UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

Commission file number 1-31763

 

KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

5430 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1700

Dallas, Texas 75240-2697

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 233-1700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

No securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

 

Indicate by check mark:

If the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

If the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x     No  ¨

Whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

If disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Large accelerated filer  ¨ Accelerated filer  x Non-accelerated filer  ¨ Smaller reporting company  ¨

Whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the 21.0 million shares of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. as of June 30, 2014 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently-completed second fiscal quarter) approximated $328.3 million.

As of February 27, 2015, 115,872,598 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference

The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

 

 

 

 

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Forward-Looking Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Statements in this Annual Report that are not historical facts are forward-looking in nature and represent management’s beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know if these expectations will be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed in this Annual Report and those described from time to time in our other filings with the SEC include, but are not limited to, the following:

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Should one or more of these risks materialize (or the consequences of such a development worsen), or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

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PART I

 

General

Kronos Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: KRO) (Kronos), a Delaware corporation, is a leading global producer and marketer of value-added titanium dioxide pigments, or TiO₂, a base industrial product used in a wide range of applications. We, along with our distributors and agents, sell and provide technical services for our products to approximately 4,000 customers in 100 countries with the majority of sales in Europe and North America. We believe we have developed considerable expertise and efficiency in the manufacture, sale, shipment and service of our products in domestic and international markets.

TiO₂ is a white inorganic pigment used in a wide range of products for its exceptional durability and its ability to impart whiteness, brightness and opacity. TiO₂ is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, food and cosmetics. TiO₂ is widely considered to be superior to alternative white pigments in large part due to its hiding power (or opacity), which is the ability to cover or mask other materials effectively and efficiently. TiO₂ is designed, marketed and sold based on specific end-use applications.

TiO₂ is the largest commercially used whitening pigment because it has a high refractive rating, giving it more hiding power than any other commercially produced white pigment. In addition, TiO₂ has excellent resistance to interaction with other chemicals, good thermal stability and resistance to ultraviolet degradation. Although there are other white pigments on the market, we believe there are no effective substitutes for TiO₂ because no other white pigment has the physical properties for achieving comparable opacity and brightness or can be incorporated in as cost-effective a manner. Pigment extenders such as kaolin clays, calcium carbonate and polymeric opacifiers are used together with TiO₂ in a number of end-use markets. However, these products are not able to duplicate the opacity performance characteristics of TiO₂ and we believe these products are unlikely to have a significant impact on the use of TiO₂.

TiO₂ is considered a “quality-of-life” product. Demand for TiO₂ has generally been driven by worldwide gross domestic product and has generally increased with rising standards of living in various regions of the world. According to industry estimates, TiO₂ consumption has grown at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3.0% since 1990. Per capita consumption of TiO₂ in Western Europe and the United States far exceeds that in other areas of the world, and these regions are expected to continue to be the largest consumers of TiO₂ on a per capita basis. We believe that Western Europe and North America currently account for approximately 19% and 17% of global TiO₂ consumption, respectively. Markets for TiO₂ are generally increasing in South America, Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific region and China and we believe these are significant markets where we expect continued growth as economies in these regions continue to develop and quality-of-life products, including TiO₂, experience greater demand.

At December 31, 2014, approximately 50% of our common stock was owned by Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) and approximately 30% was owned by NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL). Valhi also owns approximately 83% of NL Industries’ outstanding common stock.  A wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation held approximately 93% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock.  As discussed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, Lisa K. Simmons, Serena Simmons Connelly and Annette C. Simmons may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi, NL and us.

Products and end-use markets

Including our predecessors, we have produced and marketed TiO₂ in North America and Europe, our primary markets, for over 90 years. We believe that we are the largest producer of TiO₂ in Europe with approximately one-half of our sales volumes attributable to markets in Europe. The table below shows our market share for our significant markets, Europe and North America, for the last three years.

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We believe that we are the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany, with an estimated 9% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume in 2014. Overall, we are one of the top five producers of TiO₂ in the world.

We offer our customers a broad portfolio of products that include over 40 different TiO₂ pigment grades under the Kronos^® trademark, which provide a variety of performance properties to meet customers’ specific requirements. Our major customers include domestic and international paint, plastics, decorative laminate and paper manufacturers. We ship TiO₂ to our customers in either a powder or slurry form via rail, truck and/or ocean carrier. Sales of our core TiO₂ pigments represented approximately 90% of our net sales in 2014. We and our agents and distributors primarily sell and provide technical services for our products in three major end-use markets: coatings, plastics and paper.

The following tables show our approximate TiO₂ sales volume by geographic region and end use for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Some of the principal applications for our products include the following.

TiO₂ for coatings - Our TiO₂ is used to provide opacity, durability, tinting strength and brightness in industrial coatings, as well as coatings for commercial and residential interiors and exteriors, automobiles, aircraft, machines, appliances, traffic paint and other special purpose coatings. The amount of TiO₂ used in coatings varies widely depending on the opacity, color and quality desired. In general, the higher the opacity requirement of the coating, the greater the TiO₂ content.

TiO₂ for plastics - We produce TiO₂ pigments that improve the optical and physical properties in plastics, including whiteness and opacity. TiO₂ is used to provide opacity in items such as containers and packaging materials, and vinyl products such as windows, door profiles and siding. TiO₂ also generally provides hiding power, neutral undertone, brightness and surface durability for housewares, appliances, toys, computer cases and food packages. TiO₂’s high brightness along with its opacity, is used in some engineering plastics to help mask their undesirable natural color. TiO₂ is also used in masterbatch, which is a concentrate of TiO₂ and other additives and is one of the largest uses for TiO₂ in the plastics end-use market. In masterbatch, the TiO₂ is dispersed at high concentrations into a plastic resin and is then used by manufacturers of plastic containers, bottles, packaging and agricultural films.

TiO₂ for paper - Our TiO₂ is used in the production of several types of paper, including laminate (decorative) paper, filled paper and coated paper to provide whiteness, brightness, opacity and color stability. Although we sell our TiO₂ to all segments of the paper end-use market, our primary focus is on the TiO₂ grades used in paper laminates, where several layers of paper are laminated together using melamine resin under high temperature and pressure. The top layer of paper contains TiO₂ and plastic resin and is the layer that is printed with decorative patterns. Paper laminates are used to replace materials such as wood and tile for such applications as counter tops, furniture and wallboard. TiO₂ is beneficial in these applications because it assists in preventing the material from fading or changing color after prolonged exposure to sunlight and other weathering agents.

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TiO₂ for other applications - We produce TiO₂ to improve the opacity and hiding power of printing inks. TiO₂ allows inks to achieve very high print quality while not interfering with the technical requirements of printing machinery, including low abrasion, high printing speed and high temperatures. Our TiO₂ is also used in textile applications where TiO₂ functions as an opacifying and delustering agent. In man-made fibers such as rayon and polyester, TiO₂ corrects an otherwise undesirable glossy and translucent appearance. Without the presence of TiO₂, these materials would be unsuitable for use in many textile applications.

We produce high purity sulfate process anatase TiO₂ used to provide opacity, whiteness and brightness in a variety of cosmetic and personal care products, such as skin cream, lipstick, eye shadow and toothpaste. Our TiO₂ is also found in food products, such as candy and confectionaries, and in pet foods where it is used to obtain uniformity of color and appearance. In pharmaceuticals, our TiO₂ is used commonly as a colorant in pill and capsule coatings as well as in liquid medicines to provide uniformity of color and appearance. Kronos^® purified anatase grades meet the applicable requirements of the CTFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association), USP and BP (United States Pharmacopoeia and British Pharmacopoeia) and the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration).

Our TiO₂ business is enhanced by the following three complementary businesses, which comprised approximately 10% of our net sales in 2014:

Manufacturing, operations and properties

We produce TiO₂ in two crystalline forms: rutile and anatase. Rutile TiO₂ is manufactured using both a chloride production process and a sulfate production process, whereas anatase TiO₂ is only produced using a sulfate production process. Manufacturers of many end-use applications can use either form, especially during periods of tight supply for TiO₂. The chloride process is the preferred form for use in coatings and plastics, the two largest end-use markets. Due to environmental factors and customer considerations, the proportion of TiO₂ industry sales represented by chloride process pigments has increased relative to sulfate process pigments, and in 2014, chloride process production facilities represented approximately 45% of industry capacity. The sulfate process is preferred for use in selected paper products, ceramics, rubber tires, man-made fibers, food products and cosmetics. Once an intermediate TiO₂ pigment has been produced by either the chloride or sulfate process, it is “finished” into products with specific performance characteristics for particular end-use applications through proprietary processes involving various chemical surface treatments and intensive micronizing (milling).

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We produced 511,000 metric tons of TiO₂ in 2014, up from the 474,000 metric tons we produced in 2013. Our production amounts include our share of the output produced by our TiO₂ manufacturing joint venture discussed below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture.” Our average production capacity utilization rates were approximately 85%, 86% and 92% of capacity in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.  Our production utilization rates in 2013 were impacted by the previously-reported lockout at our Canadian production facility that began in June 2013.  We operated our Canadian plant at approximately 15% of the plant’s capacity with non-union management employees during the lockout.  Our production rates in 2014 were also impacted by such lockout, as restart of production at the facility did not begin until February 2014.  Our production rates in 2014 were also impacted by the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing improvement projects at other facilities, as well as necessary improvements to ensure continued compliance with our permit regulations, which resulted in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.

We operate four TiO₂ plants in Europe (one in each of Leverkusen, Germany; Nordenham, Germany; Langerbrugge, Belgium; and Fredrikstad, Norway). In North America, we have a TiO₂ plant in Varennes, Quebec, Canada and, through the manufacturing joint venture described below in “TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture,” a 50% interest in a TiO₂ plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Our production capacity in 2014 was 555,000 metric tons, approximately three-fourths of which was from the chloride production process.

The following table presents the division of our expected 2015 manufacturing capacity by plant location and type of manufacturing process:

 

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We own the land underlying all of our principle production facilities unless otherwise indicated in the table above.

Our production capacity has increased by approximately 16% over the past ten years due to debottlenecking programs, with only moderate capital expenditures. We believe that our annual attainable production capacity for 2015 is approximately 555,000 metric tons.  While we expect our production capacity rate to be higher in 2015 as compared to 2014, we expect that we will operate at less-than-full production capacity in 2015, due principally to completing the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing capital improvement projects at certain facilities which will result in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.

We also operate two ilmenite mines in Norway pursuant to a governmental concession with an unlimited term. In addition, we operate a rutile slurry manufacturing plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which converts dry pigment manufactured for us at the Lake Charles TiO₂ facility into a slurry form that is then shipped to customers.

We have various corporate and administrative offices located in the U.S., Germany, Norway, Canada and Belgium and various sales offices located in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

TiO₂ Manufacturing Joint Venture

Kronos Louisiana, Inc., one of our subsidiaries, and Tioxide each own a 50% interest in a manufacturing joint venture, Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P., or LPC. LPC owns and operates a chloride-process TiO₂ plant located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We and Huntsman share production from the plant equally pursuant to separate offtake agreements.

A supervisory committee directs the business and affairs of the joint venture, including production and output decisions. This committee is composed of four members, two of whom we appoint and two of whom Huntsman appoints. Two general managers manage the operations of the joint venture acting under the direction of the supervisory committee. We appoint one general manager and Huntsman appoints the other.

The joint venture is not consolidated in our financial statements, because we do not control it. We account for our interest in the joint venture by the equity method. The joint venture operates on a break-even basis and therefore we do not have any equity in earnings of the joint venture. We are required to purchase one half of the TiO₂ produced by the joint venture.  All costs and capital expenditures are shared equally with Huntsman with the exception of feedstock (purchased natural rutile ore or slag) and packaging costs for the pigment grades produced. Our share of net costs is reported as cost of sales as the TiO₂ is sold. See Notes 5 and 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Raw materials

The primary raw materials used in chloride process TiO₂ are titanium-containing feedstock (purchased natural rutile ore or slag), chlorine and coke. Chlorine is available from a number of suppliers, while petroleum coke is available from a limited number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the chloride process is available from a limited but increasing number of suppliers principally in Australia, South Africa, Canada, India and the United States. We purchase chloride process grade slag from Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2016 and from Tronox Mineral Sands (PTY) LTD under a supply contract that expires in December 2015. We purchase upgraded slag from Q.I.T. Fer et Titane Inc. (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium) under a long-term supply contract that expires at the end of 2015. We purchase natural rutile ore under contracts primarily from Iluka Resources, Limited (under a new contract entered into in January 2015) and Sierra Rutile Limited, both of which expire in 2015. In the past we have been, and we expect that we will continue to be, successful in obtaining short-term and long-term extensions to these and other existing supply contracts prior to their expiration. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that we may enter into, will meet our chloride process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

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The primary raw materials used in sulfate process TiO₂ are titanium-containing feedstock, primarily ilmenite or purchased sulfate grade slag and sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid is available from a number of suppliers. Titanium-containing feedstock suitable for use in the sulfate process is available from a limited number of suppliers principally in Norway, Canada, Australia, India and South Africa. As one of the few vertically-integrated producers of sulfate process TiO₂, we operate two rock ilmenite mines in Norway, which provided all of the feedstock for our European sulfate process TiO₂ plants in 2014. We expect ilmenite production from our mines to meet our European sulfate process feedstock requirements for the foreseeable future. For our Canadian sulfate process plant, we purchase sulfate grade slag primarily from Q.I.T. Fer et Titane Inc. (a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium), under a supply contract that expires at the end of 2015. We expect the raw materials purchased under these contracts, and contracts that we may enter into, to meet our sulfate process feedstock requirements over the next several years.

Many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase, or specify a range of quantities within which we are required to purchase. The pricing under these agreements is generally negotiated quarterly.

The following table summarizes our raw materials purchased or mined in 2014.

 

Sales and marketing

Our marketing strategy is aimed at developing and maintaining strong customer relationships with new and existing accounts. Because TiO₂ represents a significant raw material cost for our customers, the purchasing decisions are often made by our customers’ senior management. We work to maintain close relationships with the key decision makers, through in-depth and frequent in-person meetings. We endeavor to extend these commercial and technical relationships to multiple levels within our customers’ organization using our direct sales force and technical service group to accomplish this objective. We believe this has helped build customer loyalty to Kronos and strengthened our competitive position. Close cooperation and strong customer relationships enable us to stay closely attuned to trends in our customers’ businesses. Where appropriate, we work in conjunction with our customers to solve formulation or application problems by modifying specific product properties or developing new pigment grades. We also focus our sales and marketing efforts on those geographic and end-use market segments where we believe we can realize higher selling prices. This focus includes continuously reviewing and optimizing our customer and product portfolios.

