e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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þ |
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 000-50132
Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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76-0502785 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
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333 Clay Street, Suite 3600
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(713) 650-3700 |
Houston, Texas 77002-4109
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(Registrants telephone number, |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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including area code) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated
filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act). Yes o No þ.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to
be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the
distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes þ No o.
As of October 31, 2007, Sterling Chemicals, Inc. had 2,828,460 shares of common stock
outstanding.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS FORM 10-Q
Unless otherwise indicated, references to we, us, our and ours in this Form 10-Q refer
collectively to Sterling Chemicals, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Readers should consider the following information as they review this Form 10-Q:
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written and oral statements made or incorporated by reference from time to time by us
or our representatives are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). All statements other than statements of
historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future
results, events, performance or achievements, and may contain or be identified by the words
expect, intend, plan, predict, anticipate, estimate, believe, should, could,
may, might, will, will be, will continue, will likely result, project, forecast,
budget and similar expressions. Statements in this report that contain forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, information concerning our possible or assumed future
results of operations and statements about the following subjects:
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the cyclicality of the petrochemicals industry; |
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current and future industry conditions and their effect on our results of
operations or financial position; |
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the extent, timing and impact of expansions of production capacity of our
products, by us or by our competitors; |
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the potential effects of market and industry conditions and cyclicality on our
competitiveness, business strategy, results of operations or financial position; |
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the adequacy of our liquidity; |
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our environmental management programs and safety initiatives; |
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our market sensitive financial instruments; |
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future uses of, and requirements for, financial resources; |
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future contractual obligations; |
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future amendments, renewals or terminations of existing contractual
relationships; |
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business strategies; |
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growth opportunities; |
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competitive position; |
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expected financial position; |
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future cash flows or dividends; |
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budgets for capital and other expenditures; |
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plans and objectives of management; |
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outcomes of legal proceedings; |
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compliance with applicable laws; |
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our reliance on marketing partners; |
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adequacy of insurance coverage or indemnification rights; |
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the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices for our products or raw
materials; |
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petrochemicals industry production capacity or operating rates; |
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increases in the cost of, or our ability to obtain, raw materials or energy; |
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regulatory initiatives and compliance with governmental laws or regulations,
including environmental laws or regulations; |
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customer preferences; |
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our ability to attract or retain high quality employees; |
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operating hazards attendant to the petrochemicals industry; |
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casualty losses, including those resulting from weather related events; |
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changes in foreign, political, social or economic conditions; |
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risks of war, military operations, other armed hostilities, terrorist acts or
embargoes; |
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changes in technology, which could require significant capital expenditures in
order to maintain competitiveness or could cause existing manufacturing processes to
become obsolete; |
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cost, availability or adequacy of insurance; and |
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various other matters, many of which are beyond our control. |
i
The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this report and our other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (our Annual Report), include
additional factors that could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial
performance. See Risk Factors contained in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report. Given these
risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this Form
10-Q and are not guarantees of future performance. Although we believe that the expectations
reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to have
been incorrect. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons
acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
Document Summaries
Descriptions of documents and agreements contained in this Form 10-Q are provided in summary
form only, and such summaries are qualified in their entirety by reference to the actual documents
and agreements filed as exhibits to our Annual Report, other periodic reports we file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or this Form 10-Q.
Access to Filings
Access to our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports
on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, as well as reports filed
electronically pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, may be obtained through our website
(http://www.sterlingchemicals.com). Our website provides a hyperlink to a third-party website,
where these reports may be viewed and printed at no cost as soon as reasonably practicable after we
have electronically filed such material with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents
of our website (or the third-party websites accessible through the various hyperlinks) are not, and
shall not be deemed to be, incorporated into this report.
ii
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
INDEX
1
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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Three months ended September 30, |
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Nine months ended September 30, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data) |
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Revenues |
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$ |
208,830 |
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$ |
189,916 |
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$ |
659,434 |
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$ |
476,972 |
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Cost of goods sold |
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205,782 |
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176,582 |
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636,742 |
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470,008 |
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Gross profit |
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3,048 |
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13,334 |
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22,692 |
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6,964 |
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Selling, general and administrative expenses |
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3,618 |
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2,562 |
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11,013 |
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6,342 |
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Other (income) expense |
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(12,000 |
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839 |
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(15,724 |
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Interest and debt related expenses (net of
interest income of $501, $129, $1,148, and
$396, respectively) |
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3,919 |
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2,663 |
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11,665 |
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7,566 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations
before income tax |
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(4,489 |
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20,109 |
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(825 |
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8,780 |
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Provision for income taxes |
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10,160 |
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5,827 |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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$ |
(4,489 |
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$ |
9,949 |
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$ |
(825 |
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$ |
2,953 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations
(net of tax impact of zero, $1,139, zero
and $2,223, respectively) |
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(395 |
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625 |
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(1,836 |
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(1,127 |
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Net income (loss) |
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$ |
(4,884 |
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$ |
10,574 |
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$ |
(2,661 |
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$ |
1,826 |
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Preferred stock dividends |
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2,445 |
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2,090 |
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7,056 |
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6,031 |
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Net income (loss) attributable to common
stockholders |
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$ |
(7,329 |
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$ |
8,484 |
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$ |
(9,717 |
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$ |
(4,205 |
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Income (loss) per share of common stock: |
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Basic earnings per share: |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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$ |
(2.45 |
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$ |
2.78 |
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$ |
(2.79 |
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$ |
(1.09 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax |
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(0.14 |
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0.22 |
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(0.65 |
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(0.40 |
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Basic earnings per share |
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$ |
(2.59 |
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$ |
3.00 |
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$ |
(3.44 |
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$ |
(1.49 |
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Diluted earnings per share: |
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Income (loss) from continuing operations |
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$ |
(2.45 |
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$ |
1.50 |
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$ |
(2.79 |
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$ |
(1.09 |
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Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax |
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(0.14 |
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0.10 |
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(0.65 |
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(0.40 |
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Diluted earnings per share |
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$ |
(2.59 |
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$ |
1.60 |
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$ |
(3.44 |
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$ |
(1.49 |
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Weighted average shares outstanding: |
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Basic : |
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2,828,460 |
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2,828,460 |
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2,828,460 |
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2,828,462 |
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Diluted : |
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2,828,460 |
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6,616,146 |
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2,828,460 |
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2,828,462 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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September 30, |
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December 31, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Dollars in Thousands) |
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ASSETS |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
29,146 |
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$ |
20,690 |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $2,485 and $1,987,
respectively |
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105,886 |
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63,289 |
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Inventories, net |
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48,835 |
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62,078 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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4,329 |
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3,215 |
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Deferred tax asset |
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3,044 |
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3,044 |
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Assets of discontinued operations |
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20 |
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Total current assets |
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191,240 |
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152,336 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net |
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82,127 |
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83,833 |
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Other assets, net |
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16,005 |
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9,654 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
289,372 |
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$ |
245,823 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS DEFICIENCY IN ASSETS |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
49,331 |
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$ |
39,123 |
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Accrued liabilities |
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13,286 |
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22,872 |
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Liabilities of discontinued operations |
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217 |
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217 |
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Total current liabilities |
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62,834 |
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62,212 |
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Long-term debt |
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150,000 |
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100,579 |
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Deferred tax liability |
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3,044 |
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Deferred credits and other liabilities |
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25,600 |
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49,291 |
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Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
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Redeemable preferred stock |
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63,563 |
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56,507 |
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Stockholders equity: |
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Common stock, $.01 par value |
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28 |
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28 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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177,474 |
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184,500 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(216,275 |
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(213,614 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive income |
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23,104 |
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6,320 |
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Total stockholders deficiency in assets |
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(15,669 |
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(22,766 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders deficiency in assets |
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$ |
289,372 |
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$ |
245,823 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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Nine months ended September 30, |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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(Unaudited) |
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(Dollars in Thousands) |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income (loss) |
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$ |
(2,661 |
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$ |
1,826 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in
operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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8,287 |
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23,517 |
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Interest amortization |
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655 |
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300 |
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Lower-of-cost-or-market adjustment |
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1,522 |
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Loss on investment |
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839 |
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Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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(182 |
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(1,960 |
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Debt issuance costs |
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129 |
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Deferred tax expense |
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3,544 |
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Other |
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30 |
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140 |
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Change in assets/liabilities: |
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Accounts receivable |
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(42,577 |
) |
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9,651 |
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Inventories |
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11,721 |
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(14,709 |
) |
Prepaid expenses |
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(1,114 |
) |
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(5,568 |
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Other assets |
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1,935 |
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(1,944 |
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Accounts payable |
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10,607 |
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(7,668 |
) |
Accrued liabilities |
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(9,586 |
) |
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(4,639 |
) |
Other liabilities |
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(6,907 |
) |
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(9,130 |
) |
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Net cash used in operating activities |
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(27,302 |
) |
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(6,640 |
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Cash flows used in investing activities: |
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Capital expenditures |
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(5,884 |
) |
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(10,036 |
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Insurance proceeds relating to property, plant and equipment |
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1,960 |
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Proceeds from the sale of assets |
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182 |
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Cash used for methanol dismantling |
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(111 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(5,702 |
) |
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(8,187 |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of tendered Old Secured Notes |
|
|
(100,579 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from the issuance of New Secured Notes |
|
|
150,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs |
|
|
(7,961 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
41,460 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
8,456 |
|
|
|
(14,827 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year |
|
|
20,690 |
|
|
|
42,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents end of period |
|
$ |
29,146 |
|
|
$ |
27,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid, net of interest income received |
|
$ |
3,864 |
|
|
$ |
5,428 |
|
Cash paid for income taxes |
|
|
299 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP) and reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) which, in our opinion,
are considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. The
results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of
the results to be expected for the full year. These statements should be read in conjunction with
the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed
consolidated financial statements have been reviewed by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent
registered public accounting firm, whose report is included herein.
