UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2007

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number: 0-20289

 

KEMET CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

DELAWARE

 

57-0923789

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

2835 KEMET WAY, SIMPSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29681

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

 

(864) 963-6300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report:  N/A

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

YES x NO 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 x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No

 

Common Stock Outstanding at: December 31, 2007

 

Title of Each Class

 

Number of Shares Outstanding

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

 

83,989,492

 

 

 


 


PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1—Financial Statements

 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

139,623

 

$

212,202

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

197,257

 

108,830

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

89,397

 

54,584

 

Work in process

 

78,881

 

51,810

 

Finished goods

 

53,762

 

47,474

 

Total inventories

 

222,040

 

153,868

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

9,265

 

6,816

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,016

 

5,181

 

Total current assets

 

571,201

 

486,897

 

Noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $874.3 million and $682.6 million as of December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively

.

459,043

 

349,174

 

Property held for sale

 

4,638

 

3,647

 

Investments in U.S. government marketable securities

 

 

45,767

 

Investments in affiliates

 

119

 

119

 

Goodwill

 

162,947

 

36,552

 

Intangible assets, net

 

24,894

 

14,260

 

Other assets

 

13,191

 

7,110

 

Non-current deferred income taxes

 

863

 

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

665,695

 

456,629

 

Total assets

 

$

1,236,896

 

$

943,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

103,039

 

$

20,000

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

133,960

 

70,799

 

Accrued expenses

 

69,695

 

49,777

 

Income taxes payable

 

1,378

 

7,225

 

Total current liabilities

 

308,072

 

147,801

 

Noncurrent liabilitites:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

300,455

 

238,744

 

Postretirement benefits and other noncurrent obligations

 

56,391

 

19,587

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,636

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

356,846

 

259,967

 

Total liabilities

 

664,918

 

407,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized 300,000,000 shares, issued 88,220,676 and 88,154,936 shares at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively

 

882

 

882

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

324,437

 

321,059

 

Retained earnings

 

234,703

 

228,118

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

54,929

 

30,418

 

Treasury stock, at cost (4,231,184 and 4,403,048 shares at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively)

 

(42,973

)

(44,719

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

571,978

 

535,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

1,236,896

 

$

943,526

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

2



 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

228,694

 

$

165,519

 

$

608,942

 

$

501,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

188,616

 

127,542

 

491,555

 

392,699

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

28,059

 

21,207

 

70,078

 

66,373

 

Research and development

 

8,646

 

8,745

 

25,886

 

23,967

 

Restructuring charges and asset impairment

 

4,968

 

1,824

 

13,502

 

9,914

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

230,289

 

159,318

 

601,021

 

492,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

(1,595

)

6,201

 

7,921

 

8,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income)/expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

4,087

 

2,334

 

8,772

 

5,064

 

Interest income

 

(1,814

)

(2,359

)

(5,031

)

(3,922

)

Other (income)/expense

 

(1,465

)

183

 

(2,982

)

(820

)

Total other expense

 

808

 

158

 

759

 

322

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

(2,403

)

6,043

 

7,162

 

8,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

5,747

 

710

 

4,170

 

1,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before minority interest

 

(8,150

)

5,333

 

2,992

 

6,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(8,150

)

$

5,333

 

$

2,892

 

$

6,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

83,984,668

 

84,831,102

 

83,942,502

 

86,281,801

 

Diluted

 

83,984,668

 

84,919,235

 

84,163,133

 

86,436,140

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3



 

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, net of the effects of the acquisitions

 

$

2,892

 

$

6,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

38,136

 

30,980

 

(Gain)/Loss on disposal

 

106

 

(74

)

Stock-based compensation

 

4,508

 

5,539

 

Change in operating assets

 

4,723

 

(24,903

)

Change in operating liabilities

 

(40,117

)

3,568

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

10,248

 

21,878

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

 

 

4,902

 

Proceeds from sale of long-term investments

 

46,076

 

21,530

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(36,527

)

(26,397

)

Acquisitions, net of cash received

 

(70,269

)

(105,376

)

Proceeds from sale of equipment and building

 

2,630

 

 

Proceeds from sale of Fuel Cell business unit

 

5,759

 

 

Other

 

(454

)

1,066

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(53,145

)

(104,275

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

140,869

 

175,000

 

Payment on long-term debt

 

(169,517

)

(20,000

)

Debt issuance costs paid

 

(601

)

(4,375

)

Proceeds from sale of common stock to Employee Savings Plan

 

484

 

397

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

130

 

1,043

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(24,947

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

 

(28,635

)

127,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(71,532

)

44,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign currency fluctuation on cash

 

(1,047

)

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

212,202

 

163,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

139,623

 

$

208,499

 

 

 

4



 

Note 1. Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of KEMET Corporation and its Subsidiaries (“KEMET” or the “Company”). In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Form 10-K. Net sales and operating results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In consolidation, all significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”).  FIN No. 48 supplements SFAS No. 109 by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. On April 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48. As a result of the adoption, the Company recorded a $3.7 million increase to the opening retained earnings balance and a $0.5 million reduction of goodwill. These adjustments represent the cumulative effect of adoption on prior periods. For additional information regarding these adjustments, refer to Note 8, Income Taxes.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures.  This statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its fiscal year 2009 consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure certain financial instruments and certain other items at fair value.  The standard requires that unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected be reported in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 159 will have on its fiscal year 2009 consolidated financial statements.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

A portion of sales is related to products designed to meet customer specific requirements. These products typically have stricter tolerances making them useful to the specific customer requesting the product and to customers with similar or less stringent requirements. Products with customer specific requirements are tested and approved by the customer before the Company mass produces and ships the product. The Company recognizes revenue at shipment as the sales terms for products produced with customer specific requirements do not contain a final customer acceptance provision or other provisions that are unique and would otherwise allow the customer different acceptance rights.

 

A portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. The Company’s distributor policy includes inventory price protection and “ship-from-stock and debit” (“SFSD”) programs common in the industry. The price protection policy protects the value of the distributors’ inventory in the event the Company reduces its published selling price to distributors. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for specific parts. The Company establishes price protection reserves on specific parts residing in distributors’ inventories in the period that the price protection is formally authorized by management.

 

 

5



 

The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its higher-priced inventory and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD program based primarily on actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers. The actual inventory levels at these distributors comprise 91% - 95% of the total global distributor inventory. The remaining 5% to 9% is estimated based on actual distributor inventory and current sales trends. Management analyzes historical SFSD activity to determine the SFSD exposure on the global distributor inventory at the balance sheet date. From time to time, the Company “builds up” inventory levels due to factors such as anticipated future demand exceeding capacity and when the Company moves manufacturing from one location to another location.  When the distributors “build up” inventory levels, the estimation of the inventory at the distributors for the remaining 5% to 9% could be estimated at an incorrect amount. However, the Company believes that the difference between the estimate and the ultimate actual amount would be immaterial.

 

The establishment of these reserves is recognized as a component of the line item Net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the associated reserves are included in the line item Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

The Company provides a limited warranty to its customers that the products meet certain specifications. The warranty period is generally limited to one year, and the Company’s liability under the warranty is generally limited to a replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price of the product. Warranty costs as a percentage of Net sales were less than 1% for the year ended March 31, 2007, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Company recognizes warranty costs when identified.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical data and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

The Company’s judgments are based on management’s assessment as to the effect certain estimates, assumptions, or future trends or events may have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in KEMET’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. It is important that readers of these unaudited financial statements understand that actual results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

 

Note 2. Reconciliation of Basic Income/(Loss) Per Common Share

 

In accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share”, the Company has included the following table presenting a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS fully displaying the effect of dilutive securities.

 

Computation of Basic and Diluted Income/(Loss) Per Share

(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(8,150

)

$

5,333

 

$

2,892

 

$

6,768

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

83,984,668

 

84,831,102

 

83,942,502

 

86,281,801

 

Assumed conversion of employee stock options

 

 

88,133

 

220,631

 

154,339

 

Diluted

 

83,984,668

 

84,919,235

 

84,163,133

 

86,436,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.06

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

 

 

 

6



 

Note 3. Derivatives and Hedging

 

The Company uses certain derivative financial instruments to reduce exposures to volatility of foreign currencies.

 

Hedging Foreign Currencies

 

Certain operating expenses at the Company’s Mexican facilities are paid in Mexican pesos. In order to hedge these forecasted cash flows, management purchases forward contracts to buy Mexican pesos for periods and amounts consistent with the related underlying cash flow exposures. These contracts are designated as hedges at inception and monitored for effectiveness on a routine basis. At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts that matured within approximately nine months to purchase Mexican pesos with notional amounts of $51.6 million. The fair value of these contracts totaled $0.4 million at December 31, 2007, and they are recorded as an offset to the Company’s derivative liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under Accrued expenses. During the next three months, it is estimated that approximately $0.4 million of the unrealized gain on these contracts will be recorded to Cost of goods sold.  This estimate is currently reflected as income in Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The impact of the changes in fair values of these contracts resulted in AOCI, net of taxes, of $(0.4) million for the three month period ended December 31, 2007 and $(0.4) million for the nine month period ended December 31, 2007.

 

Certain sales are made in Euro.    In order to hedge these sales, management purchases forward contracts to sell Euro for periods in amounts not to exceed the underlying sales.  These contracts are designated as hedges at inception and are monitored for effectiveness on a routine basis.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts that mature within approximately three months to sell Euro with notional amounts of $8.1 million.  The fair value of these contracts total $(0.7) million at December 31, 2007, and they are recorded as a derivative liability on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets under Accrued expenses.  During the next three months, it is estimated that approximately $(0.7) million of unrealized losses on these contracts will be recorded to Cost of goods sold.  This estimate is currently reflected as a loss in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The impact of the changes in fair values of these contracts resulted in AOCI, net of taxes, of $0.2 million and $(0.7) million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007, respectively.  There were no outstanding Euro hedges at March 31, 2007.