Our marketing strategy is also aimed at working directly with customers to monitor the success of our products in their end-use applications, evaluate the need for improvements in product and process technology and identify opportunities to develop new product solutions for our customers. Our marketing staff closely coordinates with our sales force and technical specialists to ensure that the needs of our customers are met, and to help develop and commercialize new grades where appropriate.

We sell a majority of our products through our direct sales force operating from six sales offices in Europe and one sales office in North America. We also utilize sales agents and distributors who are authorized to sell our products in specific geographic areas. In Europe, our sales efforts are conducted primarily through our direct sales force and our sales agents. Our agents do not sell any TiO₂ products other than Kronos^® brand products. In North America, our sales are made primarily through our direct sales force and supported by a network of distributors. In

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addition to our direct sales force and sales agents, many of our sales agents also act as distributors to service our smaller customers in all regions. We offer customer and technical service to the customers who purchase our products through distributors as well as to our larger customers serviced by our direct sales force.

We sell to a diverse customer base with only one customer representing 10% or more of our sales in 2014 (Behr Process Corporation – 10%). Our largest ten customers accounted for approximately 35% of sales in 2014.

Neither our business as a whole nor any of our principal product groups is seasonal to any significant extent. However, TiO₂ sales are generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year, due in part to the increase in paint production in the spring to meet demand during the spring and summer painting seasons. With certain exceptions, we have historically operated our production facilities at near full capacity rates throughout the entire year, which among other things helps to minimize our per-unit production costs. As a result, we normally will build inventories during the first and fourth quarters of each year, in order to maximize our product availability during the higher demand periods normally experienced in the second and third quarters.

Competition

The TiO₂ industry is highly competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of price, product quality, technical service and the availability of high performance pigment grades. Since TiO₂ is not a traded commodity, its pricing is largely a product of negotiation between suppliers and their respective customers. Although certain TiO₂ grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigments with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service. During 2014, we had an estimated 9% share of worldwide TiO₂ sales volume, and based on sales volumes, we believe we are the leading seller of TiO₂ in several countries, including Germany.

Our principal competitors are E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., or Dupont; Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Inc. (a subsidiary of National Titanium Dioxide Company Ltd.), or Cristal; Huntsman Corporation; and Tronox Incorporated. The top five TiO₂ producers account for approximately 54% of the world’s production capacity.  Huntsman completed its purchase of the TiO₂ business of Sachtleben Chemie GmbH in 2014, and has also announced its intent to spin-off the consolidated TiO₂ business within two years of the acquisition.  In February 2015, Huntsman announced a plan to reduce its TiO₂ capacity by approximately 100,000 metric tons at one of its European sulfate process facilities.  DuPont has announced its intent to spin-off its TiO₂ operations into a separate publicly traded company by mid-2015.

The following chart shows our estimate of worldwide production capacity in 2014:

 

DuPont has over one-half of total North American TiO₂ production capacity and is our principal North American competitor.

Over the past ten years, we and our competitors increased industry capacity through debottlenecking projects, which in part compensated for the shut down of various TiO₂ plants in France, the United States, the United Kingdom and China. In addition, in May 2011, DuPont announced a comprehensive plan to add approximately 350,000 metric tons of global capacity.  Although overall industry demand is expected to be generally higher in 2015 as compared to 2014 as a result of improving worldwide economic conditions, we do not expect any other significant efforts will be undertaken by us or our principal competitors to further increase capacity for the

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foreseeable future, other than through debottlenecking projects. If actual developments differ from our expectations, the TiO₂ industry’s performance and that of our own could be unfavorably affected.

The TiO₂ industry is characterized by high barriers to entry consisting of high capital costs, proprietary technology and significant lead times (typically three to five years in our experience) required to construct new facilities or to expand existing capacity. We believe it is unlikely any new TiO₂ plants will be constructed in Europe or North America in the foreseeable future.

Research and development

We employ scientists, chemists, process engineers and technicians who are engaged in research and development, process technology and quality assurance activities in Leverkusen, Germany. These individuals have the responsibility for improving our chloride and sulfate production processes, improving product quality and strengthening our competitive position by developing new applications. Our expenditures for these activities were approximately $19 million in 2012, $18 million in 2013 and $19 million in 2014.  We expect to spend approximately $21 million on research and development in 2015.

We continually seek to improve the quality of our grades and have been successful at developing new grades for existing and new applications to meet the needs of our customers and increase product life cycles. Since 2009, we have added four new grades for pigments and other applications.

Patents, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights

We have a comprehensive intellectual property protection strategy that includes obtaining, maintaining and enforcing our patents, primarily in the United States, Canada and Europe. We also protect our trademark and trade secret rights and have entered into license agreements with third parties concerning various intellectual property matters. We have also from time to time been involved in disputes over intellectual property.

Patents - We have obtained patents and have numerous patent applications pending that cover our products and the technology used in the manufacture of our products. Our patent strategy is important to us and our continuing business activities. In addition to maintaining our patent portfolio, we seek patent protection for our technical developments, principally in the United States, Canada and Europe. U.S. Patents are generally in effect for 20 years from the date of filing. Our U.S. patent portfolio includes patents having remaining terms ranging from one year to 19 years.

Trademarks and trade secrets - Our trademarks, including Kronos^®, are covered by issued and/or pending registrations, including in Canada and the United States. We protect the trademarks that we use in connection with the products we manufacture and sell and have developed goodwill in connection with our long-term use of our trademarks. We conduct research activities in secret and we protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets through reasonable measures, including confidentiality agreements and security procedures, including data security. We rely upon unpatented proprietary knowledge and continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. Our proprietary chloride production process is an important part of our technology and our business could be harmed if we fail to maintain confidentiality of our trade secrets used in this technology.

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Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we employed the following number of people:

(1)Excludes employees of our Louisiana joint venture.

Certain employees at each of our production facilities are organized by labor unions. In Europe, our union employees are covered by master collective bargaining agreements for the chemical industry that are generally renewed annually. In Canada, our union employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires in June 2018.  At December 31, 2014, approximately 85% of our worldwide workforce is organized under collective bargaining agreements.  It is possible that there could be future work stoppages or other labor disruptions that could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

Regulatory and environmental matters

Our operations and properties are governed by various environmental laws and regulations, which are complex, change frequently and have tended to become stricter over time. These environmental laws govern, among other things, the generation, storage, handling, use and transportation of hazardous materials; the emission and discharge of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of our employees. Certain of our operations are, or have been, engaged in the generation, storage, handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all our facilities and to strive to improve our environmental performance. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements in environmental laws and enforcement policies, could adversely affect our operations, including production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of hazardous or toxic substances or require us to make capital and other expenditures to comply, and could adversely affect our consolidated financial position and results of operations or liquidity.

Our U.S. manufacturing operations are governed by federal, state and local environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations. These include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, or CERCLA, as well as the state counterparts of these statutes. Some of these laws hold current or previous owners or operators of real property liable for the costs of cleaning up contamination, even if these owners or operators did not know of, and were not responsible for, such contamination. These laws also assess liability on any person who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances, regardless of whether the affected site is owned or operated by such person. Although we have not incurred and do not currently anticipate any material liabilities in connection with such environmental laws, we may be required to make expenditures for environmental remediation in the future.

While the laws regulating operations of industrial facilities in Europe vary from country to country, a common regulatory framework is provided by the European Union, or the EU. Germany and Belgium are members of the EU and follow its initiatives. Norway is not a member but generally patterns its environmental regulatory actions after the EU.

At our sulfate plant facilities in Germany, we recycle spent sulfuric acid either through contracts with third parties or at our own facilities. In addition, at our German locations we have a contract with a third-party to treat certain sulfate-process effluents. At our Norwegian plant, we ship spent acid to a third party location where it is

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used as a neutralization agent. These contracts may be terminated by either party after giving three or four years advance notice, depending on the contract.

From time to time, our facilities may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes. Typically we establish compliance programs to resolve these matters. Occasionally, we may pay penalties. To date such penalties have not involved amounts having a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. We believe that all of our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Our capital expenditures related to ongoing environmental compliance, protection and improvement programs, including capital expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection such as lower emissions from our manufacturing facilities, were $12.3 million in 2014 and are currently expected to be approximately $14 million in 2015.

Website and other available information

Our fiscal year ends December 31. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available on our website at www.kronosww.com. These reports are available on the website, without charge, as soon as is reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Additional information regarding us, including our Audit Committee charter, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, can also be found at this website. Information contained on our website is not part of this report. We will also provide free copies of such documents upon written request. Such requests should be directed to the Corporate Secretary at our address on the cover page of this Form 10-K.

The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. We are an electronic filer and the SEC maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

Below are certain risk factors associated with our business. See also certain risk factors discussed in Item 7- “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.”  In addition to the potential effect of these risk factors, any risk factor which could result in reduced earnings or operating losses, or reduced liquidity, could in turn adversely affect our ability to service our liabilities or pay dividends on our common stock or adversely affect the quoted market prices for our securities.

Demand for, and prices of, certain of our products are influenced by changing market conditions for our products, which may result in reduced earnings or in operating losses.

Approximately 90% of our revenues are attributable to sales of TiO₂. Pricing within the global TiO₂ industry over the long term is cyclical and changes in economic conditions, especially in Western industrialized nations, can significantly impact our earnings and operating cash flows. Historically, the markets for many of our products have experienced alternating periods of increasing and decreasing demand. Relative changes in the selling prices for our products are one of the main factors that affect the level of our profitability. In periods of increasing demand, our selling prices and profit margins generally will tend to increase, while in periods of decreasing demand our selling prices and profit margins generally tend to decrease. In addition, pricing may affect customer inventory levels as customers may from time to time accelerate purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price increases or defer purchases of TiO₂ in advance of anticipated price decreases. Our ability to further increase capacity without additional investment in greenfield or brownfield capacity increases may be limited and as a result, our profitability may become even more dependent upon the selling prices of our products.

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The TiO₂ industry is concentrated and highly competitive and we face price pressures in the markets in which we operate, which may result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

The global market in which we operate our business is concentrated with the top five TiO₂ producers accounting for over 50% of the world’s production capacity and is highly competitive. Competition is based on a number of factors, such as price, product quality and service. Some of our competitors may be able to drive down prices for our products if their costs are lower than our costs. In addition, some of our competitors’ financial, technological and other resources may be greater than our resources and such competitors may be better able to withstand changes in market conditions. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Further, consolidation of our competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for our products or make it more difficult for us to compete with our competitors. The occurrence of any of these events could result in reduced earnings or operating losses.

Higher costs or limited availability of our raw materials may reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity. In addition, many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase.

The number of sources for and availability of certain raw materials is specific to the particular geographical region in which a facility is located. For example, titanium-containing feedstocks suitable for use in our TiO₂ facilities are available from a limited number of suppliers around the world. Political and economic instability in the countries from which we purchase our raw material supplies could adversely affect their availability. If our worldwide vendors were unable to meet their contractual obligations and we were unable to obtain necessary raw materials, we could incur higher costs for raw materials or may be required to reduce production levels. We experienced significantly higher ore costs in 2012 which carried over into 2013.  We have seen moderation in the purchase cost of third-party feedstock ore in 2013 and throughout 2014, but such reductions did not begin to be significantly reflected in our cost of sales until the third quarter of 2013.  We may also experience higher operating costs such as energy costs, which could affect our profitability. We may not always be able to increase our selling prices to offset the impact of any higher costs or reduced production levels, which could reduce our earnings and decrease our liquidity.

We have long-term supply contracts that provide for our TiO₂ feedstock requirements that currently expire through 2016.  While we believe we will be able to renew these contracts, there can be no assurance we will be successful in renewing these contracts or in obtaining long-term extensions to these contracts prior to expiration. Our current agreements (including those entered into in January 2015) require us to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $532 million in years subsequent to December 31, 2014. In addition, we have other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services. These agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $164 million at December 31, 2014. Our commitments under these contracts could adversely affect our financial results if we significantly reduce our production and were unable to modify the contractual commitments.

Our leverage may impair our financial condition or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

As of December 31, 2014, our total consolidated debt was approximately $348.6 million, which relates primarily to a term loan entered into in February 2014. Our level of debt could have important consequences to our stockholders and creditors, including:

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In addition to our indebtedness, at December 31, 2014 we are party to various lease and other agreements (including feedstock ore purchase contracts as previously described) pursuant to which, along with our indebtedness, we are committed to pay approximately $454 million in 2015. Our ability to make payments on and refinance our debt and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on our future ability to generate cash flow. To some extent, this is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds under our or our subsidiaries’ credit facilities in the future will, in some instances, depend in part on our ability to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial covenants contained in the applicable credit agreement.

Our business may not generate cash flows from operating activities sufficient to enable us to pay our debts when they become due and to fund our other liquidity needs. As a result, we may need to refinance all or a portion of our debt before maturity. We may not be able to refinance any of our debt in a timely manner on favorable terms, if at all, in the current credit markets. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flows or to refinance our debt on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Global climate change legislation could negatively impact our financial results or limit our ability to operate our businesses.

We operate production facilities in several countries. In many of the countries in which we operate, legislation has been passed, or proposed legislation is being considered, to limit greenhouse gases through various means, including emissions permits and/or energy taxes. In several of our production facilities, we consume large amounts of energy, primarily electricity and natural gas. To date, the permit system in effect in the various countries in which we operate has not had a material adverse effect on our financial results. However, if further greenhouse gas legislation were to be enacted in one or more countries, it could negatively impact our future results from operations through increased costs of production, particularly as it relates to our energy requirements or our need to obtain emissions permits. If such increased costs of production were to materialize, we may be unable to pass price increases onto our customers to compensate for increased production costs, which may decrease our liquidity, operating income and results of operations.

 

None

 

Information on our properties is incorporated by reference to Item 1: Manufacturing, Operations and Properties above. Our corporate headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas. See Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information on our leases.

 

We are involved in various environmental, contractual, intellectual property, product liability and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. Information called for by this Item is incorporated by reference to Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Not applicable

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PART II

 

Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KRO).  As of February 27, 2015, there were approximately 2,300 holders of record of our common stock.  The following table sets forth the high and low closing per share sales price for our common stock for the periods indicated according to Bloomberg and dividends paid during such periods.  On February 27, 2015 the closing price of our common stock was $12.26.

 

In February 2015, our board of directors declared a first quarter 2015 regular quarterly dividend of $.15 per share, payable on March 19, 2015 to stockholders of record as of March 9, 2015.  The declaration and payment of future dividends is discretionary, and the amount, if any, will be dependent upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements for our business, the current long-term outlook for our business and other factors deemed relevant by our board.  There are currently no restrictions on our ability to pay dividends, although provisions in certain credit agreements to which we are a party could in the future limit or restrict our ability to pay dividends.