2. Stock-Based Compensation
On December 19, 2002, we adopted our 2002 Stock Plan and reserved 379,747 shares of our common
stock for issuance under the plan (subject to adjustment). Under our 2002 Stock Plan, officers and
key employees, as designated by our Board of Directors, may be issued stock options, stock awards,
stock appreciation rights or stock units. There are currently options to purchase a total of
278,500 shares of our common stock outstanding under our 2002 Stock Plan, all at an exercise price
of $31.60, and an additional 85,414 shares of common stock available for issuance under our 2002
Stock Plan.
Stock based compensation expense was immaterial for all periods presented.
3. Discontinued Operations
On September 16, 2005, we announced that we were exiting the acrylonitrile business and
related derivative operations, which included sodium cyanide and disodium iminodiacetic acid
(DSIDA) production. These production units had been shut down since February 2005. We are
currently in the process of dismantling our acrylonitrile facilities, which we expect to complete
in the first half of 2008. The sodium cyanide and DSIDA facilities were dismantled in the second
quarter of 2007. The remaining acrylonitrile dismantling costs, which are being expensed as
incurred, are expected to total less than $1 million. Our decision to exit these businesses was
based on a history of operating losses incurred by our acrylonitrile and derivatives businesses,
and was made after a full review and analysis of our strategic alternatives.
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long Lived
Assets, we have reported the operating results of these businesses as discontinued operations in
our condensed consolidated financial statements. The carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
related to discontinued operations as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) |
|
Assets of discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
Liabilities of discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
217 |
|
Revenue and pre-tax losses from discontinued operations for the three and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
103 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,108 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
395 |
|
|
|
514 |
|
|
|
1,836 |
|
|
|
3,350 |
|
5
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Current severance obligations are detailed below (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued as of |
|
|
Additional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued as of |
|
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
accruals |
|
|
Cash payments |
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
|
Severance accrual |
|
$ |
217 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
217 |
|
4. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net income (loss)
attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for
the period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding, plus the assumed exercise of all dilutive securities using the
treasury stock method or the if converted method, as appropriate. The following table provides a
reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Share Data) |
|
|
|
|
|
Basic income (loss) per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing
operations attributable to common
shareholders |
|
$ |
(6,934 |
) |
|
$ |
7,859 |
|
|
$ |
(7,881 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,078 |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations |
|
|
(395 |
) |
|
|
625 |
|
|
|
(1,836 |
) |
|
|
(1,127 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss), net of tax |
|
$ |
(7,329 |
) |
|
$ |
8,484 |
|
|
$ |
(9,717 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,205 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,462 |
|
Earnings per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing
operations attributable to common
shareholders |
|
$ |
(2.45 |
) |
|
$ |
2.78 |
|
|
$ |
(2.79 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.09 |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(2.59 |
) |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
(3.44 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted income (loss) per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing
operations attributable to common
shareholders |
|
$ |
(6,934 |
) |
|
$ |
7,859 |
|
|
$ |
(7,881 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,078 |
) |
Add: preferred stock dividends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,090 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income available to common
stockholders plus assumed
conversions |
|
$ |
(6,934 |
) |
|
$ |
9,949 |
|
|
$ |
(7,881 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,078 |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations |
|
|
(395 |
) |
|
|
625 |
|
|
|
(1,836 |
) |
|
|
(1,127 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) for purposes of
computing diluted earnings
per
share |
|
$ |
(7,329 |
) |
|
$ |
10,574 |
|
|
$ |
(9,717 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,205 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding |
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,462 |
|
Dilutive impact of preferred
stock, if converted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,787,686 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares
outstanding assuming dilution |
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
6,616,146 |
|
|
|
2,828,460 |
|
|
|
2,828,462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per common share assuming
dilution: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from continuing
operations attributable to common
shareholders |
|
$ |
(2.45 |
) |
|
$ |
1.50 |
|
|
$ |
(2.79 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.09 |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
(0.65 |
) |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(2.59 |
) |
|
$ |
1.60 |
|
|
$ |
(3.44 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For 2007, all potentially dilutive securities are omitted since they are anti-dilutive. For
2006, all options and warrants are excluded from all periods, but preferred stock is only excluded
for the nine-month period because it is dilutive.
6
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
5. Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2007 |
|
|
December 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) |
|
Inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finished products |
|
$ |
32,084 |
|
|
$ |
38,485 |
|
Raw materials |
|
|
12,659 |
|
|
|
17,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories at lower-of-cost-or-market |
|
|
44,743 |
|
|
|
56,326 |
|
Inventories under exchange agreements |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
|
1,818 |
|
Stores and supplies, net |
|
|
4,149 |
|
|
|
3,934 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
48,835 |
|
|
$ |
62,078 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. Long-Term Debt
On March 1, 2007, we commenced an offer to repurchase all of our outstanding 10% Senior
Secured Notes due 2007 (our Old Secured Notes) totaling $100.6 million (our tender offer).
Concurrently with our tender offer, we solicited consents from the holders of our Old Secured Notes
to, among other things, eliminate certain covenants contained in the indenture governing our Old
Secured Notes and related security documents. On March 15, 2007, after receiving enough consents
from the holders of our Old Secured Notes, we and Sterling Chemicals Energy, Inc., one of our
wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the trustee for our Old Secured Notes entered into a supplemental
indenture amending the indenture and the related security documents to eliminate most of the
restrictive covenants contained therein, as well as certain events of default and repurchase
rights. These amendments became effective when we accepted for purchase the Old Secured Notes held
by the consenting holders pursuant to our tender offer and paid those holders an aggregate of $0.1
million in consent fees. Our tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March
28, 2007. We accepted for repurchase $58 million in aggregate principal amount of Old Secured
Notes which were validly tendered prior to the expiration of our tender offer, and we repurchased
those Old Secured Notes and paid the accrued interest thereon, on March 30, 2007. On March 27,
2007, we issued a notice of redemption for all of our Old Secured Notes that were not tendered
pursuant to our tender offer and, on April 27, 2007, we purchased those remaining Old Secured Notes
for an aggregate amount equal to $44 million, which included $1.5 million in accrued interest.