 

Changes in the derivatives’ fair values are deferred and recorded as a component of AOCI until the underlying transaction is recorded. When the hedged item affects income, gains or losses are reclassified from AOCI to the Consolidated Statements of Operations as Cost of goods sold for forward exchange contracts to purchase Mexican pesos and sell Euro. Any ineffectiveness, if material, in the Company’s hedging relationships is recognized immediately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.

 

Note 4. Restructuring Charges and Asset Impairment

 

In July 2003, KEMET announced a manufacturing relocation plan which consisted of reorganizing its operations around the world, resulting in the location of virtually all of its production in low-cost regions to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2008. This relocation allows KEMET access to key customers, key technical resources and knowledge, and low-cost resources.

 

 

7


 


 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances for restructuring charges included in the liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2007

 

Three months ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Asset

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Termination

 

 

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

Impairment

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

of a Contract

 

Beginning of period

 

$

2,011

 

$

 

$

 

$

967

 

$

 

$

 

Costs charged to expense

 

1,663

 

1,207

 

2,098

 

1,204

 

620

 

 

Costs paid or settled

 

(3,354

)

(1,207

)

(2,098

)

(1,360

)

(620

)

 

End of period

 

$

320

 

$

 

$

 

$

811

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31, 2007

 

Nine months ended December 31, 2006

 

 

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Asset

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Termination

 

 

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

Impairment

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

of a Contract

 

Beginning of period

 

$

941

 

$

 

$

 

$

2,094

 

$

 

$

 

Costs charged to expense

 

6,192

 

5,212

 

2,098

 

2,719

 

7,105

 

90

 

Costs paid or settled

 

(6,813

)

(5,212

)

(2,098

)

(4,002

)

(7,105

)

(90

)

End of period

 

$

320

 

$

 

$

 

$

811

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred, therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs. Costs charged to expense are aggregated in Restructuring charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Personnel Reductions - During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized charges of $1.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, primarily for reductions in force in Europe and Mexico.  During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, the Company recognized charges of $1.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for reductions in force in Europe and Mexico.

 

Manufacturing Relocations - During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized charges of $1.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively, related to relocating assets to low-cost regions.   During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, the Company recognized charges of $0.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively, related to relocating assets to low-cost regions.

 

Asset Impairment - During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized charges of $2.1 million primarily for the writedown of manufacturing assets and facilities located in the United States and Germany.  The asset impairments relate to the Company’s manufacturing relocation plan.

 

Charges related to personnel reductions and manufacturing relocations correspond with the Company’s plan to relocate production facilities to low-cost regions.

 

Note 5. Investments

 

At March 31, 2007, investments consisted of debt securities and an equity security of a privately-held company. The debt securities, which consisted of U.S. government marketable securities, were sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2007 for $46.1 million and the proceeds were reinvested in the Company’s money market accounts.   In connection with the sale, the Company realized a $0.4 million loss which was previously recorded in AOCI.

 

At December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, the Company determined that the remaining investment balance in its equity investment in Lamina Ceramics, Inc., approximated fair value.

 

 

8



 

A summary of the components and carrying values of investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

 

Unrealized Loss

 

U.S. government marketable securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term

 

$

 

$

45,767

 

$

(1,092

)

Equity investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

119

 

119

 

 

 

 

$

119

 

$

45,886

 

$

(1,092

)

 

Note 6. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007, includes the following components (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(8,150

)

$

5,333

 

$

2,892

 

$

6,768

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of SFAS No. 158

 

(598

)

 

(1,794

)

 

Currency forward contract gain/(loss)

 

(248

)

952

 

(1,078

)

2,411

 

Currency translation gain/(loss)

 

23,809

 

(1,769

)

26,291

 

(1,694

)

Unrealized securities gain

 

 

350

 

 

406

 

Unrealized investment income

 

 

935

 

1,092

 

1,586

 

Total net income and other comprehensive income

 

$

14,813

 

$

5,801

 

$

27,403

 

$

9,477

 

 

The increase in Currency translation gain/(loss) includes prior period adjustments related to the incorrect translation of certain Euro denominated intercompany general ledger accounts which the Company identified and corrected during the quarter ended December 31, 2007.  The prior period adjustments resulted in a $13.3 million decrease in Accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, a $12.8 million increase in Currency translation gain within Accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and a $0.5 million increase in Other (income)/expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations as of and for the period ending December 31, 2007.  Current period activity related to the translation of these Euro denominated inter-company general ledger accounts resulted in an additional $3.7 million increase in Currency translation gain.  The increase in Currency translation gain/(loss) also includes prior period adjustments related to the incorrect translation of Euro denominated general ledger accounts related to the acquisition of Evox Rifa Group Oyj.  The prior and current period components of this adjustment amounted to $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2007.  The Company has considered the effect of this error on current and prior year consolidated financial statements and concluded this error would not have resulted in any material changes to those consolidated financial statements.

 

The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2007

 

Currency forward contract income/(loss), net

 

$

(224

)

$

854

 

Currency translation gain/(loss)

 

33,554

 

7,263

 

Unrealized investment loss

 

 

(1,092

)

Effect of SFAS No. 158

 

21,599

 

23,393

 

Total Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

$

54,929

 

$

30,418

 

 

 

9



 

Note 7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting units as defined under SFAS No. 142, with carrying amounts. If the reporting unit’s aggregate carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit being measured exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of its assets.

 

The Company performs its impairment test during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise warranted. The Company performed this impairment test in the quarters ended December 31, 2007, June 30, 2007, and June 30, 2006, and concluded that no goodwill impairment existed.

 

On October 12, 2007, the Company acquired Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (“Arcotronics”), for a purchase price of approximately $23.8 million and approximately $9.6 million for acquisition related costs.  The acquisition included manufacturing operations as well as certain research and development, marketing, and sales functions in various locations, primarily within Europe.  Arcotronics will be managed and reported under the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.  Goodwill and amortized intangibles related to the acquisition of Arcotronics amounted to $103.1 million and $7.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007.

 

On April 24, 2007, the Company acquired Evox Rifa Group Oyj (“Evox Rifa”), for a purchase price of approximately $40.8 million, including approximately $3.5 million for acquisition related costs.  The acquisition included manufacturing operations as well as certain research and development, marketing, and sales functions in various locations, primarily within Europe.  Evox Rifa will be managed and reported under the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.  Goodwill and amortized intangibles related to the acquisition of Evox Rifa amounted to $22.7 million and $3.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007.

 

The following chart highlights the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

Carrying Amount

 

Accumulated Amortization

 

Carrying Amount

 

Accumulated Amortization

 

Unamortized intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

162,947

 

 

 

$

36,552

 

 

 

Trademarks

 

7,617

 

 

 

7,617

 

 

 

Unamortized intangibles

 

170,564

 

 

 

44,169

 

 

 

Amortized intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and technology — 5-25 Years

 

27,760

 

$

11,311

 

16,297

 

$

10,351

 

Other — 8-10 Years

 

1,725

 

897

 

1,725

 

1,028

 

Amortized intangibles

 

29,485

 

12,208

 

18,022

 

11,379

 

Total goodwill and intangibles

 

$

200,049

 

$

12,208

 

$

62,191

 

$

11,379

 

 

The expected amortization expense for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is $750, $637, $618, $562, and $562, respectively.

 

Note 8. Income Taxes

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2007, the net income tax expense is comprised of a $0.8 million benefit due to the settlement of foreign tax issues, a $2.2 million expense related to tax law changes in Mexico and Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to fixed asset write-offs in Germany, a $1.2 million expense related to foreign operations, and minor federal and state income tax expense.

 

During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a $2.5 million income tax benefit from the recognition of credits due to a change in Texas tax law, a $1.1 million income tax benefit from U.S. competent authority relief on a transfer pricing adjustment, a $0.8 million benefit from the settlement of foreign tax issues, a  $2.2 million expense

 

 

10



 

related to tax law changes in Mexico and Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to fixed asset write offs in Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to foreign operations, and minor federal and state income tax expense.

 

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2006, the income tax expense is principally a result of profitable foreign subsidiaries.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN No. 48”), on April 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN No. 48, the Company recognized a decrease of $4.2 million in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a $3.7 million increase to the April 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings and a $0.5 million reduction of goodwill. As of the date of adoption, the Company had approximately $5.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, of which $2.7 million, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $3.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions, including various state and local jurisdictions.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations for years before fiscal year 2004 and is no longer subject to foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal year 2002.

 

The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within its global operations in income tax expense. In conjunction with the adoption of FIN No. 48, the Company continued this practice and had approximately $0.1 million of accrued interest and penalties at April 1, 2007, which is included as a component of Income tax expense. During the three months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $8.0 thousand in potential interest expense associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

 

The Company does not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease prior to December 31, 2008.

 

Note 9. Segment and Geographic Information

 

KEMET is organized into three distinct business groups: the Tantalum Business Group (“Tantalum”) the Ceramic Business Group (“Ceramic”) and the Film and Electrolytic Business Group (“Film and Electrolytic”). Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by the business groups and are allocated to each business group based on the business groups’ respective manufacturing costs. In addition, all corporate costs are also allocated to the business groups based on the business groups’ respective manufacturing costs. On April 24, 2007, KEMET acquired Evox Rifa Group Oyj (“Evox Rifa”). On October 12, 2007, KEMET acquired Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (“Arcotronics”).  Accordingly, the results from the respective acquisition dates through the end of the quarter have been included in Film and Electrolytic’s results.

 

Tantalum Business Group

 

The Tantalum Business Group operates in six manufacturing sites in the United States, Mexico, China, and Portugal. This business group produces tantalum and aluminum polymer capacitors. The business group also maintains a product innovation center in the United States and a research and development center in Heidenheim, Germany.  Tantalum products are sold in all regions of the world.