In December 2010 our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time.  We have 1,951,000 shares available for repurchase under the plan at December 31, 2014.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Performance graph

Set forth below is a table and line graph comparing the yearly change in our cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P Composite 500 Stock Index and the S&P 500 Diversified Chemicals Index.  The graph shows the value at December 31 of each year, assuming an original investment of $100 at December 31, 2009 and reinvestment of cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders.

 

The information contained in the performance graph shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent we specifically request that the material be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

Equity compensation plan information

We have an equity compensation plan, which was approved by our stockholders, pursuant to which an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our common stock can be awarded to members of our board of directors.  At December 31, 2014, 185,000 shares are available for award under this plan.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 7 - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Business overview

We are a leading global producer and marketer of value-added TiO₂.  TiO₂ is used for a variety of manufacturing applications, including plastics, paints, paper and other industrial products.  During 2014, approximately one-half of our sales volumes were sold into European markets.  We believe we are the largest producer of TiO₂ in Europe with an estimated 18% share of European TiO₂ sales volumes in 2014. In addition, we estimate we have a 17% share of North American TiO₂ sales volumes in 2014. Our production facilities are located throughout Europe and North America.

We consider TiO₂ to be a “quality of life” product, with demand affected by gross domestic product, or GDP, and overall economic conditions in our markets located in various regions of the world. Over the long-term, we expect demand for TiO₂ will grow by 2% to 3% per year, consistent with our expectations for the long-term growth in GDP. However, even if we and our competitors maintain consistent shares of the worldwide market, demand for TiO₂ in any interim or annual period may not change in the same proportion as the change in GDP, in part due to relative changes in the TiO₂ inventory levels of our customers. We believe that our customers’ inventory levels are influenced in part by their expectation for future changes in market TiO₂ selling prices as well as their expectation for future availability of product. Although certain of our TiO₂ grades are considered specialty pigments, the majority of our grades and substantially all of our production are considered commodity pigment products with price and availability being the most significant competitive factors along with quality and customer service.

The factors having the most impact on our reported operating results are:

Our key performance indicators are our TiO₂ average selling prices, our level of TiO₂ sales and production volumes and the cost of our third-party feedstock ore. TiO₂ selling prices generally follow industry trends and the selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures.

In addition, our effective income tax rate in each of 2012 and 2014 was impacted by certain favorable and unfavorable developments discussed below.

Executive summary

We reported net income of $99.2 million, or $.86 per share for 2014 compared to a net loss of $102.0 million, or $.88 per share for 2013.  We reported net income in 2014 compared to a loss in 2013 principally due to improved results from operations primarily resulting from lower raw material costs and higher production volumes, partially offset by lower average selling prices in 2014 as well as a 2013 litigation settlement charge and unabsorbed fixed production and other costs associated with the labor lockout at our Canadian plant as further discussed below.

We reported a net loss of $102.0 million, or $.88 per share for 2013 compared to net income of $218.5 million, or $1.89 per share for 2012.  We had a net loss in 2013 compared to net income in 2012 principally due to a loss from operations in 2013 resulting from the unfavorable effects of lower average selling prices, higher raw material costs, a litigation settlement charge in 2013 and a lower effective income tax rate in 2012.  Also negatively impacting 2013 results were unabsorbed fixed production and other costs associated with the labor lockout at our

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Canadian plant, and costs resulting from the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement reached with our unionized Canadian workforce, and other back-to-work expenses as further discussed below.

Our net income in 2014 includes an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $5.1 million ($.04 per share) related to a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions (mostly in the second quarter).

Our net loss in 2013 includes:

Our net income in 2012 includes an aggregate charge of $7.2 million ($4.7 million, or $.04 per share, net of income tax benefit) associated with the June 2012 redemption of the remaining €279.2 million principal amount of our 6.5% Senior Secured Notes, consisting of the call premium paid, interest from the June 14, 2012 indenture discharge date to the July 20, 2012 redemption date and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount.

Critical accounting policies and estimates

The accompanying “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments 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 amount of revenues and expenses during the reported period. On an ongoing basis we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and the underlying actuarial assumptions related thereto, the realization of deferred income tax assets and accruals for litigation, income tax and other contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

The following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:

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Income from operations is impacted by certain of these and other significant judgments and estimates, such as allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for obsolete or unmarketable inventories, impairment of equity method

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investments and long-lived assets, defined benefit pension plans and loss accruals. In addition, net income is impacted by the significant judgments and estimates for deferred income tax asset valuation allowances and loss accruals.

Comparison of 2014 to 2013 Results of Operations

 

Industry conditions and 2014 overview – After about a year of decreasing selling prices within the TiO₂ industry, our TiO₂ selling prices were generally stable during the second half of 2013.  However, as a result of competitive pressures, our average selling prices decreased throughout 2014, and our average selling prices at the end of 2014 were 9% lower than at the end of 2013, with lower prices in all major markets, most notably in certain export markets.  We experienced significantly lower sales to our generally lower-margin export markets in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period of 2013 while other major markets remained steady; however, we experienced higher sales in most major markets, including the export markets, in the second half of 2014 as compared to the second half of 2013.  Demand for TiO₂ products has generally been stable in 2014 in most European and U.S. markets.

We operated our production facilities at reduced capacity rates in 2013 (approximately 92%, 90%, 82% and 81% of practical capacity in the first through fourth quarter periods, respectively).  While our production capacity utilization rates in the second half of 2013 were impacted by the union labor lockout at our Canadian production facility that ended in December 2013, our utilization rates were also impacted by such lockout in the first quarter of 2014, as restart of production at the facility did not begin until February 2014.  We operated our production facilities at overall average capacity utilization rates of 90%, 97% 96% and 86% in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014, respectively.  Our production rates in the fourth quarter of 2014 were impacted by the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing improvement projects at certain facilities, as well as necessary improvements to ensure continued compliance with our permit regulations, which resulted in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.

Our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2013 (particularly in the first quarter) was significantly higher than TiO₂ sold in 2014, as a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter (and to a lesser-extent the second quarter) of 2013 was produced with the higher-cost feedstock ore procured in 2012.  We have seen

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moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore procured from third parties in 2013 and throughout 2014, but such reductions did not begin to be significantly reflected in our cost of sales until the third quarter of 2013.

Net sales - Our net sales decreased 5% or $80.5 million in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due a 6% decrease in average TiO₂ selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $104 million). TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our sales volumes in 2014 remained relatively stable compared to 2013 as slightly higher sales in Europe were offset by lower sales in certain export markets.  In addition, we estimate the favorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates increased our net sales by approximately $12 million, or 1%, as compared to 2013.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales decreased $318.0 million or 20% in 2014 compared to 2013 due to the net impact of lower raw materials and other production costs of approximately $250 million (primarily caused by the lower third-party feedstock ore costs, as discussed above), an 8% increase in TiO₂ production volumes and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Our cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 79% in 2014 compared to 94% in 2013, primarily due to the net effects of lower raw material and other production costs and the lower average TiO₂ selling prices discussed above. In addition, cost of sales in 2013 includes approximately $19 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with the lockout at the Canadian TiO₂ production facility and approximately $9 million of one-time costs resulting from the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement for our Canadian workforce, each of which were charged directly to cost of sales as discussed below.

Unionized employees in our Canadian TiO₂ production facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expired June 15, 2013.  The Canadian facility represents approximately 19% of our worldwide TiO₂ production capacity.  The union employees represented by the Confederation des Syndicat National (CSN) rejected our revised global offer, and we declared a lockout of unionized employees upon the expiration of the existing contract.  Effective the end of November 2013, a new collective bargaining agreement was reached with CSN and production at the facility resumed in February 2014.  During the lockout we operated our Canadian plant at approximately 15% of the plant’s capacity with non-union management employees.  The reduction in our TiO₂ production volumes at our Canadian facility resulted in approximately $19 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs that were charged directly to cost of sales.  In addition, we recognized approximately $9 million in expenses associated with reaching a new collective bargaining agreement, consisting of a net $7 million non-cash charge due to the curtailment of one of our Canadian defined benefit pension plans and our Canadian other postretirement benefit plan and approximately $2 million of severance and other back-to-work expenses.

Other operating expense, net – Other operating expense in 2013 includes a previously-reported third quarter litigation settlement charge of $35 million.  

Gross margin and income (loss) from operations - Income from operations increased by $282.3 million from a loss of $132.6 million in 2013 to income of $149.7 in 2014.  Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales increased to 9% in 2014 from (8)% in 2013.  This increase was driven by the improvement in gross margin, which increased to 21% in 2014 compared to 6% in 2013 and by the 2013 litigation settlement charge as discussed above.  As discussed and quantified above, our gross margin increased primarily due to the net effect of lower manufacturing costs (primarily raw materials), lower selling prices, higher production volumes and 2013 costs associated with reaching a new Canadian collective bargaining agreement and related unabsorbed fixed costs charged directly to cost of sales.  Additionally, changes in currency exchange rates have positively affected our gross margin and income from operations.  We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates increased income from operations by approximately $42 million in 2014 as compared to 2013.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 12% and 11% for 2014 and 2013 respectively.

Other non-operating income (expense) – In 2013, we recognized an aggregate $8.9 million pre-tax charge, consisting of the write-off of unamortized original issue discount costs and deferred financing costs related to the

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voluntary prepayment of our prior term loan by $290 million in the first quarter of 2013 and the remaining $100 million in the third quarter of 2013.  See Note 9 to our Condensed Financial Statements.

Interest expense decreased $2.6 million from $19.6 million in 2013 to $17.0 million in 2014 primarily due lower average interest rates on outstanding borrowings in 2014 partially offset by higher average debt levels.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income tax expense (benefit) - We recognized income tax expense of $34.5 million in 2014 compared to an income tax benefit of $57.9 million in 2013.  This difference is primarily due to our increased earnings in 2014.  In addition, our income tax expense in 2014 was favorably impacted by an aggregate non-cash income tax benefit of $5.1 million related to a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.  See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax provision to our actual tax provision.  

Comparison of 2013 to 2012 Results of Operations

 

Net sales - Our net sales decreased 12% or $243.9 million in 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to the net effects of a 19% decrease in average TiO₂ selling prices (which decreased net sales by approximately $375 million) and a 6% increase in sales volumes (which increased net sales by approximately $119 million).  TiO₂ selling prices will increase or decrease generally as a result of competitive market pressures, changes in the relative level of supply and demand as well as changes in raw material and other manufacturing costs.

Our sales volumes increased 6% in 2013 as compared to 2012 due to increased customer demand primarily in European and certain export markets, partially offset by decreased demand in North American markets.  In addition, we estimate the favorable effect of changes in currency exchange rates increased our net sales by approximately $18 million, or 1%, as compared to 2012.

Cost of sales - Cost of sales increased $204.3 million or 14% in 2013 compared to 2012 due to the net impact of higher raw materials and other production costs of approximately $115 million (primarily caused by higher third-party feedstock ore costs), a 6% increase in sales volumes, a 1% increase in production volumes and currency fluctuations (primarily the euro).  Our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2013 was

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significantly higher than TiO₂ sold in the first half of 2012, as a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2012 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the second quarter of 2012) was produced with lower-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2011, while a substantial portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the first quarter of 2013 (and a portion of the TiO₂ products we sold in the second quarter of 2013) was produced with higher-cost feedstock ore purchased in 2012.  As expected, the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2013 was lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in the second half of 2012 primarily due to the lower feedstock ore costs as discussed and quantified above.  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 94% in 2013 compared to 72% in 2012 primarily due to the combined effects of higher raw materials and other production costs and the lower average TiO₂ selling prices as discussed above.  In addition, cost of sales in 2013 includes approximately $19 million of unabsorbed fixed production and other manufacturing costs associated with the lockout at the Canadian TiO₂ production facility and approximately $9 million of one-time costs resulting from the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement for our Canadian workforce, each of which were charged directly to cost of sales as discussed above.

We reduced our TiO₂ production volumes during 2012 in order to align inventory levels with lower demand, which resulted in approximately $25 million of unabsorbed fixed production costs that were charged directly to cost of sales.  

Other operating expense, net – Other operating expense in 2013 includes the litigation settlement charge of $35 million.  

Gross margin and income (loss) from operations - Income from operations decreased by $492.2 million from income of $359.6 million in 2012 to a loss of $132.6 million in 2013.  Income (loss) from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to (8)% in 2013 from 18% in 2012.  This decrease was driven by the decline in gross margin, which decreased to 6% in 2013 compared to 28% in 2012, and the 2013 litigation settlement charge discussed above.  As discussed and quantified above, our gross margin has decreased primarily due to the net effects of lower selling prices, higher manufacturing costs (primarily raw materials), higher sales volumes, costs associated with reaching a new Canadian collective bargaining agreement and lower unabsorbed fixed costs charged directly to cost of sales.  Additionally, changes in currency exchange rates negatively affected our gross margin and income from operations.  We estimate that changes in currency exchange rates decreased income from operations by approximately $2 million in 2013 compared to 2012.

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively consistent at approximately 11% and 9% for 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Other non-operating income (expense) - We recognized an aggregate $7.2 million pre-tax charge in the second quarter of 2012 related to the early extinguishment of our remaining Senior Secured Notes.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized a $3.9 million securities transaction loss in the fourth quarter of 2012 on the sale, pursuant to a tender offer, of our 4.2 million shares of Titanium Metals Corporation (TIMET) stock for $70.0 million.  See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

We recognized an aggregate $8.9 million pre-tax charge in 2013, consisting of the write-off of unamortized original issue discount costs and deferred financing costs related to the voluntary aggregate prepayments of our term loan of $390 million.  See Note 9 to our Condensed Financial Statements.

Interest expense decreased $7.1 million from $26.7 million in 2012 to $19.6 million in 2013 primarily due to lower average debt levels in 2013.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Interest and dividend income decreased $7.8 million to $1.2 million in 2013 primarily due to lower balances available for investment, principally related to our loan to Valhi which was completely repaid in December 2012.  Interest income on our loan to Valhi was $7.1 million in 2012.

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Income tax expense (benefit) – We recognized an income tax benefit of $57.9 million in 2013 compared to an income tax provision of $112.3 million in 2012.  This difference is primarily due to our decreased earnings in 2013.  Our income tax provision in 2012 includes a net incremental tax benefit of $3.1 million.  We determined during the third quarter of 2012 that due to global changes in the business we would not remit certain dividends from our non-U.S. jurisdictions.  As a result, certain tax attributes were available for carryback to offset prior year tax expense and our provision for income taxes in the third quarter of 2012 included an incremental tax benefit of $11.1 million.  During the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of a change in circumstances related to our sale and the sale by certain of our affiliates of their shares of TIMET common stock, which sale provided an opportunity for us and other members of our consolidated U.S. federal income tax group to elect to claim foreign tax credits, we determined that we could tax-efficiently remit non-cash dividends from our non-U.S. jurisdictions before the end of the year that absent the TIMET sale would not have been considered.  Our provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2012 includes an incremental tax related to the non-cash dividend distributions of $8.0 million.  See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular reconciliation of our statutory income tax provision to our actual tax provision.  