On March 26, 2007, we entered into a purchase agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with
respect to the sale of $150 million aggregate principal amount
of 10
1/4% Senior Secured
Notes due 2015 (our New Secured Notes) to Jefferies & Company, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp.,
as initial purchasers. Sterling Chemicals Energy, Inc. (Sterling Energy) is also a party to the
Purchase Agreement as a guarantor. On March 29, 2007, we completed a private offering of our New
Secured Notes pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In connection with this offering, we entered
into an indenture (our New Indenture) dated March 29, 2007 among us, Sterling Energy, as
guarantor, and U. S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent. On August 30,
2007, we filed an exchange offer registration statement to exchange our New Secured Notes for a new
issue of substantially identical debt securities registered under the Securities Act and
subsequently amended the registration statement on October 17, 2007. Pursuant to a registration
rights agreement among us, Sterling Energy and the initial purchasers, we have agreed to use
commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the registration statement to become effective by
December 24, 2007 and (ii) complete the exchange offer within 50 days of the effective date of the
registration statement. If we cannot effect the exchange offer within the time periods above, we
will be required to file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the New Secured Notes, as
well as in certain other circumstances. If we do not comply with our obligations under the
registration rights agreement, the interest rate on our New Secured Notes will increase 0.25% per
annum for the first 90 days after such failure and increase by an additional 0.25% per annum at the
beginning of each subsequent 90-day period if such failure continues, subject to a maximum increase
of 1.0% per annum which would cease to accrue at such time as we are in compliance with our
obligations under the registration rights agreement.
Our New Indenture contains affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default,
including payment defaults, breaches of covenants and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and
reorganization, but does not require us to satisfy any financial maintenance tests or maintain any
financial ratios. If an event of default, other than an event of default triggered upon certain
bankruptcy events, occurs and is continuing, the trustee under our New Indenture, or the holders of
at least 25% in principal
amount of outstanding New Secured Notes, may declare our New Secured Notes to be due and payable
immediately. Upon an event of default, the trustee may also take actions to foreclose on the
collateral securing our New Secured Notes, subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement dated
March 29, 2007 among us, Sterling Energy, the trustee and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
7
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Interest is due on our New Secured Notes on April 1 and October 1 of each year, with our first
interest payment having been made on October 1, 2007. Our New Secured Notes, which mature on
April 1, 2015, are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our
existing and future senior indebtedness. Subject to specified permitted liens, our New Secured
Notes are secured (i) on a first priority basis by all of our and Sterling Energys fixed assets
and certain related assets, including, without limitation, all property, plant and equipment, and
(ii) on a second priority basis by all of our and Sterling Energys other assets, including,
without limitation, accounts receivable, inventory, capital stock of our domestic restricted
subsidiaries (including Sterling Energy), intellectual property, deposit accounts and investment
property.
On December 19, 2002, we established our Revolving Credit Agreement with The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc., as administrative agent and a lender, and certain other lenders (our
revolving credit facility). Under our revolving credit facility, we and Sterling Energy are
co-borrowers and are jointly and severally liable for any indebtedness thereunder. Our revolving
credit facility is secured by first priority liens on all of our accounts receivable, inventory and
other specified assets, as well as all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Sterling
Energy. On March 29, 2007, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility to, among other
things, extend the term of our revolving credit facility until March 29, 2012, reduce the maximum
commitment thereunder to $50 million, make certain changes to the calculation of the borrowing base
and lower the interest rates and fees charged thereunder. Borrowings under our revolving credit
facility now bear interest, at our option, at an annual rate of either a base rate plus 0.0% to
0.50% or the LIBOR rate plus 1.50% to 2.25%, depending on our borrowing availability at the time.
We are also required to pay an aggregate commitment fee of 0.375% per year (payable monthly) on any
unused portion. Available credit under our revolving credit facility is subject to a monthly
borrowing base of 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus 65% of eligible inventory. As of
September 30, 2007, our borrowing base exceeded the maximum commitment under our revolving credit
facility, making the total credit available under our revolving credit facility $50 million. This
monetization of accounts receivable and inventory associated with the
exit from our styrene business discussed in note 7 below, is expected
to decrease our borrowing base. As a result of the decrease in our borrowing base, total credit
available under our revolving credit facility is expected to be between $10 million and $20 million
after shut down of the styrene facility. As of September 30, 2007, there were no loans outstanding
under our revolving credit facility, and we had $8 million in letters of credit outstanding,
resulting in borrowing availability of $42 million. Pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) Issue No. 95-22, Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings under Revolving Credit
Agreements That Include Both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement, any
balances outstanding under our revolving credit facility are classified as current portion of
long-term debt.
Our revolving credit facility contains numerous covenants and conditions, including, but not
limited to, restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, make
investments, make capital expenditures, engage in mergers and acquisitions and pay dividends. Our
revolving credit facility also includes various circumstances and conditions that would, upon their
occurrence and subject in certain cases to notice and grace periods, create an event of default
thereunder.
7. Commitments and Contingencies
Product Contracts:
We have two long-term agreements that respectively provide for the dedication of 100% of our
production of acetic acid and plasticizers to separate single customers. We also have various
sales and conversion agreements, which dedicate a portion of our production of styrene to various
customers. Some of these agreements generally provide for cost recovery plus an agreed margin or
element of profit based upon market price.
On September 17, 2007, we entered into a long-term exclusive styrene supply agreement and a
related rail car purchase and sale agreement with NOVA Chemicals Inc. (NOVA). Under the supply
agreement, NOVA has the exclusive right to 100% of our styrene production (subject to existing
contractual commitments), the amount of any styrene supplied in any particular period being at
NOVAs option based on a full-cost formula. On November 13, 2007, we announced that we will exit
the styrene business to pursue other strategic initiatives. This decision followed the clearance
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of the styrene supply agreement with NOVA that has subsequently
been assigned to INEOS NOVA LLC (INEOS NOVA). The
clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act caused the agreement to become
effective and triggered a $60 million payment obligation to us due November 27, 2007 and INEOS
NOVAs nomination of zero pounds of styrene under the supply agreement for the balance of 2007. In
accordance with the terms of the supply agreement, INEOS NOVA will assume our contractual
obligations for future styrene deliveries and we have exercised our right to permanently shut down
and decommission our styrene plant.
Under the agreement, we are responsible for the closure costs of the
styrene facility and are also subject to a long-term commitment to
not reenter the styrene business for a period of time. The closure
costs of the styrene
facility are expected to be between $10 million and
$15 million, of which we expect $3 million to
$5 million to be
expensed during the fourth quarter of 2007, with the balance expensed
during 2008. We expect to record an
impairment charge of approximately $3 million (before taxes)
during the fourth quarter of 2007 related to
incomplete capital projects associated with our styrene operations.
When the operations of the styrene facility have ceased, we expect to
present the results of our styrene operations as discontinued
operations.
8
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Environmental Regulations:
Our operations involve the handling, production, transportation, treatment and disposal of
materials that are classified as hazardous or toxic and that are extensively regulated by
environmental and health and safety laws, regulations and permit
requirements. Environmental permits required for our operations are subject to periodic renewal
and may be revoked or modified for cause or when new or revised environmental requirements are
implemented. Changing and increasingly strict environmental requirements can affect the
manufacturing, handling, processing, distribution and use of our chemical products and, if so
affected, our business and operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition,
changes in environmental requirements may cause us to incur substantial costs in upgrading or
redesigning our facilities and processes, including our waste treatment, storage, disposal and
other waste handling practices and equipment.
A business risk inherent in chemical operations is the potential for personal injury and
property damage claims from employees, contractors and their employees and nearby landowners and
occupants. While we believe our business operations and facilities generally are operated in
compliance with all applicable environmental and health and safety requirements in all material
respects, we cannot be sure that past practices or future operations will not result in material
claims or regulatory action, require material environmental expenditures or result in exposure or
injury claims by employees, contractors or their employees or the public. Some risk of
environmental costs and liabilities is inherent in our operations and products, as it is with other
companies engaged in similar businesses.
We have incurred, and may continue to incur, liability for investigation and cleanup of waste
or contamination at our own facilities or at facilities operated by third parties where we have
disposed of waste. We continually review all estimates of potential environmental liabilities, but
we may not have identified or fully assessed all potential liabilities arising out of our past or
present operations or the amount necessary to investigate and remediate any conditions that may be
significant to us.