 

Ceramic Business Group

 

The Ceramic Business Group operates in three manufacturing locations in Mexico and China. This business group produces ceramic capacitors. In addition, the business group also has a product innovation center in the United States.  Ceramic products are sold in all regions of the world.

 

Film and Electrolytic Business Group

 

The Film and Electrolytic Business Group operates in thirteen manufacturing sites in Europe and Asia. This business group produces film, paper, and electrolytic capacitors. In addition, the business group also has a product innovation center in Sweden.  Film and Electrolytic products are sold of all regions in the world.

 

 

11


 


 

The following table summarizes information about each group’s net sales, operating income/(loss), depreciation and amortization and total assets (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

102,938

 

$

104,246

 

$

316,534

 

$

324,364

 

Ceramic

 

53,667

 

61,273

 

167,703

 

177,273

 

Film and Electrolytic

 

72,089

 

 

124,705

 

 

Total

 

$

228,694

 

$

165,519

 

$

608,942

 

$

501,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income/(loss) (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

(377

)

$

3,934

 

$

8,194

 

$

7,325

 

Ceramic

 

(1,200

)

2,267

 

(2,774

)

1,359

 

Film and Electrolytic

 

(18

)

 

2,501

 

 

Total

 

$

(1,595

)

$

6,201

 

$

7,921

 

$

8,684

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation/amortization expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

8,074

 

$

6,844

 

$

24,700

 

$

19,308

 

Ceramic

 

3,552

 

3,331

 

10,441

 

10,500

 

Film and Electrolytic

 

2,543

 

 

4,321

 

 

Total

 

$

14,169

 

$

10,175

 

$

39,462

 

$

29,808

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2007

 

March 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

537,895

 

$

609,902

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramic

 

280,264

 

333,624

 

 

 

 

 

Film and Electrolytic

 

418,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,236,896

 

$

943,526

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Restructuring charges included in Operating income/(loss) were as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

Total restructuring:

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Tantalum

 

$

4,968

 

$

646

 

$

11,712

 

$

5,809

 

Ceramic

 

 

1,178

 

1,790

 

4,105

 

Total

 

$

4,968

 

$

1,824

 

$

13,502

 

$

9,914

 

 

The Company manages its capital expenditures for long-lived assets on a consolidated basis; therefore, this information has been excluded on a reporting segment basis.

 

 

12



 

The following highlights the Company’s net sales by geographic location (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, (1)

 

Nine months ended December 31, (1)

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

United States

 

$

51,597

 

$

47,695

 

$

152,767

 

$

146,706

 

Hong Kong

 

27,842

 

33,146

 

83,127

 

90,470

 

China

 

26,700

 

16,770

 

70,049

 

48,078

 

Germany

 

24,723

 

14,020

 

61,007

 

44,139

 

Asia Pacific (2)

 

15,560

 

13,585

 

42,260

 

46,296

 

Singapore

 

10,581

 

9,758

 

29,434

 

33,270

 

Mexico

 

3,440

 

4,363

 

11,675

 

13,470

 

Other countries (2)

 

68,251

 

26,182

 

158,623

 

79,208

 

 

 

$

228,694

 

$

165,519

 

$

608,942

 

$

501,637

 

 

(1) - Revenues are attributed to countries or regions based on the location of the customer. The Company sold $22,359 and $17,815 to two customers, each of which accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2006. The Company did not have net sales to any customer which accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2007.

 

(2) - No country included in these captions exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

Note 10. Concentrations of Risks

 

Sales and Credit Risk

 

The Company sells to customers located throughout the world. Credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition are performed periodically, and the Company generally does not require collateral from its customers.

 

Electronics distributors are an important distribution channel in the electronics industry and accounted for approximately 54% and 58% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2007, sales to electronics distributors accounted for approximately 46% of the Company’s net sales. For the three months ended December 31, 2006, sales to electronics distributors accounted for approximately 55% of the Company’s net sales. As a result of the Company’s concentration of sales to electronics distributors, the Company may experience fluctuations in its operating results as electronics distributors experience fluctuations in end-market demand or adjust their inventory stocking levels.

 

At December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, no customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivable balance.

 

Employees

 

As of  December 31, 2007, KEMET had approximately 11,800 employees, of whom approximately 800 were located in the United States, 6,000 were located in Mexico, 2,300 in Asia, and 2,700 in Europe. The Company believes that its future success will depend in part on its ability to recruit, retain, and motivate qualified personnel at all levels of the Company. While none of its United States employees are unionized, the Company has approximately 4,900 hourly employees in Mexico represented by labor unions as required by Mexican law. In addition, the Company has represented by labor unions,  approximately 400 employees in Portugal, approximately 900 employees in Italy, and approximately 400 employees in Bulgaria. The Company has not experienced any major work stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to be good. The Company’s labor costs in Mexico, China, Indonesia, and various locations in Europe are denominated in local currencies, and a significant depreciation of the United States dollar against the local currencies would increase the Company’s labor costs in these areas.

 

 

13



 

Note 11. Property Held for Sale

 

As a result of moving manufacturing operations from the United States to lower cost facilities, certain manufacturing facilities located in the United States are no longer in use and are held for sale according to SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. The carrying value of the facilities at December 31, 2007, was $4.6 million and is separately presented in the Property held for sale line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2007, the fair value is believed to approximate carrying value based on independent appraisals. The Company does not anticipate any remediation costs in selling the properties. On a quarterly basis, management reviews this value for indications of impairment.

 

Note 12. Stock-based Compensation

 

In October 2007, the Company granted  0.5 million options to employees pursuant to the 2004 Key Employee Stock Option Plan described in Note 8, “Stock Option Plans”, of the notes to consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.   The weighted average grant date fair value per share is $3.45 and the weighted average exercise price per share for these options is $7.72.

 

The compensation expense associated with the performance awards was approximately $0.7 million and $4.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007.  The compensation expense associated with the performance awards was approximately $1.2 million and $5.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2006.  These costs were recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

All options plans provide that options to purchase shares be supported by the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. All restricted stock and performance awards are also supported by the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. The prices of the options granted pursuant to these plans are not less than 100% of the value of the shares on the date of the grant.

 

In the Operating activities of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, stock-based compensation expense was treated as an adjustment to net income for the nine months ended December 31, 2007. No tax benefit was realized from stock options exercised during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.

 

Note 13. Acquisitions

 

Arcotronics Italia S.p.A.

 

On October 12, 2007, pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase Agreement between KEMET Electronics Corporation (“KEMET Electronics”), a wholly owned subsidiary of KEMET Corporation, and Blue Sky (Lux) S.à r.l. (“Blue Skye”), the Company successfully purchased 100% of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (“Arcotronics”) from Blue Skye.  The acquisition includes manufacturing facilities in Sasso Marconi, Monghidoro, and Vergato, Italy; Landsberg, Germany; Towcester, United Kingdom; Kyustendil, Bulgaria; and Anting-Shanghai, China.

 

The Company paid EUR 17.5 million ($23.8 million) for 100% of the outstanding share capital of Arcotronics, assumed net financial debt of approximately EUR 98.9 million ($140.0 million), and certain other long-term liabilities of the company totaling approximately EUR 23.7 million ($33.6 million).

 

The total purchase price for Arcotronics was $33.4 million which includes (dollars in millions):

 

Common stock purchases

 

$

23.8

 

Acquisition related costs

 

9.6

 

 

 

 

 

Total purchase price

 

$

33.4

 

 

The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting, including the appraisal of the newly acquired assets. However, the Company does not believe that there will be a material difference in the amounts booked as of the date of this report.

 

 

14



 

The purchase price was determined through arms-length negotiations between representatives of the Company and Blue Skye.

 

The acquisition of Arcotronics, included in operating results from the acquisition date, was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets purchased and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the date of the acquisition.  The fair value of the net assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were $218.3 million and $284.1 million, respectively.  The allocation of the purchase price is based upon preliminary estimates of the fair value.  The actual allocation of the purchase price may differ from the preliminary allocation due to refinements of the fair values of the net assets acquired.  The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net assets acquired of $99.2 million was recorded as goodwill.  Approximately $7.5 million has been allocated to intangible assets other than goodwill.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into a Senior Facility Agreement with UniCredit Banca d’Impresa S.p.A (“UniCredit”) whereby UniCredit agreed to lend to KEMET up to EUR 47.0 million ($66.8 million). KEMET Electronics used a portion of this borrowing to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness of Arcotronics, with the balance available for general corporate purposes.

 

Pro Forma Information:

 

The following presents the pro forma (unaudited) results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively assuming the acquisition of Arcotronics had occurred on April 1, 2006 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

234,731

 

$

207,281

 

$

708,388

 

$

638,130

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(7,854

)

$

(111

)

$

(4,588

)

$

(4,228

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.09

)

$

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.05

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.09

)

$

 

$

(0.05

)

$

(0.05

)

 

The above amounts for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 reflect adjustments for depreciation for the revalued properties, amortization of the intangibles acquired, and a reduction in interest income for the cash used to purchase the business and related tax effects for the aforementioned adjustments.  The pro forma amounts do not include anticipated synergies from the acquisition.

 

The pro forma information, as presented above, is not necessarily indicative of the results which would have been obtained had the transaction occurred on April 1, 2006, nor is it necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results.

 

Subsequent to the acquisition, on November 28, 2007, Arcotronics, entered into a Quota Purchase Agreement (“the Agreement”) with Morphic Business Development AB (“Morphic”), whereby Arcotronics sold to Morphic its 80% corporate capital share in Arcotronics Fuel Cells S.r.l.  In conjunction with the Agreement, Morphic paid to Arcotronics as consideration for the purchase of the aforementioned shares the amount of EUR 4.0 million ($5.8 million).  No gain or loss was recorded as a result of this sale.