Effects of currency exchange rates

We have substantial operations and assets located outside the United States (primarily in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Canada).  The majority of our sales from non-U.S. operations are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, principally the euro, other major European currencies and the Canadian dollar.  A portion of our sales generated from our non-U.S. operations is denominated in the U.S. dollar.  Certain raw materials used worldwide, primarily titanium-containing feedstocks, are purchased primarily in U.S. dollars, while labor and other production costs are purchased primarily in local currencies.  Consequently, the translated U.S. dollar value of our non-U.S. sales and operating results are subject to currency exchange rate fluctuations which may favorably or unfavorably impact reported earnings and may affect the comparability of period-to-period operating results.  In addition to the impact of the translation of sales and expenses over time, our non-U.S. operations also generate currency transaction gains and losses which primarily relate to the difference between the currency exchange rates in effect when non-local currency sales or operating costs are initially accrued and when such amounts are settled with the non-local currency.

Overall, we estimate that fluctuations in currency exchange rates had the following effects on our sales and income from operations for the periods indicated.

  

 

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Outlook

During 2014 we operated our production facilities at 92% of practical capacity.  This reflects an increased plant utilization rate as compared to 2013, with our utilization rates impacted in the second half of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014 by the lockout at our Canadian production facility, and impacted in the fourth quarter of 2014 by the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing improvement projects at other facilities, as well as necessary improvements to ensure continued compliance with our permit regulations, which resulted in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.  While we expect our production volumes to be higher in 2015 as compared to 2014, we expect to continue to operate below full production capacity in 2015, due principally to completing the implementation of certain productivity-enhancing capital improvement projects at certain facilities which will result in longer-than-normal maintenance shutdowns in some instances.  Assuming economic conditions do not deteriorate in the various regions of the world, we expect our sales volumes to be higher in 2015 as compared to 2014.  We will continue to monitor current and anticipated near-term customer demand levels and align our production and inventories accordingly.

We experienced moderation in the cost of TiO₂ feedstock ore procured in 2013 and throughout 2014, and consequently our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2014 was significantly lower than our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2013.  Given the time lag between when we procure third-party feedstock ore and when the TiO₂ product produced with such third-party feedstock is sold and recognized in our cost of sales, we expect our cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2015 will be slightly lower than the cost of sales per metric ton of TiO₂ sold in 2014.  Although the cost of feedstock ore has and continues to moderate, as discussed below our average TiO₂ selling prices have declined during 2014.  We started 2014 with selling prices 6% lower than the beginning of 2013, and our average selling prices at the end of 2014 were 9% below prices at the end of 2013.  Industry data indicates that overall TiO₂ inventory held by producers has been significantly decreased.  In addition, we believe most customers hold very low inventories of TiO₂ with many operating on a just-in-time basis.  We continue to see evidence of improvement in demand for our TiO₂ products in certain of our primary markets.  The extent to which we will be able to achieve any price increases in the near term will depend on market conditions.  

Overall, we currently expect that income from operations in 2015 will be comparable to 2014, as the favorable effect of higher sales volumes will be mostly offset by the effects of lower anticipated average selling prices (since our average selling prices at the beginning of 2015 are 9% lower than the beginning of 2014).

Due to the constraints of high capital costs and extended lead time associated with adding significant new TiO₂ production capacity, especially for premium grades of TiO₂ products produced from the chloride process, we believe increased and sustained profit margins will be necessary to financially justify major expansions of TiO₂ production capacity required to meet expected future growth in demand.  As a result of customer decisions over the last year and the resulting adverse effect on global TiO₂ pricing, some industry projects to increase TiO₂ production capacity have been cancelled or deferred indefinitely, and announcements have been made regarding the closure of certain facilities.  Given the lead time required for production capacity expansions, a shortage of TiO₂ products could occur if economic conditions improve and global demand levels for TiO₂ increase sufficiently.

Our expectations for our future operating results are based upon a number of factors beyond our control, including worldwide growth of gross domestic product, competition in the marketplace, continued operation of competitors, unexpected or earlier-than-expected capacity additions or reductions and technological advances.  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our results of operations could be unfavorably affected.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Consolidated cash flows

Operating activities

Trends in cash flows as a result of our operating activities (excluding the impact of significant asset dispositions and relative changes in assets and liabilities) are generally similar to trends in our earnings.

Cash provided by operating activities was $87.7 million in 2014 compared to $130.4 million in 2013.  This $42.7 million decrease was primarily due to the net effects of the following:

Cash provided by operating activities was $130.4 million in 2013 compared to $76.9 million in 2012.  This $53.5 million increase was primarily due to the net effects of the following:

Changes in working capital are affected by accounts receivable and inventory changes.  As shown below:

For comparative purposes, we have provided prior year numbers below.

 

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Investing activities

Our capital expenditures were $74.8 million in 2012, $67.6 million in 2013 and $61.2 million in 2014.  Capital expenditures are primarily incurred to maintain and improve the cost effectiveness of our manufacturing facilities.  Our capital expenditures during the past three years include an aggregate of approximately $62.3 million (including $12.3 million in 2014) for our ongoing environmental protection and compliance programs.  In addition, we had a net reduction in restricted cash of $7.2 million in 2014, principally related to the release of certain restricted cash deposits upon the cancellation of certain letters of credit issued in connection with the appeal of a Canadian income tax assessment which was completed in our favor.  See Notes 9 and 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

During 2012, we:

Our marketable securities are discussed in Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.   Our loan to Valhi is further discussed in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing activities

During 2014, we:

During 2013, we:

During 2012, we:

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In February 2015, our board of directors declared a first quarter 2015 regular quarterly dividend of $.15 per share, payable March 19, 2015 to stockholders of record as of March 9, 2015.

Outstanding debt obligations and borrowing availability

At December 31, 2014, our consolidated debt comprised:

Our North American and European revolvers and our term loan contain a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer substantially all of our assets to, another entity, and contains other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type.  Certain of our credit agreements contain provisions which could result in the acceleration of indebtedness prior to their stated maturity for reasons other than defaults for failure to comply with typical financial or payment covenants.  For example, certain credit agreements allow the lender to accelerate the maturity of the indebtedness upon a change of control (as defined in the agreement) of the borrower.  In addition, certain credit agreements could result in the acceleration of all or a portion of the indebtedness following a sale of assets outside the ordinary course of business.  Our European revolving credit facility also requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, and one of such requirements is based on the ratio of net debt to the last twelve months EBITDA of the borrowers.  The terms of all of our debt instruments (including revolving lines of credit for which we have no outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2014) are discussed in Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.  We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2014.  We believe that we will be able to continue to comply with the financial covenants contained in our credit facilities through their maturity.

In addition to the outstanding indebtedness indicated above, at December 31, 2014 we had $94.2 million available for borrowing under our North American revolving credit facility, and we could borrow all such available amount without violating any of the facility’s covenants.  At December 31, 2014, based upon the last twelve months EBITDA and the net debt to EBITDA financial test for our European revolving credit facility, our borrowing availability under such facility is approximately 54% of the credit facility, or €65 million ($79 million).  

Our assets consist primarily of investments in operating subsidiaries, and our ability to service parent-level obligations depends in part upon the distribution of earnings of our subsidiaries, whether in the form of dividends, advances or payments on account of intercompany obligations or otherwise.  Our new term loan is collateralized, by, among other things, a first priority lien on (i) 100% of the common stock of certain of our U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries, (ii) 65% of the common stock or other ownership interest of our Canadian subsidiary (Kronos Canada, Inc.) and certain first-tier European subsidiaries (Kronos Titan GmbH and Kronos Denmark ApS) and (iii) a            $395.7 million unsecured promissory note issued by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Kronos International, Inc. (KII).  The term loan is also collateralized by a second priority lien on our U.S. assets which collateralize our North American revolving facility.  Our North American revolving credit facility is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrower’s trade receivables and inventories.  Our European revolving credit facility is collateralized by, among other things, the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrowers plus a limited pledge of all the other assets of the Belgian borrower.  See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity

Our primary source of liquidity on an ongoing basis is cash flows from operating activities which is

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generally used to (i) fund working capital expenditures, (ii) repay any short-term indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes and (iii) provide for the payment of dividends.  From time-to-time we will incur indebtedness, generally to (i) fund short-term working capital needs, (ii) refinance existing indebtedness or (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business.  We will also from time-to-time sell assets outside the ordinary course of business and use the proceeds to (i) repay existing indebtedness, (ii) make investments in marketable and other securities, (iii) fund major capital expenditures or the acquisition of other assets outside the ordinary course of business or (iv) pay dividends.

The TiO₂ industry is cyclical, and changes in industry economic conditions significantly impact earnings and operating cash flows.  Changes in TiO₂ pricing, production volumes and customer demand, among other things, could significantly affect our liquidity.

We routinely evaluate our liquidity requirements, alternative uses of capital, capital needs and availability of resources in view of, among other things, our dividend policy, our debt service, our capital expenditure requirements and estimated future operating cash flows.  As a result of this process, we have in the past and may in the future seek to reduce, refinance, repurchase or restructure indebtedness, raise additional capital, repurchase shares of our common stock, modify our dividend policy, restructure ownership interests, sell interests in our subsidiaries or other assets, or take a combination of these steps or other steps to manage our liquidity and capital resources.  Such activities have in the past and may in the future involve related companies.  In the normal course of our business, we may investigate, evaluate, discuss and engage in acquisition, joint venture, strategic relationship and other business combination opportunities in the TiO₂ industry.  In the event of any future acquisition or joint venture opportunity, we may consider using then-available liquidity, issuing our equity securities or incurring additional indebtedness.

Based upon our expectation for the TiO₂ industry and anticipated demands on cash resources, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to meet our short term obligations (defined as the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2015) and our long-term obligations (defined as the five-year period ending December 31, 2019, our time period for long-term budgeting).  If actual developments differ from our expectations, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities

At December 31, 2014 we had:

 

Stock repurchase program

At December 31, 2014, we have 1,951,000 shares available for repurchase under a stock repurchase program authorized by our board of directors.  See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Capital expenditures

We intend to spend approximately $72 million to maintain and improve our existing facilities during 2015, including approximately $14 million in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement.  The majority of our expenditures in 2015 will be to maintain and improve the cost-effectiveness of our manufacturing facilities.  Our capital expenditures in the area of environmental compliance, protection and improvement include

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expenditures which are primarily focused on increased operating efficiency but also result in improved environmental protection, such as lower emissions from our manufacturing plants.  Capital spending for 2015 is expected to be funded through cash on hand or borrowing under existing credit facilities.

 

Off-balance sheet financing

Other than operating lease commitments disclosed in Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we are not party to any material off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

Related party transactions

We are party to certain transactions with related parties. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. It is our policy to engage in transactions with related parties on terms, in our opinion, no less favorable to us than could be obtained from unrelated parties.

Commitments and contingencies

See Notes 10 and 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of certain income tax examinations currently underway, certain legal proceedings and other commitments.

Recent accounting pronouncements

See Note 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Debt and other contractual commitments

As more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are a party to various debt, lease and other agreements which contractually and unconditionally commit us to pay certain amounts in the future. See Notes 9, 14, 15 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The timing and amount shown for our commitments in the table below are based upon the contractual payment amount and the contractual payment date for such commitments. The following table summarizes such contractual commitments of ours and our consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.

 

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The above table does not reflect:

We occasionally enter into raw material supply arrangements to mitigate the short-term impact of future increases in raw material costs. While these arrangements do not necessarily commit us to a minimum volume of purchase, they generally provide for stated unit prices based upon achievement of specified volume purchase levels. This allows us to stabilize raw material purchase prices to a certain extent, provided the specified minimum monthly purchase quantities are met.

Defined benefit pension plans

We maintain various defined benefit pension plans in the U.S., Europe and Canada. See Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Under defined benefit pension plan accounting, defined benefit pension plan expense, pension assets and accrued pension costs are each recognized based on certain actuarial assumptions.  These assumptions are principally the assumed discount rate, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets and the assumed increase in future compensation levels. We recognize the full funded status of our defined benefit pension plans as either an asset (for overfunded plans) or a liability (for underfunded plans) in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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We recognized consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense of $25.1 million in 2012, $36.8 million in 2013 and $21.8 million in 2014. Included in our 2013 defined benefit plan expense is a curtailment charge of $7.3 million resulting from amendments to one of our Canadian plans.  Certain non-U.S. employees are covered by plans in their respective countries, principally in Germany, Canada and Norway.  Participation in the defined benefit pension plan in Germany was closed to new participants effective in 2005.  German employees hired beginning in 2005 participate in a new plan in which the retirement benefit is based upon the amount of employee and employer contributions to the plan, but for which in accordance with German law the employer guarantees a minimum rate of return on invested assets and a guaranteed indexed lifetime benefit payment after retirement based on the participant’s account balance at the time of retirement. In accordance with GAAP, the new pension plan is accounted for as a defined benefit plan, principally because of such guaranteed minimum rate of return and guaranteed lifetime benefit payment.  Participation in the defined benefit plan in Canada with respect to hourly and salaried workers was closed to new participants in December 2013 and 2014, respectively, and existing hourly and salaried plan participants will no longer accrue additional defined pension benefits after December 2013 and 2014, respectively.  Our U.S. plan was closed to new participants in 1996, and existing participants no longer accrued any additional benefits after that date.  The amount of funding requirements for these defined benefit pension plans is generally based upon applicable regulations (such as ERISA in the U.S.) and will generally differ from pension expense for financial reporting purposes. We made contributions to all of our plans which aggregated $28.2 million in 2012, $27.0 million in 2013 and $20.1 million in 2014.

The discount rates we use for determining defined benefit pension expense and the related pension obligations are based on current interest rates earned on long-term bonds that receive one of the two highest ratings given by recognized rating agencies in the applicable country where the defined benefit pension benefits are being paid. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate discount rates and these advisors may in some cases use their own market indices. We adjust these discount rates as of each December 31 valuation date to reflect then-current interest rates on such long-term bonds. We use these discount rates to determine the actuarial present value of the pension obligations as of December 31 of that year. We also use these discount rates to determine the interest component of defined benefit pension expense for the following year.

At December 31, 2014, approximately 66%, 18%, 9% and 3% of the projected benefit obligations related to our plans in Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different discount rate assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan obligation and expense. This is because we maintain defined benefit pension plans in several different countries in Europe and North America and the interest rate environment differs from country to country.

