of natural gas would have an impact on pre-tax
income at the Canadian operating subsidiary of approximately $6 million (2002 -
$3 million).
The Mexican operating subsidiary utilizes derivative commodity instruments
not for trading purposes but to hedge exposure to fluctuations in the costs of
natural gas. In February 2001, the Mexican operating subsidiary entered into a
fixed price natural gas contract with Pemex at a price of $4 per mmbtu,
excluding transportation charges, for a volume of 25,350 G cal per day. This
contract expired in December 31, 2003. As at December 31, 2003, the Company had
entered into contracts in the futures market for a total volume of 7,300,000
mmbtu to cover a part of 2004 requirements, at an average net price of $5.59 per
mmbtu (excluding transportation charges). A hypothetical 10% fluctuation on the
purchase price of natural gas will have an impact on pre-tax income of
approximately $23 million. The fair value of such contracts at December 31, 2003
was $47 million (2002 - $161 million).
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
Not applicable.
99
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
None.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 15. CONTROL AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief
Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls
and procedures (as such term is defined in 17 CFR 240 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the Exchange Act) at December 31, 2003 (the "Evaluation Date").
Based on such evaluation, those officers have concluded that, as of the
Evaluation date, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the year ended December 31, 2003, there have not been any
significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
control over financial reporting.
ITEM 16. RESERVED
ITEM 16A. AUDIT committee financial expert
The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Narayanan Vaghul, Chairman
of Audit Committee, is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in Item
16A of Form 20-F. Mr. Vaghul and each of the other members of the Audit
Committee are "independent directors" as defined under the NYSE listing
standards.
ITEM 16B. CODE of ETHICS
The Company has adopted a "Code of Business Conduct" applicable to all
directors and to senior management, including our CEO and Chief Financial
Officer, and employees of the Company. The Code has been disseminated through
Company-wide communications and is posted on the Company's website at
http://www.ispat.com.
The Company intends to disclose any amendment to or waiver from the Code of
Business Conduct applicable to any of the Company's directors, to the Company's
CEO and Chief Financial Officer or to any other person who is an executive
officer of the Company on the Company's website at http://www.ispat.com.
Item 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Deloitte & Touche acted as our principal independent auditor for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. Set forth below is a breakdown of fees
of Deloitte and Touche for services performed in 2003 and 2002.
Audit Fees. Deloitte & Touche audit fees in 2003 and 2002 were $3.0 million
and $2.4 million respectively. Audit fees are for the audit of our annual
consolidated financials statements, including other services normally provided
in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-Related Fees. Deloitte & Touche audit-related fees in 2003 and 2002
were $0.2 million and $0.2 million respectively. Audit-related fees include fees
for the employee benefit plan audits and tax audits.
100
Tax Fees. Deloitte & Touche tax fees in 2003 and 2002 were $0.6 million and
$0.6 million respectively. Tax fees are fees related to services for tax
planning, tax advice and tax compliance services.
All Other Fees. Deloitte & Touche fees in 2003 and 2002 for all other fees
were $0.1 million and $0.2 million respectively. All other fees are for any
products and services not included in the first three categories.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and approved all of the audit, audit
related, tax and other services provided by principal external auditors in 2003
prior to completion of the engagements. None of the services provided in 2003
was approved under the de minimis exception allowed under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
The Audit Committee pre-approves all permissible non-audit services related
engagements rendered by the principal external auditor. These have been minimal
in nature and primarily are for tax compliance related services. The Audit
Committee has delegated pre-approval powers on a case by case basis to the Audit
Committee Chairman, for instances where the Committee is not in session and are
reviewed in the subsequent meeting.
In making its recommendation to appoint Deloitte & Touche as our principal
independent auditor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 the Audit
Committee has considered whether the services provided by Deloitte & Touche are
compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche and has
determined that such services do not interfere with Deloitte & Touche's
independence.
101
PART III
Item 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of responding to this Item.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following financial statements, together with the reports of Deloitte &
Touche Accountants and Ernst & Young thereon, are filed as part of this Annual
Report.
Page
----
Report of Deloitte & Touche Accountants......................................F-2
Report of Ernst & Young (Caribbean Ispat Limited)............................F-3
Report of Ernst and Young (Ispat Hamburg Group of Companies).................F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................................F-5
Consolidated Statements of Income............................................F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income..............................F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity...................F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows........................................F-8
Notes of Consolidated Financial Statements...................................F-9
102
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description
------------- -----------
1.1. Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Ispat International N.V.
dated December 31, 2001 (English translation filed as Exhibit 1 to Ispat
International's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2001,
and incorporated by reference hereto).
2.1. Credit Agreement dated July 16, 1998, among Ispat Inland, L.P., Ispat
Inland Inc., Burnham Trucking Company, Inc., Incoal Company, the Lenders named
therein and Credit Suisse First Boston (filed as part of Exhibit 3.10 to Ispat
International N.V.'s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31,
1998, and incorporated by reference hereto).
2.2. Amendments dated March 1, 2002, March 30, 2001 and September 30, 1999 to
the Credit Agreement dated July 16, 1998, among Ispat Inland, L.P., Ispat Inland
Inc., Burnham Trucking Company, Inc., Incoal Company, the Lenders named therein
and Credit Suisse First Boston (filed as exhibit 2.1 to Ispat International
N.V.'s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, and
incorporated by reference hereto).
2.3. Amendment dated March 5, 2003 to the Credit Agreement dated July 16, 1998,
among Ispat Inland, L.P., Ispat Inland Inc., Burnham Trucking Company, Inc.,
Incoal Company, the Lenders named therein and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Except for such instruments as have been filed herein under Exhibit 2, the total
amount of long-term debt securities of Ispat International N.V. authorized under
any instrument does not exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company on a
consolidated basis. The Company undertakes to furnish to the Commission all
other instruments relating to long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries
upon request by the Commission.
4.1. Ispat International N.V. Global Stock Option plan, effective September 15,
1999 (filed as exhibit 4.1 to Ispat International N.V.'s annual report on Form
20-F for the year ended December 31, 2000, and incorporated by reference
hereto).
8.1. List of Significant Subsidiaries.
12.1 Certifications of Ispat International N.V.'s Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
13.1 Certifications of Ispat International N.V.'s Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
103
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign
this annual report on its behalf.
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V.
/s/ Henk Scheffer
----------------------------
Henk Scheffer
Company Secretary
Date: March 9, 2004
104
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
----
Report of Deloitte & Touche Accountants......................................F-2
Report of Ernst & Young (Caribbean Ispat Limited)............................F-3
Report of Ernst & Young (Ispat Hamburg Group of Companies)...................F-4
Consolidated Balance Sheets..................................................F-5
Consolidated Statements of Income............................................F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income..............................F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity...................F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows........................................F-8
Notes of Consolidated Financial Statements...................................F-9
F-1
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Ispat International N.V.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ispat
International N.V. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2002 and 2003, and the
related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2003, all expressed in millions of U.S. dollars. These
consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
We did not audit the combined financial statements of the Ispat Hamburg
Group of Companies and the financial statements of Caribbean Ispat Limited as of
December 31, 2002 and for the year ended December 31, 2002. We did not audit the
combined financial statements of the Ispat Hamburg Group of Companies, the
financial statements of Caribbean Ispat Limited and the consolidated financial
statements of Ispat Unimetal S.A. as of December 31, 2001 and for the year ended
December 31, 2001 (each of which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company),
which financial statements reflect total assets constituting 13% of consolidated
total assets at December 31, 2002, and total sales constituting 25% and 14%,
respectively, of consolidated total sales for the years ended December 31, 2001
and 2002. Those financial statements were audited by other auditors whose
reports thereon have been furnished to us, and our opinion, insofar as it
relates to the amounts included for such subsidiaries, is based solely on the
reports of such other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits and the reports of
other auditors provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of the other auditors,
such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects,
the financial position of Ispat International N.V. and subsidiaries at December
31, 2002 and 2003, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Deloitte Accountants
Rotterdam, The Netherlands
March 4, 2004
F-2
ERNST & YOUNG
P.O. Box 158
517 Sweet Briar Road Phone: (868) 628-1105
St. Clair Fax: (868) 622-0918
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad and Tobago
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF CARIBBEAN ISPAT LIMITED
We have audited the balance sheets of Caribbean Ispat Limited as of December 31,
2002 and 2001, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss,
changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 2002 (not presented separately herein). These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Caribbean Ispat Limited as of
December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the results of its operations and cash flows for
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Port of Spain,
TRINIDAD:
February 14, 2003
ERNST & YOUNG Ernst & Young
F-3
Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG
Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft
Valentinskamp 24
20354 Hamburg
Postiach 30 17 09
20306 Hamburg
Telefon (0 40) 3 61 32-0
Telefax (0 40) 3 61 32-777
hamburg-@ernst-young.de
www.ernst-young.de
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF
THE ISPAT HAMBURG GROUP OF COMPANIES
We have audited the consolidated balance sheet of the Ispat Hamburg Group of
Companies (collectively the "Group", which is a subsidiary of Ispat
International N.V.) as at December 31, 2002 and the related consolidated
statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and
cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the combined balance sheet
of the Ispat Hamburg Group of Companies as at December 31, 2001 and the related
combined statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31,
2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Group's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of matarial misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Ispat Hamburg
Group of Companies as of December 31, 2002 and the consolidated results of their
operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2002 and the
combined financial position of the Ispat Hamburg Group of Companies as of
December 31, 2001 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2001 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Ernst & Young
Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG
Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft
M. Tabel E.,-W. Schluschen
Wirtschaftsprufer Wirtschaftsprufer
Hamburg, Germany
February 12, 2003
F-4
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,
------------
2002 2003
---- -----
(Millions of U.S. Dollars,
except share data)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents ......................................................... $ 77 $ 80
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
of $41 at December 31, 2002 and $47 at December 31, 2003...................... 529 507
Inventories (Note 3)............................................................... 873 828
Prepaid expenses and other......................................................... 95 105
Deferred tax assets (Note 12)...................................................... 38 30
------------ ------------
Total Current Assets.......................................................... 1,612 1,550
Property, Plant and Equipment - net (Note 4)............................................ 3,035 3,091
Investments in Affiliates and Joint Ventures (Note 5)................................... 257 252
Deferred Tax Assets (Note 12)........................................................... 438 535
Intangible Pension Assets (Note 11)..................................................... 84 117
Other Assets............................................................................ 86 90
------------ ------------
Total Assets.................................................................. $ 5,512 $ 5,635
------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt (Note 7).................... $ 262 $ 363
Trade accounts payable............................................................. 607 577
Accrued expenses and other liabilities............................................. 377 492
Deferred tax liabilities (Note 12)................................................. 28 28
------------ ------------
Total Current Liabilities..................................................... 1,274 1,460
Long-Term Debt (Notes 8 and 9).......................................................... 2,022 1,914
Deferred Tax Liabilities (Note 12)...................................................... 69 74
Deferred Employee Benefits (Note 11).................................................... 1,881 1,906
Other Long-Term Obligations............................................................. 138 132
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities............................................................. 5,384 5,486
------------ ------------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 15 and 16).........................................
Shareholders' Equity (Note 10)..........................................................
Common Shares:..........................................................................
Class A shares, (euro) 0.01 par value per share, 500,000,000 shares
authorized, 54,850,000 shares issued and 49,587,492 and 51,735,794
outstanding at December 31, 2003 and 2002 respectively
Class B shares,(euro)0.10 par value per share, 72,150,000 shares authorized,
72,150,000 shares issued and outstanding...................................... 7 7
Treasury Stock.......................................................................... (103) (110)
Additional Paid-in Capital.............................................................. 587 586
Retained Earnings....................................................................... 141 207
Cumulative Other Comprehensive Income................................................... (504) (541)
------------ ------------
Total Shareholders' Equity.................................................... 128 149
------------ ------------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity.............................................. $ 5,512 $ 5,635
------------ ------------
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-5
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
(Millions of U.S. Dollars,
except share and per share data)
Sales.......................................................... $ 4,486 $ 4,889 $ 5,441
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown
separately below).......................................... 4,273 4,356 4,943
Depreciation................................................. 177 177 183
Selling, general and administrative.......................... 155 152 164
Other operating expenses (Note 13)........................... 75 62 -
------------ ------------- -------------
4,680 4,747 5,290
------------ ------------- -------------
Operating income (loss)........................................ (194) 142 151
Other income (expense) - net................................... 13 44 53
Financing costs:
Interest expense-net of capitalized interest of $2 in 2001, . (242) (208) (167)
$1 in 2002 and $2 in 2003....................................
Interest income.............................................. 14 5 16
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange........................ (9) 23 4
------------- ------------- -------------
(237) (180) (147)
------------- ------------- -------------
Income (loss) before taxes..................................... (418) 6 57
Income tax expense (benefit): (Note 12)
Current...................................................... 8 18 22
Deferred..................................................... (114) (61) (30)
------------- ------------- -------------
(106) (43) (8)
------------- ------------- -------------
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle......................................... (312) 49 65
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle............ - - 1
------------- ------------- -------------
Net income (loss).............................................. $ (312) $ 49 $ 66
============= ============== =============
Basic and diluted earnings per common share before cumulative
effect of change in accounting principle..................... $ (2.58) $ 0.40 $ 0.53
Basic and diluted earnings per common share.................... (2.58) 0.40 0.53
Weighted average common share outstanding (in millions)........ 121 123 122
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
(Millions of U.S. Dollars)
Net income (loss).............................................. $ (312) $ 49 $ 66
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment - net of income
taxes of $2 in 2001, $2 in 2002 and $1 in 2003............... (20) 6 36
Minimum pension liability adjustment - net of income
taxes of $120 in 2001, $148 in 2002 and $46 in 2003.......... (213) (273) (79)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial
instruments - net of income taxes of $(5) in 2001,
$3 in 2002 and $4 in 2003.................................... (8) 4 6
------------- ------------- -------------
(241) (263) (37)
------------- ------------- -------------
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (553) $ (214) $ 29
============= ============= =============
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
F-6
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Common Stock
-------------------------
Additional
Treasury Paid-in Retained
Shares Amount Stock Capital Earnings
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 120 $ 4 $ (111) $ 590 $ 401
Net Loss - - - (312)
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) - - - -
Treasury Stock (Note 10) 2 - 4 - -
Redenomination in Euro (Note 10) 3 - (3) -
Other (Note 10) - - - 3
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 122 7 (107) 587 92
Net Income - - - 49
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) - - - -
Treasury Stock (Note 10) 2 - 4 - -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002 124 7 (103) 587 141
Net Income - - - 66
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) - - - -
Treasury Stock (Note 10) (2) - (7) (1) -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2003 122 $ 7 $ (110) $ 586 $ 207
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative Other Comprehensive Income
-------------------------------------------------
Foreign
Currency Minimum Derivative
Translation Pension Financial Shareholders'
Adjustment Liability Instrument Equity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2000 $ 36 $ (36) $ - $ 884
Net Loss - - - (312)
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) (20) (213) (8) (241)
Treasury Stock (Note 10) - - - 4
Redenomination in Euro (Note 10) - - - -
Other (Note 10) - - - 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2001 16 (249) (8) 338
Net Income - - - 49
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) 6 (273) 4 (263)
Treasury Stock (Note 10) - - - 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2002 22 (522) (4) 128
Net Income - - - 66
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) 36 (79) 6 (37)
Treasury Stock (Note 10) - - - (8)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 2003 $ 58 $(601) $ 2 $ 149
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
F-7
Year Ended December 31,
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
(Millions of U.S. Dollars)
Operating activities:
Net income (loss).............................................................................. $ (312) $ 49 $ 66
Adjustments required to reconcile net income to net cash
provided from operations:
Depreciation.............................................................................. 177 177 183
Deferred employee benefit costs........................................................... (106) (52) (164)
Net foreign exchange loss (gain).......................................................... 9 (23) (5)
Deferred income tax.......................................................................... (114) (61) (30)
Undistributed earnings from joint ventures................................................ 12 - (28)
Other non-cash operating expenses......................................................... 56 62 -
Other..................................................................................... 2 (2) (5)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable................................................................. 114 (64) 49
Short-term investments.................................................................... 78 - -
Inventories............................................................................... 169 (37) 106
Prepaid expenses and other................................................................ 24 (31) 18
Trade accounts payable.................................................................... (81) 45 (72)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities.................................................... 12 105 71
-------- --------- --------
Net cash provided from operating activities.................................................. 40 168 189
-------- --------- --------
Investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment.................................................... (97) (108) (164)
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments
including affiliates and joint ventures................................................... 37 18 21
Investments in affiliates and joint ventures................................................. 8 11 19
Other........................................................................................ 4 (1) -
-------- --------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities........................................................ (48) (80) (124)
-------- --------- --------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks............................................................... 2,416 2,359 3,576
Proceeds from long-term debt - net of debt issuance costs.................................... 125 125 52
Proceeds from long-term debt from an affiliate............................................... - - 94
Payments of payable to banks................................................................. (2,418) (2,346) (3,570)
Payments of long-term debt .................................................................. (250) (243) (207)
Purchase of treasury stock................................................................... (1) (1) (8)
Sale of treasury stock....................................................................... 5 5 -
-------- --------- --------
Net cash used by financing activities........................................................ (123) (101) (63)
-------- --------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......................................... (131) (13) 2
-------- --------- --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash...................................................... 2 5 1
-------- --------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year................................................................. 214 85 77
-------- --------- --------
At the end of the year....................................................................... $ 85 $ 77 $ 80
======== ========= ========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest - net of amounts capitalized........................................................ $ 244 $ 199 $ 166
Income taxes................................................................................. 4 20 13
See notes to the consolidated financial statements
ISPAT INTERNATIONAL N.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
F-8
(Millions of U.S. Dollars, except share data and per share data)
NOTE 1: NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Nature of business
Ispat International N.V. (`Ispat International') together with its
subsidiaries (the `Company') is a manufacturer of steel and steel related
products. The Company owns and operates manufacturing facilities in the United
States of America (`U.S.'), Mexico, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago (`Trinidad'),
Germany and France. These manufacturing facilities, each of which includes its
respective subsidiaries, are referred to herein as the `Operating Subsidiaries'.