 

Evox Rifa Group Oyj

 

On April 24, 2007, pursuant to the terms of a Combination Agreement between KEMET Electronics and Evox Rifa Group Oyj (“Evox Rifa”), the Company purchased approximately 92.7% of Evox Rifa pursuant to a tender offer which commenced on March 12, 2007, and was completed on April 12, 2007. Evox Rifa had 178,156,018 shares outstanding at the time of the commencement of the tender offer. KEMET purchased approximately 165.2 million shares at a price of EUR 0.12 per share or approximately EUR 19.8 million (approximately $27.0 million). KEMET announced at the time that it intended to acquire the remaining outstanding shares pursuant to a squeeze-out process.  Following the settlement of the completion trades relating to the tender offer, Evox Rifa became a subsidiary of KEMET.  In September 2007, the Company completed the

 

 

15


 


 

squeeze-out process and accordingly purchased the remaining outstanding shares of Evox Rifa for EUR 1.6 million (approximately $2.2 million).  This additional amount is considered part of the purchase price of the acquisition.

 

In addition, pursuant to the tender offer, KEMET offered to acquire all of the outstanding loan notes under the convertible capital loan issued by Evox Rifa for a consideration corresponding to the aggregate of the nominal amount per loan note of EUR 100 plus accrued interest up to and including the closing date of the tender offer. The outstanding amount of the loan notes and accrued interest at the time of the commencement of the tender offer totaled approximately EUR 5.9 million (approximately $8.1 million). Holders of approximately 95.7% of the convertible capital loan notes issued by Evox Rifa tendered their loan notes pursuant to the tender offer and consequently, KEMET redeemed these notes as of April 24, 2007. In addition to the payment made for the shares and loan notes, KEMET assumed approximately EUR 19.2 million (approximately $26.1 million) in outstanding indebtedness of Evox Rifa.

 

The total purchase price for Evox Rifa was $40.8 million which includes (dollars in millions):

 

Common stock purchases

 

$

29.2

 

Purchase of convertible debt

 

8.1

 

Acquisition related costs

 

3.5

 

 

 

 

 

Total purchase price

 

$

40.8

 

 

The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting, including the appraisal of the newly acquired assets. However, the Company does not believe that there will be a material difference in the amounts booked as of the date of this report.

 

The purchase price was determined through arms-length negotiations between representatives of the Company and Evox Rifa.

 

The acquisition of Evox Rifa, included in operating results from the acquisition date, was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets purchased and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the date of the acquisition.  The fair value of the net assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were $79.8 million and $59.8 million, respectively.  The allocation of the purchase price is based upon preliminary estimates of the fair value.  The actual allocation of the purchase price may differ from the preliminary allocation due to refinements of the fair value of the net assets acquired.  The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired of $20.8 million was recorded as goodwill.  Approximately $3.7 million has been allocated to intangible assets other than goodwill.

 

Pro Forma Information:

 

The following presents the pro forma (unaudited) results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively assuming the acquisition of Evox Rifa had occurred on April 1, 2006 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Nine Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

228,694

 

$

196,337

 

$

616,735

 

$

594,474

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

(8,356

)

$

6,233

 

$

2,686

 

$

7,321

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.07

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.10

)

$

0.07

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.08

 

 

The above amounts for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 reflect adjustments for depreciation of the revalued properties, amortization of the intangibles acquired, a reduction in interest income for the cash used to purchase the business, a reduction in the interest expense on the convertible notes that KEMET purchased, and

 

 

16



 

related tax effects for the aforementioned adjustments.  These results also assume that KEMET owned 100% of Evox Rifa for each of the periods presented.  The pro forma amounts do not include anticipated synergies from the acquisition.

 

The pro forma information, as presented above, is not necessarily indicative of the results which would have been obtained had the transaction occurred on April 1, 2006, nor is it necessarily indicative of the Company’s future results.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company assumed the existing and outstanding debt of approximately $22.0 million at April 24, 2007.  Since the acquisition, KEMET has repaid approximately $14.9 million of this debt as of December 31, 2007.  At December 31, 2007, the remaining debt balance is $7.1 million.  The effective interest rates on these bank loans range from 2.5% to 8.3%.  The maturity of the bank loans is as follows: within 12 months - $2.7 million; 13-24 months - $1.7 million; 25-36 months - $0.8 million; 37-48 months - $1.2 million; thereafter - $0.7 million.

 

Note 14. Debt

 

Portuguese Investment Grants

 

In October 2007, KEMET’s subsidiary in Portugal received a payment of EUR 0.9 million ($1.3 million) from the Portuguese government in connection with an investment of capital made in Portugal.  As part of the grant, and should KEMET Electronics Portugal, S.A. successfully meet at least 90% of its pre-established targets, up to 60% of the loan will be forgiven.  KEMET Electronics Portugal, S.A. has recorded this as debt and will monitor the objectives on a quarterly basis.

 

 

UniCredit

 

On October 12, 2007, in connection with the completion of the acquisition of Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. (“Arcotronics”), the Company entered into a Senior Facility Agreement (“Credit Agreement-A”) with UniCredit Banca d’Impresa S.p.A. (“UniCredit”) whereby UniCredit agreed to lend to the Company up to EUR 47 million (approximately $66.8 million). The Company’s initial drawdown of EUR 45.8 million (approximately $65.1 million) under Credit Agreement-A was used to repay certain outstanding indebtedness of Arcotronics and for general corporate purposes.  On December 20, 2007, the Company borrowed an additional EUR 1.0 million (approximately $1.4 million) under Credit Agreement-A in connection with the refinancing of certain third party indebtedness as described below.

 

Material terms and conditions of Credit Agreement-A are as follows:

(i)

 

Maturity:

 

April 9, 2009

(ii)

 

Interest Rate:

 

Floating at three month EURIBOR plus 200 basis points

(iii)

 

Amortization:

 

Bullet payment at maturity

(iv)

 

Structure:

 

Unsecured

 

 

On December 20, 2007, in connection with the refinancing of certain third party indebtedness acquired as part of the acquisition of Arcotronics the Company entered into an additional Senior Facility Agreement (“Credit Agreement-B”) with UniCredit whereby UniCredit agreed to lend to the Company up to EUR 50 million (approximately $72.0 million).  The Company used the proceeds from this borrowing, together with cash on hand and the drawdown of EUR 1.0 million (approximately $1.4 million) under Credit Agreement-A with UniCredit, to refinance such certain third party indebtedness of Arcotronics.

 

Material terms and conditions of Credit Agreement-B are as follows:

(i)

 

Maturity:

 

December 31, 2008

(ii)

 

Interest Rate:

 

Floating at three month EURIBOR plus 175 basis points

(iii)

 

Amortization:

 

Bullet payment at maturity

(iv)

 

Structure:

 

Unsecured

 

Senior Notes

 

In May 1998, the Company sold $100,000 of its Senior Notes pursuant to the terms of a Note Purchase Agreement dated May 1, 1998, between the Company and eleven purchasers of the Senior Notes. The Senior Notes have a final maturity date of May 4, 2010, and began amortizing on May 4, 2006. The Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.66%, with interest payable semiannually beginning November 4, 1998. The aggregate maturities of the debt subsequent to December 31, 2007, follow: 2009, $20,000; 2010, $20,000; and 2011, $20,000.

 

The Company is subject to restrictive covenants under its Note Purchase Agreement which, among others, restrict its ability to make loans or advances or to make investments and require it to meet financial tests related principally to funded debt and net worth. At December 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with such covenants. Borrowings are secured by guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

The Company had interest payable related to the Senior Notes, included in Accrued expenses, on its Consolidated Balance Sheets of $0.6 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2007, respectively.

 

17



 

Convertible Debt

 

On November 1, 2006, KEMET Corporation (“the Company”) sold and issued $160.0 million in convertible senior notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Notes”). The Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with the Company’s existing and future unsubordinated and unsecured obligations and are junior to any of the Company’s future secured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations. In connection with the issuance and sale of the Notes, the Company entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of November 1, 2006, with Wilmington Trust Company as trustee.

 

In connection with the above referenced transaction, the Company also granted the initial purchasers a 30-day option to purchase up to $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of additional Notes. The Initial Purchasers exercised this option on November 9, 2006, thereby resulting in the sale of an additional $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Notes on November 13, 2006, resulting in a total of $175.0 million aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding.

 

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.25% per annum, payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15 beginning May 15, 2007. The Notes are convertible into (i) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of the principal amount of the Notes and the conversion value of the Notes on the conversion date and (ii) cash or shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) or a combination of cash and shares of the Common Stock, at the Company’s option, to the extent the conversion value at that time exceeds the principal amount of the Notes, at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, unless the Company has redeemed or purchased the Notes, subject to certain conditions. The conversion rate with respect to a Note is initially 103.0928 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $9.70 per share, subject to adjustments. The holder may surrender the holder’s Notes for conversion if any of the following conditions is satisfied:

 

·                  During any fiscal quarter, the closing sale price of the Common Stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter exceeds 130% of the conversion price per share on such last trading day;

 

·                  The Company has called the Notes for redemption;

 

·                  The average of the trading prices of the Notes for any five consecutive trading day period is less than 98% of the average of the conversion values of the Notes during that period;

 

·                  The Company makes certain significant distributions to the holders of the Common Stock; or

 

·                  In connection with a transaction or event constituting a fundamental change.

 

Net proceeds from the sale were used to repurchase approximately 3.3 million shares of Common Stock at a cost of approximately $24.9 million (concurrent with the initial closing of the Notes offering).