We used the following discount rates for our defined benefit pension plans:

 

The assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets represents the estimated average rate of earnings expected to be earned on the funds invested or to be invested in the plans’ assets provided to fund the benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligations. Unlike the discount rate, which is adjusted each year based on changes in current long-term interest rates, the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets will not necessarily change based upon the actual short-term performance of the plan assets in any given year. Defined benefit pension expense each year is based upon the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets for each plan, the actual fair value of the plan assets as of the beginning of the year and an estimate of the amount of contributions to and distributions from the plan during the year. Differences between the expected return on plan assets for a given year and the actual return are deferred and amortized over future periods based either upon the expected average remaining service life of the active plan participants (for plans for which benefits are still being earned by

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active employees) or the average remaining life expectancy of the inactive participants (for plans for which benefits are not still being earned by active employees).

At December 31, 2014, approximately 56%, 25%, 13% and 4% of the plan assets related to our plans in the Germany, Canada, Norway and the U.S., respectively. We use several different long-term rates of return on plan asset assumptions in determining our consolidated defined benefit pension plan expense. This is because the plan assets in different countries are invested in a different mix of investments and the long-term rates of return for different investments differ from country to country.

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components.  In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return.  Substantially all of the assets of our U.S. plan are invested in the Combined Master Retirement Trust (CMRT), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts which fund certain employee benefits sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates, including us.  Such assumed asset mixes are discussed in Note 11 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our pension plan weighted average asset allocations by asset category were as follows:

 

 

We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each non-US plan and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation when considered appropriate. The CMRT trustee and investment committee do not maintain a specific target asset allocation in order to achieve their objectives, but instead they periodically change the asset mix of the CMRT based upon, among other things, advice they receive from third-party advisors and their expectations regarding potential returns for various investment alternatives and what asset mix will generate the greatest overall return.

Our assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets for 2012, 2013 and 2014 were as follows:

 

We currently expect to use the same long-term rate of return on plan asset assumptions in 2015 as we used in 2014 for purposes of determining the 2015 defined benefit pension plan expense.

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To the extent that a plan’s particular pension benefit formula calculates the pension benefit in whole or in part based upon future compensation levels, the projected benefit obligations and the pension expense will be based in part upon expected increases in future compensation levels. For all of our plans for which the benefit formula is so calculated, we generally base the assumed expected increase in future compensation levels upon average long-term inflation rates for the applicable country.

In addition to the actuarial assumptions discussed above, the amount of recognized defined benefit pension expense and the amount of net pension asset and net pension liability will vary based upon relative changes in currency exchange rates.

A reduction in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial loss, as the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments will increase. Conversely, an increase in the assumed discount rate generally results in an actuarial gain. In addition, an actual return on plan assets for a given year that is greater than the assumed return on plan assets results in an actuarial gain, while an actual return on plan assets that is less than the assumed return results in an actuarial loss. Other actual outcomes that differ from previous assumptions, such as individuals living longer or shorter than assumed in mortality tables, which are also used to determine the actuarially-determined present value of estimated future benefit payments, changes in such mortality table themselves or plan amendments, will also result in actuarial losses or gains. These amounts are recognized in other comprehensive income. In addition, any actuarial gains generated in future periods would reduce the negative amortization effect of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial losses, while any actuarial losses generated in future periods would reduce the favorable amortization effect of any cumulative unrecognized actuarial gains.

During 2014, all of our defined benefit pension plans generated a combined net actuarial loss of approximately $103.9 million. This actuarial loss resulted primarily from the decrease in discount rates from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 and the adoption of new mortality tables for our U.S. plan, partially offset by an actual return on plan assets during 2014 in excess of the expected return.

Based on the actuarial assumptions described above and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2015, we expect our defined benefit pension expense will approximate $26 million in 2015. In comparison, we expect to be required to contribute approximately $19 million to such plans during 2015.

As noted above, defined benefit pension expense and the amounts recognized as accrued pension costs are based upon the actuarial assumptions discussed above. We believe all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2014, our aggregate projected benefit obligations would have increased by approximately $30.2 million at that date and our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $2.3 million during 2014. Similarly, if we lowered the assumed long-term rate of return on plan assets by 25 basis points for all of our plans, our defined benefit pension expense would be expected to increase by approximately $1.1 million during 2014.

OPEB plans

Certain of our subsidiaries in the U.S. and Canada currently provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees. Under other postretirement employee benefits (OPEB) accounting, OPEB expense and accrued OPEB costs are based on certain actuarial assumptions, principally the assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs. We recognize the full unfunded status of our OPEB plans as a liability.  See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the consolidated OPEB cost we recognized during the last three years, the amount of our accrued OPEB costs, and the associated actuarial assumptions utilized.

Based on such actuarial assumptions and our current expectation for what actual average currency exchange rates will be during 2015, we expect our consolidated OPEB benefit will approximate $.1 million in 2015. In comparison, we expect to be required to make approximately $.4 million of contributions to such plans during 2015.

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We believe that all of the actuarial assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate. However, if we had lowered the assumed discount rate by 25 basis points for all plans as of December 31, 2014, our aggregate projected benefit obligations at that date and our OPEB cost during 2014 would not be materially impacted.  Similarly, a one percent assumed change in health care trend rates for all plans would not materially impact our OPEB costs.

Operations outside the United States

As discussed above, we have substantial operations located outside the United States for which the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. As a result, the reported amount of our assets and liabilities related to our non-U.S. operations, and therefore our consolidated net assets, will fluctuate based upon changes in currency exchange rates. At December 31, 2014, we had substantial net assets denominated in the euro, Canadian dollar and Norwegian krone.

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General

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates and raw materials prices.

Interest rates

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, primarily related to indebtedness.  At December 31, 2014, the majority of our aggregate indebtedness comprised variable-rate instruments. The following table presents principal amounts and weighted average interest rates for our aggregate outstanding indebtedness at December 31, 2014.   See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Currency exchange rates

We are exposed to market risk arising from changes in currency exchange rates as a result of manufacturing and selling our products worldwide. Earnings are primarily affected by fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Norwegian krone and the United Kingdom pound sterling.

Certain of our sales generated by our non-U.S. operations are denominated in U.S. dollars.  We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of currency exchange rate risk associated with trade receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder’s functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales. We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future.  See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of certain currency forward contracts to which we are a party at December 31, 2014.

Marketable security prices

We are exposed to market risk due to changes in prices of the marketable securities which we own. The fair value of securities which includes investments in publicly-traded shares of related parties was $30.4 million and $11.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014. The potential change in the aggregate fair value of these investments, assuming a 10% change in prices, would be approximately $3 million and $1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014.

Raw materials

We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices relating to our raw materials. As discussed in Item 1 we generally enter into long-term supply agreements for certain of our raw material requirements. Many of our raw material contracts contain fixed quantities we are required to purchase, or specify a range of quantities within which we are required to purchase. Raw material pricing under these agreements is

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generally negotiated quarterly or semi-annually depending upon the suppliers. For certain raw material requirements we do not have long-term supply agreements either because we have assessed the risk of the unavailability of those raw materials and/or the risk of a significant change in the cost of those raw materials to be low, or because long-term supply agreements for those raw materials are generally not available.

Other

We believe there may be a certain amount of incompleteness in the sensitivity analyses presented above. For example, the hypothetical effect of changes in exchange rates discussed above ignores the potential effect on other variables which affect our results of operations and cash flows, such as demand for our products, sales volumes and selling prices and operating expenses. Accordingly, the amounts presented above are not necessarily an accurate reflection of the potential losses we would incur assuming the hypothetical changes in exchange rates were actually to occur.

The above discussion and estimated sensitivity analysis amounts include forward-looking statements of market risk which assume hypothetical changes in currency exchange rates. Actual future market conditions will likely differ materially from such assumptions. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements should not be considered to be projections by us of future events, gains or losses.

 

The information called for by this Item is contained in a separate section of this Annual Report. See “Index of Financial Statements” (page F-1).

 

None

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures which, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), means controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit to the SEC under the Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions to be made regarding required disclosure. Each of Bobby D. O’Brien, our Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Gregory M. Swalwell, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based upon their evaluation, these executive officers have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the date of such evaluation.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting which, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) means a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals, and includes those policies and procedures that:

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Our evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is based upon the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013 (commonly referred to as the “2013 COSO” framework).  Based on our evaluation under that framework, we have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that has audited our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, has audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, as stated in their report, which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

As permitted by the SEC, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting excludes (i) internal control over financial reporting of equity method investees and (ii) internal control over the preparation of any financial statement schedules which would be required by Article 12 of Regulation S-X. However, our assessment of internal control over financial reporting with respect to equity method investees did include controls over the recording of amounts related to our investment that are recorded in the consolidated financial statements, including controls over the selection of accounting methods for our investments, the recognition of equity method earnings and losses and the determination, valuation and recording of our investment account balances.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

There has been no change to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Certifications

Our chief executive officer is required to annually file a certification with the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, certifying our compliance with the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE. During 2014, our chief executive officer filed such annual certification with the NYSE. The 2014 certification was unqualified.

Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer are also required to, among other things, file quarterly certifications with the SEC regarding the quality of our public disclosures, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The certifications for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 have been filed as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Not applicable

 

 

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PART III

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2015 definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2015 proxy statement.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2015 proxy statement.

 

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to our 2015 proxy statement. See also Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The information required by the Item is incorporated by reference to our 2015 proxy statement.

 

 

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PART IV

 

 

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43

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44

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC.

Annual Report on Form 10-K

Items 8, 15(a) and 15(c)

Index of Financial Statements

 

All financial statement schedules have been omitted either because they are not applicable or required, or the information that would be required to be included is disclosed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

F-1

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2013 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, Texas

March 12, 2015

 

 

 

F-2

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

F-3

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 15)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-4

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In millions, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-5

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

(In millions)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In millions)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

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KRONOS WORLDWIDE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2014

 

Note 1 - Summary of significant accounting policies:

Organization and basis of presentation - At December 31, 2014, Valhi, Inc. (NYSE: VHI) held approximately 50% of our outstanding common stock and NL Industries, Inc. (NYSE: NL) held approximately 30% of our common stock, Valhi owned approximately 83% of NL’s outstanding common stock and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Contran Corporation held approximately 93% of Valhi’s outstanding common stock.  Substantially all of Contran’s outstanding voting stock is held by family trusts established for the benefit of Lisa K. Simmons and Serena Simmons Connelly, daughters of Harold C. Simmons, and their children (for which Ms. Lisa Simmons and Ms. Connelly are co-trustees) or is held directly by Ms. Lisa Simmons and Ms. Connelly or persons or entities related to them, including their step-mother Annette C. Simmons, the widow of Mr. Simmons. Prior to his death in December 2013, Mr. Simmons served as sole trustee of the family trusts.  Under a voting agreement entered into by all of the voting stockholders of Contran, effective in February 2014 and as amended, the size of the board of directors of Contran was fixed at five members, Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons (and in the event of their death, their heirs) each has the right to designate one of the five members of the Contran board and the remaining two members of the Contran board must consist of members of Contran management. Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons each serve as members of the Contran board.  The voting agreement expires in February 2017 (unless Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons otherwise unanimously agree), and the ability of Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons to each designate one member of the Contran board is dependent upon each of their continued beneficial ownership of at least 5% of the combined voting stock of Contran.  Consequently, Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons may be deemed to control Contran, Valhi, NL and us.

Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Kronos Worldwide, Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Management’s estimates - In preparing our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) we are required 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 amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results may differ significantly from previously-estimated amounts under different assumptions or conditions.

Principles of consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our majority-owned subsidiaries.  We have eliminated all material intercompany accounts and balances.

Translation of currencies - We translate the assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar at year-end exchange rates, while we translate our revenues and expenses at average exchange rates prevailing during the year.  We accumulate the resulting translation adjustments in stockholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes.  We recognize currency transaction gains and losses in income currently.

Derivatives and hedging activities - We recognize derivatives as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value.  We recognize the effect of changes in the fair value of derivatives either in net income or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on the intended use of the derivative.

Cash and cash equivalents - We classify bank time deposits and U.S. Treasury securities purchased under short-term agreements to resell with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents.

Restricted cash and cash equivalents - We classify cash and cash equivalents that have been segregated or are otherwise limited in use as restricted.  To the extent the restricted amount relates to a recognized liability, we classify such restricted amount as either a current or noncurrent asset to correspond with the classification of the

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liability.  To the extent the restricted amount does not relate to a recognized liability, we classify restricted cash as a current asset.  See Note 7.

Marketable securities and securities transactions - We carry marketable securities at fair value.  Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and (with certain exceptions) this framework is generally applied to all financial statement items required to be measured at fair value.  The standard requires fair value measurements to be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

We classify all of our marketable securities as available-for-sale and unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized through other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, except for any decline in value we conclude is other than temporary, which is accounted for as a realized loss as a component of net income.  We base realized gains and losses upon the specific identification of the securities sold.

We evaluate our investments whenever events or conditions occur to indicate that the fair value of such investments has declined below their carrying amounts.  If the carrying amount for an investment declines below its historical cost basis, we evaluate all available positive and negative evidence including, but not limited to, the extent and duration of the impairment, business prospects for the investee and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the recovery of fair value.  If we determine the decline in fair value is other than temporary, the carrying amount of the investment is written down to fair value.

See Notes 6, 11 and 16.

Accounts receivable - We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for known and estimated potential losses arising from sales to customers based on a periodic review of these accounts.

Inventories and cost of sales - We state inventories at the lower of cost or market, net of allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventories.  We generally base inventory costs for all inventory categories on average cost that approximates the first-in, first-out method.  Inventories include the costs for raw materials, the cost to manufacture the raw materials into finished goods and overhead.  Depending on the inventory’s stage of completion, our manufacturing costs can include the costs of packing and finishing, utilities, maintenance, depreciation, and salaries and benefits associated with our manufacturing process.  We allocate fixed manufacturing overheads based on normal production capacity.  Unallocated overhead costs resulting from periods with abnormally low production levels are charged to expense as incurred.  As inventory is sold to third parties, we recognize the cost of sales in the same period that the sale occurs.  We periodically review our inventory for estimated obsolescence or instances when inventory is no longer marketable for its intended use, and we record any write-down equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated net realizable value based on assumptions about alternative uses, market conditions and other factors.

Investment in TiO₂ manufacturing joint venture - We account for our investment in a 50%-owned manufacturing joint venture by the equity method.  See Note 5.

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Property and equipment and depreciation - We state property and equipment at cost, including capitalized interest on borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects.  Capitalized interest costs were $1.1 million in 2012, $1.5 million in 2013 and $2.9 million in 2014.  We compute depreciation of property and equipment for financial reporting purposes (including mining equipment) principally by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

We use accelerated depreciation methods for income tax purposes, as permitted.  Upon the sale or retirement of an asset, we remove the related cost and accumulated depreciation from the accounts and recognize any gain or loss in income currently.