Organization
Ispat International is formed and organized under the laws of the
Netherlands to hold directly or indirectly certain subsidiaries involved in the
steel manufacturing activities described above. Ispat International has no
manufacturing operation of its own and its major assets are interests in the
common and preferred stock of the Operating Subsidiaries.
Basis of presentation
The consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of Ispat
International and its subsidiaries, all of which are controlled by Ispat
International, have been prepared in accordance with US Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (`US GAAP') (see also Note 2). Intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.
The records of each of the Operating Subsidiaries are maintained in the
currency of the country in which the Operating Subsidiary is located, using the
statutory or generally accepted accounting principles of such country. For
consolidation purposes, the financial statements which result from such records,
have been adjusted to conform to US GAAP, using the U.S. Dollar as the reporting
currency.
The principal subsidiaries of Ispat International, each of which is a
wholly owned subsidiary, included in the consolidated financial statements are
as follows:
Operating Subsidiary Location
-------------------- --------
Caribbean Ispat Limited............................................ Trinidad
Ispat Mexicana, S.A. de C.V........................................ Mexico
Ispat Sidbec Inc................................................... Canada
Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH.................................... Germany
Irish Ispat Limited (1)............................................ Ireland
Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH and Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld GmbH..... Germany
Ispat Inland Inc................................................... U.S.
Ispat Unimetal S.A. (including Society Metallurgique de Revigny
S.N.C.) ......................................................... France
Trefileurope S.A. ................................................ France
1. On June 15, 2001 the Company announced the shutdown of its steel making
operations in Haulbowline, County Cork, Ireland and the calling of a
creditors meeting for the appointment of a liquidator. This decision was
taken in view of continuing losses at Irish Ispat and after months of
evaluating ways to make the plant more competitive in light of market
conditions at that time.
Foreign currency translation and translation of financial statements
Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of a
subsidiary are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the date of the
transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than the
functional currency are remeasured at rates of exchange prevailing at the
balance sheet date and the related transaction gains and losses are reported in
the statements of income.
Upon consolidation, the results of operation of the subsidiaries and
affiliates whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar are
translated into U.S. Dollars at weighted average exchange rates in the year and
assets and liabilities are translated at year end exchange rates. Translation
adjustments are presented as a separate component of other comprehensive income
in the financial statements and are included in net earnings only upon sale or
liquidation of the underlying foreign subsidiary or affiliated company. At
Canadian and European Operating Subsidiaries, the functional currency is
Canadian Dollar and Euro respectively.
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
F-9
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates
and assumptions used.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost
is determined using the average cost and first in, first out (`FIFO") method.
Costs of production in process and finished goods include the purchase costs of
raw materials and conversion costs such as direct labor and an allocation of
fixed and variable production overheads. Raw materials and spare parts are
valued at cost inclusive of freight, shipping and handling costs.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. All property, plant and
equipments except land are depreciated using the straight line method over the
useful lives of the related assets, ranging from 10 to 50 years for buildings
and 2 to 45 years for machinery and equipment. Major improvements, which add to
productive capacity or extend the life of an asset, are capitalized while
repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Property, plant and
equipment under construction are recorded as construction in progress until they
are ready for their intended use; thereafter they are transferred to the related
category of property, plant and equipment and depreciated over their estimated
useful lives. Interest during construction is capitalized to property, plant and
equipment under construction until the assets are ready for their intended use.
Gains and losses on retirement or disposal of assets are determined as the
difference between net disposal proceeds and carrying amount and reflected in
the statement of income.
Long-lived assets
Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability
of long-lived assets, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted
future net cash flows of assets grouped at the lowest level for which there are
identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other
groups of assets. If the undiscounted future net cash flows are less than the
carrying amount of the asset, the asset is deemed impaired. The amount of the
impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair
value of the asset.
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures
Investments in majority owned affiliates and joint ventures, where control
does not exist and 20% to 50% owned affiliates and joint ventures in which the
Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, are accounted for
under the equity method of accounting whereby the investment is carried at cost
of acquisition, plus the Company's equity in undistributed earnings or losses
since acquisition, less dividends received.
Investments in less than 20% owned affiliates are accounted for by the cost
method.
The Company periodically reviews all of its investments in affiliates and
joint ventures for which fair value is less than cost to determine if the
decline in value is other than temporary. If the decline in value is judged to
be other than temporary, the cost basis of the investment is written down to
fair value. The amount of any write-down is included in other operating
expenses.
Debt issuance costs
Debt issuance costs, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost
and amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest
method. Amortization of debt issuance costs is included in interest expense
which is a component of financing costs, or alternatively, capitalized as
borrowing costs on qualifying assets where applicable.
Retirement benefits
The Company has defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of its
employees in U.S. and Canadian operations. Benefits are based on, generally, the
employee's years of service and compensation. For those plans, which are funded,
the assets are held in separate trustee administered funds. The Company's policy
is to amortize prior service costs over the average future service period of
active plan participants. Experience gains and losses in excess of 10% of the
greater of the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets are
amortized over the average remaining service period of active participants. The
F-10
liabilities and net periodic pension cost related to these plans are calculated
by independent actuaries on the basis of formulas defined in the plans using the
projected unit actuarial credit method.
In addition to providing certain pension benefits, the Company sponsors
several unfunded defined post-retirement plans that provide health care and life
insurance benefits to majority of its active and retired employees and their
covered dependent and beneficiaries. These plans are contributory, with
contributions adjusted periodically, and contain other cost-sharing features,
such as deductibles and coinsurance. Covered employees generally are eligible
for these benefits when they have reached a certain age and these benefits are
based on length of service.
Revenue recognition
Revenues are recognized when products are shipped or services are provided
to customers, the sales price is fixed and determinable, collectibility is
reasonably assured, and title and risks of ownership have passed to the buyer.
Costs associated with revenues, including shipping and other transportation
costs, are recorded in cost of sales.
Accounting for shipping and handling costs
The Company classifies all amounts billed to a customer in a sale
transaction related to shipping and handling, fees and costs as sales and all
other shipping and handling costs as cost of sales.
Financing costs
Financing costs include interest, amortization of discounts or premiums on
borrowings, amortization of costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of
borrowings and net gain or loss from foreign exchange on translation of
long-term debt, net of unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange
contracts.
Research and development costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Environmental costs
Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed
or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition
caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future
revenue generation or cost reduction, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded
when environmental assessments and or remedial efforts are probable, and the
cost can be reasonably estimated based on ongoing engineering studies,
discussions with the environmental authorities and assumptions as to the areas
that may have to be remediated along with the nature and extent of the
remediation that may be required. The ultimate cost to the Company is dependent
upon factors beyond its control such as the scope and methodology of the
remedial action requirements to be established by environmental and public
health authorities, new laws or government regulations, rapidly changing
technology and the outcome of any potential related litigation.
Taxes on income
The provision for income taxes includes income taxes currently payable or
receivable and those deferred. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the
financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated
future effects of tax loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured using enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which
the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred
tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in the
statement of operations in the period in which the enactment date changes.
Deferred tax assets are reduced through the establishment of a valuation
allowance at such time as, based on available evidence, it is more likely than
not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to manage
commodity price and foreign exchange risks. The Company has established a
control environment which includes policies and procedures for risk assessment
and the approval and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities.
Derivative financial instruments utilized by the Company also include foreign
currency forward contracts. Additionally, derivatives are used to hedge exposure
to interest rate fluctuations for floating rate debt for which the gains or
losses are recognized in interest expense. The Company does not enter into
foreign currency hedging contracts related to its investment in affiliated
companies.
All derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are
recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as
a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the
hedged item are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a
cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in
other comprehensive income (`OCI') and are recognized in the income statement
when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective
F-11
portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in
earnings. Gains and losses related to financial instruments that are utilized to
manage exposures to fluctuations in the cost of energy and raw materials used in
the production process are recognized as a part of the cost of the underlying
product or service when the contracts are closed.
Earnings per common share
Earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods
presented. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is similar to
basic earnings per common share, except that diluted earnings per share reflects
the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities and other
contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares
or resulted in the issuance of common shares that then shared in the earnings
(losses) of the Company.
Stock Option Plan
In 1999, the Company established the Ispat International N.V. Global Stock
Option Plan (the `Ispat Plan'), which are described more fully in Note 10.
Awards under the Company's plans vest over three years. Prior to 2003, the
Company accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and
related Interpretations. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected
in 2001 and 2002 net income, as all options granted under those plans had an
exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the
date of grant.
Effective January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation ("SFAS 123"), prospectively to all employee awards
granted, modified, or settled after January 1, 2003. This prospective adoption
of the fair value provisions of SFAS 123 is in accordance with the transitional
provisions of SFAS No. 148, `Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation' ("SFAS
148") issued in December 2002 for recognizing compensation cost of stock
options. There were no stock options granted, modified or settled during 2003
and accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in 2003.
SFAS 148 also requires that if awards of stock-based employee compensation were
outstanding and accounted for under the intrinsic value method of Opinion 25 for
any period in which an income statement is presented, a tabular presentation is
required as follows:
Year ended December 31
2001 2002 2003
Net income (loss), as reported $(312) $49 $66
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense
included in reported net income, net of related
tax effects - - -
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method
for all awards, net of related tax effects 3 3 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma net income (loss) $(315) $46 $65
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic and diluted--as reported $(2.58) $0.40 $0.53
Basic and diluted--pro forma (2.60) 0.37 0.53
Segment reporting
The Company operates in a single business segment, which is composed of the
manufacturing of semi-finished and finished steel products.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods' financial
statements in order to conform to the 2003 classifications.
Recent accounting pronouncements
FIN 46R
In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("FIN 46"),
an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, "Consolidated
Financial Statements," which requires the consolidation by a business enterprise
of variable interest entities if the business enterprise is the primary
beneficiary. The FASB has amended FIN 46, now known as FIN 46 Revised December
2003 ("FIN 46R"). The requirements of FIN 46 or FIN 46R are effective to those
entities that are considered to be special-purpose entities no later
F-12
than as of the end of the first reporting period that ends after December 15,
2003. There is no impact from the adoption of FIN 46R on the Company's
consolidated results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
SFAS 149
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of SFAS No. 133 on
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS No. 149 amends and
clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments by
requiring that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for
similarly. In particular, this statement clarifies the circumstances under which
a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a
derivative, clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component, amends
the definition of an underlying to conform it to the language used in FIN No.
45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees,
Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" and amends certain
other existing pronouncements. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered
into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated
after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact
on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial condition or
liquidity.
SFAS 150
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, "Accounting for Certain
Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity". The
statement requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some
circumstances) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody
obligations for the issuer. Generally, the statement is effective for financial
instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise
effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15,
2003. Adoption of SFAS No.150 does not have a material impact on the
consolidated financial statements of the Company.
SFAS 132R
In December 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 132 (revised 2003), "Employers'
Disclosure's about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits". This statement
replaces the original SFAS 132 and revises employers' disclosures about pension
plans and other postretirement benefit plans to require more information about
the economic resources and obligations of such plans. SFAS 132 (revised 2003)
amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS 87, SFAS 88, and SFAS 106, however,
the measurement and recognition guidance is not affected. SFAS 132 (revised
2003) requires additional disclosures for plan assets, obligations, tabular
presentation of key assumptions and measurement dates used for a majority of the
plans. The Company has adopted the provisions of SFAS 132R (See Note 11 for
further information).
F-13
NOTE 3: INVENTORIES
December 31,
------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Finished products $ 280 $ 293
Production in process 252 215
Raw materials 224 195
Manufacturing supplies
spare parts and other 117 125
----- -----
$ 873 $ 828
NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are summarized as follows:
Buildings Machinery
and and Construction
Land Improvements equipment in process Total
-------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Balance at December 31, 2002
Gross value $ 68 $ 543 $ 3,574 $ 48 $ 4,233
Accumulated depreciation - (160) (1,038) - (1,198)
-------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net carrying value 68 383 2,536 48 3,035
======== ============= ============ ========== ============
Balance at December 31, 2003
Gross value 81 598 3,998 30 4,707
Accumulated depreciation - (194) (1,422) - (1,616)
-------- ------------- ------------ ---------- ------------
Net carrying value $ 81 $ 404 $ 2,576 $ 30 $ 3,091
======== ============= ============ ========== ============
F-14
NOTE 5: INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES AND JOINT VENTURES
The Company's investments in affiliates and joint ventures, which include joint
ventures accounted for using the equity method, are as follows:
Operating Ownership
Investee activity percentages
---------------- -------- -----------
Located in U.S.
Empire Iron Mining Partnership...................... Taconite/
(`E.I.M.P.')(1)..................................... Pellets 21%
PCI Associates...................................... Pulverized coal 50%
I/N Tek(2).......................................... Cold rolling 60%
I/N Kote .......................................... Galvanizing 50%
Located in Mexico
Consorcio Minero
Benito Juarez....................................... Mining and
Pena Colorada S.A. de C.V. pelletizing
(`Pena Colorada')................................... plant 50%
Servicios Siderurgicos Integrados, S.A.............. Port operations,
de C.V. (`Sersiin')................................. lime, industrial gases
and engineering
workshop 50%
Located in Canada
Sorevco .......................................... Galvanizing plant 50%
Delta Tube.......................................... Tubes 40%
Located in Germany
Westfalische Drahtindustrie GmbH (`WDI') Wire drawing 33.3%
Other .......................................... - -
December 31,
Type of ------------
Investee ownership 2002 2003
---------------- --------- ---- ----
Located in U.S.
Empire Iron Mining Partnership......................
(`E.I.M.P.')(1)..................................... Partnership $ - $ -
PCI Associates...................................... Partnership 22 22
I/N Tek(2).......................................... Partnership 52 51
I/N Kote .......................................... Partnership 140 141
Located in Mexico
Consorcio Minero
Benito Juarez.......................................
Pena Colorada S.A. de C.V.
(`Pena Colorada')................................... Common stock 10 4
Servicios Siderurgicos Integrados, S.A..............
de C.V. (`Sersiin').................................