Air emissions from our Texas City facility are subject to certain permit requirements and
self-implementing emission limitations and standards under state and federal laws. Our Texas City
facility is located in an area that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified as
not having attained the ambient air quality standards for ozone, which is controlled by direct
regulation of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Our Texas City
facility is also subject to the federal governments June 1997 National Ambient Air Quality
Standards, which lower the ozone and particulate matter concentration thresholds for attainment.
The Texas Commission for Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has imposed strict requirements on
regulated facilities, including our Texas City facility, to ensure that the air quality control
region will achieve the ambient air quality standards for ozone. Local authorities may also impose
new ozone and particulate matter standards. Compliance with these stricter standards may
substantially increase our future NOx, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter emissions
control costs, the amount and full impact of which cannot be determined at this time.
On December 13, 2002, the TCEQ adopted a revised State Implementation Plan (SIP) to achieve
compliance with the 1-hour ozone standard of the Clean Air Act. The EPA approved this 1-hour
SIP, which calls for reduction of emissions of NOx in the Houston-Galveston region by approximately
80% by the end of 2007. The current 1-hour SIP also requires monitoring of emissions of highly
reactive volatile organic carbons (HRVOCs), such as ethylene. Our cost of compliance with the
1-hour SIP at our Texas City facility is estimated to be between $12 million and $14 million.
This estimate includes our share of capital expenditures needed to be made by S&L Cogeneration
Company. To date we have spent $10 million in capital on NOx reductions and HRVOC monitoring, with
essentially all of the capital spent prior to 2007 and we are in compliance with these new
regulations. In April 2004, the Houston-Galveston region was designated a moderate
non-attainment area with respect to the 8-hour ozone standard of the Clean Air Act, and
compliance with this standard is required no later than June 15, 2010 for moderate areas.
However, on June 15, 2007, the Governor of the State of Texas requested that the EPA reclassify
this region as a severe non-attainment area, which would require compliance with the 8-hour
standard by June 15, 2019. The EPA has now begun the process of reclassifying the
Houston-Galveston area. On May 23, 2007, the TCEQ formally adopted revisions to the SIP designed
to achieve compliance with the 8-hour ozone standard in the Houston-Galveston area. This 8-hour
SIP will be submitted to the EPA for approval in the near future. The current proposed 8-hour
SIP calls for relatively modest additional controls which we believe would require very little
expense on our part. However, the proposed package may not receive EPA approval in its current
form, in which case additional controls or monitoring could be added before the rule becomes
finalized. Based on these developments, it is difficult to predict our final cost of compliance
under the 8-hour SIP, but we estimate that the additional cost of compliance will range from zero
to $16 million in capital expenditures and allowance purchases, depending on the terms of the final
8-hour SIP.
9
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Legal Proceedings:
On July 5, 2005, Patrick B. McCarthy, an employee of Kinder-Morgan, was seriously injured at
Kinder-Morgan, Inc.s facilities near Cincinnati, Ohio while attempting to offload a railcar
containing one of our plasticizers products. On October 28, 2005, Mr. McCarthy and his family
filed a suit in the Court of Common Pleas, Hamilton County, Ohio (Case No. A0509 144) against us
and six other defendants. Since that time, the plaintiffs have added two additional defendants to
this lawsuit. In
addition, we and some of the other defendants have brought Mr. McCarthys employer, Kinder-Morgan,
into this lawsuit as a third-party defendant. The plaintiffs are seeking in excess of $18 million
in alleged compensatory and punitive damages. Discovery is ongoing in this case as to the
underlying cause of the accident and the parties respective liabilities, if any. At this time, it
is impossible to determine what, if any, liability we will have for this incident and we will
vigorously defend the suit. We believe that all, or substantially all, of any liability imposed
upon us as a result of this suit and our related out-of-pocket costs and expenses will be covered
by our insurance policies, subject to a $1 million deductible. We do not believe that this
incident will have a material adverse affect on our business, financial position, results of
operations or cash flows, although we cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not
occur.
On August 17, 2006, we initiated an arbitration proceeding against BP Chemicals to resolve a
dispute involving the interpretation of provisions of our acetic acid production agreement with BP
Chemicals. Under the production agreement, BP Chemicals reimburses our manufacturing expenses and
pays us a percentage of the profits derived from the sales of the acetic acid we produce.
Historically, the costs of manufacturing charged to our acetic acid business, and reimbursed by BP
Chemicals, included the amounts we paid Praxair for carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a blend of carbon
monoxide and hydrogen commonly referred to as blend gas. Our acetic acid business has always
used all of the carbon monoxide produced by Praxair, other than the small amount of carbon monoxide
included in the blend gas. Until recently, all of the blend gas produced by Praxair was used by
the oxo-alcohols plant included in our plasticizers business. During the period when the
oxo-alcohols plant was operating, BP Chemicals was compensated for the use of this blend gas by our
oxo-alcohols plant through a credit to the amount of our manufacturing expenses reimbursed by BP
Chemicals. Effective July 1, 2006, we permanently closed our oxo-alcohols plant. BP Chemicals has
taken the position that it is entitled to continue to deduct a portion of the blend gas credit from
the reimbursement of our manufacturing expenses, even though our oxo-alcohols plant has been closed
and is no longer taking any blend gas and the Praxair facilities have been modified so that the
carbon monoxide previously used in blend gas can be used in our acetic acid operations. Effective
August 1, 2006, BP Chemicals began short paying our invoices for manufacturing expenses by the
portion of the credit that BP Chemicals claims should continue through July 31, 2016. The disputed
portion of the credit averaged approximately $0.3 million per month during 2006 and 2007, before
adjusting for the portion of the profits we receive from BP Chemicals sale of the acetic acid we
produce. We are also seeking additional damages from BP Chemicals in the arbitration based on what
we believe are breaches of duty by BP Chemicals. The parties have abated the arbitration
proceedings while they attempt to reach a negotiated settlement. As part of the agreement to abate
the arbitration proceedings, BP Chemicals reimbursed us $0.8 million on February 5, 2007, which was
50% of the accrued disputed credit, and has continued and will continue to pay 50% of the disputed
amount each month during the period of negotiation. The parties have stipulated that the payments
are made without prejudice, in that BP Chemicals is not admitting liability and continues to insist
that we remain liable for the disputed portion of the blend gas credit. According to the
agreement, either party may reinstate the arbitration process at any time after August 1, 2007. If
the arbitration is reinstated and an award is made, the amounts paid by BP Chemicals will be
credited against any sums awarded to us or refunded by us to BP Chemicals, depending on the ruling
of the arbitration panel. We believe that our acetic acid production agreement does not
contemplate the continuation of any portion of the blend gas credit under these circumstances and
will vigorously pursue our position. Although we are in a dispute with BP Chemicals over the
interpretation of this contractual provision, we believe that we continue to have a constructive
working relationship with BP Chemicals, as has been the case since 1986. As part of the settlement
negotiations over the blend gas calculation, we are discussing an extension of the term of the
acetic acid production agreement.
On February 21, 2007, we received a summons naming us, several benefit plans and the plan
administrators for those plans as defendants in a class action suit, Case No. H-07-0625 filed in
the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The plaintiffs
seek to represent a proposed class of retired employees of Sterling Fibers, Inc., one of our former
subsidiaries that we sold in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy in 2002. The plaintiffs
are alleging that we were not permitted to increase their premiums for retiree medical insurance
based on a provision contained in the asset purchase agreement between us and Cytec Industries Inc.
and certain of its affiliates governing our purchase of our former acrylic fibers business in 1997.
During our bankruptcy case, we specifically rejected this asset purchase agreement and the
bankruptcy court approved that
rejection. The plaintiffs are claiming that we violated the terms of the benefit plans and
breached fiduciary duties governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and are seeking
damages, declaratory relief, punitive damages and attorneys fees. At this time, we have not
determined what, if any, liability we may have in this matter and intend to vigorously defend this
action.
10
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
We moved to dismiss the plaintiffs claims in their entirety on July 6, 2007, based on the
rejection of the asset purchase agreement in our bankruptcy case. However, the court denied our
motion and we have filed an interlocutory appeal related to that denial. Discovery in this matter
is in its beginning stages. We are unable to state at this time if a loss is probable or remote
and are unable to determine the possible range of loss related to this matter, if any.
We are subject to various other claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of
our business. We do not believe
that any of these claims and actions, separately or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial position, results of operation or cash flows, although we cannot
guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.