We expense costs incurred for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals (including planned major maintenance) while we capitalize expenditures for major improvements.

We have a governmental concession with an unlimited term to operate our ilmenite mines in Norway.  Mining properties consist of buildings and equipment used in our Norwegian ilmenite mining operations.  While we own the land and ilmenite reserves associated with the mining operations, such land and reserves were acquired for nominal value and we have no material asset recognized for the land and reserves related to our mining operations.

We perform impairment tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.  We consider all relevant factors.  We perform the impairment test by comparing the estimated future undiscounted cash flows (exclusive of interest expense) associated with the asset to the asset’s net carrying value to determine if a write-down to fair value or discounted cash flow value is required.

Long-term debt - We state long-term debt net of any unamortized original issue premium or discount.  We classify amortization of deferred financing costs and any premium or discount associated with the issuance of indebtedness as interest expense and compute such amortization by either the interest method or the straight-line method over the term of the applicable issue.

Employee benefit plans - Accounting and funding policies for our retirement plans are described in Note 11.

Income taxes - We, Valhi and our qualifying subsidiaries are members of Contran’s consolidated U.S. federal income tax group (the Contran Tax Group) and we and certain of our qualifying subsidiaries also file consolidated income tax returns with Contran in various U.S. state jurisdictions.  As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are jointly and severally liable for the federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group.  See Note 15.  As a member of the Contran Tax Group, we are a party to a tax sharing agreement which provides that we compute our provision for U.S. income taxes on a separate-company basis using the tax elections made by Contran.  Pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, we make payments to or receive payments from Valhi in amounts we would have paid to or received from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or the applicable state tax authority had we not been a member of the Contran Tax Group.  We made net payments of income taxes to Valhi of $32.1 million in 2012, $24.2 million in 2013 and $8.2 million in 2014.

We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, including investments in our subsidiaries and affiliates who are not members of the Contran Tax Group and undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries which are not deemed to be permanently reinvested.  The earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries subject to permanent reinvestment plans aggregated $659 million at December 31, 2014.  It is not practical for us to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to such earnings due to the complexities associated with the U.S. taxation on earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries repatriated to

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the U.S.  We periodically evaluate our deferred tax assets in the various taxing jurisdictions in which we operate and adjust any related valuation allowance based on the estimate of the amount of such deferred tax assets that we believe does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria.

We record a reserve for uncertain tax positions for tax positions where we believe that it is more-likely-than-not our position will not prevail with the applicable tax authorities.  The amount of the benefit associated with our uncertain tax positions that we recognize is limited to the largest amount for which we believe the likelihood of realization is greater than 50%.  We accrue penalties and interest on the difference between tax positions taken on our tax returns and the amount of benefit recognized for financial reporting purposes.  We classify our reserves for uncertain tax positions in a separate current or noncurrent liability, depending on the nature of the tax position.  See Note 10.

Net sales - We record sales when products are shipped and title and other risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer.  Shipping terms of products shipped are generally FOB shipping point, although in some instances shipping terms are FOB destination point (for which we do not recognize sales until the product is received by the customer) or other standard shipping terms.  We state sales net of price, early payment and distributor discounts and volume rebates.  We report any tax assessed by a governmental authority that we collect from our customers that is both imposed on and concurrent with our revenue-producing activities (such as sales, use, value added and excise taxes) on a net basis (meaning we do not recognize these taxes either in our revenues or in our costs and expenses).

Selling, general and administrative expense; shipping and handling costs - Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs related to marketing, sales, distribution, shipping and handling, research and development, legal, and administrative functions such as accounting, treasury and finance, and includes costs for salaries and benefits not associated with our manufacturing process, travel and entertainment, promotional materials and professional fees. We include shipping and handling costs in selling, general and administrative expense and these costs were $89 million in 2012, $93 million in 2013 and $95 million in 2014.  We expense research, development and certain sales technical support costs as incurred and these costs approximated $19 million in 2012, $18 million in 2013 and $19 million in 2014. We expense advertising costs as incurred and these costs were not material in any year presented.

Note 2 - Geographic information:

Our operations are associated with the production and sale of titanium dioxide pigments (TiO₂).  TiO₂ is used to impart whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to a wide variety of products, including paints, plastics, paper, fibers and ceramics.  Additionally, TiO₂ is a critical component of everyday applications, such as coatings, plastics and paper, as well as many specialty products such as inks, foods and cosmetics.  At December 31, 2013 and 2014 the net assets of non-U.S. subsidiaries included in consolidated net assets approximated $492 million and $380 million, respectively.

For geographic information, we attribute net sales to the place of manufacture (point of origin) and to the location of the customer (point of destination); we attribute property and equipment to their physical location.

 

 

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Note 3 - Accounts and other receivables:

 

 

Note 4 - Inventories, net:

 

 

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Note 5 - Investment in TiO₂ manufacturing joint venture:

We own a 50% interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. (LPC). LPC is a manufacturing joint venture whose other 50%-owner is Tioxide Americas LLC (Tioxide). Tioxide is a subsidiary of Huntsman Corporation. LPC owns and operates a chloride-process TiO₂ plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

We and Tioxide are both required to purchase one-half of the TiO₂ produced by LPC, unless we and Tioxide agree otherwise (such as in 2012, when we purchased approximately 52% of the production from the plant). LPC operates on a break-even basis and, accordingly, we report no equity in earnings of LPC. Each owner’s acquisition transfer price for its share of the TiO₂ produced is equal to its share of the joint venture’s production costs and interest expense, if any. Our share of net cost is reported as cost of sales as the related TiO₂ acquired from LPC is sold. We report distributions we receive from LPC, which generally relate to excess cash generated by LPC from its non-cash production costs, and contributions we make to LPC, which generally relate to cash required by LPC when it builds working capital, as part of our cash flows from operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The components of our net distributions from LPC are shown in the table below.

 

Summary balance sheets of LPC are shown below:

 

Summary income statements of LPC are shown below:

 

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Note 6 - Marketable securities:

Our marketable securities consist of investments in the publicly-traded shares of related parties: Valhi, NL and CompX International Inc. NL owns the majority of CompX’s outstanding common stock. All of our marketable securities are accounted for as available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value using quoted market prices in active markets for each marketable security and represent a Level 1 input within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 16. Because we have classified all of our marketable securities as available-for-sale, any unrealized gains or losses on the securities are recognized through other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes.

 

At December 31, 2013 and 2014, we held approximately 1.7 million shares of Valhi’s common stock, which we purchased prior to 2012. We also held a nominal number of shares of CompX and NL common stocks. At December 31, 2013 and 2014, the quoted per share market price of Valhi’s common stock was $17.58 and $6.41, respectively.

With respect to our investment in Valhi stock, our cost basis has exceeded its market value since March 2014, but we consider such decline in market price to be temporary at December 31, 2014.  We considered all available evidence in reaching this conclusion, including our ability and intent to hold this investment for a reasonable period of time sufficient for the recovery of fair value, as evidenced by the amount of liquidity we currently have with cash on hand.  We will continue to monitor the quoted market price for this investment.  In this regard, as of February 27, 2015, the aggregate quoted market price for our shares of Valhi common stock was $4.5 million less than our aggregate cost basis.  If we conclude in the future that a decline in value of one or more of these securities was other than temporary, we would recognize impairment through an income statement charge at that time.  Such income statement impairment charge would be offset in other comprehensive income by the reversal of the previously recognized unrealized losses to the extent they were previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Prior to December 31, 2012, we held approximately 4.2 million shares, or 2.4%, of Titanium Metals Corporation’s (TIMET) outstanding common stock, which we purchased prior to 2012. TIMET was also an affiliate of ours, as Contran, Mr. Harold Simmons and persons and other entities related to Mr. Simmons (including us) owned a majority of TIMET’s outstanding common stock. In December 2012, we sold all of our shares of TIMET common stock for $70.0 million ($16.50 per share) pursuant to a cash tender offer by a third party, and all of our affiliates also sold their shares of TIMET common stock for the same price. Securities transactions in 2012 consist of a $3.9 million pre-tax loss we recognized on the sale of these TIMET shares.

The Valhi, CompX and NL common stocks we own are subject to the restrictions on resale pursuant to certain provisions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rule 144. In addition, as a majority-owned subsidiary of Valhi we cannot vote our shares of Valhi common stock under Delaware General Corporation Law, but we do receive dividends from Valhi on these shares, when declared and paid.

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Note 7 - Other noncurrent assets:

 

 

Note 8 - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:

 

 

Note 9 - Long-term debt:

 

Term loans - In 2013, we voluntarily repaid our entire $400 million term loan that was issued in June 2012. We prepaid an aggregate $290 million principal amount in February 2013 and recognized a non-cash pre-tax interest charge of $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2013 related to this prepayment consisting of the write-off of the unamortized original issue discount costs and deferred financing costs associated with such prepayment. Funds for such prepayment were provided by $100 million of our cash on hand as well as borrowings of $190 million under a 2013 loan agreement from Contran as described below. In July 2013, we voluntarily prepaid the remaining $100 million principal amount outstanding under such term loan, using $50 million of our cash on hand and borrowings of $50 million under our revolving North American credit facility. We recognized a non-cash pre-tax interest charge of $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2013 related to this prepayment consisting of the write-off of the unamortized original issue discount costs and deferred financing costs associated with such prepayment.

In February 2014, we entered into a new $350 million term loan.  The term loan was issued at 99.5% of the principal amount, or an aggregate of $348.3 million.  We used $170 million of the net proceeds of the new term loan to prepay the outstanding principal balance of our note payable to Contran (along with accrued and unpaid interest

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through the prepayment date), and such note payable was cancelled.    The remaining net proceeds of the term loan are available for our general corporate purposes.  The new term loan:

The average interest rate on the term loan borrowings as of and for the period from issuance to December 31, 2014 was 4.75%.  The carrying value of the term loan at December 31, 2014 includes unamortized original issue discount of $1.5 million.

Note payable to Contran - As discussed above, in February 2013 we entered into a promissory note with Contran. This loan from Contran contained terms and conditions similar to the terms and conditions of our prior $400 million term loan, except that the loan from Contran was unsecured and contained no ongoing financial maintenance covenant. The independent members of our board of directors approved the terms and conditions of the loan from Contran.  In 2013, we borrowed $190 million and subsequently repaid $20 million.  As discussed above, in February 2014 we used $170 million of the proceeds from our new term loan and prepaid the remaining balance owed to Contran under this note payable (without penalty), and the note payable to Contran was cancelled.

Senior Secured Notes - In 2012, we redeemed the remaining €279.2 million principal amount of our Senior Secured Notes that were outstanding, and recognized an aggregate $7.2 million pre-tax charge related to such early extinguishment consisting of the call premium paid, interest from the June 14, 2012 indenture discharge date to the July 20, 2012 redemption date and the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount associated with their redemption.

Revolving credit facilities

Revolving North American credit facility - In June 2012, we entered into a $125 million revolving bank credit facility which matures in June 2017. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility are available for our general corporate purposes. Available borrowings on this facility are based on formula-determined amounts of

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eligible trade receivables and inventories, as defined in the agreement, of certain of our North American subsidiaries less any outstanding letters of credit up to $15 million issued under the facility (with revolving borrowings by our Canadian subsidiary limited to $25 million). Any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.5% to 2.0% or at the applicable base rate, as defined in the agreement, plus a margin ranging from .5% to 1.0%. The credit facility is collateralized by, among other things, a first priority lien on the borrowers’ trade receivables and inventories. The facility contains a number of covenants and restrictions which, among other things, restricts the borrowers’ ability to incur additional debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of their assets to, another entity, contains other provisions and restrictive covenants customary in lending transactions of this type and under certain conditions requires the maintenance of a specified financial covenant (fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined) to be at least 1.1 to 1.0.  During 2014, we borrowed $81.0 million and repaid $92.1 million under this facility. The average interest rate on outstanding borrowings for the year-to-date period ended February 18, 2014 when the outstanding balance was repaid was 3.75%.  At December 31, 2014 we had approximately $94.2 million available for borrowing under this revolving facility.

Revolving European credit facility - Our operating subsidiaries in Germany, Belgium, Norway and Denmark have a €120 million secured revolving bank credit facility that matures in September 2017.  We may denominate borrowings in Euros, Norwegian kroner or U.S. dollars.  Outstanding borrowings bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.90%. The facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable and inventories of the borrowers, plus a limited pledge of all of the other assets of the Belgian borrower.  The facility contains certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the borrowers to incur debt, incur liens, pay dividends or merge or consolidate with, or sell or transfer all or substantially all of the assets to, another entity, and requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios.  In addition, the credit facility contains customary cross-default provisions with respect to other debt and obligations of the borrowers, KII and its other subsidiaries.

We had no borrowings or repayments under this facility during 2014.  At December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.  Our European revolving credit facility requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, and one of such requirements is based on the ratio of net debt to last twelve months earnings before income tax, interest, depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) of the borrowers.  Based upon the borrowers’ last twelve months EBITDA as of December 31, 2014 and the net debt to EBITDA financial test, our borrowing availability at December 31, 2014 is approximately 54% of the credit facility, or €65 million ($79 million).

Canada - In December 2011, our Canadian subsidiary entered into an agreement with an economic development agency of the Province of Quebec, Canada pursuant to which we have borrowed an aggregate of Cdn. $3.0 million through December 31, 2014.  We borrowed an additional Cdn. $1.5 million under this facility in January 2015 (and no additional amounts are expected to be borrowed under this facility).  Borrowings may only be used to fund capital improvements at our Canadian plant and are limited to a specified percentage of such capital improvements. Borrowings are non-interest bearing, with monthly payments commencing in 2018. The agreement contains certain restrictive covenants, which, among other things, restricts the subsidiary’s ability to sell assets or enter into mergers, and requires our subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios and maintain specified levels of employment. At December 31, 2014, we had Cdn. $3.0 million (USD $2.6 million), outstanding under this agreement.

Prior to December 31, 2014, we had an aggregate of Cdn. $7.9 million of letters of credit outstanding issued by a bank on behalf of our Canadian subsidiary.  These letters of credit were issued in connection with the appeal of a Canadian income tax assessment discussed in Note 10.  Upon the successful completion of the appeal in 2014, such letters of credit were cancelled, and an equivalent amount of restricted cash deposits which had been collateralizing such letters of credit, classified as noncurrent restricted cash, were released (See Note 7).

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Aggregate maturities and other - Aggregate maturities of debt at December 31, 2014 are presented in the table below.  

 

 

We are in compliance with all of our debt covenants at December 31, 2014.

 

Note 10 - Income taxes:

 

 

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The components of our net deferred income taxes at December 31, 2013 and 2014 are summarized in the following table.

