Form 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of: December 2002
SGL CARBON Aktiengesellschaft
(Name of registrant)
Rheingaustrasse 182
65203 Wiesbaden
Germany
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the SEC
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
Exhibit Index
1. Press Release issued December 20, 2002 regarding refinancing
EXHIBIT 1
SGL Carbon Successfully Concludes Refinancing
WIESBADEN, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 2002--SGL Carbon AG has
concluded a comprehensive financing package of firm loan commitments amounting
to 510 million euros.
The syndicated loan has a term of two and a half years, and is lead managed
by Deutsche Bank and Dresdner Bank. The loans are secured at standard market
conditions. The financing package will be used, among other things, to replace
short-term credit facilities. Together with the existing 134 million euros
convertible bond, it covers all of SGL Carbon's financial liabilities, including
the anti-trust fines. SGL Carbon expects the average interest rate for Group
financing, including the convertible bond, to be approximately six percent. This
entirely covers the Company's medium-term finance requirements.
After the substantial investments made in recent years to establish new
businesses, especially in SGL Technologies, SGL Carbon announced its top
priority in its Five Point Program this year, to increase cash flow and to
reduce debt. In the first nine months of 2002, the Company reduced its net
financial debt by 73 million euros to 454 million euros, already clearly
exceeding its goal of cutting debt by a minimum of 5 percent in 2002.
"We shall continue to focus on cutting debt in the coming years. The
refinancing package has created a stable basis for our long-term, international
strategy," said Robert Koehler, Chief Executive Officer of SGL Carbon AG.
Important Notice:
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the US
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. It contains forward-looking
statements and information relating to sales and earnings figures, based on
currently available information. Actual future results and trends could differ
materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors. Such
factors include unforeseeable alterations in electric steel production, the
possibility of changing economic and competitive conditions, changes in currency
rates, technological developments, unanticipated developments relating to
recently acquired businesses and Group companies, unforeseen difficulties
relating to the investigations by the European antitrust authorities and to the
now completed investigation by the Canadian and U.S. antitrust authorities and
the civil actions related to these investigations and other risks and
uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company's filings with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. SGL Carbon does not intend to update these
forward-looking statements, and does not assume any obligation to do so.
CONTACT: SGL Carbon AG
Stefan Wortmann, +49 611/60 29 105,
Fax: +49 6 11/60 29 101
Mobile: +49 170/540 2667
stefan.wortmann@sglcarbon.de
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SGL CARBON Aktiengesellschaft
Date: December 20, 2002 By: /s/ Robert J. Kohler
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Name: Robert J. Koehler
Title: Chairman of the Board of Management
By: /s/ Dr. Bruno Toniolo
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Name: Dr. Bruno Toniolo
Title: Member of the Board of Management