8. Income Taxes
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No.109,
(FIN 48) to clarify the accounting for uncertain tax positions accounted for in accordance with
FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This interpretation
prescribes a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits and requires explicit
disclosure of any uncertain tax position. We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007
and as of September 30, 2007, there were no changes to our uncertain tax positions.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, we concluded that a valuation allowance was needed against our
federal deferred tax assets. For the three and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 2007, the tax benefit from our operating
losses was fully offset by a related change in the valuation
allowance resulting in an effective tax rate of zero.
At December 31, 2006, we had a $4 million contingent tax liability relating to certain tax
deductions taken in previous tax returns. Under FIN 48, we concluded that these deductions do not
meet the more likely than not recognition threshold. As such, the deferred tax asset was
derecognized and the related contingent tax liability was eliminated at the date of adoption. This
had no net impact on the financial statements and there was not a cumulative effect impact on
retained earnings. Our accounting policy is to recognize any accrued interest on unrecognized tax
benefits as a component of interest expense and to reflect any penalties associated with
unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Due to significant net operating
losses incurred during the tax periods associated with our uncertain tax positions, no amount for
penalties or interest has been recorded in the financial statements. We do not believe the total
amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months. In
addition, future changes in the unrecognized tax benefit will have no impact on the effective tax
rate due to the existence of the valuation allowance.
We and one of our subsidiaries, Sterling Energy, file income tax returns in the United States
federal jurisdiction and file income and franchise tax returns in the State of Texas. We remain
subject to federal examination for tax years ended December 31, 2002 through 2006 and we remain
subject to examination by the State of Texas for tax years ended December 31, 2004 through 2006.
9. Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits
Net periodic pension costs consisted of the following components:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
162 |
|
|
$ |
308 |
|
|
$ |
487 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
1,782 |
|
|
|
1,810 |
|
|
|
5,347 |
|
|
|
5,425 |
|
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
(2,025 |
) |
|
|
(1,750 |
) |
|
|
(6,075 |
) |
|
|
(5,250 |
) |
Curtailment gain |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net pension costs (benefit) |
|
$ |
(240 |
) |
|
$ |
222 |
|
|
$ |
(520 |
) |
|
$ |
662 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)
Other postretirement benefits costs consisted of the following components:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, |
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
Service cost |
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
47 |
|
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
141 |
|
Interest cost |
|
|
348 |
|
|
|
388 |
|
|
|
1,041 |
|
|
|
1,163 |
|
Amortization |
|
|
(358 |
) |
|
|
(288 |
) |
|
|
(1,075 |
) |
|
|
(864 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net plan costs |
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
$ |
147 |
|
|
$ |
66 |
|
|
$ |
440 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective July 1, 2007, we froze all accruals under our defined benefit pension plan for our
hourly employees, which resulted in a plan curtailment under SFAS No. 88 Employers Accounting for
Settlement and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits. As a
result, we recorded a pre-tax curtailment gain of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2007.
During the third quarter of 2007, we approved an amendment (to be effective December 31, 2007)
to our postretirement medical plan which will end Medicare-supplemental medical and prescription
drug coverage for Retirees who are Medicare eligible. This amendment affects the majority of
participants currently enrolled in the Sterling Retiree Medical Plan who are either enrolled in
Medicare due to disability or because they are 65 or over and was communicated to the participants
during the third quarter of 2007. This plan amendment reduced our other
postretirement benefit plan liability by $13 million with a corresponding increase to accumulated
other comprehensive income.
10. New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not
believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159,
which amends SFAS No. 115, allows certain financial assets and liabilities to be recognized, at our
election, at fair market value, with any gains or losses for the period recorded in the statement
of operations. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We
do not believe the adoption SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
In June 2007, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of
Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF 06-11), which requires income tax benefits from
dividends or dividend equivalents that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees
for equity classified nonvested equity shares, nonvested equity share units and outstanding equity
share options to be recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital and to be included in
the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on
share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 will become effective beginning in the first quarter of
2008. We do not expect the adoption of EITF 06-11 to have a material impact on our financial
statements.
12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Sterling Chemicals, Inc.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Sterling Chemicals,
Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2007, and the related condensed
consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007
and 2006, and of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. These
interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of
applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for
financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a
whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to
such condensed consolidated financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31,
2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity (deficiency in
assets), and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated
March 15, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and
included an explanatory paragraph relating to a change in the method of accounting for defined
benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006. In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
2006 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from
which it has been derived.
Houston, Texas
November 14, 2007
13
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated
financial statements (including the Notes thereto) included in Item 1, Part I of this report.
Recent Developments
On September 17, 2007, we entered into a long-term exclusive styrene supply agreement and a
related rail car purchase agreement with NOVA Chemicals Inc. (NOVA). Under the supply agreement,
NOVA has the exclusive right to 100% of our styrene production (subject to existing contractual
commitments), the amount of any styrene supplied in any particular period being at NOVAs option
based on a full-cost formula. On November 13, 2007, we announced that we will exit the styrene
business to pursue other strategic initiatives. This decision followed the clearance under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of the styrene supply agreement with NOVA that has subsequently been
assigned by NOVA to INEOS NOVA LLC (INEOS NOVA). The
clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act caused the agreement to
become effective and triggered a $60 million payment obligation to us due November 27, 2007 and
INEOS NOVAs nomination of zero pounds of styrene under the supply agreement for the balance of
2007. This payment, combined with cash on hand of $29 million at September 30, 2007 and the actions
discussed below, are expected to result in at least $150 million net available cash in addition to
our unused credit lines. In accordance with the terms of the supply agreement, INEOS NOVA is
expected to assume our contractual obligations for future styrene deliveries and we have exercised
our right to permanently shut down and decommission our styrene plant. Under the agreement, we are
responsible for the closure costs of the styrene facility and are also subject to a long-term
commitment to not reenter the styrene business for a period of time. The closure costs of the styrene facility are
expected to be between $10 million and $15 million, which include the payment of employee severance
costs and decommissioning costs. We expect $3 million to $5 million of these costs to be expensed
during the fourth quarter of 2007, with the balance expensed during 2008. The cash flow impact of
these costs will be offset by approximately $90 million expected from the monetization of
styrene-related working capital during the balance of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008. We
expect to record an impairment charge of approximately $3 million (before taxes) during the fourth
quarter of 2007 related to incomplete capital projects associated with our styrene operations.
Unless certain strategic initiatives being pursued are implemented, we anticipate reducing our
workforce over the next nine months in connection with our exit from
the styrene business. This reduction of workforce would result in severance costs of between $4
million and $5 million. In an effort to mitigate these disruptions, reduce costs and add value to
our Texas City site, we are actively engaged in third-party discussions regarding strategic
initiatives that would require the services of a significant number of our dedicated styrenics
employees. If one or more of these strategic initiatives are consummated over the next few months,
the reduction to our workforce, the amount of severance payments and the other styrene business
closure costs could be reduced significantly.
Business Overview
We are a North American producer of selected petrochemicals used to manufacture a wide array
of consumer goods and industrial products throughout the world. Our primary products are acetic
acid, styrene and plasticizers.
Our acetic acid is used primarily to manufacture vinyl acetate monomer, which is used in a
variety of products, including adhesives and surface coatings. All of our acetic acid production
is sold to BP Amoco Chemical Company (BP Chemicals), and we are BP Chemicals sole source of
acetic acid production in the Americas. We sell our acetic acid to BP Chemicals pursuant to a
long-term contract (the Production Agreement) that extends until 2016. The Production Agreement
provides us with a portion of the profits derived from BP Chemicals sales of the acetic acid we
produce and reimbursement of 100% of our fixed and variable costs of production. This Production
Agreement has provided us with a steadily increasing source of income since the inception of this
relationship in 1986 and, over the last three years, we have operated at approximately 100% of
capacity and at utilization rates greater than the industry average. We believe that we have one
of the lowest cost acetic acid facilities in the world. Our acetic acid facility utilizes BP
Chemicals proprietary carbonylation technology, or Cativa Technology, which we believe offers
several advantages over competing production methods, including lower energy requirements and lower
fixed and variable costs. We also jointly invest with BP Chemicals in capital expenditures related
to our acetic acid facility. Acetic acid production has two major raw materials requirements
methanol and carbon monoxide. BP Chemicals, a producer of methanol, supplies 100% of our methanol
requirements related to our production of acetic acid. All of the carbon monoxide we use in the
production of acetic acid is supplied by Praxair Hydrogen Supply, Inc. (Praxair) from a partial
oxidation unit constructed by Praxair on land leased from us at our Texas City site.