 

The terms of the Notes are governed by the Indenture. The Notes mature on November 15, 2026 unless earlier redeemed, repurchased or converted. The Company may redeem the Notes for cash, either in whole or in part, anytime after November 20, 2011 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, including additional interest, if any, up to but not including the date of redemption. In addition, holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Notes on November 15, 2011, 2016 and 2021, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, in each case, up to but not including, the date of repurchase. The Notes are convertible into Common Stock at a rate equal to 30.95 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes (equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $9.70 per share), subject to adjustment as described in the Indenture. Upon conversion, the Company will deliver for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, an amount consisting of cash equal to the lesser of $1,000 and the conversion value (as defined in the Indenture) and, to the extent that the conversion value exceeds $1,000, at the Company’s election, cash or shares of Common Stock with respect to the remainder.

 

If the Company undergoes a “fundamental change” (as defined in the Indenture), holders of the Notes will have the right, subject to certain conditions, to require the Company to repurchase for cash all or a portion of their Notes at a repurchase

 

 

18



 

price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, including contingent interest and additional amounts, if any.

 

The carrying amount of the Notes approximates fair value.

 

Note 15. Subsequent Events

 

On January 28, 2008, KEMET announced that it had initiated a cost savings plan that involved the reduction of approximately 120 employees in the United States and approximately 250 employees in Mexico, and relocation of some manufacturing processes to China from Mexico and the United States.  Small numbers of employees in the Company’s other facilities around the world are also affected, bringing the total reduction to approximately 385 employees.

 

In addition, the Company has met with the trade unions representing its Italian employees to discuss the Company’s restructuring plans in Italy.  The Company’s plans include the reduction of approximately 340 employees and the closing of the Vergato, Italy factory.  Meetings have also occurred between the Company and its employees in the Towcester, United Kingdom factory to explain the Company’s intentions to consolidate the Towcester activities into other facilities, which will affect approximately 80 employees.

 

 

19



 

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

 

From time to time, information provided by the Company, including but not limited to statements in this report or other statements made by or on behalf of the Company, may contain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements set forth in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report under the heading Safe Harbor Statement identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

 

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in KEMET’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007. The Company’s critical accounting policies are described under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of KEMET’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical data and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

 

The Company’s judgments are based on management’s assessment as to the effect certain estimates, assumptions, or future trends or events may have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in KEMET’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. It is important that readers of these unaudited financial statements understand that actual results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

 

Overview

 

KEMET is a leading manufacturer of the majority of capacitor types, including tantalum, multilayer ceramic, solid aluminum capacitors, and after the Evox Rifa and Arcotronics acquisitions, plastic film, paper and electrolytic capacitors. Capacitors are electronic components that store, filter, and regulate electrical energy and current flow and are one of the essential passive components used on circuit boards. Virtually all electronic applications and products contain capacitors, including communication systems, data processing equipment, personal computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, military and aerospace systems, and consumer electronics.

 

The Company’s business strategy is to generate revenues by being the preferred capacitor supplier to the world’s most successful electronics original equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services providers, and electronics distributors. The Company reaches these customers through a direct sales force, as well as a limited number of manufacturing representatives, that call on customer locations around the world.

 

The Company manufactures capacitors in the United States, Mexico, Portugal, China, Indonesia, U.K., Finland, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, and Sweden. Substantially all of the manufacturing in the United States has been relocated (see “Manufacturing Relocation Plan”) to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Production that remains in the U.S. will focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers are predominantly located in North America.

 

The market for all of the Company’s capacitors is highly competitive. The capacitor industry is characterized by, among other factors, a long-term trend toward lower prices for capacitors, low transportation costs, and few import barriers. Competitive factors that influence the market for the Company’s products include product quality, customer service, technical innovation, pricing, and timely delivery. The Company believes that it competes favorably on the basis of each of these factors.

 

 

20



 

Organization

 

KEMET is organized into three distinct business groups: the Tantalum Business Group (“Tantalum”) the Ceramic Business Group (“Ceramic”) and the Film and Electrolytic Business Group (“Film and Electrolytic”). Each business group is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business groups and are allocated to the business groups. In addition, all corporate costs are also allocated to the business groups.

 

Business Strategy

 

Our strategy is to use our position as a leading, high-quality manufacturer of capacitors to capitalize on the increasingly demanding requirements of our customers. Key elements of our strategy include:

 

Ground all of our strategies and business decisions with a focus on both the short-term and long-term financial impact of a particular decision or strategy — a profitable company is best able to effectively serve its customers and, in turn, its shareholders, partners and employees.
 
Continue to be responsive to customers’ needs and requirements and show them that their satisfaction is our number one priority by focusing on building products around their needs, giving decision making authority to customer facing personnel and providing purpose built systems and processes such as our Easy-To-Buy-From (“ETBF”) order entry system to make order entry and fulfillment easier, faster, more flexible and more reliable for our customers.
 
Leverage our technological competence to introduce new products in a timely and cost efficient manner and generate an increasing portion of our sales from new products to improve financial performance as well as to meet our customers’ varied and evolving capacitor needs. During the third fiscal quarter 2008, the Tantalum Business Group released 33 new products of which 16 were first to market (which is a product not currently supplied by any competitor).  In addition, the Ceramic Business Group introduced 83 new discrete products during the quarter.  In the Film and Electrolytic Business Group there were introductions of 156 new products, 43 of which were first to market.
 
Continue to become the “The Capacitance Company”—the supplier of choice for all capacitance needs including tantalum, ceramic, film, paper, electrolytic, and solid aluminum capacitors so our customers can reap the benefits of being able to satisfy their varied capacitor product needs through one supplier. While we believe we have the most complete line of capacitor technologies across these primary capacitor types, we intend to continue to research other capacitance technologies and solutions in order to remain at the forefront of this area.
 
Pursue activities to maintain our position as a low-cost producer of capacitors with facilities close to our customers. These activities include shifting production to low-cost locations; reducing material and labor costs; developing cost-efficient manufacturing equipment and processes; designing manufacturing plants for efficient production; and reducing work-in-process (WIP) inventory by building products from start to finish in one factory.
 

On an opportunistic basis, continue to evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities that would enable us to enhance our competitive position and expand our market presence.  Such acquisitions, if any, would be in complementary capacitor and other related businesses, including those involved in other passive components that are synergistic with our customer base and provide opportunities to leverage our business model.

 

Promote the KEMET brand globally by highlighting the high quality and high reliability of our products and our superior customer service. We intend to continue to implement Lean and Six Sigma methods to drive towards zero product defects so that quality remains a given in the minds of our customers.

 

Manufacturing Relocation Plan (formerly known as Enhanced Strategic Plan of 2003)

 

In July 2003, KEMET announced its manufacturing relocation plan (“the plan”) to enhance the Company’s position as a global leader in passive electronic technologies. KEMET believed that there have been profound changes in the competitive landscape of the electronics industry over the past several years. The Company listened closely to its customers’ description of their future directions, and aligned KEMET’s future plans closely with their plans. Building on the Company’s foundation of success in being the preferred supplier to the world’s most successful electronics manufacturers and distributors, KEMET began adapting so as to continue to succeed in the new global environment.

 

 

21



 

To execute the plan, KEMET substantially reorganized its operations around the world. Several KEMET facilities were relocated based on access to key customers, access to key technical resources and knowledge, and availability of low-cost resources.

 

KEMET’s Global Presence

 

KEMET in the United States

 

KEMET’s corporate headquarters is in Greenville, South Carolina. Individual functions are evolving to support global activities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, either from Greenville, South Carolina or through locations in appropriate parts of the world.

 

Commodity manufacturing currently in the United States has been substantially relocated to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. There are two remaining moves currently underway which are scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2008. Production that remains in the United States will focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers are predominantly located in North America.

 

To accelerate the pace of innovations, the KEMET Innovation Center was created. The primary objectives of the Innovation Center are to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that are expected to keep the Company at the forefront of its customers’ product designs, while enabling these products to be transferred rapidly to the most appropriate KEMET manufacturing location in the world for low-cost, high-volume production. The main campus of the KEMET Innovation Center is located in Greenville, South Carolina.

 

KEMET in Mexico

 

KEMET believes its Mexican operations are among the most cost efficient in the world, and they will continue to be the Company’s primary production facilities supporting North American and European customers. One of the strengths of KEMET Mexico is that it is truly a Mexican operation, including Mexican management and workers. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining KEMET’s traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while driving costs down. The facilities in Victoria and Matamoras will remain focused primarily on tantalum capacitors, and the facilities in Monterrey will continue to focus on ceramic capacitors.

 

KEMET in Asia Pacific

 

In recent years, low production costs and proximity to large, growing markets have caused many of KEMET’s key customers to relocate production facilities to Asia, particularly China. KEMET has a well-established sales and logistics network in Asia to support its customers’ Asian operations. The Company’s initial China production facilities in Suzhou near Shanghai commenced shipments in 2003. The Company began shipping products from its second production facility in Suzhou in 2005. In December 2007, plans were approved to construct a third manufacturing facility in Suzhou to manufacture aluminum polymer products. Manufacturing operations in China will continue to grow and KEMET anticipates that production capacity in China may be equivalent to Mexico in the future. Like KEMET Mexico, the vision for KEMET China is to be a Chinese operation, with Chinese management and workers, to help achieve KEMET’s objective of being a global company. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining KEMET’s traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while accelerating cost-reduction efforts and supporting efforts to grow the Company’s customer base in Asia.  In connection with the Evox Rifa acquisition completed on April 24, 2007, the Company has added another Chinese operation in Nantong, China as well as a manufacturing operation in Batam, Indonesia.  With the Arcotronics acquisition completed on October 12, 2007, the Company has added another Chinese operation in Anting, China. These operations will continue to support the former Evox Rifa and Arcotronics customer bases in Asia with top quality film and electrolytic capacitors.

 

KEMET in Europe

 

As previously mentioned, the Company purchased the tantalum business unit of EPCOS AG on April 13, 2006, acquired Evox Rifa Group Oyj on April 24, 2007, and also Arcotronics Italia S.p.A. on October 12, 2007.  These acquisitions have provided the Company with manufacturing operations in Europe.  The Company now has manufacturing locations in Portugal, U.K., Finland, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and Sweden. In addition, the Company has research and development centers in Heidenheim, Germany and Farjestaden, Sweden.  KEMET will maintain and enhance its strong European sales and

 

 

22



 

customer service infrastructure, allowing KEMET to continue to meet the local preferences of European customers who remain an important focus for KEMET going forward.