Common stock 9 9
Located in Canada
Sorevco .......................................... Limited partnership 7 7
Delta Tube.......................................... Limited partnership 2 2
Located in Germany
Westfalische Drahtindustrie GmbH (`WDI') Common stock 11 12
Other .......................................... - 4 4
------ ------
$ 257 $ 252
====== ======
1) U.S. Operating Subsidiary sold 47.5% of its 40% interest in E.I.M.P.
effective December 31, 2002, of the mine to Cleveland Cliffs, and its
entire investment in the partnership was written off. See also Note 13.
2) I/N Tek, a general partnership formed for a joint venture between the
Company and Nippon Steel Corporation (`NSC'), owns and operates a
cold-rolling facility. I/N Tek is 60% owned by a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Company and 40% owned by NSC. The Company has rights to the productive
capacity of the facility, except in certain limited circumstances and has
an obligation to use the facility for the production of cold rolled steel,
under a tolling arrangement with I/N Tek. Due to this lack of control by
the Company, the Company accounts for its investment in I/N Tek under the
equity method. The Company does not exercise control over I/N Tek as all
significant management decisions of the joint venture require agreement by
both the partners.
Summary condensed information, in the aggregate, of the Company's investments
accounted for using the equity method is disclosed as follows:
December 31,
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Condensed Statement of Income Data
Gross revenue.......................................$ 1,508 $ 1,088 $ 1,282
Gross profit........................................ 115 83 102
Net income.......................................... 24 40 79
At December 31,
2002 2003
---- ----
Condensed Balance Sheet Data
Current assets............................................. $ 388 $ 346
Total assets............................................... 1,598 1,323
Current liabilities........................................ 455 388
Total liabilities.......................................... 1,110 806
Net assets................................................. 488 516
F-15
NOTE 6: BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
Transactions with related parties, all of which are affiliates and joint
ventures of the Company were as follows:
Year ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Transactions
Purchases of raw material:
Pena Colorada ................................................................ $ 26 $ 33 $ 44
Sersiin....................................................................... 14 18 12
E.I.M.P....................................................................... 106 102 101
PCI Associates (Tolling fee).................................................. 43 34 32
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries........................................ - 29 28
Sales:
WDI .......................................................................... 104 100 115
Sorevco ...................................................................... 32 44 43
I/N Kote...................................................................... 311 346 342
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries........................................ 9 8 11
Other ........................................................................ 9 18 21
Purchases:
I/N Tek (Tolling charges)..................................................... 143 142 137
Other ....................................................................... 4 7 2
Sale of plant property & equipment - net of loan:
LNM Holdings N.V.............................................................. 16 - -
Other income
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries (Management fees)(1)................... 6 5 8
LNM Holdings N.V. (Royalty income)............................................ - - 6
(1)LNM Holdings N.V., Ispat Karmet JSC and P.T. Ispat Indo, indirectly
wholly-owned subsidiaries of the controlling shareholder, have entered into
management services agreements with the Company pursuant to which LNM Holdings
N.V., Ispat Karmet JSC and P.T. Ispat Indo pay fees to the Company as
compensation for management as and when services are rendered by the Company.
Year ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Receivables:
WDI .......................................................................... $ 32 $ 33
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries ....................................... 3 10
Others........................................................................ 7 5
Payables:
Sersiin....................................................................... 9 14
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries ....................................... 5 6
Others........................................................................ 8 14
Accrued expenses and other liabilities:
LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries. ...................................... 5 -
Long term debt to affiliates:
The Richmond Investment Holdings Limited. .................................... - 94
Other long-term obligation:
LNM Holdings N.V. ............................................................ 25 20
The Company and LNM Holdings N.V. completed an agreement effective June 17,
2002 under which the Company, through its subsidiaries, will provide management
and support services to LNM Holdings N.V. and its subsidiaries. These services
will be offset against an advance payment of $30 over the next several years.
The amount outstanding as at December 31, 2003 against this advance was $
25(2002 - $30).
F-16
NOTE 7: PAYABLE TO BANKS
Payable to banks include borrowings and overdraft. The Company has the following
secured and unsecured bank lines and other working capital facilities:
At December 31,
2002 2003
---- ----
Committed ...................................................................... $ 485 $ 581
Uncommitted..................................................................... 60 80
----- ------
$ 545 $ 661
----- ------
The Company had the following under such bank lines and working capital
facilities:
Presented under current liabilities (includes overdraft of
$21 in 2002 and $41 in 2003).................................................. $ 137 $ 167
Presented under long-term liabilities........................................... 225 240
----- ------
$ 362 $ 407
----- ------
Borrowings under the lines are primarily denominated in U.S. Dollars, except for
the following:
(euro)43 million (2002-(euro)45 million) inventory financing credit facility.... $ 29 $ 34
Other Euro credit facilities.................................................... 8 12
TT $ (Trinidad & Tobago)........................................................ - 10
British Pound................................................................... 5 3
===== ======
These facilities do not include securitizations and factoring of
receivables, which are discussed in Note 19.
The credit facilities provide for borrowing at various interest rates and
support letters of credit in addition to providing borrowings to fund local
working capital requirements at the Operating Subsidiaries. Weighted-average
interest rate on the bank lines, working capital facilities and temporary
overdrafts ranged from 2.6% to 6.5% in 2002 and 2.0% to 6.5% in 2003.
Certain of the credit facilities contain restrictive covenants that (i)
require the Company's subsidiaries to comply with certain financial maintenance
tests including the ratio of current assets to current liabilities and the ratio
of total liabilities to total capital; (ii) require the maintenance of specified
levels of net worth, (iii) prohibit subsidiaries from entering into agreements
that restrict their ability to pay dividends and (iv) limit the payment of
dividends (see Note 10).
Certain of the lines of credit are collateralized by current assets and
property, plant and equipment with a net carrying value of $760 at December 31,
2003 (2002 - $893).
F-17
NOTE 8: LONG-TERM DEBT
December 31,
------------
2002 2003
---- ----
AT U.S. OPERATING SUBSIDIARY
First Mortgage Bonds:
Series U, Tranche B, $350, due July 16, 2005.......................................... $ 334 $ 331
Series U, Tranche C, $350, due July 16, 2006.......................................... 334 331
Series R, 7.9% due January 15, 2007................................................... 29 28
Series 1977, 5.75% due February 1, 2007............................................... 20 19
Series 1993, 6.8% due June 1, 2013.................................................... 26 25
Series 1995, 6.85% due December, 2012 ................................................ 13 12
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds:
Pollution Control Project No 11, 7.125 % due June 1, 2007............................. 21 15
Pollution Control Project No 13, 7.250% due November 1, 2011.......................... 32 32
Exempt Facilities Project No 14, 6.7% due November 1, 2012............................ 5 3
Exempt Facilities Project No 15, 5.75% due October 1, 2011............................ 46 47
Exempt Facilities Project No 16, 7% due January 1, 2014............................... 8 2
Revolving Credit Facilities - 2% to 4% ............................................... 225 240
AT MEXICO OPERATING SUBSIDIARY
Bank loans denominated in U.S. Dollars, floating interest............................. 352 348
Senior Structured Export Certificates, 10.625%........................................ 62 41
Export-Import Bank of the U.S., LIBOR plus 0.30%...................................... 29 29
AT CANADA OPERATING SUBSIDIARY
Senior Secured Credit Facilities(1):
Tranche A, $150, LIBOR plus 1.25%-4.05%............................................... 54 -
Tranche B, $125, LIBOR plus 1.75%-4.55%............................................... 118 118
Tranche C, $125, LIBOR plus 2.25%-5.05%............................................... 118 118
AT TRINIDAD OPERATING SUBSIDIARY
Senior Secured Notes, 10.4%........................................................... 101 88
International Finance Corporation, LIBOR plus 3.25% - 3.38% .......................... 26 13
Others ............................................................................ 8 5
AT ISPAT EUROPE GROUP
Senior Secured(euro)150 million, due February 1, 2011, 11.875%........................ 129 137
FROM AN AFFILIATE
The Richmond Investment Holdings Limited, due October 6, 2005, LIBOR plus 3.00%....... - 80
The Richmond Investment Holdings Limited, due December 30, 2005, LIBOR plus 3.00%..... - 14
OTHER
Shipping Subsidiaries............................................................... 30 19
Other............................................................................... 27 15
Total long-term debt including current portion........................................ 2,147 2,110
-------- --------
Less current portion of long-term debt................................................ 125 196
-------- --------
Total long-term debt.................................................................. $ 2,022 $ 1,914
======== ========
(1) Interest rates are contingent on the achievement of certain financial
ratios.
F-18
AT U.S. OPERATING SUBSIDIARY:
First Mortgage Bonds
Series U, Tranche B and C (the `Term Loans') are with a syndicate of
financial institutions (the `Term Loan Lenders') for whom Credit Suisse First
Boston is the agent. Each of the Tranche B and Tranche C Loan is repayable in
quarterly installments of $1 until maturity.
Borrowings under the Term Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to,
at the Company's option, (1) the higher of (a) the Agent's prime rate or (b) the
rate which is 0.5 of 1% in excess of the Federal Funds effective rate (together
the `Base Rate'), plus 2.75% or (2) the London Interbank Offered Rates (`LIBOR')
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 3.75%. The fee for the Letter of
Credit (`LC') is 4.00% of the LC amount per annum (the `LC Fee'). The spread
over the LIBOR and Base Rate and the LC Fee will be reduced if the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary's Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) falls to specified levels. The effective rate of interest paid on
Series U First Mortgage Bonds was 5.1% for the year ended December 31, 2003
(5.6% for the year ended December 31, 2002).
The Company entered into a hedge as required under the agreement. It is a 5
year interest rate collar based on LIBOR with a floor of 4.50% and a ceiling of
6.26% on a notional amount of $450. The facilities and the hedge are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by Ispat International. The hedge expired on October
16, 2003.
A substantial portion of the Company's facilities at its Indiana Harbor
Works is subject to a lien to First Mortgage. This property had a book value of
approximately $1,600 at December 31, 2003 (2002 - $1,600).
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary must also maintain a minimum Consolidated
EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary was in
compliance with this covenant at December 31, 2003. The Credit Agreement also
contains other covenants that, among other things, prohibit or limit the ability
of the Company or the Borrower to pay dividends and other restricted payments,
incur indebtedness, create liens, engage in transactions with affiliates, sell
assets and engage in mergers and consolidations. Any loans from the Company to
its U.S. Operating Subsidiary cannot be repaid until the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary's leverage falls to specified levels.
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
During 2003, the Company purchased $29 (2002- $40 ) bonds at discounts from
face value. As a result of these early redemptions and recognized a gain of $14,
net of tax $14 (2002- $30, net of tax $19).
Revolving Credit Facilities
Revolving credit facilities are denominated in U.S. Dollars and are from
the Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent. These credit facilities are shown as
long-term debt as the Company has the ability and intent to refinance these
obligations as they mature under the respective credit agreements. The average
interest rates on these facilities range from 2% to 4% and $150 of the
outstanding balance is repayable in 2005 and $90 in 2007.
Contingent Liability
A standby letter of credit in the amount of $160 that expired on July 9,
2003 was provided to the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation ("PBGC"), which
is arranged by Credit Suisse First Boston. The letter of credit was not drawn
upon. In July 2003, the Company reached an agreement with the PBGC regarding
alternative security for the $160 letter of credit. The letter of credit was
allowed to expire, and in its place, the Company agreed to contribute $160 to
its pension plan over next two years. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary contributed
$50 in July 2003, and is required to contribute $83 in 2004 and $28 in 2005.
Outside of this Agreement, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary also contributed $21 in
September 2003. Additionally, the Company pledged $160 of non-interest bearing
First Mortgage Bonds to the PBGC as security until the remaining $110 has been
contributed to the Pension Plan and certain tests have been met.
AT MEXICO OPERATING SUBSIDIARY:
Bank Loans Denominated In U.S. Dollars, Floating Interest
California Commerce Bank, USA
Loan payable to California Commerce Bank, USA under a line-of-credit
agreement is denominated in U.S. Dollars with an annual variable interest rate
of LIBOR plus 300 basis points (effective annual interest rate at December 31,
2003 and 2002 are 4.99% and 5.53%, respectively). Principal is payable in
quarterly installments with maturities until August 2005. $8 was outstanding at
December 31, 2003 (2002- $10).
F-19
Bancomer, Mexico
Loan payable to Bancomer, Mexico is denominated in U.S. Dollars. The loan
bears interest at floating rate of LIBOR plus 325 basis points (effective annual
interest rate at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are 4.35% and 5.25%, respectively).
Principal is payable in semi-annual installments until 2008. $48 was outstanding
at December 31, 2003 (2002- $49).
Loan payable to Bancomer, Mexico is denominated in U.S. Dollars. The loan
bears interest at floating rate of LIBOR plus 225 basis points (effective annual
interest rate at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are 3.35% and 4.20%, respectively).
Principal is payable in semi-annual installments until 2008. $72 was outstanding
at December 31, 2003 (2002- $73).
Banamex, Mexico
Loans payable to Banamex, Mexico under a line-of-credit agreement is
denominated in U.S. Dollars, with annual variable interest rates of LIBOR plus
375 basis points (effective annual interest rate at December 31, 2003 and 2002
are 4.88% and 5.86%, respectively). Principal is payable in semi-annual
installments of $28 with maturities from 2005 to 2009. $220 was outstanding at
December 31, 2003 and at December 31, 2002.
Senior Structured Export Certificates, 10.625%
The New Senior Structured Export Certificates due 2005 (the `New Senior
Certificates') are denominated in U.S. Dollars with interest payable quarterly
at 10.625% per annum. The principal amount of the New Senior Certificates is
payable in quarterly installments till May 2005.
The New Senior Certificates are redeemable in whole or in part at a price
equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest thereon
and a prepayment make whole premium (only in case of trigger event) as defined
in the agreement.
The New Senior Certificates are payable primarily from the proceeds of U.S.
Dollar denominated accounts receivable to be generated from sales of steel slabs
to Mitsubishi Corporation (the `steel purchaser'), under a long-term supply
agreement and sales of steel slabs to certain other customers. Subject to
certain exceptions, the supply agreement with Mitsubishi requires the steel
purchaser to purchase sufficient volumes of slabs to generate receivables in
each quarter in an aggregate face amount equal to 1.3 times the scheduled
quarterly debt service on the New Senior Certificates.
Export-Import Bank of The United States
Loan payable to a financial institution guaranteed by the Export-Import
Bank of the United States is denominated in U.S. Dollars. The loan bears
interest at an annual variable rate of LIBOR plus 0.30% (effective annual
interest rate at December 31, 2003 and 2002 are 2.05% and 2.54%, respectively).
Principal is payable in semi-annual installments of $3 with maturities ranging
from 2004 to 2008.
Debt Restructuring at Mexico Operating Subsidiary
In response to the reduction in sales volume and prices and other negative
developments faced by the Company, the Company initiated the process in 2001 to
restructure its debt. The debt restructuring was successfully completed on
September 6, 2002. The principal elements of debt restructuring are as noted
below:
1. Exchange offer and consent solicitation. - All outstanding 1996 Senior
Certificates were exchanged for New Senior Certificates. The terms of the
New Senior Certificates are substantially similar to the terms of the 1996
Senior Certificates except that, among other things, the New Senior
Certificates (i) have interest payable at 10 5/8% per annum; (ii) have a
final maturity at May 2005; (iii) are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of
Mexico Operating Subsidiary; (iv) are secured, along with Mexico Operating
Subsidiary's existing bank lenders, by certain assets of Mexico Operating
Subsidiary (as discussed below) on pro rata basis; and (v) have the benefit
of the Excess Cash Flow Sweep (as discussed below).
2. Bank Amendments and Waivers. - Mexico Operating Subsidiary's bank lenders
deferred principal payments on most of the outstanding bank debt for a
period of three years. The bank lenders also waived certain financial
covenants during this period, eliminated certain restrictions on the
disposition of non-core assets and granted permission to enter into a new
working capital facility. Existing bank lenders have the benefit of the
Excess Cash Flow (as discussed below) and are secured, along with the New
Senior Certificates, by certain assets of Mexico Operating Subsidiary (as
discussed below) on a pro rata basis.