Styrene is a commodity chemical used to produce intermediate products such as polystyrene,
expandable polystyrene resins and ABS plastics, which are used in a wide variety of products such
as household goods, foam cups and containers, disposable food service items, toys, packaging and
other consumer and industrial products. During the first nine months of 2007, approximately 40% of
our styrene capacity was committed for sales in North America under long-standing customer
relationships
14
with the balance of our capacity available for sales on a spot basis. During the third
quarter of 2007, we sold approximately 20% of our styrene capacity into the global spot market. As
noted above, we announced that we will exit the styrene business to pursue other strategic
initiatives. This decision followed the clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of the styrene
supply agreement with NOVA that was subsequently assigned to INEOS NOVA LLC and INEOS
NOVAs nomination of zero pounds of styrene for the balance of 2007. In
accordance with the terms of the supply agreement, INEOS NOVA is expected to assume our contractual
obligations for future styrene deliveries and we have exercised our right to permanently shut down
and decommission our styrene plant.
All of our plasticizers, which are used to make flexible plastics, such as shower curtains,
floor coverings, automotive parts and construction materials, are produced exclusively for BASF
Corporation (BASF) pursuant to a long-term production agreement that extends until 2013, subject
to some limited early termination rights held by BASF beginning in 2010. Under our agreement with
BASF, they provide us with most of the required raw materials, market the plasticizers we produce
and are obligated to make certain fixed quarterly payments to us and to reimburse us monthly for
our actual production costs and capital expenditures relating to our plasticizers facility.
We manufacture all of our petrochemicals products at our site in Texas City, Texas. In terms
of production capacity, our Texas City site has the sixth largest acetic acid facility in the world
and the fourth largest styrene facility in North America. Our Texas City site, which covers an
area of 290 acres, is strategically located on Galveston Bay and benefits from a deep-water dock
capable of handling ships with up to a 40-foot draft, as well as four barge docks, direct access to
Union Pacific and Burlington Northern railways with in-motion rail scales on site, truck loading
racks and weigh scales, stainless and mild steel storage tanks, three waste deepwells, 135 acres of
available land zoned for heavy industrial use, additional land zoned for light industrial use and a
supportive political environment for growth. In addition, we are in the heart of one of the
largest petrochemical complexes on the Gulf Coast and as a result have on-site access to a number
of key raw material pipelines, as well as close proximity to a number of large refinery complexes
that provide some of our principal raw materials.
We generally sell our petrochemicals products to customers for use in the manufacture of other
chemicals and products, which in turn, are used in the production of a wide array of consumer goods
and industrial products throughout the world. The North American acetic acid industry tends to
sell most of its products through long-term sales agreements having cost plus pricing mechanisms,
eliminating much of the volatility seen in other petrochemicals products and resulting in more
stable and predictable earnings and profit margins.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006
Revenues and income (loss) from continuing operations
Our revenues were $208.8 million for the third quarter of 2007, a 10% increase from the $189.9
million in revenues we recorded for the third quarter of 2006. This increase in revenues was
primarily due to increased styrene sales volumes in the third quarter of 2007, compared to the
third quarter of 2006. We recorded a net loss from continuing operations of $4.5 million for the
third quarter of 2007, compared to income of $9.9 million in the third quarter of 2006. This
decline in operating results in the 2007 period was primarily due to the absence of the $12 million
gain we recorded in the third quarter of 2006 pertaining to the settlement of claims and receipt of
proceeds under our property damage and business interruption insurance policies related to the fire
that occurred in our styrene unit in September 2005.
Revenues from our acetic acid and plasticizers operations were $33.8 million for the third
quarter of 2007, a 14% decrease from the $39.5 million in revenues we received from these
operations in the third quarter of 2006. Acetic acid revenues were roughly the same during the two
periods while revenues from our plasticizers operations decreased 47%. This decrease in
plasticizers revenues was due to the permanent shut down of the oxo alcohols unit in the second
half of 2006.
Revenues from our styrene operations were $174.9 million for the third quarter of 2007, an
increase of 16% over the $150.4 million in revenues we received from these operations for the third
quarter of 2006. This increase in revenues from our styrene operations was primarily due to
increased styrene sales volumes in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006.
During the third quarter of 2007, the prices we paid for benzene, one of the primary raw materials
required for styrene production, increased 6% from the prices we paid for benzene during the third
quarter of 2006, and the prices we paid for ethylene, the other primary raw material required for
styrene production, decreased 4% from the prices we paid for ethylene during the third quarter of
2006. The average price we paid for natural gas for the third quarter of 2007 decreased 4%
compared to the average price we paid for natural gas during the third quarter of 2006.
15
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Our selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.6 million for the third quarter of
2007 compared to $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2006. This increase in 2007 over the third
quarter of 2006 was primarily due to an increase in bad debt expense of $0.6 million in connection
with the blend gas dispute with BP Chemicals which occurred in September 2006 and our incurring
$0.2 million in professional fees in connection with our pursuit of potential new business
opportunities.
Other Income
We recorded no other income for the third quarter of 2007, compared to the $12 million in
other income that we recorded for the third quarter of 2006. The other income recorded in the
third quarter of 2006 consisted of payments received under our property damage and business
interruption insurance policies related to the fire that occurred in our styrene unit in September
2005.
Interest and debt related expenses, net of interest income
Our interest expense for the third quarter of 2007 was $3.9 million, compared to $2.7 million
for the third quarter of 2006. This increase in the third quarter of 2007 was primarily due to our
increased interest expense associated with higher debt levels after our debt refinancing that
occurred in the first quarter of 2007, partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in interest
income due to higher average cash balances.
Provision for income taxes
During the third quarter of 2007, we recorded net tax expense of zero for income taxes from
continuing operations, compared to a $10.1 million provision for income taxes from continuing
operations for the third quarter of 2006. This difference is due to our recording of a tax
provision for the pre-tax income in the third quarter of 2006. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we
concluded that a valuation allowance was needed against our federal
deferred tax assets. For the three month period
ended September 30, 2007, the tax benefit from our operating
losses was fully offset by a related change in the valuation
allowance resulting in an effective tax rate of zero.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
Revenues and income (loss) from continuing operations
Our revenues were $659.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, an
increase of 38% over the $477.0 million in revenues we received during the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2006. This increase in revenues resulted primarily from a 30% increase in styrene
sales volumes, largely attributable to the fact that our styrene unit was shut down in the first
quarter of 2006 to repair the damage caused by the September 2005 fire. We recorded a net loss
from continuing operations of $0.8 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007,
compared to net income of $3.0 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006. This
decline in operating results in the 2007 period was primarily due to the absence of the $15 million
gain we recorded in the nine-month period ended 2006 pertaining to the settlement of claims and
receipt of proceeds under our property damage and business interruption insurance policies related
to the fire that occurred in our styrene unit in September 2005.
Revenues from our acetic acid and plasticizers operations were $102.2 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, and $111.5 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2006. This decrease in revenues was due to a 44% decrease in plasticizer revenues
offset by a 10% increase in acetic acid revenues. The increase in acetic acid revenues in 2007 was
due to increased sales volumes and profit sharing payments. The decrease in plasticizers revenues
in 2007 was primarily due to the permanent shut down of the oxo alcohols unit in the second half of
2006.
Revenues from our styrene operations were $556.6 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2007, an increase of 52% over the $365.5 million in revenues we received from these
operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006. This increase in revenues resulted
primarily from an increase in our styrene sales volumes, largely attributable to the fact that our
styrene unit was shut down in the first quarter of 2006 to repair the damage caused by the
September 2005 fire. As a part of normal recurring operations, each of our manufacturing units is
completely shut down from time to time, for a period typically lasting two to four weeks, to
replace catalysts and perform major maintenance work required to sustain long-term production.