 

In the third quarter of 2012, France enacted certain changes in their income tax laws, including a 3% nondeductible surtax on all dividend distributions on which tax is assessed at the time of the distribution against the company making such distribution.  Consequently, our French subsidiary will be required to pay an additional 3% tax on all future dividend distributions.  Our undistributed earnings in France are deemed to be permanently reinvested and such tax will be recognized as part of our income tax expense if and when a dividend is declared and at that time the related tax will be remitted to the French government in accordance with the applicable tax law.  During 2013 and 2014, our French subsidiary distributed no dividends. At December 31, 2014, our French subsidiary has undistributed earnings of approximately $12.8 million that, if distributed, would be subject to the 3% surtax.  We also accrue U.S. incremental income taxes on earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries which we have determined are not permanently reinvested.  

Tax authorities are examining certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns and have or may propose tax deficiencies, including penalties and interest.  Because of the inherent uncertainties involved in settlement initiatives and court and tax proceedings, we cannot guarantee that these tax matters will be resolved in our favor, and therefore our potential exposure, if any, is also uncertain.  In 2011 and 2012 we received notices of re-assessment

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from the Canadian federal and provincial tax authorities related to the years 2002 through 2004.  We objected to the re-assessments and believed the position was without merit.  Accordingly, we appealed the re-assessments and in connection with such appeal we were required to post letters of credit aggregating Cdn. $7.9 million (see Note 9).  In the second quarter of 2014, the Appeals Division of the Canadian Revenue Authority ruled in our favor and reversed in their entirety such notices of re-assessment.  As a result, we recognized a non-cash income tax benefit of $3.0 million related to the release of a portion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions in the second quarter of 2014 related to the completion of this Canadian income tax audit.  In addition, the related letters of credit have been cancelled (see Note 9).  Also during the second quarter of 2014, we recognized a non-cash income tax benefit of $3.1 million related to the release of a portion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions in conjunction with the completion of an audit of our U.S. income tax return for 2009. We believe we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations.  We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

We accrue interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes.  The amount of interest and penalties we accrued during 2012, 2013 and 2014 was not material, and at December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, we had $3.4 million, $3.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively, accrued for interest and penalties for our uncertain tax positions.

The following table shows the changes in the amount of our uncertain tax positions (exclusive of the effect of interest and penalties discussed above) during 2012, 2013 and 2014:

 

 

If our uncertain tax positions were recognized, a benefit of $16.4 million, $15.1 million and $8.8 million would affect our effective income tax rates for 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively.  At December 31, 2014, we currently estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits will not change materially during the next twelve months related to our prior year returns.

We file income tax returns in various U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions.  We also file income tax returns in various non-U.S. jurisdictions, principally in Germany, Canada, Belgium and Norway.  Our U.S. income tax returns prior to 2011 are generally considered closed to examination by applicable tax authorities.  Our non-U.S. income tax returns are generally considered closed to examination for years prior to 2010 for Germany, 2011 for Belgium, 2009 for Canada and 2005 for Norway.

At December 31, 2014, we had the equivalent of $738 million and $94 million of net operating loss carryforwards for German corporate and trade tax purposes, respectively and we had the equivalent of $87 million of net operating loss carryforwards for Belgian corporate tax purposes.  At December 31, 2014, we have concluded that no deferred income tax asset valuation allowance is required to be recognized with respect to such carryforwards, principally because (i) such carryforwards have an indefinite carryforward period, (ii) we have utilized a portion of such carryforwards during the most recent three-year period and (iii) we currently expect to utilize the remainder of such carryforwards over the long term.  However, prior to the complete utilization of these carryforwards, if we generate operating losses in our German and Belgian operations for an extended period of time,

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it is possible we might conclude the benefit of the carryforwards would no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria, at which point we would be required to recognize a valuation allowance against some or all of the then-remaining tax benefit associated with the carryforwards.

 

Note 11 - Employee benefit plans:

Defined contribution plans - We maintain various defined contribution pension plans with our contributions based on matching or other formulas. Defined contribution plan expense approximated $1.6 million in 2012, $1.8 million in 2013 and $2.6 million in 2014.

Accounting for defined benefit and postretirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB) plans - We recognize an asset or liability for the over or under funded status of each of our individual defined benefit pension plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the funded status of these plans are recognized either in net income (loss), to the extent they are reflected in periodic benefit cost, or through other comprehensive income (loss).

Defined benefit plans - We sponsor various defined benefit pension plans. Certain non-U.S. employees are covered by plans in their respective countries.  Our U.S. plan was closed to new participants in 1996, and existing participants no longer accrued any additional benefits after that date. The benefits under our plans are based upon years of service and employee compensation. Our funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount required under ERISA (or equivalent non-U.S.) regulations plus additional amounts as we deem appropriate.

We expect to contribute the equivalent of approximately $18.8 million to all of our defined benefit pension plans during 2015. Benefit payments to plan participants out of plan assets are expected to be the equivalent of:  

 

The funded status of our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans is presented in the table below.  

 

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The components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost for our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans are presented in the table below. In December 2013, we amended one of our Canadian plans in which participation with respect to hourly workers was closed to new participants in December 2013, and existing hourly plan participants will no longer accrue additional benefits after December 2013, resulting in a $7.1 million curtailment charge for recognition of previously unamortized prior service cost and transition obligation and $.2 million for special termination benefits.  In 2014, we amended the other Canadian plan in which participation with respect to salaried workers was closed to new participants in December 2014, and existing hourly plan participants will no longer accrue additional benefits after December 2014, resulting in a nominal curtailment charge.  The amounts shown below for the amortization of prior service cost, net transition obligations and recognized actuarial losses for 2012, 2013 and 2014 were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, net of deferred income taxes.

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Certain information concerning our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans is presented in the table below.

 

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of benefit obligations for our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below.

 

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension cost for our non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below.

 

 

Variances from actuarially assumed rates will result in increases or decreases in accumulated pension obligations, pension expense and funding requirements in future periods.

The funded status of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan is presented in the table below.  

 

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The components of our net periodic defined benefit pension cost for our U.S. defined benefit pension plan is presented in the table below. The amounts shown below for recognized actuarial losses for 2012, 2013 and 2014 were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively, net of deferred income taxes.

 

The discount rate assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the benefit obligation for our U.S. defined benefit pension plan as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are 4.5% and 3.8%, respectively. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have an effect on the benefit obligation as the plan is frozen with regards to compensation.

The weighted-average rate assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension cost for our U.S. defined benefit pension plan for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have an effect on the periodic pension cost as the plan is frozen with regards to compensation.

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Variances from actuarially assumed rates will result in increases or decreases in accumulated pension obligations, pension expense and funding requirements in future periods.

The amounts shown in the above tables for actuarial losses, prior service cost and net transition obligations at December 31, 2013 and 2014 have not yet been recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit pension cost as of those dates. These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic defined benefit cost in future years and are recognized, net of deferred income taxes, in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 2013 and 2014. We expect approximately $15.8 million and $.4 million of the unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs, respectively, will be recognized as components of our consolidated net periodic defined benefit pension cost in 2015.

The table below details the changes in our consolidated other comprehensive income (loss) during 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 

At December 31, 2013 and 2014, substantially all of the assets attributable to our U.S. plan were invested in the Combined Master Retirement Trust (CMRT), a collective investment trust sponsored by Contran to permit the collective investment by certain master trusts that fund certain employee benefits plans sponsored by Contran and certain of its affiliates. Prior to his death in December 2013, Mr. Simmons was the sole trustee of the CMRT, and he along with the CMRT’s investment committee, of which Mr. Simmons was a member, actively managed the investments of the CMRT.  The CMRT’s long-term investment objective was to provide a rate of return exceeding a composite of broad market equity and fixed income indices (including the S&P 500 and certain Russell indices) while utilizing both third-party investment managers as well as investments directed by Mr. Simmons (prior to his death).  During the history of the CMRT from its inception in 1988 through December 31, 2013, the average annual rate of return was 14%. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, the assumed long-term rate of return for plan assets invested in the CMRT was 10%. In determining the appropriateness of the long-term rate of return assumption, we primarily relied on the historical rates of return achieved by the CMRT, although we considered other factors as well including, among other things, the investment objectives of the CMRT’s managers and their expectation that such historical returns would in the future continue to be achieved over the long-term.

Following the death of Mr. Simmons in December 2013, the Contran board of directors in January 2014 appointed a financial institution as the new directed trustee of the CMRT, and the Contran board appointed five individuals (all executive officers of Contran) as the new investment committee of the CMRT.  The new investment committee is in the process of reallocating to current and/or new investment managers or various mutual funds and comingled funds the portion of the CMRT assets that had previously been under direct and active management by

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Mr. Simmons.  Such reallocation will be done prudently over a period of time, given the diverse asset composition of this portion of the portfolio.  Concurrent with this change in investment strategy in which there is no longer a portion of the CMRT’s assets under direct and active management by Mr. Simmons, and considering the long-term asset mix of the assets of the CMRT and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components as well as advice from Contran’s actuaries, beginning in 2014 the assumed long-term rate of return for plan assets invested in the CMRT was reduced to 7.5%.

The CMRT unit value is determined semi-monthly, and the plans have the ability to redeem all or any portion of their investment in the CMRT at any time based on the most recent semi-monthly valuation. However, the plans do not have the right to individual assets held by the CMRT and the CMRT has the sole discretion in determining how to meet any redemption request. For purposes of our plan asset disclosure, we consider the investment in the CMRT as a Level 2 input because (i) the CMRT value is established semi-monthly and the plans have the right to redeem their investment in the CMRT, in part or in whole, at anytime based on the most recent value and (ii) observable inputs from Level 1 or Level 2 were used to value approximately 83% and 80% of the assets of the CMRT at December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively, as noted below. The aggregate fair value of all of the CMRT assets, including funds of Contran and its other affiliates that also invest in the CMRT, and supplemental asset mix details of the CMRT are as follows:

 

 

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on non-U.S. plan asset assumptions, we consider the long-term asset mix (e.g. equity vs. fixed income) for the assets for each of our plans and the expected long-term rates of return for such asset components. In addition, we receive third-party advice about appropriate long-term rates of return. Such assumed asset mixes are summarized below:

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We regularly review our actual asset allocation for each plan, and will periodically rebalance the investments in each plan to more accurately reflect the targeted allocation and/or maximize the overall long-term return when considered appropriate.

The composition of our December 31, 2013 and 2014 pension plan assets by fair value level is shown in the table below.  The amounts shown for plan assets invested in the CMRT include a nominal amount of cash held by our U.S. pension plan which is not part of the plan’s investment in the CMRT.

 

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A rollforward of the change in fair value of Level 3 assets follows.

 

 

Postretirement benefits other than pensions (OPEB) - We provide certain health care and life insurance benefits for eligible retired employees. Certain of our Canadian employees may become eligible for such postretirement health care and life insurance benefits if they reach retirement age while working for us. In the U.S., employees who retired after 1998 are not entitled to any such benefits. The majority of all retirees are required to contribute a portion of the cost of their benefits and certain current and future retirees are eligible for reduced health care benefits at age 65. We have no OPEB plan assets, rather, we fund medical claims as they are paid. Contribution to our OPEB plans to cover benefit payments are expected to be the equivalent of:

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The funded status of our OPEB plans is presented in the table below:

 

 

The amounts shown in the table above for net actuarial losses and prior service credit at December 31, 2013 and 2014 have not yet been recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost as of those dates. These amounts will be recognized as components of our periodic OPEB cost in future years and are recognized, net of deferred income taxes, in our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). We expect to recognize approximately $.3 million of unrecognized actuarial losses and $.9 million of prior service credit as components of our periodic OPEB cost in 2015.

At December 31, 2014, the accumulated OPEB obligations for all OPEB plans comprised $.7 million related to U.S. plans and $7.8 million related to our Canadian plan (2013 - $.9 million and $7.3 million, respectively).

In the fourth quarter of 2013, we amended the benefit formula for most Canadian participants of our plans effective January 1, 2014, resulting in a curtailment gain as of December 31, 2013.  Key assumptions including the

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service cost and benefit duration as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 now reflect these plan revisions to the benefit formula.

The components of our periodic OPEB costs are presented in the table below. The amounts shown below for amortization of prior service credit and recognized actuarial losses for 2012, 2013 and 2014 were recognized as components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, net of deferred income taxes.

 

 

The table below details the changes in benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during 2012, 2013 and 2014.

 

 

A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine the net benefit obligation as of December 31, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below. The weighted average discount rate was determined using the projected benefit obligation as of such dates. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have a material effect on the actuarial present value of the benefit obligation as substantially all of such benefits relate solely to eligible retirees, for which compensation is not applicable.

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates affect the amounts we report for health care plans. A one percent change in assumed health care trend rates would not have a material effect on the net periodic OPEB cost for 2014 or on the accumulated OPEB obligation at December 31, 2014.

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The weighted average discount rate used in determining the net periodic OPEB cost for 2014 was 4.6% (2013 - 3.9%; 2012 - 4.1%). Such weighted average rate was determined using the projected benefit obligation as of the beginning of each year. The impact of assumed increases in future compensation levels does not have a material effect on the net periodic OPEB cost as substantially all of such benefits relate solely to eligible retirees, for which compensation is not applicable. The impact of the assumed rate of return on plan assets also does not have a material effect on the net periodic OPEB cost as there were no plan assets as of December 31, 2013 or 2014.

Variances from actuarially-assumed rates will result in additional increases or decreases in accumulated OPEB obligations, net periodic OPEB cost and funding requirements in future periods.

Note 12 - Other noncurrent liabilities:

 

 

Note 13 - Stockholders’ equity:

Long-term incentive compensation plan - Prior to 2012, we had a long-term incentive compensation plan that provided for the discretionary grant of, among other things, qualified incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted common stock, stock awards and stock appreciation rights. Up to 150,000 shares of our common stock could be issued pursuant to this plan. During 2012 we awarded an aggregate of 4,500 shares of our common stock pursuant to this plan to members of our board of directors. In February 2012, our board of directors voted to replace the existing long-term incentive plan with a new plan that would provide for the award of stock to our board of directors, and up to a maximum of 200,000 shares could be awarded. The new plan was approved at our May 2012 shareholder meeting and shortly thereafter the prior long-term incentive compensation plan terminated. We awarded 7,000 and 8,000 shares, respectively, under this new plan in 2013 and 2014, and 185,000 shares are available for future award under this new plan at December 31, 2014.

Stock repurchase program – Prior to 2012, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 2.0 million shares of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately-negotiated transactions at unspecified prices and over an unspecified period of time.  We may repurchase our common stock from time to time as market conditions permit. The stock repurchase program does not include specific price targets or timetables and may be suspended at any time.  Depending on market conditions, we may terminate the program prior to its completion.  We would use cash on hand or other sources of liquidity to acquire the shares. Repurchased shares will be added to our treasury and cancelled.