3. Excess Cash Flow Sweep. - Mexico Operating Subsidiary is required, on a
semi-annual basis commencing December 31, 2002, to apply all of its excess
cash flows (as defined in the Inter-creditor Agreement) to repurchase New
Senior Certificates and retire debt owed to its existing bank lenders (the
`Excess Cash Flow Sweep') in the proportion of 20% to
F-20
the New Senior Certificates and 80% to Mexico Operating Subsidiary's
existing bank debt, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
thereof.
4. Ranking and Collateral. - The New Senior Certificates are secured by
receivables generated under a new supply agreement with Mitsubishi and
those of certain other customers of Mexico Operating Subsidiary (the
`Receivables"). In addition, Mexico Operating Subsidiary's existing bank
lenders and the New Senior Certificates are secured, on a pro rata basis,
by (i) a first priority lien on all property, plant and equipment of Mexico
Operating Subsidiary; (ii) a pledge on the stock of Mexico Operating
Subsidiary and its immediate parent; and (iii) a first priority lien on the
inventory and receivable not otherwise pledged to secure the new working
capital facility or the Receivables.
5. New Working Capital Facility. - Mexico Operating Subsidiary is entitled to
draw up to $68 for its working capital needs, subject to the condition that
amounts outstanding owed under the new working capital facility cannot
exceed $35 unless authorized by Mexico Operating Subsidiary's other bank
lenders. The new working capital facility is secured by a first priority
lien on certain inventory and receivables.
6. Shareholder Loan. - An amount of $20 was loaned to Mexico Operating
Subsidiary by Ispat International for working capital needs. The loan is
subordinated to other debt of Mexico Operating Subsidiary and secured by a
second priority lien on certain inventory and receivables.
7. Sale of non-core assets. - Mexico Operating Subsidiary was entitled to sell
certain non-core assets in 2002 in order to repay some of the debt relating
to its shipping loans.
The Structured Senior Export Certificates due 2005 (the `1996
Certificates') are denominated in U.S. Dollars with effective interest payable
quarterly at 11.64% per annum. The principal amount of the Senior Certificates
is payable in quarterly installments until May 2005.
AT CANADA OPERATING SUBSIDIARY:
Senior secured Credit Facilities
The Tranche B facility is bearing an interest at rates ranging from LIBOR
plus 1.75% to LIBOR plus 4.55% depending on the achievement of certain financial
ratios. For 2003 the effective average rate is 6.46% (2002 effective average
rate was 7.60%). The facility will mature in July 2004 and is repayable in
installments of $0.3 in March 2004 and $118 in July 2004.
The Tranche C facility is bearing an interest at rates ranging from LIBOR
plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 5.05% depending on the achievement of certain financial
ratios. For 2003 the effective average rate is 6.96% (2002 effective average
rate was 8.11%). The facility will mature in January 2005 and is repayable in
installments of $0.3 in March 2004, $0.3 in June 2004 and $118 in January 2005.
The Senior Secured Credit Facility is collateralized by all property, plant and
equipment of the Canadian Operating Subsidiary and a second ranking charge on
accounts receivables and inventories. The Company has no interest rate swap
agreement as of December 31, 2003 (2002 - $200).
AT TRINIDAD OPERATING SUBSIDIARY:
Senior Secured Notes, 10.4%
The 10.4% Senior Secured Notes are denominated in U.S. Dollars and have
been used to finance the construction of a DRI plant. The notes mature in May
2008 with principal and interest repayable in semi-annual installments started
in November 2002.
International Finance Corporation
Loans payable to the International Finance Corporation are denominated in
U.S. Dollars and collateralized by property, plant and equipment with a net book
value of $397 at December 31, 2003 (2002-$410). Principal and interest are due
in semi-annual installments beginning December 1998 with interest accruing at
LIBOR plus 3.25% to 3.38%, maturing in 2004 through 2006.
F-21
At the request of the Trinidad Operating Subsidiary, the International
Finance Corporation and their Participants have agreed to a waiver of the
current ratio requirement for December 31, 2001, an amendment to the current
ratio covenant for 2002 and a waiver of the late payment of principal due on
December 15, 2001.
AT ISPAT EUROPE GROUP:
Senior Secured Notes Denominated in Euro, Due February 1, 2011, 11.875%
Ispat Europe Group SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company has issued
Senior Secured Notes worth (euro) 150 million. The Bonds issued on February 1,
2001 will mature on February 1, 2011. These Notes are secured by mortgage over
the Property plant and equipment of the German Subsidiaries and an indirect
pledge on the shares of the French Operating Subsidiary. The interest rate is
fixed at 11.875% per annum and payable semi-annually.
FROM AN AFFILIATE:
Loans are payable to an affiliate The Richmond Investment Holdings Limited
and are denominated in U.S. Dollars. The interest rates on these loans are three
months LIBOR plus 300 basis points ( 4.15% at December 31, 2003). Out of $94
outstanding as on December 31, 2003 (2002-$nil) $80 is payable on October 6,
2005 and $14 is payable on December 30, 2005.
OTHER:
Shipping Subsidiaries
Loans payable at shipping subsidiaries are denominated in U.S. Dollars to
finance the purchase of equipment collateralized by the related assets. The
interest rates on the loans range from 7.36% to 8.11%. Principal and interest
are due in monthly/semi-annual installments with maturities ranging from 2005 to
2007.
OTHER
Various loans with interest rates ranging from 0.6% to 7.5% for other
loans.
Maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2003 are as follows:
Years ending December 31,
-------------------------
2004 ................................................... $ 196
2005 ................................................... 787
2006 ................................................... 449
2007 ................................................... 261
2008 ................................................... 102
Subsequent years................................................... 315
--------
Total ................................................... $ 2,110
========
Certain long-term debt and other agreements of the Company and its
subsidiaries provide for various covenants that restrict the ability of certain
of the Company's subsidiaries to pay dividends, make certain payments, incur
additional indebtedness, make certain investments, create liens, guarantee
indebtedness, sell or acquire assets, enter into mergers or consolidations and
form subsidiaries, as well as require compliance with certain other financial
maintenance tests in certain cases. Such financial maintenance tests include
certain financial ratios and minimum levels of net worth. A significant part of
the Company's net assets at December 31, 2003 (see Note 10) was subject to
restrictive covenants, affecting capital distributions and the ability of the
subsidiaries to loan or advance funds to the shareholders and other
restrictions.
F-22
NOTE 9: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND CREDIT RISK
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments at
December 31, 2002 and 2003 are summarized below:
The estimated fair values of certain financial instruments have been
determined using available market information or other valuation methodologies
that require considerable judgment in interpreting market data and developing
estimates. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily
indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market
exchange. The use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may
have a material effect on the estimated fair values.
The carrying amounts of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable and short-term investments approximate their fair values. Cash
equivalents are carried at cost which approximates market value and accounts
receivable and short-term investments are short-term in nature.
The Company's short and long-term debt consists of debt instruments which
bear interest at fixed rates and variable rates tied to market indicators. The
fair value of the Company's variable rate debt approximates its carrying amount
given the floating rate nature of the debt at prevailing market rates. The fair
value of fixed rate debt is based on estimated future cash flows discounted
using the current market rates for debt of the same remaining maturities and
credit risk. The estimated fair values of the Company's short and long-term debt
are as follows:
December 31, 2002 December 31, 2003
----------------- -----------------
Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated
value fair value value fair value
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Instruments payable bearing interest at variable rates............. $ 1,646 $ 1,421 $ 1,655 $ 1,575
Instruments payable bearing interest at fixed rates................ 501 379 455 360
-------- -------- --------- ----------
Long-term debt, including current portion.......................... $ 2,147 $ 1,800 $ 2,110 $ 1,935
Payable to banks................................................... $ 137 $ 137 $ 167 $ 167
======== ======== ========= ==========
The fair value of forward exchange contracts, all of which are short-term
in nature, was estimated based on the applicable year-end exchange rates and are
presented below:
Foreign Currency
Forward Contracts
-----------------
December 31,
------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Fair value.............................................. $ 16 $ 78
Carrying amount......................................... 16 78
The fair value information presented herein is based on information
available to management at the dates presented. Although management is not aware
of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts,
such amounts have not been comprehensively valued for purposes of these
financial statements.
The Company uses futures and swap contracts to manage fluctuations in the
cost of natural gas and certain nonferrous metals, primarily zinc which is used
in the coating of steel. Timing of these transactions corresponds to the
expected need for the underlying physical commodity and is intended as a hedge
against the cost volatility of these commodities.
A portion of the floating rate debt used in connection with the financing
of the acquisition of the U.S. Operating Subsidiary was hedged through the use
of an interest collar that expired on October 16, 2003. Due to the decline in
interest rates during fiscal years 2002 , the fair value of the collar
represented a derivative liability of approximately $14 at December 31, 2002.
Credit Risk
Credit risk represents the accounting loss that would be recognized at the
reporting date if counterparties failed completely to perform as contracted and
from movements in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company does
not
F-23
anticipate non-performance by counterparties. The Company generally does not
require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with
credit risk.
Concentrations of credit risk (whether on or off balance sheet) that arise
from financial instruments exist for groups of customers or counterparties when
they have similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to
meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or
other conditions.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk
primarily consist of trade accounts receivable and derivative contracts.
The Company considers its credit risk associated with trade accounts
receivable to be somewhat limited due to a large number of customers comprising
the Company's customer base and their geographic dispersion. The Company sells a
significant amount of product pursuant to orders throughout its main markets.
The Company grants credit based on evaluations of its customers' financial
situation, in certain cases without requiring guarantees or letters of credit,
and monitors the exposure of potential losses from granting credit.
The counterparties to derivative contracts are generally major financial
institutions and credit risk is generally limited to the unrealized gains and
losses on such contracts should the counterparties fail to perform as
contracted. Additionally, the Company utilizes a portfolio of financial
institutions either headquartered or operating in the same countries in which
the Company conducts its business. As a result, the Company considers the risk
of counterparty default to be minimal.
A portion of the floating rate debt used in connection with the financing
of the acquisition of the U.S. Operating Subsidiary was hedged through the use
of an interest collar that expired on October 16, 2003 . Due to the decline in
interest rates during fiscal years 2002, the fair value of the collar
represented a derivative liability of approximately $14 at December 31, 2002 .
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary had $ 1,107 of long-term debt (including debt
due within one year) outstanding at December 31, 2003. Of this amount $902 is
floating rate debt (fair value $ 822 ). The remaining $ 205 of fixed rate debt
had a fair value of $149. Assuming a hypothetical 10% decrease in interest rates
at December 31, 2003, the fair value of this fixed rate debt would be estimated
to be $ 200. Fair market values are based upon market prices or current
borrowing rates with similar rates and maturities.
The Mexico Operating Subsidiary utilizes derivative commodity instruments
not for trading purposes but to hedge exposure to fluctuations in the costs of
natural gas. In February 2001, the Mexico Operating Subsidiary entered into a
fixed price natural gas contract with Pemex at a price of $4 per mmbtu,
excluding transportation charges, for a volume of 25350 G cal per day. This
contract expired in December 31, 2003. For gas requiments in 2004, the Company
has entered into contracts in the futures market for a total volume of 7,300,000
MMBTU, at an average net price of $ 5.59 per MMBTU (excluding transportation
charges). A hypothetical 10% fluctuation on the purchase price of natural gas
will have an impact on pre-tax income of approximately $23. The fair value of
such contracts as on December 31, 2003 was $44 (2002 - $161).
At the Canadian Operating Subsidiary, an annual consumption of natural gas
of Canadian Dollar 79 million (2002 - Canadian Dollar 38 million) at an exchange
rate of 0.76 (Canadian Dollar to U.S. Dollar) would result in an annual
consumption of $60 (2002 - $29). Therefore, a hypothetical 10% fluctuation in
the purchase price of natural gas would have an impact on pre-tax income at the
Canadian Operating Subsidiary of approximately $6 (2002 - $3).
F-24
NOTE 10: SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The authorized common shares of the Company consisted of 500,000,000 Class
A shares, with a par value of (euro) 0.01 per share, and 72,150,000 Class B
shares, with a par value of (euro) 0.10 per share. At December 31, 2002,
54,850,000 Class A shares and 72,150,000 Class B shares were issued and
49,587,492 ( 2002 - 51,735,794) Class A shares and 72,150,000 (2002 -72,150,000)
Class B shares were outstanding.
In connection with the introduction of Euro on January 1, 2002, the Company
converted the nominal value of its shares from Dutch Guilders into Euro. The
articles of association were amended on December 31, 2001 based on the
resolution of the shareholders meeting held on December 21, 2001. By this
conversion the total common stock par value of the Company increased by $3 which
had been accounted for through Additional Paid-in Capital in Equity.
The preference and relative rights of the Class A shares and Class B shares
are substantially identical except for disparity in voting power and conversion
rights. Holders of Class A shares are entitled to one vote per share and holders
of Class B shares are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted
to a vote of shareholders. Each Class B share is convertible, at the option of
the holder, into one Class A share.
At December 31, 2003, the Company had 5,262,508 of its own Class A shares
which it purchased on the open market for a net consideration of $110 (at
December 31, 2002 - 3,114,206 at a consideration of $103).
During the year 2003, the Company sold 23,532 (2002 - 2,117,781) of its
treasury stock shares to Ispat Inland Pension Fund for a total consideration of
$0.01 (2002 - $5). Also, the Company bought back 2,263,000 (2002 - 139,200) of
its shares from the open market during the year at a consideration of $9 (2002 -
$1) under a share buy-back program announced by the Company.
These shares have been acquired for the purpose of the Company's employee
stock option plan.
All calculations to determine the amounts available for dividends are based
on Ispat International's Dutch statutory accounts, which, as a holding company,
are different from its consolidated accounts.
Ispat International has no manufacturing operations of its own.
Accordingly, it can only pay dividends or distributions to the extent it is able
to arrange the cash dividend distribution from its subsidiaries, recognizes
gains from the sale of its assets or records share premium from the issuance of
(new) common shares. Certain of the Company's Operating Subsidiaries are subject
to restrictions under the terms of their debt agreements for paying dividends.
As a result, subsidiaries of Ispat International had $375 in retained earnings
which are free of restriction for the payment of dividend at December 31, 2003.
Dividends are payable by Ispat International in either U.S. Dollars or in Euros.
Ispat International received no cash dividends for the years 2001, 2002 and
2003, respectively, from its operating subsidiaries.
In 2001, the Company recorded a capital contribution of $3 relating to the
gain on the sale of assets to a party under common control of the Company's
principal shareholder.
Stock Option Plan
In 1999, the Company adopted a stock option plan, the Ispat Plan. Under the
terms of the Ispat Plan, the Company may grant options to senior management of
Ispat International and its affiliates for up to 6,000,000 shares of common
stock. The exercise price of each option equals not less than the fair market
value of Ispat International stock on the date of grant, with a maximum term of
10 years. Options are granted at the discretion of the Company's Board of
Director's Plan Administration Committee or its delegate. The options vest
either ratably upon each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date, or,
in total, upon the death, disability or retirement of the participant.
Prior to 2003, the Company had chosen to account for stock-based
compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in APB 25, and related
Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options is measured as
the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company's stock at the
date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. As
indicated above, all options were granted at an exercise price equal to or
greater than the fair market value on the date of grant and accordingly, no
compensation expense has been recognized in these financial statements pursuant
to APB 25 effective January 1, 2003. The Company has decided to expense
stock-based compensation under the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123
(see Note 2).