These periods are commonly referred to as turnarounds or shutdowns. While actual timing is
subject to a number of variables, turnarounds of our styrene unit typically occur every two to
three years. As our styrene production facility was already shut down in the first quarter of 2006
to repair the damage caused by the September 2005 fire discussed above, we decided to perform our
normal recurring styrene turnaround earlier than planned. We expense the costs of turnarounds as
they are incurred. As expenses
16
for turnarounds, especially for our styrene unit, can be significant, the impact of
turnarounds can be material for financial reporting periods during which the turnarounds actually
occur. During the first quarter of 2006, we incurred approximately $9 million of expenses
associated with this turnaround of our styrene unit. During the nine-month period ended September
30, 2007, prices for benzene and ethylene, the two primary raw materials required for styrene
production, increased 17% and decreased 11%, respectively, from the prices we paid for these
products in the same period in 2006. The average price we paid for natural gas in the nine-month
period ended September 30, 2007 increased 4% from the average price we paid for natural gas during
the same period in 2006.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Our selling, general and administrative expenses were $11.0 million for the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2007, and were $6.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006.
This increase in 2007 was due in large part to an increase in bad debt expense of $2.2 million in
connection with the blend gas dispute with BP Chemicals and our incurring approximately $0.8
million in professional fees in connection with our pursuit of potential new business
opportunities. Additionally, there was a severance payment of $0.4 million made in May 2007.
Other income (expense)
We recorded $0.8 million in other expense for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007,
compared to the $15.7 million in other income we recorded for the nine-month period ended September
30, 2006. The other expense recorded for the 2007 period resulted from a write-down of one of our
investments to its fair value. The other income recorded for the 2006 period primarily consisted
of the settlement of claims and payments received under our property damage and business
interruption insurance policies related to the fire that occurred in our styrene unit in September
2005.
Interest and debt related expenses, net of interest income
Our interest expense was $11.7 million for the first nine months of 2007 and $7.6 million for
the first nine months of 2006. This increase in 2007 was associated with higher debt levels after
our debt refinancing that occurred in the first quarter of 2007, partially offset by a $0.8 million
increase in interest income due to higher average cash balances.
Provision for income taxes
During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, we recorded net tax expense of zero
from continuing operations, compared to the $5.8 million provision for income taxes from continuing
operations we recorded for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2006. This difference is due
to our recording of a tax provision for the pre-tax income in 2006. In the fourth quarter of 2006,
we concluded that a valuation allowance was needed against our
federal deferred tax assets. For the nine month period
ended September 30, 2007, the tax benefit from our operating
losses was fully offset by a related change in the valuation
allowance resulting in an effective tax rate of zero.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On March 1, 2007, we commenced an offer to repurchase all of our outstanding 10% Senior
Secured Notes due 2007 (our Old Secured Notes) totaling $100.6 million (our tender offer).
Concurrently with our tender offer, we solicited consents from the holders of our Old Secured Notes
to, among other things, eliminate certain covenants contained in the indenture governing our Old
Secured Notes and related security documents. On March 15, 2007, after receiving enough consents
from the holders of our Old Secured Notes, we and Sterling Chemicals Energy, Inc., one of our
wholly-owned subsidiaries, and the trustee for our Old Secured Notes entered into a supplemental
indenture amending the indenture and the related security documents to eliminate most of the
restrictive covenants contained therein, as well as certain events of default and repurchase
rights. These amendments became effective when we accepted for purchase the Old Secured Notes held
by the consenting holders pursuant to our tender offer and paid those holders an aggregate of $0.1
million in consent fees. Our tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on March
28, 2007. We accepted for repurchase $58 million in aggregate principal amount of Old Secured
Notes which were validly tendered prior to the expiration of our tender offer, and we repurchased
those Old Secured Notes and paid the accrued interest thereon, on March 30, 2007. On March 27,
2007, we issued a notice of redemption for all of our Old Secured Notes that were not tendered
pursuant to our tender offer and, on April 27, 2007, we purchased those remaining Old Secured Notes
for an aggregate amount equal to $44 million, which included $1.5 million in accrued interest.
On March 26, 2007, we entered into a purchase agreement (the Purchase Agreement) with
respect to the sale of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 10 1/4% Senior Secured
Notes due 2015 (our New Secured Notes) to Jefferies & Company, Inc. and CIBC World Markets Corp.,
as initial purchasers. Sterling Chemicals Energy, Inc. (Sterling Energy) is also a party to the
Purchase Agreement as a guarantor. On March 29, 2007, we completed a private offering of our New
Secured Notes
17
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In connection with this offering, we entered into an
indenture (our New Indenture) dated March 29, 2007 among us, Sterling Energy, as guarantor, and
U. S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral agent. On August 30, 2007, we filed an
exchange offer registration statement to exchange our New Secured Notes for a new issue of
substantially identical debt securities registered under the Securities Act and subsequently
amended the registration statement on October 17, 2007. Pursuant to a registration rights
agreement among us, Sterling Energy and the initial purchasers, we have agreed to use commercially
reasonable efforts to (i) cause the registration statement to become effective by December 24,
2007, and (ii) complete the exchange offer within 50 days of the effective date of the registration
statement. If we cannot effect the exchange offer within the time periods above, we will be
required to file a shelf registration statement for the resale of the New Secured Notes, as well as
in certain other circumstances. If we do not comply with our obligations under the registration
rights agreement, the interest rate on our New Secured Notes will increase 0.25% per annum for the
first 90 days after such failure and increase by an additional 0.25% per annum at the beginning of
each subsequent 90-day period if such failure continues, subject to a maximum increase of 1.0% per
annum which would cease to accrue at such time as we are in compliance with our obligations under
the registration rights agreement.
Our New Indenture contains affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default,
including payment defaults, breaches of covenants and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and
reorganization, but does not require us to satisfy any financial maintenance tests or maintain any
financial ratios. If an event of default, other than an event of default triggered upon certain
bankruptcy events, occurs and is continuing, the trustee under our New Indenture, or the holders of
at least 25% in principal
amount of outstanding New Secured Notes, may declare our New Secured Notes to be due and payable
immediately. Upon an event of default, the trustee may also take actions to foreclose on the
collateral securing our New Secured Notes, subject to the terms of an intercreditor agreement dated
March 29, 2007 among us, Sterling Energy, the trustee and The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
Interest is due on our New Secured Notes on April 1 and October 1 of each year, with our first
interest payment having been made on October 1, 2007. Our New Secured Notes, which mature on
April 1, 2015, are senior secured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our
existing and future senior indebtedness. Subject to specified permitted liens, our New Secured
Notes are secured (i) on a first priority basis by all of our and Sterling Energys fixed assets
and certain related assets, including, without limitation, all property, plant and equipment, and
(ii) on a second priority basis by all of our and Sterling Energys other assets, including,
without limitation, accounts receivable, inventory, capital stock of our domestic restricted
subsidiaries (including Sterling Energy), intellectual property, deposit accounts and investment
property.
On December 19, 2002, we established our Revolving Credit Agreement with The CIT
Group/Business Credit, Inc., as administrative agent and a lender, and certain other lenders (our
revolving credit facility). Under our revolving credit facility, we and Sterling Energy are
co-borrowers and are jointly and severally liable for any indebtedness thereunder. Our revolving
credit facility is secured by first priority liens on all of our accounts receivable, inventory and
other specified assets, as well as all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Sterling
Energy. On March 29, 2007, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility to, among other
things, extend the term of our revolving credit facility until March 29, 2012, reduce the maximum
commitment thereunder to $50 million, make certain changes to the calculation of the borrowing base
and lower the interest rates and fees charged thereunder. Borrowings under our revolving credit
facility now bear interest, at our option, at an annual rate of either a base rate plus 0.0% to
0.50% or the LIBOR rate plus 1.50% to 2.25%, depending on our borrowing availability at the time.