During 2013 we repurchased 49,000 shares in market transactions for an aggregate of $.7 million in cash.  We cancelled these treasury shares and allocated their cost to common stock at par value and additional paid-in capital.  At December 31, 2014 an additional 1,951,000 shares are available for repurchase under this authorization.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for 2012, 2013 and 2014 are presented in the table below.

 

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The marketable securities reclassification adjustment in 2012, all of which was reclassified into net income, consists principally of the securities transaction loss related to the sale of TIMET common stock discussed in Note 6.  See Note 11 for amounts related to our defined benefit pension plans and OPEB plans.

 

Note 14 - Related party transactions:

We may be deemed to be controlled by Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons. See Note 1. Corporations that may be deemed to be controlled by or affiliated with such individuals sometimes engage in (a) intercorporate transactions such as guarantees, management and expense sharing arrangements, shared fee arrangements, joint ventures, partnerships, loans, options, advances of funds on open account, and sales, leases and exchanges of assets, including securities issued by both related and unrelated parties and (b) common investment

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and acquisition strategies, business combinations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, securities repurchases, and purchases and sales (and other acquisitions and dispositions) of subsidiaries, divisions or other business units, which transactions have involved both related and unrelated parties and have included transactions which resulted in the acquisition by one related party of a publicly-held noncontrolling interest in another related party. While no transactions of the type described above are planned or proposed with respect to us other than as set forth in these financial statements, we continuously consider, review and evaluate, and understand that Contran and related entities consider, review and evaluate such transactions. Depending upon the business, tax and other objectives then relevant, it is possible that we might be a party to one or more such transactions in the future.

Current receivables from and payables to affiliates are summarized in the table below.

 

From time to time, we will have loans and advances outstanding between us and various related parties pursuant to term and demand notes.  We generally enter into these loans and advances for cash management purposes.  When we loan funds to related parties, we are generally able to earn a higher rate of return on the loan than we would earn if we invested the funds in other instruments, and when we borrow from related parties, we are generally able to pay a lower rate of interest than we would pay if we had incurred third-party indebtedness.  While certain of these loans to affiliates may be of a lesser credit quality than cash equivalent instruments otherwise available to us, we believe we have considered the credit risks in the terms of the applicable loans.  In this regard:

Interest income (including unused commitment fees) on our loan to Valhi was $7.1 million in 2012, $.5 million in 2013 and $.5 million in 2014.  Interest expense on our loan from Contran was $11.7 million in 2013 and $1.6 million in 2014.

Amounts payable to LPC are generally for the purchase of TiO₂, while amounts receivable from LPC are generally from the sale of TiO₂ feedstock. See Note 5. Purchases of TiO₂ from LPC were $250.2 million in 2012, $224.5 million in 2013 and $193.1 million in 2014. Sales of feedstock to LPC were $143.7 million in 2012, $141.1 million in 2013 and $98.4 million in 2014.

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Under the terms of various intercorporate services agreements (ISAs) entered into between us and various related parties, including Contran, employees of one company will provide certain management, tax planning, financial and administrative services to the other company on a fee basis. Such charges are based upon estimates of the time devoted by the employees of the provider of the services to the affairs of the recipient, and the compensation and associated expenses of such persons. Because of the large number of companies affiliated with Contran, we believe we benefit from cost savings and economies of scale gained by not having certain management, financial and administrative staffs duplicated at each entity, thus allowing certain individuals to provide services to multiple companies but only be compensated by one entity. The net ISA fee charged to us, approved by the independent members of our board of directors, is included in selling, general and administrative expense and corporate expense and was $11.2 million in 2012, $12.9 million in 2013 and $12.3 million in 2014. This agreement is renewed annually and we expect to pay approximately $13.4 million under the ISA during 2015.

Tall Pines Insurance Company and EWI RE, Inc. provide for or broker certain insurance policies for Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including ourselves. Tall Pines and EWI are subsidiaries of Valhi. Consistent with insurance industry practices, Tall Pines and EWI receive commissions from insurance and reinsurance underwriters and/or assess fees for the policies that they provide or broker. The aggregate premiums paid to Tall Pines and EWI by us and our joint venture were $12.0 million in 2012, $11.3 million in 2013 and $10.7 million in 2014. These amounts principally included payments for insurance and reinsurance premiums paid to third parties, but also included commissions paid to Tall Pines and EWI. Tall Pines purchases reinsurance from third-party insurance carriers with an A.M. Best Company rating of generally at least A- (excellent) for substantially all of the risks it underwrites.  We expect these relationships with Tall Pines and EWI will continue in 2015.

Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, purchase certain of their insurance policies as a group, with the costs of the jointly-owned policies being apportioned among the participating companies. With respect to certain of such policies, it is possible that unusually large losses incurred by one or more insureds during a given policy period could leave the other participating companies without adequate coverage under that policy for the balance of the policy period. As a result, Contran and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including us, have entered into a loss sharing agreement under which any uninsured loss is shared by those entities who have submitted claims under the relevant policy. We believe the benefits, in the form of reduced premiums and broader coverage associated with the group coverage for such policies, justifies the risk associated with the potential for any uninsured loss.

Note 15 - Commitments and contingencies:

Environmental matters - Our operations are governed by various environmental laws and regulations. Certain of our operations are and have been engaged in the handling, manufacture or use of substances or compounds that may be considered toxic or hazardous within the meaning of applicable environmental laws and regulations. As with other companies engaged in similar businesses, certain of our past and current operations and products have the potential to cause environmental or other damage. We have implemented and continue to implement various policies and programs in an effort to minimize these risks. Our policy is to maintain compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations at all of our facilities and to strive to improve our environmental performance. From time to time, we may be subject to environmental regulatory enforcement under U.S. and non-U.S. statutes, the resolution of which typically involves the establishment of compliance programs. It is possible that future developments, such as stricter requirements of environmental laws and enforcement policies thereunder, could adversely affect our production, handling, use, storage, transportation, sale or disposal of such substances. We believe all of our plants are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws.

Litigation matters - We are involved in various environmental, contractual, product liability, patent (or intellectual property), employment and other claims and disputes incidental to our business. We currently believe the disposition of all claims and disputes, individually or in the aggregate, should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

In 2013 we entered into a settlement agreement with the class plaintiffs in the consolidated complaint,  Haley Paint et al. v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, et al. (United States District Court, for the District of Maryland, Case No. 1:10-cv-00318-RDB). Without admitting any fault or wrongdoing, we agreed to pay an

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aggregate of $35 million (which was paid in 2014), and we and the other defendants have been dismissed with prejudice from this matter.  Other operating expense in 2013 includes a $35 million charge related to this settlement.

In March 2013, we were served with the complaint, Los Gatos Mercantile, Inc. d/b/a Los Gatos Ace Hardware, et al v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, et al. (United States District Court, for the Northern District of California, Case No. 3:13-cv-01180-SI). The defendants include us, E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company, Huntsman International LLC and Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Inc. As amended by plaintiffs’ second amended complaint, plaintiffs seek to represent a class consisting of indirect purchasers of titanium dioxide in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin that indirectly purchased titanium dioxide from one or more of the defendants on or after March 1, 2002. The complaint alleges that the defendants conspired and combined to fix, raise, maintain, and stabilize the price at which titanium dioxide was sold in the United States and engaged in other anticompetitive conduct. The case is now proceeding in the trial court. We believe the action is without merit, will deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and intend to defend against the action vigorously.

In November 2013, we were served with the complaint, The Valspar Corporation, et al  v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, et al. (United States District Court, for the District of Minnesota, Case No. 1:13-cv-03214-RHK-L1B).  The defendants include us, E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company, Huntsman International LLC, Millennium Inorganic Chemicals, Inc. and the National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited (d/b/a Cristal).  The plaintiff opted out of the settlement in the original lawsuit, Haley Paint et al. v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, et al. (United States District Court, for the District of Maryland, Case No. 1:10-cv-00318-RDB) and filed its own lawsuit against the defendants.  The complaint alleged that the defendants conspired and combined to fix, raise, maintain, and stabilize the price at which titanium dioxide was sold in the United States and engaged in other anticompetitive conduct.  In October 2014, the court granted our motion to transfer, and the case is now proceeding in the trial court in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Case No. 4:14-cv-01130.  We believe the action is without merit, will deny all allegations of wrongdoing and liability and intend to defend against the action vigorously.

Concentrations of credit risk - Sales of TiO₂ accounted for approximately 90% of our sales in each of 2012, 2013 and 2014. The remaining sales result from the mining and sale of ilmenite ore (a raw material used in the sulfate pigment production process), and the manufacture and sale of iron-based water treatment chemicals and certain titanium chemical products (derived from co-products of the TiO₂ production processes). TiO₂ is generally sold to the paint, plastics and paper industries. Such markets are generally considered “quality-of-life” markets whose demand for TiO₂ is influenced by the relative economic well-being of the various geographic regions. We sell TiO₂ to over 4,000 customers, with the top ten customers approximating 34% of net sales in both 2012 and 2013 and 35% in 2014. In each of 2012, 2013 and 2014 one customer, Behr Process Corporation, accounted for approximately 10% of our net sales. The table below shows the approximate percentage of our TiO₂ sales by volume for our significant markets, Europe and North America, for the last three years.

 

Long-term contracts - We have long-term supply contracts that provide for certain of our TiO₂ feedstock requirements through 2016. The agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities of feedstock with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $532 million over the life of the contracts in years subsequent to December 31, 2014. In addition, we have other long-term supply and service contracts that provide for various raw materials and services. These agreements require us to purchase certain minimum quantities or services with minimum purchase commitments aggregating approximately $164 million at December 31, 2014.

Operating leases - Our principal German operating subsidiary leases the land under its Leverkusen TiO₂ production facility pursuant to a lease with Bayer AG that expires in 2050. The Leverkusen facility itself, which we own and which represents approximately one-third of our current TiO₂ production capacity, is located within Bayer’s extensive manufacturing complex. We periodically establish the amount of rent for the land lease

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associated with the Leverkusen facility by agreement with Bayer for periods of at least two years at a time. The lease agreement provides for no formula, index or other mechanism to determine changes in the rent for such land lease; rather, any change in the rent is subject solely to periodic negotiation between Bayer and us. We recognize any change in the rent based on such negotiations as part of lease expense starting from the time such change is agreed upon by both parties, as any such change in the rent is deemed “contingent rentals” under GAAP. Under the terms of a master supply and services agreement, a majority-owned subsidiary of Bayer provides raw materials, including chlorine, auxiliary and operating materials, utilities and services necessary to operate the Leverkusen facility. This agreement, as amended, expires in 2017 and will automatically renew for successive three year terms until terminated by either party upon one year’s prior notice.

We also lease various other manufacturing facilities and equipment. Some of the leases contain purchase and/or various term renewal options at fair market and fair rental values, respectively. In most cases we expect that, in the normal course of business, such leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases. Net rent expense approximated $16 million in 2012, $15 million in 2013 and $16 million in 2014. At December 31, 2014, future minimum payments under non-cancellable operating leases having an initial or remaining term of more than one year were as follows:

 

Approximately $16 million of the $50.7 million aggregate future minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2014 relates to our Leverkusen facility lease discussed above. The minimum commitment amounts for such lease included in the table above for each year through the 2050 expiration of the lease are based upon the current annual rental rate as of December 31, 2014. As discussed above, any change in the rent is based solely on negotiations between Bayer and us, and any such change in the rent is deemed “contingent rentals” under GAAP which is excluded from the future minimum lease payments disclosed above.

Income taxes - We and Valhi have agreed to a policy providing for the allocation of tax liabilities and tax payments as described in Note 1. Under applicable law, we, along with every other member of the Contran Tax Group, are each jointly and severally liable for the aggregate federal income tax liability of Contran and the other companies included in the Contran Tax Group for all periods in which we are included in the Contran Tax Group. Valhi has agreed, however, to indemnify us for any liability for income taxes of the Contran Tax Group in excess of our tax liability computed in accordance with the tax allocation policy.

 

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Note 16 - Financial instruments:

The following table summarizes the valuation of our financial instruments recorded on a fair value basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2014:

 

Certain of our sales generated by our non-U.S. operations are denominated in U.S. dollars.  We periodically use currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of currency exchange rate risk associated with trade receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder’s functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales.  We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future.  Derivatives used to hedge forecasted transactions and specific cash flows associated with financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which meet the criteria for hedge accounting are designated as cash flow hedges.  Consequently, the effective portion of gains and losses is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and is recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings.  Contracts that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting are marked-to-market at each balance sheet date with any resulting gain or loss recognized in income currently as part of net currency transactions.  The fair value of the currency forward contracts is determined using Level 1 inputs based on the currency spot forward rates quoted by banks or currency dealers.

At December 31, 2014, we had currency forward contracts to exchange:

The estimated fair value of such currency forward contracts at December 31, 2014 was a $4.2 million net liability, of which $4.2 million is recognized as part of accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with a corresponding $4.2 million currency transaction loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations (2013 - $1.0 million net liability, of which $.2 million was recognized as part of accounts and other receivables and $1.2 million was recognized as part of accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet, with a corresponding $1.0 million currency transaction loss in our Consolidated Statement of Operations).  We did not use hedge accounting for any of our contracts to the extent we held such contracts during 2012, 2013 and 2014.

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The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the estimated market price of our term loan was $983.1 per $1,000 principal amount.  The fair value of our term loan was based on quoted market prices; however, these quoted market prices represented Level 2 inputs because the markets in which the term loan trades were not active.  The fair values of our note payable to Contran and our European credit facility represent Level 2 inputs, and are deemed to approximate book value.  The fair value of our common stockholders’ equity is based upon quoted market prices at each balance sheet date, which represent Level 1 inputs. Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value.  See Notes 1 and 6.

Note 17 - Recent accounting pronouncements:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  This standard replaces existing revenue recognition guidance, which in many cases was tailored for specific industries, with a uniform accounting standard applicable to all industries and transactions.  The new standard is effective for us beginning with the first quarter of 2017.  Entities may elect to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 retrospectively for all periods for all contracts and transactions which occurred during the period (with a few exceptions for practical expediency) or retrospectively with a cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption.  ASU No. 2014-09 is a fundamental rewriting of existing GAAP with respect to revenue recognition, and we are still evaluating the effect the Standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.  In addition, we have not yet determined the method we will use to adopt the Standard.

Note 18 - Quarterly results of operations (unaudited):

 

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We recognized the following amounts during 2013:

In 2014 we recognized a non-cash income tax benefit of $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2014 related to a net reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions.

The sum of the quarterly per share amounts may not equal the annual per share amounts due to relative changes in the weighted average number of shares used in the per share computations.

 

 

 

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