F-25
The fair value of each option grant of Ispat International stock is
estimated on the date of grant using Black-Scholes Model Method with the
following weighted-average assumptions used:
Year of grant
-------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Dividend yield................................... - - -
Expected annualized volatility................... - 83% -
Discount rate - Bond equivalent yield............ - 5.03% -
Expected life in years........................... - 8 -
The status of the Ispat Plan with respect to the Company is summarized below at
December 31, 2003:
Weighted
Number Average exercise
of shares Price ($)
Opening balance as of January 1, 2001............ 2,512,000 10.19
Granted during the year.......................... - -
Exercised ....................................... - -
Forfeitures...................................... (310,000) 10.30
Outstanding at December 31, 2001................. 2,202,000 10.17
Granted during the year.......................... 1,349,500 2.26
Exercised ....................................... - -
Forfeitures...................................... (160,000) 7.95
Outstanding at December 31, 2002................. 3,391,500 7.13
Granted during the year.......................... - -
Exercised ....................................... (91,166) 7.08
Forfeitures/restoration.......................... 39,000 11.72
Outstanding at December 31, 2003................. 3,339,334 7.32
At December 31, 2003, the stock options are exercisable as follows:
Average
-------
Exercise
------------
Year Options Price ($)(1)
---- ---------- -----------
2003 ....................................... 2,530,111 8.93
2004 ....................................... 2,934,723 8.01
2005 ....................................... 3,339,334 7.32
2006 ....................................... 3,339,334 7.32
2007 ....................................... 3,339,334 7.32
(1)Based on exercise prices of $11.94 , $8.57 and $2.26 for 1999, 2000 and 2002
the respective years of the grant date.
F-26
NOTE 11: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS
The Company's principal Operating Subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada,
Trinidad, Germany and France provide defined benefit pension plans to their
employees. A brief summary of the plans provided by the subsidiaries in the
countries in which the Company operates is as follows:
U.S. and Canadian Plans
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary's Pension Plan and Pension Trust which covers
certain employees of the Company, is a non-contributory benefit plan with
pensions based on final pay and years of service for all salaried employees and
certain wage employees, and years of service and a fixed rate (in most instances
based on frozen pay or on job class) for all other wage employees including
members of the United Steelworkers of America.
The Canadian Operating Subsidiary offers contributory and non-contributory
defined benefit pension plans for substantially all of its employees. Benefits
for the non-contributory plans are generally calculated based on the number of
years of service of the unionized employees and based on actuarial computations.
Benefits for the contributory plans are generally calculated based on the number
of years of service and the maximum average eligible earnings of each employee
during any period of five consecutive years.
The Canadian Operating Subsidiary provides certain post-employment and
post-retirement medical benefits and life insurance for certain groups of
retired employees. The Company is accruing the cost of these benefits for
current and future retirees using the projected unit credit actuarial method.
Trinidad Plan
The Company's Operating Subsidiary in Trinidad maintains a contributory
defined benefit pension plan for substantially all of its employees, the
benefits of which are based on the employees' length of service.
European Plans
The German Operating Subsidiaries maintain unfounded defined pension plans
for a certain number of employees the benefits of which are based on such
employees' length of service and applicable pension table under the terms of
individual agreements.
Additionally, certain of the employees at the Duisburg operations, after
completing a minimum period of continuous employment are entitled to a Pension
benefit based on length of service and compensation.
Under French law, the French Operating Subsidiaries have an obligation to
pay lump sum retirement indemnities to employees calculated based on the length
of service and compensation at retirement. The French Operating Subsidiaries
also have a commitment to provide additional post-retirement benefits linked to
years of service and compensation at retirement reduced by retirement benefits
available from the state managed pension scheme.
Additionally, lump sum payments are also required to be paid to employees
who have completed a defined number of years of service in the Company.
Mexican Plan
The Mexico Operating Subsidiary is obligated to provide seniority premiums,
which consist of a one-time payment of 12 days wages for each year worked,
calculated on the basis of the latest salary. Maximum salary used in these
calculations is limited to double the legal minimum wage.
F-27
The components of the net periodic benefit cost of the defined benefit
plans for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
Pension benefits
U.S. and Canadian Plans
------------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost.................................................................. $ 36 $ 42 40
Interest cost................................................................. 180 177 183
Expected return on plan assets................................................ (211) (210) (202)
Special termination benefits.................................................. 8 - -
Recognized actuarial gain..................................................... (1) 1 2
Amortizations................................................................. 9 9 13
----------- ------------ ----------
$ 21 $ 19 $ 36
=========== ============ ==========
Pension benefits
Trinidad Plan
-------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost.................................................................. $ 2 $ 2 $ 2
Interest cost................................................................. 3 3 3
Expected return on plan assets................................................ (5) (5) (6)
Net amortizations............................................................. - (1) -
----------- ------------ -----------
$ - $ (1) $ (1)
=========== ============ ===========
Pension benefits
European Plans
--------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost.................................................................. $ 1 $ 2 $ 2
Interest cost................................................................. 2 2 2
----------- ------------ -----------
$ 3 $ 4 $ 4
=========== ============ ===========
The following assumptions were used:
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Discount rates for obligations................................................ 6.50%-7.50% 6.50%-8.00% 6.25%-6.50%
Assumed rates of compensation increases....................................... 4.00% 4.00%-5.50% 3.00%-5.28%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets................................... 7.75%-9.50% 7.50%-9.50% 8.00%-9.50%
F-28
The change of benefit obligation and plan assets and reconciliation of
funded status through the measurement date are as follows:
Trinidad Plan
Year Ended December 31,
2002 2003
---- ----
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of the period.......... $ 28 $ 40
Service cost........................................... 2 2
Interest cost.......................................... 3 3
Participants' contributions............................ 1 1
Benefit improvements................................... 5 -
Actuarial (gains) losses............................... 2 8
Benefits paid.......................................... (1) (1)
-------- --------
Benefit obligation at end of the period................ $ 40 $ 53
-------- --------
Change in fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period... 54 61
Actual return on plan assets........................... 7 16
Employers' contribution................................ 1 1
Participants' contribution............................. 1 1
Benefits paid.......................................... (2) (2)
-------- --------
Fair value of plan assets at end of the period......... $ 61 $ 77
-------- --------
Funded status of the plans............................. 21 24
Unrecognized net actuarial losses...................... (15) (2)
Unrecognized transition asset.......................... (2) (15)
Unrecognized prior service cost........................ 12 10
-------- --------
Prepaid pension at end of period....................... $ 16 $ 17
======== ========
U.S. and Canadian Plans (1)
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of the period.......... $ 2,482 $ 2,605
Service cost........................................... 42 40
Interest cost.......................................... 177 183
Participants' contributions............................ 1 1
Plan amendment ........................................ - 41
Actuarial losses....................................... 115 242
Foreign currency exchange rate differences............. 3 65
Benefits paid.......................................... (215) (214)
-------- --------
Benefit obligation at end of the period................ $ 2,605 $ 2,963
-------- --------
Change in fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period... 2,043 1,741
Actual return on plan assets........................... (98) 324
Employers' contribution................................ 8 140
Participants' contributions............................ 1 1
Foreign currency exchange rate differences............. 2 42
Benefits paid.......................................... (215) (216)
-------- --------
Fair value of plan assets at end of the period......... $ 1,741 $ 2,032
-------- --------
Underfunded status of the plans........................ (864) (931)
Unrecognized net actuarial gains....................... 830 941
Unrecognized prior service cost........................ 84 117
-------- --------
Accrued pension liability at end of period............. $ 50 $ 127
-------- --------
Accrued benefit liability(2)........................... (842) (918)
Intangible asset....................................... 84 117
Accumulated other comprehensive income................. 808 928
-------- --------
Amount recognized on balance sheet..................... $ 50 $ 127
======== ========
F-29
(1) The actuarial computation for the U.S. Operating Subsidiary was performed
at November 30, 2003 while the actuarial computation for the other
Operating Subsidiaries was performed at December 31, 2003.
(2) At U.S. Operating Subsidiary an amount of $112 has been recorded under
current liabilities.
European Plans
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of the period.......... $ 32 $ 42
Service cost........................................... 2 2
Interest cost.......................................... 2 3
Plan amendments........................................ (2) -
Actuarial losses....................................... 3 -
Foreign currency exchange rate differences............. 5 11
------- --------
Benefit obligation at end of the period................ $ 42 $ 58
------- --------
Underfunded status of the plans........................ (42) (58)
------- --------
Accrued pension liability at end of period............. (42) (58)
------- --------
Amount recognized on balance sheet .................... $ (42) $ (58)
------- --------
Post-retirement benefits
The Company's Operating Subsidiaries in the U.S., Canada and France provide
post-retirement benefits, including medical benefits and life insurance benefits
to retirees. The post-retirement plans relate to the U.S., Canadian and French
operating subsidiaries.
Substantially all of the U.S. Operating Subsidiary's employees are covered
under post-retirement life insurance and medical benefit plans that require
deductible and co-insurance payments from retirees. The post-retirement life
insurance benefit formula used in the determination of post-retirement benefit
cost is primarily based on applicable annual earnings at retirement for salaried
employees and specific amounts for hourly employees. The U.S. Operating
Subsidiary does not prefund any of these post-retirement benefits. Effective
January 1, 1994, a Voluntary Employee Benefit Association Trust was established
for payment of health care benefits made to United Steel Workers of America.
Funding of the Trust is made as claims are submitted for payment.
The net periodic post-retirement benefit cost was as follows:
U.S. and Canadian Plans
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Service cost....................... $ 9 $ 8 $ 10
Interest cost ..................... 61 59 59
Amortization....................... (20) (20) (20)
Special termination benefits....... 3 - -
Recognized (gains)................. (3) (1) -
------ ------ ------
Net periodic benefit cost.......... $ 50 $ 46 $ 49
------ ------ ------
European Plans
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Service cost ...................... $ 1 $ 2 $ 1
Interest cost ..................... 1 1 1
----- ------ ------
Net periodic benefit cost.......... $ 2 $ 3 $ 2
------ ------ ------
F-30
The following weighted average assumptions were used in accounting for the
post-retirement benefit plan:
November 30, November 30, November 30,
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Discount rates for obligations..... 7.50% 6.50%-7.10% 6.25%-6.50%
Rate of compensation increase...... 4.00% 4.00% 3.00%-5.28%
Health care cost trend rate........ 4.50% 4.50% 4.50%-9.20%
The following tables sets forth the post-retirement benefit obligation at the
dates indicated:
U.S. and Canadian Plans
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Benefit obligation at beginning of period...... $ 812 $ 855
Service cost .................................. 8 9
Interest cost ................................. 59 59
Actuarial losses............................... 33 172
Plan amendments................................ - (105)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes......... - 4
Benefits paid ................................. (57) (65)
--------- ---------
Benefits obligation at end of period........... $ 855 $ 929
--------- ---------
Fair value of assets........................... - -
--------- ---------
Underfunded status of plan..................... (855) (929)
Unrecognized net (gain)........................ (65) 105
Unrecognized prior service cost................ (83) (166)
--------- ---------
Accrued post-retirement benefit obligation
at end of period.............................. $ (1,003) $ (990)
--------- ---------
European Plan
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Benefit obligation at beginning of period...... $ 15 $ 20
Service cost................................... 2 1
Interest cost ................................. 1 1
Benefits paid ................................. (1) (1)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes......... 3 4
--------- ---------
Benefits obligation at end of period........... $ 20 $ 25
--------- ---------
Fair value of assets........................... - -
--------- ---------
Underfunded status of plan..................... (20) (25)
Unrecognized prior service cost................ - -
--------- ---------
Accrued post-retirement benefit obligation at
end of period................................ $ (20) $ (25)
--------- ---------
An increase of 1% in the health care cost trend rate of the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary would increase the benefit obligation by $111 and the annual net
periodic cost by $9. A 1% decrease would reduce the benefit obligation by $99
and the annual net periodic annual net cost by $8.
At the Canadian Operating Subsidiary, for evaluation purposes, the annual
growth rate assumption for the cost of health care for each participant was
established at 9.2% in 2003. The rate is expected to gradually decline to 3.6%
in 2011 and remain at this level subsequently. A 1% change would have an effect
of $2.
F-31
NOTE 12: INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
The breakdown of the income tax expense (benefit) before extraordinary gains or
losses is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Current:
U.S. .................................................................. $ - $ (3) $ 11
America's (excluding U.S.)............................................. 2 14 3
Europe................................................................. 4 4 5
Others................................................................. 2 3 3
----------- ----------- -----------
Total current income tax expense (benefit)............................. $ 8 $ 18 $ 22
----------- ----------- -----------
Deferred:
U.S. .................................................................. (75) (17) (22)
America's (excluding U.S).............................................. (38) (59) (18)
Europe................................................................. (1) 4 10
----------- ----------- -----------
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)............................ $ (114) $ (72) $ (30)
----------- ----------- -----------
Total income tax expense (benefit)..................................... $ (106) $ (54) $ (8)
----------- ----------- -----------
The following table reconciles the income tax expense compared at the statutory
rate of each tax jurisdiction and the Company's overall effective tax rate:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Tax expense (benefit) at aggregate
statutory rates of all jurisdictions :
U.S. .................................................................. $ (69) $ 6 $ (13)
America's (excluding U.S).............................................. (124) 8 24
Europe ................................................................ (3) 12 23
Others................................................................. - 1 5
----------- ----------- -----------
$ (196) $ 27 $ 39
----------- ----------- -----------
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Benefit arising from interest in partnership................ America's (21) (13) (15)
Valuation allowance......................................... America's 13 (16) (12)
Valuation allowance......................................... Europe (8) (2) -
Effects of foreign currency translation..................... America's 18 (34) (12)
Restructuring............................................... Europe 12 (4) (8)
Tax loss carryforwards...................................... America's 33 27 -
Depreciation................................................ America's - (55) -
Export allowances........................................... America's - 28 1
Miscellaneous accruals...................................... U.S. (3) (23) -
Inflationary effects........................................ America's 35 14 -
Non-deductible expense...................................... America's 6 2 -
Participation in results of subsidiaries and others......... America's - (8) -
Others...................................................... Various 5 3 (1)
----------- ----------- -----------
Income tax expense (benefit)................................ $ (106) $ (54) $ (8)
----------- ----------- -----------
F-32
Deferred Income tax
Temporary differences and the resulting deferred tax assets and liabilities at
December 31, 2002 and 2003 are summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2002 2003
---- ----
Current deferred tax assets:
Facilities relocation restructuring......................... U.S. $ 19 $ 19
Accrued vacation............................................ U.S. 13 11
Inventories................................................. Europe 6 7
Inventories................................................. U.S. 6 -
Accrued expenses............................................ America's 1 5
Tax loss carryforwards...................................... America's 20 -
Others...................................................... U.S. 2 4
Others...................................................... America's 2 2
Others...................................................... Europe 2 5
----------- -----------
Total current deferred tax assets........................... $ 71 $ 53
=========== ===========
Year Ended December 31,
2002 2003
---- ----
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
Employee benefit costs...................................... U.S. $ 346 $ 345
Minimum pension liability................................... U.S. 275 321
Net operating losses and alternative minimum tax............ U.S. 191 251
Net operating losses and alternative minimum tax............ America's 66 65
Others...................................................... America's 101 173
Others...................................................... Europe 58 78
Others...................................................... U.S. 48 46
----------- -----------
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets........................ 1,085 1,279
----------- -----------
Total deferred tax assets................................... 1,156 1,332
----------- -----------
Valuation allowances
Valuation allowance......................................... Europe (60) (73)
Valuation allowance......................................... America's - (14)
Valuation allowance......................................... Others (3) -
----------- -----------
(63) (87)
----------- -----------
Net deferred tax asset after valuation allowances........... $ 1,093 $ 1,245
----------- -----------
Year Ended December 31,
2002 2003
---- ----
Current deferred tax liabilities:
Amortizations expense....................................... U.S. $ (4) $ (5)
Capitalized interest........................................ U.S. - (2)
Deduction in purchase in lieu of cost of sales.............. America's (19) (20)
----------- -----------
Total current deferred tax liabilities...................... $ (23) $ (27)
----------- -----------
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment............................... U.S. (486) (507)
Property, plant and equipment............................... America's (135) (154)
Investment in joint ventures................................ U.S. (51) (51)
Others...................................................... America's (7) (10)
Others...................................................... Europe (11) (32)
Others...................................................... U.S. (1) (1)
----------- -----------
Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities................... (691) (755)
----------- -----------
Total deferred tax liabilities.............................. (714) (782)
----------- -----------
$ 379 $ 463
=========== ===========
F-33
At December 31, 2003, the Company had a valuation allowance of $87 ($63 at
December 31, 2002) to reduce its deferred tax assets to estimated realizable
value. The valuation allowance primarily relates to the deferred tax assets
arising from tax loss operating carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards in
France as well as other temporary timing differences. In France, tax loss
operating carryforwards and capital loss carryforwards have no expiration date.