 

Global Sales and Logistics

 

In recent years, it has become more complex to do business in the electronics industry. Market-leading electronics manufacturers have spread their facilities globally. The growth of the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry has resulted in a more challenging supply chain. New Asian electronics manufacturers are emerging rapidly. The most successful business models in the electronics industry are based on tightly integrated supply chain logistics to drive down costs. KEMET’s direct salaried force worldwide and a well-developed global logistics infrastructure distinguish it in the marketplace and will remain a hallmark of KEMET in meeting the needs of its global customers.

 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Recent Trend in Average Selling Prices

 

Average selling prices for the December 2007 quarter, adjusted for changes in product mix, were down approximately 2% as compared to average selling prices for the September 2007 quarter.

 

Comparison of the Three-Month Period Ended December 31, 2007, with the Three-Month Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2007, increased 38.2% to $228.7 million as compared to the same period last year, with 31.5% or $72.1 million of net sales being contributed by the Film and Electrolytic Business Group  Excluding the Film and Electrolytic Business Group, unit volumes in the three-month period ended December 31, 2007 increased 13.0% as compared to the same period last year.  Mix-adjusted average selling prices for the December 2007 quarter decreased approximately 12.0% compared to mix-adjusted average selling prices for the December 2006 quarter.

 

By region, 25% of net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2007, were to customers in North America and South America (“Americas”), 40% were to customers in Asia and Pacific Rim (“APAC”), and 35% were to customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”).  For the three months ended December 31, 2006, 31% of net sales were to customers in the Americas, 45% were to customers in APAC, and 24% were to customers in EMEA.

 

By channel, 46% of net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2007, were to distribution customers, 17% were to Electronic Manufacturing Services customers, and 37% were to Original Equipment Manufacturing customers.  For the three months ended December 31, 2006, 55% of net sales were to distribution customers, 22% were to Electronic Manufacturing Services customers, and 23% were to Original Equipment Manufacturing customers.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2007, was $188.6 million, or 82.5% of net sales, as compared to $127.5 million, or 77.1% of net sales, for the same period last year, with $59.3 million being attributed to the Film and Electrolytic Business Group. Excluding the Film and Electrolytic Business Group, the increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales was due to a less favorable product mix partially offset by the Company’s cost reduction efforts, to a lesser extent. The Company has continued to experience higher costs in two of its raw materials, palladium and silver.  Silver is used by both the Tantalum and Ceramic Business Groups while palladium is used primarily in the Ceramic Business Group.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2007, were $28.1 million, or 12.3% of net sales, as compared to $21.2 million, or 12.8% of net sales for the same period last year. The SG&A expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2007 include $11.9 million or 5.2% of net sales related to the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.

 

 

23


 


Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2007, were $8.6 million, or 3.8% of net sales, as compared to $8.7 million, or 5.3% of net sales for the same period last year.  The R&D expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2007 include $1.0 million related to the newly formed Film and Electrolytic Business Group. The continuing level of R&D expenses reflects the Company’s efforts to be the “The Capacitance Company.”  During the quarter, the Company introduced approximately 272 new products of which 142 were first to market.

 

Special Charges

 

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges.  These charges are considered items outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide an alternative depiction of its operating results.  Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles restructuring charges and those other charges and adjustments separately.

 

A summary of the special charges recognized in the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reductions in workforce

 

$

1.7

 

$

1.2

 

Manufacturing relocation costs

 

1.2

 

0.6

 

Asset impairment

 

2.1

 

 

Restructuring charges and asset impairment (1) 

 

5.0

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment”

 

 

1.2

 

Acquisitions integration costs

 

1.8

 

4.0

 

Other (2)

 

1.8

 

5.2

 

Total special charges

 

$

6.8

 

$

7.0

 

 

(1)       Restructuring charges and asset impairment — These costs are included as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)       Other – These costs are included in SG&A on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred; therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs.  Costs charged to expense are aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line, Restructuring charges and asset impairment.

 

Reductions in workforce — During the three months ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized a charge of $1.7 million for a reduction in force in Portugal and Germany.  For the three months ended December 31, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $1.2 million for a reduction in force in Mexico.

 

Manufacturing relocations During the three months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred expenses of $1.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” In fiscal year 2007, the Company implemented SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment.” Charges related to SFAS No. 123(R) following the year of implementation are not included in Special Charges and are therefore omitted from the table.  To enhance comparability, however, current period charges related to SFAS No. 123(R) are included in the following narrative.  During the three month periods ended December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Company recognized charges of $0.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to the cost recognition of issued stock options.

 

Acquisitions integration costs As part of the Company’s recent acquisitions, the Company has and will continue to incur costs to integrate the new Film and Electrolytic businesses into KEMET. The Company incurred $1.8 million of costs during the third fiscal quarter of 2008.  During the third quarter of fiscal year 2007, the Company recorded charges of $4.0 million related to the acquisition of the tantalum business of EPCOS AG (“EPCOS”) which are included in SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   As of March 31, 2007, all integration costs associated with the tantalum business of EPCOS had been incurred.

 

 

24



 

 

Operating Income/(Loss)

 

Operating loss for the three months ended December 31, 2007, was $(1.6) million, compared to an operating income of $6.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to a decrease in gross margins created by an unfavorable product mix.

 

Other (Income)/Expense

 

Interest income decreased in the three months ended December 31, 2007 versus the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the Company’s acquisitions.  The convertible debt offering in November 2006 increased the amount of interest expense recorded during the three month period ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the previous year.  Furthermore, additional interest expense was incurred in connection with the Company’s acquisitions.  Other (income)/expense increased in the three months ended December 31, 2007 versus the comparable period of the preceding year due primarily to foreign currency transaction gains in the three-month period ended December 31, 2007.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense totaled $5.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007, compared to an income tax expense of $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006.  The net income tax expense is comprised of a $0.8 million benefit due to the settlement of foreign tax issues, a $2.2 million expense related to tax law changes in Mexico and Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to fixed asset write offs in Germany, a $1.2 million expense related to foreign operations, and minor federal and state income tax expense.

 

Management evaluates its tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis and adjusts these balances on a timely basis as appropriate, based on certain estimates and assumptions and sufficient future taxable income to utilize its deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to increase the value of the deferred tax liability, resulting in additional income tax expense.

 

Comparison of the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2007, with the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, increased 21.4% to $608.9 million as compared to the same period last year, with $124.7 million of net sales being contributed by the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.  Excluding the Film and Electrolytic Business Group, net sales were impacted by a decrease in the mix-adjusted average selling price of approximately 6.0%.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, was $491.6 million, or 80.7% of net sales, as compared to $392.7 million, or 78.3% of net sales, for the same period last year, with $100.8 million being attributed to the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.  Excluding the Film and Electrolytic Business Group, cost of sales decreased due to the Company’s continued cost reduction efforts, partially offset by higher raw material prices.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, were $70.1 million, or 11.5% of net sales, as compared to $66.4 million, or 13.2% of net sales for the same period last year. The SG&A expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 include $19.2 million  related to Film and Electrolytic business group.  The SG&A expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2006 included $12.0 million related to the integration of the tantalum business unit acquired from EPCOS.

 

 

25



 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, were $25.9 million, or 4.3% of net sales, as compared to $24.0 million, or 4.8% of net sales for the same period last year.  The R&D expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 include $2.1 million related to the Film and Electrolytic Business Group. The continuing level of R&D expenses reflects the Company’s efforts to be the “The Capacitance Company.”  During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company introduced approximately 1,118 new products of which 198 were first to market.

 

Special Charges

 

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges.  These charges are considered items outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide an alternative depiction of its operating results.  Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles restructuring charges and those other charges and adjustments separately.

 

A summary of the special charges recognized for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturing relocation costs

 

$

5.2

 

$

7.1

 

Personnel reduction cost

 

6.2

 

2.7

 

Asset impairment

 

2.1

 

0.1

 

Restructuring charges and asset impairment (1) 

 

13.5

 

9.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions integration costs

 

2.6

 

12.0

 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment”

 

 

5.5

 

Write-off related to an acquisition

 

 

0.2

 

Other (2)

 

2.6

 

17.7

 

Total special charges

 

$

16.1

 

$

27.6

 

 

(1)       Restructuring charges and asset impairment — These costs are included as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)  Other — These costs are included in SG&A on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred, therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs.  Costs charged to expense are aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line, Restructuring charges and asset impairment.

 

Reductions in workforce — During the nine months ended December 31, 2007, the Company had reduction in workforce programs in Portugal, and Germany and a reduction in force of a senior executive.   For the nine months ended December 31, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $2.7 million, primarily for reductions in force in Europe and Mexico.

 

Manufacturing relocations During the nine months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred expenses of $5.2 million and $7.1 million, respectively.

 

Acquisitions integration costs As part of the Company’s recent acquisitions, the Company has and will continue to incur costs to integrate the new Film and Electrolytic businesses into KEMET. The Company incurred $2.6 million of costs during the nine months ended December 31, 2007.  During the nine months ended December 31 2006, the Company recorded charges of $12.0 million related to the acquisition of the tantalum business of EPCOS AG (“EPCOS”) which are included in SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.   As of March 31, 2007, all integration costs associated with the tantalum business of EPCOS have been incurred.

 

 

26



 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” In fiscal year 2007, the Company implemented SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment.” Charges related to SFAS No. 123(R) following the year of implementation are not included in Special Charges and are therefore omitted from the table.  To enhance comparability, however, current period charges related to SFAS No. 123(R) are included in the following narrative.  During the nine month periods ended December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Company recognized charges of $4.5 million and $5.5 million, respectively, related to the cost recognition of issued stock options.