We are also required to pay an aggregate commitment fee of 0.375% per year (payable monthly) on any
unused portion. Available credit under our revolving credit facility is subject to a monthly
borrowing base of 85% of eligible accounts receivable plus 65% of eligible inventory. As of
September 30, 2007, our borrowing base exceeded the maximum commitment under our revolving credit
facility, making the total credit available under our revolving credit facility $50 million. This
monetization of accounts receivable and inventory associated with the exit from our styrene business previously
discussed, is expected
to decrease our borrowing base. As a result of the decrease in our borrowing base, total credit
available under our revolving credit facility is expected to be between $10 million and $20 million
after shut down of the styrene facility. As of September 30, 2007, there were no loans outstanding
under our revolving credit facility, and we had $8 million in letters of credit outstanding,
resulting in borrowing availability of $42 million. Pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force
(EITF) Issue No. 95-22, Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings under Revolving Credit
Agreements That Include Both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement, any
balances outstanding under our revolving credit facility are classified as current portion of
long-term debt.
Our revolving credit facility contains numerous covenants and conditions, including, but not
limited to, restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, make
investments, make capital expenditures, engage in mergers and acquisitions and pay dividends. Our
revolving credit facility also includes various circumstances and conditions that would, upon their
occurrence and subject in certain cases to notice and grace periods, create an event of default
thereunder.
Our liquidity (i.e., cash and cash equivalents plus total credit available under our revolving
credit facility) was $71 million at September 30, 2007, a decrease of $19 million compared to our
liquidity at December 31, 2006. This decrease was primarily due to the reduction in our revolving
credit facilitys maximum commitment level, discussed above. We believe that our cash on hand,
18
credit available under our revolving credit facility and the increase in liquidity resulting
from the $60 million INEOS NOVA payment and the working capital reduction due to the shutdown of
our styrene plant, will be sufficient to meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs for the
reasonably foreseeable future. We continue to pursue our strategic growth initiatives and are
currently exploring opportunities which may require additional capital requirements beyond our
contribution of certain of our assets and management expertise and are evaluating these projects
and their required capital investment.
Working Capital
Our working capital was $128 million on September 30, 2007, an increase of $38 million from
our working capital of $90 million on December 31, 2006. This increase in working capital resulted
primarily from an increase in accounts receivable due to increased styrene sales during the
nine-months ended September 2007.
Cash Flow
Net cash used in our operations was $27 million for the first nine months of 2007, compared to
the $7 million in net cash used by our operations during the first nine months of 2006. This
reduction in net cash flow in the first nine months of 2007 was due in large part to an increase in
accounts receivable during the first nine months of 2007 compared to the first nine months of 2006.
Net cash flow used in our investing activities was $6 million during the first nine months of
2007, compared to the $8 million of net cash flow used in our investing activities during the first
nine months of 2006. Cash flow provided by financing activities was $41 million in the first nine
months of 2007 due to our debt refinancing discussed above.
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures were $6 million during the first nine months of 2007 and $10 million
during the first nine months of 2006. We expect our capital expenditures for the remainder of 2007
to be approximately $4 million, primarily for routine safety, environmental and replacement
capital.
Contractual Cash Obligations
As of September 30, 2007, there have been two significant changes to the contractual
obligations disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. We
increased our long-term debt from $101 million to $150 million in March 2007, which resulted in a
change in maturity date from December 2007 to March 2015 and an increase in our corresponding
interest payments of approximately $5 million per year. Additionally, we have amended certain of
our employee benefit plans in 2007, which is expected to result in a reduction of approximately $1
million per year in benefits payments under the plans.
Critical Accounting Policies, Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported
in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we review our estimates, including those related to the
allowance for doubtful accounts, recoverability of long-lived assets, deferred tax asset valuation
allowance, litigation, environmental liabilities, pension and post-retirement benefits and various
other operating allowances and accruals, based on currently available information. Changes in
facts and circumstances may alter such estimates and affect our results of operations and financial
position in future periods. Other than the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (the
FASB) Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of
FASB Statement No. 109 discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements and the
changes to our pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan discussed in Note 9 to the
consolidated financial statements , there have been no material changes or developments in our
evaluation of the accounting estimates or the underlying assumptions or methodologies that we
believe to be critical accounting policies disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
New Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair
Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value and expands disclosure about fair value measurement. SFAS No. 157 is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not
believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159,
which amends SFAS No. 115, allows certain
19
financial assets and liabilities to be recognized, at our election, at fair market value, with
any gains or losses for the period recorded in the statement of operations. SFAS No. 159 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We do not believe the adoption SFAS
No. 159 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
In June 2007, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of
Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF 06-11), which requires income tax benefits from
dividends or dividend equivalents that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees
for equity classified nonvested equity shares, nonvested equity share units and outstanding equity
share options to be recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital and to be included in
the pool of excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on
share-based payment awards. EITF 06-11 will become effective beginning in the first quarter of
2008. We do not expect the adoption of EITF 06-11 to have a material impact on our financial
statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our financial results can be affected by volatile changes in raw materials, natural gas and
finished product sales prices. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear interest, at
our option, at an annual rate of either a base rate plus 0.0% to 0.50% or the LIBOR rate plus 1.50%
to 2.25%, depending on our borrowing availability at the time. There were no borrowings under our
revolving credit facility during the third quarter of 2007. Our $150 million of New Secured Notes
bear interest at an annual rate of 101/4%, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October
1 of each year. The fair value of our New Secured Notes is based on their quoted price, which may
vary in response to changing interest rates. As of September 30, 2007, the fair value of our New
Secured Notes was approximately $154 million.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls
and procedures which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding managements
control objectives.
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our
management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness
of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
13a-15, as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that
evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our
disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information
relating to us (including our consolidated subsidiaries) that is required to be disclosed in our
Exchange Act reports. In connection with our evaluation, no changes were identified in our
internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September
30, 2007 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal
controls over financial reporting.
Beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2007, we will be subject to the provisions
of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that require an annual management assessment of our
internal controls over financial reporting.
20
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information under Legal Proceedings in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements
included in Item 1 of Part I of this report is hereby incorporated by reference.
Item 6. Exhibits
The following are filed or furnished as part of this Form 10-Q:
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description of Exhibit |
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**10.1+
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-
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|
Second Amendment to the Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Amended and Restated Salaried
Employees Pension Plan. |
**10.2
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-
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Amended and Restated Hourly Paid Employees Pension Plan. |
**10.3
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-
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Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Comprehensive Welfare Benefit Plan. |
10.4++
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|
-
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Agreement for the Exclusive Supply of Styrene by and between Sterling Chemicals,
Inc. and NOVA Chemicals Inc., dated September 17, 2007 (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.20 to Amendment No. 1 to our Form S-4 Registration Statement
(Registration No. 333-145803) filed on October 17, 2007). |
**15.1
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-
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Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding unaudited interim financial
information. |
**31.1
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|
-
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer |
**31.2
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|
-
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer |
**32.1
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-
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Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer |
**32.2
|
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-
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Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer |
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** |
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Filed or furnished herewith |
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+ |
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Management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. |
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++ |
|
Portions of the exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to a request for confidential treatment. |
21
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
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STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.
(Registrant) |
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Date: November 13, 2007
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By
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/s/ RICHARD K. CRUMP
Richard K. Crump
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Date: November 13, 2007
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By
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/s/ JOHN R. BEAVER |
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John R. Beaver
Senior Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) |
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22
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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|
Number |
|
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|
Description of Exhibit |
|
|
|
|
|
**10.1+
|
|
-
|
|
Second Amendment to the Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Amended and Restated Salaried
Employees Pension Plan. |
**10.2
|
|
-
|
|
Amended and Restated Hourly Paid Employees Pension Plan. |
**10.3
|
|
-
|
|
Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Comprehensive Welfare Benefit Plan. |
10.4++
|
|
-
|
|
Agreement for the Exclusive Supply of Styrene by and between Sterling Chemicals,
Inc. and NOVA Chemicals Inc., dated September 17, 2007 (incorporated by reference
from Exhibit 10.20 to Amendment No. 1 to our Form S-4 Registration Statement
(Registration No. 333-145803) filed on October 17, 2007). |
**15.1
|
|
-
|
|
Letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP regarding unaudited interim financial
information. |
**31.1
|
|
-
|
|
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer |
**31.2
|
|
-
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer |
**32.1
|
|
-
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Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer |
**32.2
|
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-
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Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer |
|
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|
** |
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Filed or furnished herewith |
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+ |
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Management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements. |
|
++ |
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Portions of the exhibit have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to a request for confidential treatment. |