The utilization of tax operating carryforwards is, however, restricted to the
taxable income of the subsidiary generating the losses. In addition, capital
loss carryforwards can only be offset against capital gains. The increase in the
total valuation allowance, arising from French Operating and Canadian Operating
Subsidiary, for the year ended December 31, 2003 was principally from a
reduction in the temporary timing differences between the fiscal and commercial
valuation of certain balance sheet items as well as a limited utilization of the
tax loss carry forward. Offsetting this increase was a decrease in the valuation
allowance at Trinidad Operating Subsidiary.
At December 31, 2003, based upon the level of historical taxable income and
projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the temporary
timing differences are anticipated to reverse, management believes it is more
likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible
differences, net of the valuation allowances, at December 31, 2003. However, the
amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be adjusted in the
future if estimates of taxable income are revised.
The Company has not provided any deferred income taxes on the undistributed
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries based upon its determination that such
earnings will be indefinitely reinvested. At December 31, 2003, the cumulative
undistributed earnings of these subsidiaries were approximately $375 million
($321 million at December 31, 2002). If such earnings were not considered
indefinitely reinvested, deferred foreign income taxes would have been provided,
after consideration of estimated foreign tax credits. However, determination of
the amount of deferred federal and foreign income taxes is not practical.
Tax loss carry forward
At December 31, 2003, the U.S., the Mexican and the Canadian Operating
Subsidiary had their net operating loss carryforwards expiring as follows:
Year Expiring
2009 ................................................................... $65
2010 ................................................................... 47
2011 ................................................................... 33
2012 ................................................................... 97
2013 ................................................................... 14
2019 ................................................................... 80
2020 ................................................................... 190
2021 ................................................................... 260
2023 ................................................................... 152
At Germany, Trinidad, France and the Netherlands the net operating loss
carryforwards do not expire and are indefinite.
F-34
NOTE 13: OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
Other operating expenses include:
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Closure of Company's Irish Operating Subsidiary.......................... $ 17 $ - $ -
Arbitration settlement with respect to a scrap supply contract........... 19 - -
Write-down in value of certain e-commerce software(1).................... 17 - -
Impairment loss on oceangoing vessels(1)................................. 22 - -
Write-off of Empire Mine investments..................................... - 39 -
Impairment loss on 2A Bloomer and 21" Bar Mill........................... - 23 -
------- -------- --------
$ 75 $ 62 $ -
======= ======== ========
(1) Certain regroupings have been made to the prior period's financial
statements in order to conform to 2002 groupings.
F-35
NOTE 14: PROVISIONS AND ALLOWANCES
Balance at Additions charged to Deduction/ Balance at
December 31, 2002 cost & expenses release December 31, 2003
----------------- --------------- ------- -----------------
Accounts receivable........................ $ 41 $ 6 $ - $ 47
Environmental (see Note 16)................ 28 9 - 37
Shutdown reserves(1)....................... 23 7 3 27
Voluntary severance offer and other........ 1 - - 1
Deferred tax valuation allowances.......... 63 - 24 87
(1) The U.S. Operating Subsidiary maintains various shutdown reserves for former
or dormant entities. Additions relate to liability recorded upon adoption of
SFAS 143 on January 1, 2003 and accretion during 2003 (see Note 15).
F-36
NOTE 15: COMMITMENTS
The Company leases various facilities, land and equipment under
non-cancelable lease arrangements which expire at various dates through 2031. In
most cases, management expects that in the normal course of business, leases
that expire will be renewed or replaced by other leases.
Future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have
initial or remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year are as follows:
Year ending
2004 .................................................................. $ 19
2005 .................................................................. 16
2006 .................................................................. 7
2007 .................................................................. 4
2008 .................................................................. 4
Thereafter.............................................................. 39
-----
Total minimum lease payments............................................ $ 89
=====
Rent expense amounted to $29, $27 and $30 for the years ended December 31,
2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively.
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various long-term
raw material supply contracts which generally provide for the purchase prices to
be negotiated annually based on market prices.
In the ordinary course of its business the Company has guaranteed certain
debts of its subsidiaries, totaling $1,500.
On July 16, 1998, the Company's U.S. Operating Subsidiary entered into an
agreement (the "Agreement") with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the
"PBGC") to provide certain assurances with respect to the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary's Pension Plan. In accordance with the Agreement, the Company
provided the PBGC a $160 letter of credit which expired on July 9, 2003, and had
made $242 of contributions to the Pension Trust through June 30, 2003. The U.S.
Operating Subsidiary made a further payment of $54.5 during the first quarter of
2003. In addition, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary granted to the PBGC a first
priority lien on selected assets. In July 2003, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary
reached an agreement with the PBGC regarding alternative security for the $160
letter of credit. The letter of credit was allowed to expire, and in its place,
the U.S. Operating Subsidiary agreed to contribute $160 to its Pension Plan over
the next two years. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary contributed $50 in July 2003,
$21 in September 2003, and is required to contribute $82.5 in 2004 and $27.5 in
2005. Additionally, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary pledged $160 of non-interest
bearing First Mortgage Bonds to the PBGC as security until the remaining $110
has been contributed to the Pension Plan and certain tests have been met.
Also, under the Agreement, Ryerson Tull Inc., the former parent of the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary, provided to the PBGC a $50 guarantee of the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary's pension plan obligations, later issuing a letter of credit to
secure this guarantee. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary committed to take all
necessary action to replace the guaranty/letter of credit by July 16, 2003, but
was unable to do so, and therefore the guaranty and letter of credit continued
in place. Separately, on September 15, 2003, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary
entered into a settlement agreement with Ryerson Tull under which, among other
things, Ryerson Tull paid the U.S. Operating Subsidiary $21 to release Ryerson
Tull from various environmental and other indemnification obligations arising
out of the sale by Ryerson Tull of the U.S. Operating Subsidiary to the Company.
The $21 received from Ryerson Tull was paid into the U.S. Operating Subsidiary
Pension Plan and went to reduce the amount of the Ryerson Tull guaranty/letter
of credit. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has agreed to make specified monthly
contributions to its Pension Plan totaling $29 over the twelve-month period
beginning January 2004, thereby eliminating any remaining guaranty/letter of
credit obligations of Ryerson Tull with respect to the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary's Pension Plan. In addition, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary committed
to reimburse Ryerson Tull for the cost of the letter of credit to the PBGC, and
to share with Ryerson Tull one-third of any proceeds which the U.S. Operating
Subsidiary might receive in the future in connection with a certain
environmental insurance policy.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has guaranteed $55 of long-term debt
attributable to I/N Kote, one of its equity investments.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has a 15 year agreement, with approximately
11 years remaining, with a third party to purchase approximately 1.2 million
tons of coke annually, on a take or pay basis at prices determined by certain
cost factors
F-37
from a heat recovery coke battery facility located on land leased to the third
party. Under a separate tolling agreement with another third party, the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary has committed to pay tolling charges over approximately 11
remaining years to desulpharize exhaust gas from the coke battery and to convert
the heat output from the coke battery to electrical power and steam. At December
31, 2003 and 2002, the estimated minimum tolling charges remaining over the life
of this agreement were approximately $199 and $225 respectively.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has, as a part of the agreement covering the
1990 sale of the Inland Lime & Stone Company division assets, agreed, subject to
certain exceptions, to purchase at prices which approximate market, its annual
limestone needs through 2002. With the completion of that agreement, the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary is considering competitive bids for its limestone needs for
2003 and beyond.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has a total amount of firm commitments to
contractors and suppliers in connection with construction projects primarily
related to additions to property, plant and equipment for an amount of $2
million at December 31, 2003, and $7 at December 31, 2002.
In the fourth quarter of 2002, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary recognized a
write-off amounting to $39 for the assets associated with the Empire Mine
Partnership. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary agreed to sell part of its interest
in the Empire Partnership to a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. for 'one'
U.S. Dollar thereby reducing its interest to 21%. Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. will
indemnify the U.S. Operating Subsidiary for liabilities associated with the
Operating Subsidiary's continuing ownership interest in the Empire Partnership.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary will have the option to sell its remaining
interest in the Empire Partnership for 'one' U.S. Dollar to a subsidiary of
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. at any time after December 31, 2007. In addition, for
twelve years, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary will purchase from subsidiaries of
Cleveland-Cliffs all of its pellet requirements beyond those produced by the
Minorca Mine and such subsidiary's remaining interest in Empire. The U.S.
Operating Subsidiary will pay a price for such pellets based on an agreed
methodology which is fixed for 2003 and 2004 and will be adjusted thereafter
based on a formula.
Under the new 10 5/8% Senior Structured Export Certificates (the 'New
SENs') of Imexsa Export Trust No. 96-1 issued in exchange for outstanding 10
1/8% Senior Structured Export Certificates of Imexsa Export Trust No. 96-1 (See
Notes 9 and 19), the Company's Mexican Operating Subsidiary is committed to sell
steel slabs to Mitsubishi Corporation and other customers with a Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services and Moody's Investor Service, Inc. credit rating no
lower than Mitsubishi during the term of the agreement, which expires in May 31,
2005, based on sufficient volumes of slabs to generate receivables in each
quarter in an aggregate face amount equal to 2 times the scheduled quarterly
debt service (principal and interest) of the New SENs. The selling price of
steel slabs to Mitsubishi Corporation or other customer for any quarter is
derived from a formula based on the market price.
In August 1999, the Mexican Operating Subsidiary entered into a long-term
slab supply agreement commencing in January 2001, with a local customer APM S.A.
de C.V. (now IMSA-MEX, S.A. de C.V.), whereby the customer will purchase 75% of
its total slab requirements at 99% of the weighted average FOB Stowed base price
for Mexican Operating Subsidiary's non-affiliated customers plus the quality
extras. Under this contract the Mexican Subsidiary shipped approximately 0.817
million tones in 2002 and approximately 1.012 million tones in 2003.
On March 27, 1996, the Mexican Operating Subsidiary entered into an
agreement for the period to December 31, 2005, with Pemex Gas y Petroquimica
Basica ("Pemex") to purchase natural gas. On February 8, 2001, the Company's
Mexican Subsidiary entered into a three year agreement for the period January 1,
2001 to December 31, 2003, with Pemex to purchase 25,350 Gcal per day of natural
gas at a fixed price of $4 per mmbtu excluding transportation charges. During
2004 the Mexican Operating Subsidiary will consume approximately 39,000 Gcal per
day of natural gas to be invoiced by Pemex at the prevailing market price
applied for each month.
Pursuant to its agreement with ISCOTT, the Company was required to offer
new shares representing 40% of its Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary's total
issued share capital in a public offering to Trinidadian and Tobagonian
nationals and locally controlled corporations by June 30, 1998. The Agreement
also provides that such offering must be made at a fair price and on such other
terms to be negotiated, and in default of agreement, by the Trinidad and Tobago
Stock Exchange (TTSE). The Government extended the deadline to make the offering
in the second half of 2000 and has also agreed in principle, as an alternative
arrangement, to allow the shares of Ispat International to be listed and offered
on the TTSE. The Company is currently working with the Government to resolve the
requirement.
In September 2002, the Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary in agreed with the
National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited ('NGC') to pay outstanding
amounts for gas supplied whereby they paid to NGC approximately $5 in 2002 and
F-38
approximately $19 in 2003 and agreed to pay $10 in monthly installments in 2004
towards the outstanding balance including interest. The Trinidadian Operating
Subsidiary further agreed to accelerate certain of these payments to NGC in the
event of increased cash flow under a variable factor method.
The Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary had an agreement with a third party to
purchase between 2.5 and 4.5 million metric tons of direct reduction iron ore
pellets annually, for ten years, on a take or pay basis. In 2002 the parties
reached an agreement to replace the remainder of the contract with annually
negotiated purchase agreements and entered into an agreement for the purchase of
2.5 million metric tons of direct reduction iron ore pellets between January 1,
2002 and February 28, 2003. The Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary entered into a
subsequent agreement for the purchase of 3.0 million metric tons of direct
reduction iron ore pellets between March 1, 2003 and February 29, 2004. It is
anticipated that in 2004 a further annual purchase agreement will be negotiated.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS
No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." This Statement
establishes standards for accounting for legal obligations associated with the
retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement
costs. The Company adopted the Standard during the first quarter of 2003. SFAS
143 requires that the Company record the fair value of a legal liability for an
asset retirement obligation ("ARO") in the period in which it is incurred and
capitalize the ARO by increasing the carrying amount of the related asset. The
liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost
is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. The Company adopted
the provisions of SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003. Based on analysis the Company
has performed, it has been determined that there are two assets for which an
asset retirement obligation must be recorded.
The first asset is the Company's Minorca Mine at Ispat Inland. The Minorca Mine,
through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, does have a
reclamation plan on file with the state of Minnesota. Each year the Minorca Mine
is required by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to submit an
annual mining and reclamation summary for the year just completed and to provide
mining and reclamation plans for the coming year. When possible the Minorca Mine
reclaims abandoned areas on a yearly basis. By doing this, the mine keeps up
with the reclamation to avoid a huge cost at the end of the mine life. Each fall
the MDNR conducts a field review of prior reclamation work, to point out
deficiencies that need to be corrected. A complete environmental site assessment
was done in 1996. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency conducted a multi-media
inspection of the entire property with no violations. Currently, Ispat Inland
Mining Company is in compliance with all environmental standards and therefore,
the Company expects little or no environmental remediation at the time of
closure of the mine. As of December 31, 2003, the estimated total future
reclamation costs have a fair value of $18 with an estimated potential reserve
of 40,044,000 gross tons of pellets.
The second asset retirement obligation relates to the removal costs of the
manufacturing facilities and remediation at the site property at Ispat Hamburg.
Under the terms of the lease agreement, Ispat Hamburg will be responsible for
removal and remediation costs for the factory land at the end of its lease in
2013. At Ispat Europe, there was a provision of $11 for retirement obligations
on the same asset but not calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS
143 which was reversed on adoption of SFAS 143.
The cumulative impact of adopting SFAS 143, is an increase in assets and
liabilities of $9 and $19, respectively. Accordingly, a cumulative post-tax gain
of $1 is reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Income as a Cumulative
Effect of change in Accounting Principle.
Changes in the liability for asset retirement obligations during 2003 consisted
of the following:
Total
------
Balance as of January 1, 2003
- Liability calculated as per SFAS 143.............................................................. $17
- Provision for the liability created in previous years at Ispat Europe............................. 11
Liabilities incurred................................................................................ 1
Reversal of provision not required.................................................................. (11)
Translation adjustment.............................................................................. 2
------
Balance as of December 31, 2003.................................................................... $ 20
======
F-39
The asset retirement obligation liability balances as if SFAS No. 143 had
been adopted on January 1, 2001 (instead of January 1, 2003) were as follows:
2002 2003
---- ----
Liability for asset retirement obligations at beginning of period................................... $15 $17
Liability for asset retirement obligations at end of period......................................... 17 20
In 2003, the cumulative effect of change in accounting principle from the
application of SFAS 143 was as follows:
Total
-----
Cumulative retirement obligation arising from application of SFAS 143............................... $10
Provision previously recognized at Ispat Europe for the asset retirement obligation................. (11)
-------
Cumulative gain effect of change in Accounting Principle............................................ $ (1)
=======
F-40
NOTE 16: CONTINGENCIES
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company is party to various
legal actions.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary is involved in various environmental and
other administrative or judicial actions initiated by governmental agencies.
While it is not possible to predict the results of these matters, the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary does not believe environmental expenditures, excluding
amounts that may be required in connection with the 1993 Consent Decree in the
1990 Environmental Protection Agency ('EPA') lawsuit, will materially affect the
results of operations or financial position. Corrective actions relating to the
EPA Consent Decree may require significant expenditures over the next several
years that may be material to the results of operations, the financial position
and the liquidity of the Company. At December 31, 2003, the reserves for
environmental liabilities totaled $28, $22 of which is related to the sediment
remediation under the 1993 EPA Consent Decree. These amounts were unchanged from
those outstanding at December 31, 2002.