 

Operating Income/(Loss)

 

Operating income for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, was $7.9 million, compared to an operating income of $8.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to higher costs of sales, SG&A expenses, R&D expenses, restructuring charges, partially offset by higher sales volume.  Each of these is discussed above.

 

Other (Income)/Expense

 

Interest income was higher in the nine months ended December 31, 2007 versus the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the Company’s higher overall cash position created by the Company’s newly issued convertible debt offering in November 2006.  This also increased the amount of interest expense recorded during the nine month period ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the previous year.  Furthermore, additional interest expense was incurred in connection with the acquired debt of the Film and Electrolytic Business Group.  Other (income)/expense increased in the nine months ended December 31, 2007 versus the comparable period of the preceding year due primarily to a foreign currency transaction gain in the nine month period ended December 31, 2007.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense totaled $4.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, compared to an income tax expense of $1.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2006.  The net income tax expense is comprised of a $2.5 million income tax benefit from the recognition of credits due to a change in Texas tax law, a $1.1 million income tax benefit from U.S. competent authority relief on a transfer pricing adjustment, a $0.8 million benefit from the settlement of foreign tax issues, a $2.2 million expense related to tax law changes in Mexico and Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to fixed asset write offs in Germany, a $3.0 million expense related to foreign operations, and minor federal and state income tax expense.

 

Management evaluates its tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis and adjusts these balances on a timely basis as appropriate, based on certain estimates and assumptions and sufficient future taxable income to utilize its deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to increase the value of the deferred tax liability, resulting in additional income tax expense.

 

Business Groups Comparison of Three-Month Period Ended December 31, 2007, with the Three-Month Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

Tantalum Business Group

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Tantalum Business Group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

102.9

 

$

104.2

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

(0.4

)

$

3.9

 

 

Net sales

 

Unit sales volumes for the three months ended December 31, 2007 were up 34.0% as compared to the same period last year.  Average selling prices decreased 6.6% for the December 31, 2007 quarter versus the December 31, 2006 quarter. Volumes for tantalum products continue to be very strong in Asia, representing 43.6% of total net sales.

 

 

27



 

Operating income/(loss)

 

Operating income/(loss) was unfavorably impacted by the decrease in average selling price and increases in restructuring charges in third fiscal quarter 2007 versus third fiscal quarter 2006.  As previously stated, SG&A expenses are allocated to the business groups.  The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

 

Ceramic Business Group

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Ceramic Business Group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

53.7

 

$

61.3

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

(1.2

)

$

2.3

 

 

Net sales

 

Unit sales volumes for the three months ended December 31, 2007 increased 12.5% as compared to the same period last year.  Average selling prices decreased 22.2% from the quarter ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same quarter last year due to changes in product mix and price erosion.

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

The Ceramic Business Group incurred a loss during the three months ended December 31, 2007 as compared to operating income in the same period in the prior year, due to lower sales, and a change in product mix resulting in lower average selling prices.  As previously stated, SG&A expenses are allocated to the business groups.  The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

 

Film and Electrolytic Business Group

 

As previously discussed, the Company acquired Evox Rifa in April 2007 and Arcotronics in October 2007.  In conjunction with these acquisitions, the Company determined that the new businesses were a separate segment and accordingly, is presenting the results for the three months ended December 31, 2007.  Comparative numbers are not shown; however, the Company did prepare pro-forma information in the notes to the financial statements.

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Film and Electrolytic Business Group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

72.1

 

$

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

(0.02

)

$

 

 

 Business Groups Comparison of Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2007, with the Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2006

 

Tantalum Business Group

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Tantalum Business Group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

316.5

 

$

324.4

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

8.2

 

$

7.3

 

 

 

28



 

Net sales

 

Unit sales volumes for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 were up 5.7% as compared to the same period last year.  Average selling prices decreased 6.6% for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 versus the nine months ended December 31, 2006. Volumes for tantalum products continue to be very strong in Asia, representing 43.4% of total net sales.

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

Operating income was favorably impacted by improvements in material costs and lower restructuring charges in third fiscal quarter 2007 versus third fiscal quarter 2006.  As previously stated, SG&A expenses are allocated to the business units.  The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

 

Ceramic Business Group

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Ceramic business group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

167.7

 

$

177.3

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

(2.8

)

$

1.4

 

 

Net sales

 

Unit sales volumes for the nine months ended December 31, 2007 increased 0.7% as compared to the same period last year.  Average selling prices decreased 6.1% from the nine months ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same nine month period last year.

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

Operating loss was higher in the nine months ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006 due to changes in product mix resulting in lower average selling prices.  As previously stated, SG&A expenses are allocated to the business groups.  The explanations for changes in those expenses can be found above.

 

Film and Electrolytic Business Group

 

As previously discussed, the Company acquired Evox Rifa in April 2007 and Arcotronics in October 2007.  In conjunction with these acquisitions, the Company determined that the new businesses were a separate segment and accordingly, is presenting the results for the nine months ended December 31, 2007.  Comparative numbers are not shown; however, the Company did prepare pro-forma information in the notes to the financial statements.

 

The following presents the summarized results of the Film and Electrolytic Business Group (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

Nine months ended December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net sales

 

$

124.7

 

$

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

2.5

 

$

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company’s liquidity needs arise from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and principal and interest payments on its indebtedness. The Company intends to satisfy its liquidity requirements primarily with existing cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operations. The overall decrease in liquidity is primarily due to the aforementioned acquisitions of Evox Rifa and Arcotronics. Additional information regarding these acquisitions may be obtained from Note 13 to the notes to consolidated financial statements in this document.

 

 

29


 


 

Cash from Operating Activities

 

Cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, provided $10.2 million as compared to $21.9 million in the same period of the prior year. The current period cash generated from operations was primarily due to net income of $2.9 million, non-cash depreciation and amortization of $38.1 million, and non-cash charges relating to stock-based compensation expense of $4.5 million.  Offsetting these increases in operating cash were decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, net of the effects of the acquisitions.

 

Cash from Investing Activities

 

Cash flows from investing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, used $53.1 million compared to using $104.3 million in the same period of the prior year. The Company used $70.6 million in cash to complete the purchase of Evox Rifa and Arcotronics. In addition, the Company had capital expenditures of $36.5 million.  Offsetting these decreases in investing activities were proceeds of $46.1 million from the sale of long-term investments, and proceeds from the sale of the Arcotronics Fuel Cell business unit of $5.8 million.

 

Cash from Financing Activities

 

Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2007, used $28.6 million as compared to $127.1 million provided in the same period in the prior year. This decrease in cash is due to the payment of Arcotronics debt subsequent to the acquisition, the annual $20 million principal payment associated with the Company’s Senior Notes, and the repayment of $11.7 million of the acquired Evox Rifa debt. The Company continued to be in compliance with the covenants under its Senior Note agreement as of the most recent reporting period.

 

The Company’s principal source of net operating cash is from the sale of capacitors. Management believes cash generated from operations together with available cash and investments provides the Company the financial resources needed to meet general business requirements for the next twelve months, including capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

 

Commitments

 

As of December 31, 2007, the Company had contractual obligations in the form of non-cancelable operating leases, and debt, including interest payments, as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

 

Remainder of 2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

2012

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Operating leases

 

$

627

 

$

2,223

 

$

1,449

 

$

857

 

$

347

 

$

562

 

$

6,065

 

Debt

 

2,027

 

102,569

 

93,037

 

23,940

 

1,997

 

179,924

 

403,494

 

Interest payments

 

4,374

 

15,128

 

6,267

 

4,417

 

4,031

 

57,833

 

92,050

 

 

 

$

7,028

 

$

119,920

 

$

100,753

 

$

29,214

 

$

6,375

 

$

238,319

 

$

501,609

 

 

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”.  FIN No. 48 supplements SFAS No. 109 by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. On April 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN No. 48. As a result of the adoption, the Company recorded a $3.7 million increase to the opening retained earnings balance and a $0.5 million reduction of goodwill. These adjustments represent the cumulative effect of adoption on prior periods. For additional information regarding these adjustments, refer to Note 8, Income Taxes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” which defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures.  This statement does not require any new fair value measurements, but rather applies to all other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its 2009 consolidated financial statements.

 

 

30



 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. SFAS No. 159 permits companies to choose to measure certain financial instruments and other certain items at fair value.  The standard requires that unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected be reported in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 159 will have on its 2009 consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Market risk disclosure included in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Form 10-K, Part II, Item 7 A, is still applicable and updated through December 31, 2007.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a). The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2007. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2007, which is the end of the period covered by this report.

 

(b). During the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Other than as reported in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, Form 10-K under the caption “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” the Company is not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to the business of the Company. The ultimate legal and financial liability of the Company with respect to such litigation cannot be estimated with any certainty. However, in the opinion of management, based on its examination of these matters and its experience to date, the ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings, net of liabilities already accrued in the  Consolidated Balance Sheets and expected insurance proceeds, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, although the resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for that period.

 

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

 

 

31



 

The risk factors discussed in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A have been updated and are disclosed below.

 

Cyclical changes in the electronics industry could result in significant fluctuations in demand for our products, reducing our profitability.

 

Our products are used in the electronics industry, which is a highly cyclical industry. The demand for capacitors tends to reflect the demand for products in the electronics markets. Our customers’ requirements for our capacitors fluctuate as a result of changes in general economic activity or other general economic events beyond our control and other factors that affect the demand for their products. During periods of increasing demand for their products, they typically seek to increase their inventory of our products to avoid production bottlenecks. When demand for their products peaks and begins to decline, they may rapidly decrease orders for our products while they use up accumulated inventory. Business cycles vary somewhat in different geographical regions, such as Asia, and within customer industries.  We are also vulnerable to general economic events beyond our control and our sales and profits may suffer in periods of weak demand.