In October 1996 the U.S. Operating Subsidiary was identified as a
potentially responsible party due to alleged releases of hazardous substances
from its Indiana Harbor Works facility and was notified of the Natural Resource
Damages Act (NRDA) Trustees' intent to perform an environmental assessment on
the Grand Calumet River and Indiana Harbor Canal System. A form of Consent
Decree has been negotiated and the U.S. Operating Subsidiary currently believes
it will be approved by the appropriate court in the first half of 2004 under
which the U.S. Operating Subsidiary would pay approximately $1.5 in the first
year and approximately $1.7 in each of the four years thereafter, for a total of
approximately $8.2. The U.S. Operating Subsidiary has also incurred
approximately $0.5 in costs related to this matter which will be payable within
30 days of the Consent Decree. Although the U.S. Operating Subsidiary has
implemented an accounting reserve on this matter for approximately $8.7, the
U.S. Operating Subsidiary currently believes that, as a result of related
ongoing negotiations with the EPA, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary will be able to
reduce the amount of a separate $28 environmental reserve established concerning
the U.S. Operating Subsidiary's 1993 environmental Consent Decree by $7 - $9.
Until such time as the matter is finally resolved, it is not possible to
accurately predict, beyond the currently established reserve, the amount of the
U.S. Operating Subsidiary's potential liability or whether this potential
liability could materially affect the U.S. Operating Subsidiary's financial
position.
On July 2, 2002 the U.S. Operating Subsidiary received a notice of
violation ("NOV") issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency against the
Company, Indiana Harbor Coke Company, L.P. ("IHCC") and Cokenergy, Inc.,
alleging violations of air quality and permitting regulations for emissions from
the Heat Recovery Coal Carbonization facility which is operated by IHCC. An
amended NOV stating similar allegations was issued on August 8, 2002. Although
the U.S. Operating Subsidiary currently believes that its liability with respect
to this matter will be minimal, the U.S. Operating Subsidiary could be found
liable for violations and this potential liability could materially affect the
financial position of the U.S. Operating Subsidiary.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary is anticipated to make capital expenditures
of $2 to $5 annually in each of the next five years for construction, and have
ongoing annual expenditures (non-capital) of $35 to $40 for the operation of air
and water pollution control facilities to comply with current federal state and
local laws and regulations.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary and an independent, unaffiliated producer of
raw materials are parties to a long-term supply agreement under which the U.S.
Operating Subsidiary was obligated to fund an escrow account to indemnify said
producer of raw materials against a specific contingency. Contributions to the
escrow were determined by the agreement and the funds were restricted from the
U.S. Operating Subsidiary's use while in the escrow. The U.S. Operating
Subsidiary received full recovery of $39, the escrowed amount, in April of 2001.
In December 2001, the Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary settled arbitration
proceedings with respect to a scrap supply contract. This amounted to $21 of
which $16 was paid in cash and the balance of $5 is being paid in twelve
quarterly installments which started on March 31, 2002. No interest is to accrue
on the remaining balance unless the remaining installments are not paid when
due. During 2002 a claim by a third party for alleged entitlement to the
settlement monies was the subject of separate proceedings in Trinidad which have
been settled without any additional liability on the Company.
On March 5, 2002, as a result of an investigation under Section 201 of U.S.
trade laws, U.S. imposed tariffs on imports into the United States of numerous
steel products. These remedies included 30% tariff rate increases for hot-rolled
sheet, cold-rolled sheet, coated sheet, and hot-rolled bar with the rates
declining to 24% in year two and 18% in year three. The Section 201 remedy
allowed Ispat Inland to increase U.S. prices for some of the covered products,
benefiting the U.S. Operating Subsidiary's financial position.
F-41
Several foreign supplying countries challenged the U.S.'s action through
the dispute resolution procedures of the World Trade Organisation ("WTO"), and
on November 11, 2003 the WTO issued a final ruling against the Section 201
remedy. The EU and Japan announced that they would impose retaliatory tariffs on
a wide range of products if the United States did not repeal the Section 201
tariffs. Following the issuance of a mid-term review of the Section 201 program,
the President ended the Section 201 program on December 4, 2003, finding that
the domestic steel industry's increased productivity, decreased production
costs, and new labor agreements demonstrate that the industry has made
sufficient progress in its restructuring efforts.
On December 13, 2003, in response to the elimination of the U.S. Section
201 tariffs, the EU repealed duties on steel products from the United States. In
response to the Section 201 tariffs, the EU had imposed quotas on several
hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel products in September 2002, with tariffs
ranging from 15.7 to 23.4% on imports above quota levels. Canada initiated its
own steel safeguard proceedings in response to the U.S. Section 201 tariffs, but
it did not impose tariffs against steel imports, citing WTO compliance issues
and NAFTA market distortion concerns.
Twice, in 2000 and 2002, U.S. petitioners sought to have antidumping and
countervailing duties assessed against cold-rolled imports from 12 countries and
20 countries, respectively. Both times, the U.S. International Trade Commission
("ITC") issued negative final injury determinations, effectively terminating the
investigations. U.S. petitioners appealed the 2000 ITC decision to the U.S.
Court of International Trade ("CIT"), which remanded that decision to the ITC on
October 28, 2003. The ITC is expected to issue its revised findings by March 31,
2004. U.S. petitioners have appealed the 2002 ITC decision to the CIT, while
some of the respondents have raised on appeal issues relating to the final
tariff margin determinations of the U.S. Department of Commerce ("Commerce") in
that investigation. Also, in May of 2004, the U.S. government - Commerce and the
ITC -- will begin a review of existing countervailing duty and antidumping
orders against hot-rolled carbon steel flat products from Brazil, Japan and
Russia that could result in the orders' termination. These events could have a
modestly negative impact on the financial condition of the Company's U.S.
subsidiary.
In 2002, U.S. trade agencies also made affirmative determinations under
U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duty ("CVD") laws for steel wire rod. The
Operating Subsidiaries in Trinidad, Canada and Europe and certain of the
operating companies under the European Operating Subsidiary were required to
post bonds on their exports to the U.S. in 2001, and in 2002 final dumping and
CVD margins were issued. For the Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary, the margins
are 11.40% and 0% respectively which entitles the company to receive a refund of
the CVD already paid. No margins were assessed against the operating companies
under the European Operating Subsidiary since the investigation was terminated
as to Germany following a finding of "negligibility" in the German AD case. For
the Canadian Operating Subsidiary, the AD and CVD margins were 2.54% and 6.61%,
respectively. On November 3, 2003, following a joint request from U.S. producers
and the Canadian Operating Subsidiary, the U.S. Department of Commerce initiated
a changed circumstances review of the countervailing duty order on carbon and
certain alloy steel wire rod from Canada. As a result the Department of Commerce
revoked the countervailing duty order on January 23, 2004 and will instruct U.S.
Customs to refund all countervailing duty deposits made by the Canadian
Operating Subsidiary on or after February 8, 2002.
In April 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce issued preliminary
anti-dumping duty margins against cold-rolled imports from 20 countries.
However, in late 2002 the U.S. ITC issued negative final injury determinations
against all 20 countries, terminating the investigations and eliminating the
duties. The effect on the U.S. Operating Subsidiary is likely to be somewhat
negative. The U.S. petitioners have appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of
International Trade ("CIT"). The CIT remanded the final determinations to the
ITC on October 28, 2003. The ITC must issue its revised findings by March 31,
2004.
Under the U.S. Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 ("CDSOA"),
commonly known as the "Byrd Amendment," the U.S. Operating Subsidiary was
awarded approximately $1.2 million in collected customs duties for FY 2002,
based on its participation in or support for various U.S. AD and CVD cases. The
payment is based on "qualifying expenditures" and is distributed to U.S. steel
companies out of funds collected from foreign producers under AD and CVD orders.
The U.S. Operating Subsidiary was scheduled to receive approximately $2 million
under the CDSOA for FY 2003, but the funds have been withheld by U.S. Customs
pending a resolution of the issue of whether "successor companies" can receive
CDSOA distributions. On September 2, 2002, the WTO issued a final ruling
condemning the CDSOA. In its ruling the WTO recommended that the U.S. repeal the
Byrd Amendment in order to comply with its findings. The U.S. government has
appealed the decision, but the future of the CDSOA and offset distributions is
questionable.
While several of the developments described above may be expected to
benefit certain subsidiaries of the Company, there can be no assurance that
potential benefits will ultimately accrue because of WTO challenges, exclusion
requests, and various economic uncertainties.
F-42
The European Commission has raised claims of (euro) 47 million for
repayment by DSG Dradenauer Stahlgesellschaft mbH ('DSG') of loan amounts
alleged to qualify as improper subsidies from the City of Hamburg. These
subsidies are claimed to be contradictory to the European Commission's rulings
on competitive markets in the steel industry and the European Commission has
initiated legal action to settle the matter. In April 2002, the European Court
of Justice decided that the loan was an unauthorized subsidy under the EC law.
DSG has stated that the loan is fully repaid. The court in Hamburg, Germany has
confirmed the position of DSG. An appeal is now pending in the German courts and
a decision is expected in March 2004. The Company cannot predict the final
outcome of these proceedings. In August 2002, DSG was sold and consequently is
no longer a subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to a constitutional challenge to the 1999 Tax Reforms of the
Mexican Tax Code's Consolidation Regime by the Company's Mexican holding
company, Grupo Ispat International S.A. de C.V. ('Grupo'), Grupo and or
consolidated subsidiaries had to pay the difference between the provisional
amount paid under the old rules and the provisional amount required under the
new rules adjusted for actualization and penalties. The net amount payable
according to the authorities was approximately $13 and this was paid in full in
June 2002. In December 2002, a settlement agreement was signed with the Mexican
tax authorities concerning the final amount.
In May 2003 the Irish Government commenced proceedings against the Mexican
Operating Subsidiary and the Company, claiming certain environmental cleanup
costs relating to the site of Irish Ispat Limited, which was closed in 2001 (see
Note 1). The Irish Government has not yet served its Statement of Claim. The
Company is currently unable to assess the amount, if any, of the Mexican
Operating Subsidiary's or the Company's liability.
In the Autumn of 2002, three subsidiaries of the Company (Trefileurope
S.A., Trefileurope Italia S.r.l. and Fontainunion S.A.), along with other
European manufacturers of pre-stressed wire and strands steel products, received
notice from the European Commission that it was conducting an investigation into
possible anti-competitive practices. The Company and its subsidiaries are
cooperating fully with the European Commission in this investigation. Should the
European Commission find that the companies have breached the EC law, it may
impose a fine on the company or companies that it holds responsible for the
conduct, through decisive influence or otherwise. The fine levied cannot exceed
the limit set in Article 15(2) of EC Council Regulation 17/62. The Company is
currently unable to assess the ultimate outcome of the proceedings before the
European Commission or the amount of any fines that may result. As the alleged
anti-competitive activities would have taken place in large part prior to the
acquisition of the subsidiaries, the Company has notified the previous owners
that it will hold them liable for all consequences of the investigation.
In September 2003, the owners of a bulk cargo vessel commenced arbitration
proceedings against our Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary and an affiliate in
connection with the loss of the vessel which had been chartered by the affiliate
to carry a cargo of DRI from Trinidad to Indonesia. No specific claim has been
made at the current time against our Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary. The
Company is unable to estimate the amount of liability, if any, of our
Trinidadian Operating Subsidiary.
F-43
NOTE 17: SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The management considers the Company's steel operation to be a single
business segment. As the Company has no operations in its home country of the
Netherlands, all of its sales are considered to be foreign sales. Annual sales
to any individual customer did not exceed 10% of total sales in any of the
periods presented.
Information with respect to the Company's operations in different
geographic areas is as follows:
--------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Americas Europe
U.S. Mexico Canada Trinidad France Germany Ireland
Year ended December 31, 2001
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 2,212 $ 534 $ 503 $ 103 $ 535 $ 582 $17
Net sales 2,143 481 479 285 508 620 17
Operating income (127) (49) 21 (11) 15 31 (2)
Total assets at December 31, 2001 3,080 1,480 857 528 266 327 -
Depreciation 104 21 19 18 6 5 1
Capital expenditures 29 22 13 9 15 10
Year ended December 31, 2002
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 2,388 $ 588 $ 557 $ 129 $ 618 $ 609 $ -
Net sales 2,316 654 534 322 598 673 -
Operating income 33 57 41 18 38 (7) -
Total assets at December 31, 2002 3,162 1,449 883 523 451 377 -
Depreciation 99 21 20 19 7 7 -
Capital expenditures 52 9 14 6 10 16 -
Year ended December 31, 2003
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 2,340 $ 868 $ 591 $ 238 $ 642 $ 719 $ -
Net sales 2,268 846 560 208 608 661 -
Operating income (4) 86 1 50 (26) 52 -
Total assets at December 31, 2003 3,183 1,458 971 492 427 658 -
Depreciation 97 22 24 20 10 7 -
Capital expenditures 111 15 8 8 6 16 -
Others & Consolidated
Eliminations
Year ended December 31, 2001
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ - $ 4,486
Net sales (255) 4,278
Operating income (72) (194)
Total assets at December 31, 2001 (1,225) 5,313
Depreciation 3 177
Capital expenditures (1) 97
Year ended December 31, 2002
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ - $ 4,889
Net sales (451) 4,646
Operating income (38) 142
Total assets at December 31, 2002 (1,333) 5,512
Depreciation 4 177
Capital expenditures 1 108
Year ended December 31, 2003
Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 43 $ 5,441
Net sales 43 5,194
Operating income (8) 151
Total assets at December 31, 2003 (1,554) 5,635
Depreciation 3 183
Capital expenditures - 164
F-44
NOTE 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR ISSUER, SUBSIDIARIES AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
The senior notes issued by Ispat Europe will be jointly, severally, fully and
unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by Ispat International, Ispat
Germany GmbH, Ispat Hamburger Stahlwerke GmbH, Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH and
Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld GmbH. Presented below is condensed consolidating
financial information for:
- Ispat International on a parent company only basis;
- Ispat Europe, on a parent company only basis;
- Ispat Europe's guarantor subsidiaries, Ispat Germany GmbH, Ispat Hamburger
Stahlwerke GmbH, Ispat Stahlwerk Ruhrort GmbH and Ispat Walzdraht Hochfeld
GmbH on a combined basis;
- Ispat Europe's non-guarantor subsidiary, Ispat Unimetal;
- Ispat Europe eliminations; and
- Ispat Europe consolidated;
- Ispat International's non-guarantor subsidiaries, on a combined basis;
- Ispat International eliminations; and
- Ispat International and subsidiaries consolidated.
Ispat Europe has no business operation of its own. Accordingly, it can only pay
dividends or distributions to the extent it is able to arrange a distribution
from its subsidiaries, recognize gain from the sale of its assets or records
share premium from the issuance of common shares. Ispat Europe's operating
subsidiaries are subject to certain restrictions under the terms of certain of
their debt agreements for paying dividends. As a result, none of Ispat Europe's
retained earnings are free of restriction for the payment of dividends as at
December 31, 2003.
F-45
Condensed consolidating statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2001
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ----------------------------------
Net sales $ - $ - $ 630
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately - - 562
below)
Depreciation - - 5
Selling, general and administrative 6 - 34
Other operating expense - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (6) 29
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries (306) 33 -
Other income (expense) - net - - 2
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) - (12) (2)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes (312) 21 29
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current - - 3
Deferred - - (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ (312) $ 21 $ 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 552 $ (38) $ 1,144
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 492 (29) 1,025
below)
Depreciation 6 8 19
Selling, general and administrative 36 (8) 62
Other operating expense - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 18 (9) 38
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - (33) -
Other income (expense) - net - - 2
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (2) - (16)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 16 (42) 24
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 1 - 4
Deferred - - (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 15 $ (42) $ 21
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net sales $ 3,631 $ (289) $ 4,486
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 3,517 (269) 4,273
below)
Depreciation 189 8 216
Selling, general and administrative 91 (4) 155
Other operating expense - 36 36
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (166) (60) (194)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - 306 -
Other income (expense) - net 253 (242) 13
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (212) - (228)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange (126) 117 (9)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 121 (418)
(251)
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 4 - 8
Deferred (115) 2 (114)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ (140) $ 119 $ (312)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2001
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ---------------------------------
Net income $ (312) $ 21 $ 27
Other comprehensive income (loss) (241) - (7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ (553) $ 21 $ 20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
-----------------------------------------------
Net income $ 15 $ (42) $ 21
Other comprehensive income (loss) (4) - (11)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 11 $ (42) $ 10
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net income $ (140) $ 119 $ (312)
Other comprehensive income (loss) (230) 241 (241)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ (370) $ 360 $ (553)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-46
Condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2001
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
------------------------------------------
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ --------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 8 $ 15 $ 54
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment - - (10)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - - 36
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures (13) - -
Other - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (13) - 26
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks - - -
Proceeds from long-term debt - 125 -
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - 10 -
Payments of payable to banks - - (43)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties - (13) (36)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated - (13) -
Purchase of treasury stock (1) - -
Sale of treasury stock 5 - -
Dividends - (122) -
Issue of share capital - net - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 4 (13) (79)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1) 2 1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash - (2) 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 1 - 14
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ - $ - $ 17
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
-----------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 3 $ (3) $ 69
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (15) - (25)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - - 36
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures - - -
Other - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (15) - 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 12 - 12
Proceeds from long-term debt - - 125
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - (10) -
Payments of payable to banks - - (43)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties - - (49)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated - 13 -
Purchase of treasury stock - - -
Sale of treasury stock - - -
Dividends - - (122)
Issue of share capital - net - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 12 3 (77)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - - 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (1) - (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 5 - 19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 4 $ - $ 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ (12) $ (25) $ 40
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (86) 14 (97)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and 18 (17) 37
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures (221) 242 8
Other 4 - 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (285) 239 (48)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 2,404 - 2,416
Proceeds from long-term debt 14 (14) 125
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated 173 (173) -
Payments of payable to banks (2,375) - (2,418)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties (211) 10 (250)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated (17) 17 -
Purchase of treasury stock - - (1)
Sale of treasury stock - - 5
Dividends (65) 187 -
Issue of share capital - net 240 (240) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 163 (213) (123)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (134) 1 (131)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 4 (1) 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 194 - 214
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 64 $ - $ 85
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-47
Condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2002
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
-----------------------------------------
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ---------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ - $ - $ 21
Trade accounts receivable - - 67
Inventories - - 86
Other current assets 95 16 113
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 95 16 287
Property, plant and equipment - net - - 112
Investments in affiliates 359 367 11
Other assets 3 6 15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 457 $389 $425
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $ - $ 4 $ 16
Trade accounts payable - - 92
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 304 71 60
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 304 75 168
Long-term debt - 129 -
Deferred employee benefits - - 30
Other long-term obligations 25 1 21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Total liabilities 329 205 219
Shareholders' equity
128 184 206
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 457 $389 $425
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
--------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 12 $ - $ 33
Trade accounts receivable 71 - 138
Inventories 123 - 209
Other current assets 19 (86) 62
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 225 (86) 442
Property, plant and equipment - net 92 - 204
Investments in affiliates - (367) 11
Other assets 2 - 23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $319 $ (453) $ 680
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $ 26 $ - $ 46
Trade accounts payable 102 - 194
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 63 (72) 122
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 191 (72) 362
Long-term debt 1 - 130
Deferred employee benefits 48 - 78
Other long-term obligations 30 (14) 38
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 270 (86) 608
Shareholders' equity
49 (367) 72
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $319 $ (453) $ 680
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 44 $ - $ 77
Trade accounts receivable 391 - 529
Inventories 681 (17) 873
Other current assets 2,068 (2,092) 133
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 3,184 (2,109) 1,612
Property, plant and equipment - net 2,831 - 3,035
Investments in affiliates 246 (359) 257
Other assets 601 (19) 608
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 6,862 $(2,487) $ 5,512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $216 $ - $ 262
Trade accounts payable 413 - 607
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 488 (509) 405
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 1,117 (509) 1,274
Long-term debt 1,892 - 2,022
Deferred employee benefits 1,803 - 1,881
Other long-term obligations 144 - 207
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Total liabilities 4,956 (509) 5,384
Shareholders' equity
1,906 (1,978) 128
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 6,862 $ (2,487) $ 5,512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-48
Condensed consolidating statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2002
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ----------------------------------
Net sales $ - $ - $ 688
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 4 2 609
below)
Depreciation - - 7
Selling, general and administrative 7 2 35
Other operating expense - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (11) (4) 37
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 59 26 -
Other income (expense) - net - - 3
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) 1 (16) (1)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 49 6 39
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current - - 3
Deferred - - 4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income 49 6 32
Extraordinary gain - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 49 $ 6 $ 32
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
--------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 574 $ (43) $ 1,219
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 530 (36) 1,105
below)
Depreciation 7 14
Selling, general and administrative 39 (7) 69
Other operating expense - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (2) - 31
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - (26) -
Other income (expense) - net - - 3
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (1) - (18)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange (1) - (1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes (4) (26) 15
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 2 - 5
Deferred - - 4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income (6) (26) 6
Extraordinary gain - - -
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ (6) $ (26) $ 6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net sales $ 4,105 $ (435) $ 4,889
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 3,654 (407) 4,356
below)
Depreciation 163 - 177
Selling, general and administrative 82 (6) 152
Other operating expense 62 - 62
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 144 (22) 142
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - (59) -
Other income (expense) - net 18 (7) 14
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (185) (1) (203)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange 27 (3) 23
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 4 (92) (24)
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 13 - 18
Deferred (76) - (72)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income 67 (92) 30
Extraordinary gain 19 - 19
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 86 $ (92) $ 49
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2002
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ---------------------------------
Net income $ 49 $ 6 $ 32
Other comprehensive income (loss) - (28) 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 49 $(22) $ 62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
-----------------------------------------------
Net income $ (6) $ (26) $ 6
Other comprehensive income (loss) 10 - 12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 4 $ (26) $ 18
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
-------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net income $ 86 $ (92) $ 49
Other comprehensive income (loss) (279) 4 (263)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ (193) $ (88) $ (214)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-49
Condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2002
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
---------------------------------------------------
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ----------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 93 $ 16 $ 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment - - (10)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - - -
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures (98) - -
Other 1 - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (97) - (10)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks - - 3
Proceeds from long-term debt - 3 -
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - - -
Payments of payable to banks - - -
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties - (12) -
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated - (7) -
Purchase of treasury stock (1) - -
Sale of treasury stock 5 - -
Dividends - - -
Issue of share capital - net - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 4 (16) 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - - 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash - - 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year - - 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ - $ - $ 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
------------------------------------------------ -
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 19 $ (3) $ 42
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (15) - (25)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - - -
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures - - -
Other 1 3 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (14) 3 (21)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 17 - 20
Proceeds from long-term debt - - 3
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - - -
Payments of payable to banks (17) - (17)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties - - (12)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated - - (7)
Purchase of treasury stock - - -
Sale of treasury stock - - -
Dividends - - -
Issue of share capital - net - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities - - (13)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5 - 8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2 - 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 4 - 21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 11 $ - $ 32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
--------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 48 $ (15) $ 168
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (83) - (108)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and 18 - 18
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures (17) 126 11
Other (5) (1) (1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (87) 125 (80)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 2,339 - 2,359
Proceeds from long-term debt 122 - 125
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated 30 (30) -
Payments of payable to banks (2,329) - (2,346)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties (231) - (243)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated (7) 14 -
Purchase of treasury stock - - (1)
Sale of treasury stock - - 5
Dividends (2) 2 -
Issue of share capital - net 88 (88) -
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 10 (102) (101)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (29) 8 (13)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2 - 5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 64 - 85
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 37 $ 8 $ 77
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-50
Condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2003
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
-----------------------------------------
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ----------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1 $ - $ 19
Trade accounts receivable - - 76
Inventories - - 113
Other current assets 134 40 201
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 135 40 409
Property, plant and equipment - net - - 140
Investments in affiliates 395 326 81
Other assets - 5 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 530 $371 $650
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $ - $ 4 $ 9
Trade accounts payable - - 101
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 280 60 117
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 280 64 227
Long-term debt 81 134 -
Deferred employee benefits - - 38
Other long-term obligations 20 - 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Total liabilities 381 198 295
Shareholders' equity 149 173 355
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 530 $371 $650
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 19 $- $ 38
Trade accounts receivable 76 - 152
Inventories 149 - 262
Other current assets 572 (760) 53
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 816 (760) 505
Property, plant and equipment - net 107 - 247
Investments in affiliates 145 (540) 12
Other assets 2 - 27
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 1,070 $ (1,300) $ 791
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $ 41 $ - $ 54
Trade accounts payable 106 - 207
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 235 (239) 173
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 382 (239) 434
Long-term debt 15 (13) 136
Deferred employee benefits 58 - 96
Other long-term obligations 15 - 45
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities 470 (252) 711
Shareholders' equity 600 (1,048) 80
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,070 $ (1,300) $ 791
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
--------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 41 $ - $ 80
Trade accounts receivable 355 - 507
Inventories 574 (8) 828
Other current assets 2,201 (2,253) 135
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 3,171 (2,261) 1,550
Property, plant and equipment - net 2,844 - 3,091
Investments in affiliates 240 (395) 252
Other assets 733 (18) 742
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets $ 6,988 $(2,674) $ 5,635
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to banks and current portion of long-term debt $309 $ - $ 363
Trade accounts payable 370 - 577
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 753 (686) 520
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 1,432 (686) 1,460
Long-term debt 1,697 - 1,914
Deferred employee benefits 1,810 - 1,906
Other long-term obligations 141 - 206
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------------
Total liabilities 5,080 (686) 5,486
Shareholders' equity 1,908 (1,988) 149
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 6,988 $ (2,674) $ 5,635
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-51
Condensed consolidating statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2003
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ -------------------------------
Net sales $ - $ - $799
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately - (2) 700
below)
Depreciation - - 7
Selling, general and administrative 14 1 40
Other operating expense - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (14) 1 52
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 72 13 -
Other income (expense) - net 18 (1) 6
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (10) (15) (1)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange - - -
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 66 (2) 57
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current - - 5
Deferred - - 10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income 66 (2) 42
Extraordinary gain - - 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 66 $ (2) $ 45
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
---------------------------------------------------
Net sales $ 634 $ (50) $ 1,383
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 606 (39) 1,265
below)
Depreciation 10 17
Selling, general and administrative 44 (10) 75
Other operating expense - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income (26) (1) 26
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - (13) -
Other income (expense) - net (1) - 4
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (2) - (18)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes (29) (14) 12
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 2 - 7
Deferred - - 10
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income (31) (14) (5)
Extraordinary gain - - 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $(31) $ (14) $ (2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net sales $ 4,300 $ (242) $ 5,441
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation shown separately 3,903 (225) 4,943
below)
Depreciation 166 - 183
Selling, general and administrative 86 (11) 164
Other operating expense - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 145 (6) 151
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries - (72) -
Other income (expense) - net 45 (14) 53
Financing costs:
Net interest income (expense) (123) - (151)
Net gain (loss) from foreign exchange 4 - 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes 71 (92) 57
Income tax (benefit) expense:
Current 15 - 22
Deferred (40) - (30)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) before extraordinary income 96 (92) 65
Extraordinary gain (2) - 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ 94 $ (92) $ 66
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2003
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ---------------------------------
Net income $ 66 $ (2) $ 45
Other comprehensive income (loss) - 5 35
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ 66 $ 3 $ 80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
-------------------------------------------------
Net income $ (31) $ (14) $ (2)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 18 - 58
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ (13) $ (14) $ 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net income $ 94 $ (92) $ 66
Other comprehensive income (loss) (95) - (37)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive income $ (1) $ (92) $ 29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-52
Condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2003
Ispat Europe - Issuer Subsidiary
----------------------------------------
Ispat Ispat Ispat
International - Europe Europe
Parent - Parent - Subsidiary
Company Company Guarantors
------------------ ----------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ (60) $(57) $144
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment - - (16)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - -
joint ventures -
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures - 41 -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities - 41 (16)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks - - -
Proceeds from long-term debt 70 - -
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - - 24
Payments of payable to banks - - (8)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties - (15) -
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated - (4) (141)
Purchase of treasury stock (9) - -
Capital contribution - - (4)
Dividends - - -
Issue of share capital - net - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities 61 (19) (129)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1 (35) (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash - 35 (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year - - 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 1 $ - $ 19
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
Europe
- Non - Ispat Ispat
Guarantor Europe - Europe -
Subsidiary Eliminations Consolidated
-----------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 15 $ (59) $ 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (6) - (22)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and - - -
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures 1 (42) -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (5) (42) (22)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 22 - 22
Proceeds from long-term debt 2 - 2
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated - (24) -
Payments of payable to banks (14) - (22)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties (1) - (16)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated (15) 160 -
Purchase of treasury stock - - -
Capital contribution - - (4)
Dividends - - -
Issue of share capital - net - - -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities (6) 136 (18)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 4 35 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 3 (35) 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 11 - 32
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 18 $ - $ 37
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ispat
International Ispat
- Non- International Ispat
guarantor - International -
Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated
---------------- ----------------- ---------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 182 $ 24 $ 189
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (142) - (164)
Proceeds from sale of investment including affiliates and 21 - 21
joint ventures
Investment in affiliates and joint ventures 10 9 19
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (111) 9 (124)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Proceeds from payable to banks 3,554 - 3,576
Proceeds from long-term debt 74 (94) 52
Proceeds from long-term debt payable to affiliated 60 34 94
Payments of payable to banks (3,548) - (3,570)
Payments of long-term debt payable to unrelated parties (191) - (207)
Payments of long-term debt payable to affiliated (14) 14 -
Purchase of treasury stock - - (9)
Capital contribution - 4 -
Dividends (39) 39 -
Issue of share capital - net 28 (28) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used by financing activities (76) (31) (64)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (5) 2 1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash - - 2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents:
At the beginning of the year 45 - 77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At the end of the year $ 40 $ 2 $ 80
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F-53
NOTE 19: SECURITIZATION AND FACTORING OF RECEIVABLES
Certain subsidiaries of the Company had securitization facilities under an
agreement to sell interest in pools of the Company's trade receivables on a
non-recourse basis. Participation interests in new receivables were sold, as
collections reduce previously sold accounts. The proceeds from the sale of trade
accounts receivables are included in the cash flows from operating activities in
the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The initial payment can go up to a
maximum of 85% of recorded amounts for the receivables sold. The deferred
proceeds outstanding amounted to $10 and $nil at December 31, 2002 and 2003
respectively. Gross receivables sold were $137, $60 and $nil at December 31,
2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively. These securitization facilities were
discontinued in 2003.
Additionally, some of our subsidiaries have entered into Factoring
Agreements with certain banks/financial institutions under which they are
entitled to sell eligible accounts receivables from the customers up to an
agreed limit. The bank/financial institution buys these receivables without
recourse to the seller. Payments for sale of these receivables are received in
two installments. The first installment ranging between 90% to 95% of the
receivables sold (up to a maximum of $261) is made available immediately on sale
of the receivables. The deferred proceeds outstanding and availability amounted
to $ 7 and $34 at December 31, 2002 and 2003 respectively. Gross receivables
sold were $ 96 and $196 at December 31, 2002 and 2003 respectively. The balance
portion of the purchase price is held back towards factoring commission,
interest charges and any possible bonus or discounts till the receivables are
collected from the customer by the Factoring agent. The proceeds from the sale
of trade accounts receivables are included in the cash flows from operating
activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The receivables are sold at a discount that is included in Selling, general
and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income and
amounted $4, $5 and $5 for 2001, 2002 and 2003 respectively.
Securitization
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Proceeds from trade receivable sold ............................................ $658 $487 $30
Nominal of trade receivables sold .............................................. 688 498 30
Other Interest.................................................................. 4 3 -
Deferred payments on balance sheet.............................................. 27 10 -
Factoring
2001 2002 2003
---- ---- ----
Proceeds from trade receivable sold under factoring agreement................... $- $208 $943
Nominal of trade receivables sold under factoring agreement..................... - 216 982
Discounts incurred.............................................................. - 2 5
Deferred payments on balance sheet.............................................. - 7 34
F-54