 

We must consistently reduce the total costs of our products to combat the impact of downward price trends.

 

Our industry is intensely competitive and prices for existing products tend to decrease steadily over their life cycle. There is substantial and continuing pressure from customers to reduce the total cost of using our parts. To remain competitive, we must achieve continuous cost reductions through process and product improvements.

 

We must also be in a position to minimize our customers’ shipping and inventory financing costs and to meet their other goals for rationalization of supply and production. Our growth and the profit margins of our products will suffer if our competitors are more successful in reducing the total cost to customers of their products than we are. We must also continue to introduce new products that offer performance advantages over our existing products and can thereby achieve premium prices, offsetting the price declines in our older products.

 

An increase in the cost of our principal raw materials could adversely affect profitability.

 

The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are tantalum powder, palladium and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price volatility. Tantalum powder is primarily purchased under annual contracts, while palladium and silver are primarily purchased on the spot and forward markets, depending on market conditions. For example, if we believe that palladium and silver prices are likely to rise, we may purchase a significant amount of our annual requirements on a forward delivery basis. While the financial impact of these decisions are short-term in nature given that we are not currently party to any long-term supply agreements, they could impact our financial performance from period to period given that we do not hedge any of our raw material exposure and we are not likely to be able to pass on to our customers any fluctuations in our raw material costs. Additionally, any delays in obtaining raw materials for our products could hinder our ability to manufacture our products, negatively impacting our competitive position and our relationships with our customers.

 

Presently three suppliers process tantalum ore into capacitor-grade tantalum powder. Our management believes that the tantalum we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities to meet our requirements and that there are a sufficient number of tantalum processors relative to foreseeable demand. However, the limited number of tantalum powder suppliers could lead to increases in tantalum prices that we may not be able to pass on to our customers. In fiscal year 2001, for instance, the increase in demand for tantalum capacitors led to tight supplies of tantalum raw material and some tantalum powders resulting in prices increasing from under $50 per pound early in calendar 2000 to over $300 per pound in calendar 2001. The average price of tantalum raw material at December 31, 2007 was over $180 per pound.

 

Palladium is presently found primarily in South Africa and Russia. Although the palladium we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities, the limited number of palladium suppliers could lead to significant price fluctuations. For instance, in fiscal year 2001 the price of palladium fluctuated between $554 and $1,090 per troy ounce.  Such price increases and our inability to pass such increases on to our customers could have an adverse effect on profitability.

 

Silver has generally been available in sufficient quantities, and we believe there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which we can purchase our silver requirements. An increase in the price of silver that we were not able to pass on to our customers, however, could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

 

 

32



 

We face intense competition in our business.

 

The capacitor business is highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation costs and few import barriers. Competition is based on factors such as product quality and reliability, availability, customer service, timely delivery and price. The industry has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years, and our primary U.S. and non-U.S. competitors, some of which are larger than we are, have significant financial resources. The greater financial resources or the lower amount of debt of such competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts of capital in response to changing market conditions. Some competitors may also have the ability to use profits from their other operations to subsidize losses sustained in their businesses with which we compete. Certain competitors may also develop product or service innovations that could put us at a disadvantage.

 

We manufacture many of our capacitors in various international locations and future political or regulatory changes in any of these regions could adversely affect our profitability.

 

Although we have not experienced significant problems conducting operations in various international locations, our international operations are subject to a number of special risks, in addition to the same risks as our domestic business, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, domestic and foreign customs and tariffs, current and changing regulatory regimes, differences in the availability and terms of financing, political instability and potential increases in taxes. These factors could impact our production capability or adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

 

 

33



 

We may not be able to successfully integrate current or future acquisitions with our operations or identify attractive acquisition opportunities in the future.

 

Because the markets and industries in which we operate are highly competitive, and due to the inherent uncertainties associated with the integration of acquired companies, we may not be able to integrate current or future acquisitions without encountering difficulties including, without limitation, the loss of key employees and customers, the disruption of the ongoing businesses and possible inconsistencies in standards, controls and procedures. In addition, we may not be able to achieve the expected cost synergies from our purchase of current or future acquisition and we may incur higher than anticipated integration or restructuring costs associated with it. Our business strategy includes growth through select acquisitions of other businesses. However, acquisition opportunities may not be available and may not be attractively priced because of competition or other factors. In addition, we may be unable to fund an acquisition opportunity. Even if we are able to make acquisitions, we may be unable to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our existing operations and operational difficulties or diminished financial performance may result or a disproportionate amount of management’s attention may be diverted. Even if we are successful in integrating any future acquisitions, we may not derive the benefits, such as operational, costs or administrative synergies, that we expected.

 

Losing the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees or our inability to continue to attract and retain additional qualified personnel could harm our business.

 

Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our executive officers and certain other employees, many of whom have many years of experience with KEMET and would be extremely difficult to replace. We must also attract and retain experienced and highly skilled engineering, sales and marketing and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense in our industry, and we may not be successful in hiring and retaining these people. If we lose the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees, or cannot attract and retain other qualified personnel, our business could suffer through less effective management due to loss of accumulated knowledge of our business or through less successful products due to a reduced ability to design, manufacture and market our products.

 

Environmental laws and regulations could limit our ability to operate as we are currently operating and could result in additional costs.

 

We are subject to a variety of U.S. federal, state and local, as well as foreign, environmental laws and regulations relating, among other things, to wastewater discharge, air emissions, handling of hazardous materials, disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. We use a number of chemicals or similar substances, and generate wastes, that are classified as hazardous. We require environmental permits to conduct many of our operations. Violations of environmental laws and regulations could result in substantial fines, penalties, and other sanctions. Changes in environmental laws or regulations (or in their enforcement) affecting or limiting, for example, our chemical uses, certain of our manufacturing processes, or our disposal practices, could restrict our ability to operate as we are currently operating, impose additional costs or otherwise cause delays in the delivery of our products to our customers, thereby damaging our relationships with them. In addition, we may experience releases of certain chemicals or discover existing contamination, which could cause us to incur material cleanup costs or other damages.

 

We must continue to develop innovative products to maintain our relationships with our customers and to offset potential price erosion in older products.

 

While most of the fundamental technologies used in the passive components industry have been available for a long time, the market is nonetheless typified by rapid changes in product designs and technological advances allowing for better performance, smaller size and/or lower cost. New applications are frequently found for existing technologies, and new technologies occasionally replace existing technologies for some applications or open up new business opportunities in other areas of application. We believe that successful innovation is critical for maintaining profitability in the face of potential erosion of selling prices for existing products and to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that will keep us at the forefront of our customers’ product designs. Non-customized commodity products are especially vulnerable to price pressure, but customized products have also experienced price pressure in recent years. Developing and marketing new products requires start-up costs that may not be recouped if these products or production techniques are not successful. There are numerous risks inherent in product development, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a

 

 

34



 

timely fashion to satisfy customer demands. If this occurs, we could lose customers and experience adverse effects on our results of operations.

 

We may not achieve the expected benefits of our manufacturing relocation plan or other restructuring plans we have or may adopt in the future.

 

In July 2003, we announced our manufacturing relocation plan to improve our position as a global leader in passive electronic technologies. Pursuant to the plan, we reorganized our operations around the world. Several of our facilities were relocated based on access to key customers, access to key technical resources and knowledge, and availability of low-cost resources. We have also undertaken several other restructuring actions over the last several years to reduce our costs and to make our operations more efficient. We anticipate two remaining moves associated with the manufacturing relocation plan, which are scheduled to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2008, and also expect additional actions related to our acquisition of the EPCOS tantalum business unit. To the extent we are unsuccessful in realizing the goals of any or all of these initiatives, we will not be able to achieve our anticipated operating results. Additionally, to the extent we embark on additional restructuring or repositioning programs, such initiatives may be unsuccessful and we may not achieve the expected benefits therefrom, though it is likely we would incur additional costs.

 

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

 

Period

 

Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (1)

 

Average
Price
Paid Per
Share

 

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans
or Programs (2)

 

April 2007

 

87,500

 

$

9.76

 

 

2,600,000

 

May 2007

 

 

$

 

 

2,600,000

 

June 2007

 

50,000

 

$

7.86

 

 

2,600,000

 

Total

 

137,500

 

 

 

 

 

 


(1) - As part of the compensation package to the Chief Executive, the Board of Directors authorized two 50,000 blocks of restricted common stock of the Company to be granted.  50,000 shares were issued in both April and June, respectively.  Last year in the first quarter, 50,000 shares of the Company’s stock was authorized to be issued to the Chief Executive Officer.  In connection with this grant of restricted shares of common stock of the Company to the Chief Executive Officer, an election was made by the Chief Executive Officer to satisfy the applicable Federal income tax withholding obligation arising from the grant of the restricted shares through a net share settlement, pursuant to which the Company withheld 12,500 shares of the restricted stock grant (out of the 50,000 shares granted) and used the deemed proceeds from those shares to pay the Federal income tax withholding.  The remaining shares of 37,500 were issued from treasury stock in April 2007.

 

(2) - The Board of Directors has previously authorized programs to purchase up to 11.3 million of its common stock on the open market.  Through December 31, 2007, the Company had made purchases of 5.4 million shares for $63.6 million.  The deemed purchase price for these shares is identical to the deemed issue price for these shares on the date of their original grant.  On February 1, 2008, the Company announced that it is reactivating its share buyback program. Under the terms of the approval by its Board of Directors, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.9 million shares of its common stock representing approximately 7.0 % of its outstanding shares.

 

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The results of the Company’s 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders were reported on in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 30, 2007.

 

 

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ITEM 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Executive Officer.

 

Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Financial Officer.

 

Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certifications - Principal Executive Officer.

 

Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 Certifications - Principal Financial Officer.

 

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

 

Date: February 14, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KEMET Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

/s/  DAVID E. GABLE

 

 

David E. Gable

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

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