3rd Qtr 2005 8k
UNITEDSTATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
November 1, 2005


A. M. Castle & Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Maryland
1-5415
36-0879160
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.



3400 N. Wolf Road, Franklin Park, Illinois
60131
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number including area code
847/455-7111



 
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13 e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13 e-4(c))




 

A. M. Castle & Co.


Item 2.02 Results of Operation and Financial Condition

On Tuesday, November 1, 2005 the Company disseminated a press release, attached as Exhibit A, announcing the Company’s operational results for the Third Quarter ending September 30, 2005.

As part of the press release there is a bridge of non-GAAP financial measurement of EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) to reported net income. It is shown below the disclosure of the GAAP figures for Operating income, Net income and Diluted earnings per share. This reconciliation of EBITDA to Net income is for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and September 30, 2004.

The Company believes, however, that EBITDA is an important term and concept because of its use by the professional investment community, including the Company’s primary lenders. The Company believes the use of this Term is necessary to a proper understanding of the changes in the Company’s earnings.


Exhibits:
Correspondence - Press Release

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 hereunto duly authorized.

A. M. Castle & Co.
 
 
/s/ Lawrence A. Boik
Lawrence A. Boik
Vice President, Controller/Treasurer
 


Date: November 1, 2005





A. M. CASTLE & CO.


castle logo
3400 North Wolf Road
Franklin Park, Illinois 60131
(847) 455-7111
(847) 455-6930 (Fax)





For Further Information:

———AT THE COMPANY———
——AT ASHTON PARTNERS——
G. Thomas McKane
Investors:
Chairman & C.E.O.
Katie Pyra
(847) 349-2502
(312) 553-6717
Email: tmkane@amcastle.com
Email: kpyra@ashtonpartners.com


Traded: AMEX, CSE (CAS)
Member: S&P SmallCap 600 Index 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005

A. M. Castle & Co.
Reports Third Quarter Results Earnings Increase 72% Over Prior Year;
Announces 2006 Expansion Plans

FRANKLIN PARK, IL, November 1st - A. M. Castle & Co. (AMEX: CAS), one of North America’s leading metals and plastics distributors, today reported for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, net earnings after tax of $10.0 million, a 72% increase over the prior year. Basic earnings per share for the same period were $0.63 ($0.56 diluted) as compared to $0.37 per share ($0.36 diluted) during the same quarter of the prior year. Sales for the third quarter 2005 increased 17.7% over the prior period to $234.6 million.
Year-to-date, net earnings were $34.7 million, a 154% increase over the prior year’s results. Sales for the nine-months ended September 30, 2005 were $731.7 million, an increase of 29.9% over the prior year.  
"We are pleased with the results of the quarter as the Company continues its strong sales and earnings levels," said G. Thomas McKane, A. M. Castle’s Chairman and CEO. "Demand for our products from the durable goods manufacturing industry, our principle customer base, continues at a high level."
"Our debt, net of cash, position improved by $34 million during the quarter. As a result our debt-to-total capital is down to 33.1%," reported Larry Boik, A. M. Castle’s CFO. "In addition, we reduced our interest rate on long-term debt by 150 basis points," continued Boik.

m o r e . . . .

A. M. Castle & Co.
Add 1




Service Center Expansion
The Company also announced it will open a new service center in Northern Alabama and significantly expand its Montreal, Canada facility during the first half of 2006. "These investments increase our presence in two strong growth markets" stated Stephen Hooks, President of the Company’s Castle Metals business unit. "The new Alabama site along with our existing Charlotte, North Carolina operation will allow us to better serve the durable goods manufacturing growth occurring in the southeastern United States," stated Hooks. "Additionally, our Montreal facility will expand approximately 50%, in order to meet our Canadian customers expectations and growing market needs," continued Hooks.

Webcast Information
Shareholders and other interested parties are invited to listen to A. M. Castle’s conference call hosted by Mr. McKane and scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (EDT) today, Tuesday, November 1, 2005. Those interested may access the call at the Company’s website, http://www.amcastle.com, and it will also be available for 14 days following the call.

About A. M. Castle & Co.
Founded in 1890, A. M. Castle & Co. is a specialty metals and plastics distribution company serving the North American market, principally within the producer durable equipment sector. Its customer base includes many Fortune 500 companies as well as thousands of medium and smaller-sized firms spread across a wide spectrum of industries. Within its core metals business, it specializes in the distribution of carbon, alloy and stainless steels; nickel alloy; aluminum; copper and brass. Through its subsidiary, Total Plastics, Inc., the Company also distributes a broad range of value-added industrial plastics. Together, Castle operates over 50 locations throughout North America. Its common stock is traded on the American and Chicago Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CAS".

Safe Harbor Statement / Regulation G Disclosure
This release may contain forward-looking statements relating to future financial results. Actual results may differ materially as a result of factors over which the Company has no control. These risk factors and additional information are included in the Company's reports on file with the Securities Exchange Commission.
more . . . .
 
 
A. M. Castle & Co.
Add 2
 
The financial statements included in this release contain a non-GAAP disclosure, EBITDA, which consists of income before provision for income taxes plus depreciation and amortization, and interest expense (including discount on accounts receivable sold), less interest income. EBITDA is presented as a supplemental disclosure because this measure is widely used by the investment community for evaluation purposes and provides the reader with additional information in analyzing the Company's operating results. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other item calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or as an indicator of operating performance. Our definition of EBITDA used here may differ from that used by other companies. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income is provided per U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requirements.



m o r e . . . .

A. M. Castle & Co.
Add 3
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
For the Three
For the Nine
 
Unaudited
   
Months Ended
 
Months Ended
 
 
 
 
Sep 30
 
 
Sep 30
 
     
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
Net sales
 
$
234,551
 
$
199,341
 
$
731,721
 
$
563,195
 
Cost of material sold
   
(163,956
)
 
(142,033
)
 
(512,706
)
 
(398,378
)
     Gross margin
   
70,595
   
57,308
   
219,015
   
164,817
 
                           
Plant and delivery expense
   
(27,920
)
 
(23,665
)
 
(81,635
)
 
(70,667
)
Sales, general, and administrative expense
   
(23,591
)
 
(20,345
)
 
(70,263
)
 
(59,117
)
Depreciation and amortization expense
   
(2,205
)
 
(2,245
)
 
(6,752
)
 
(6,736
)
Total operating expense
   
(53,716
)
 
(46,255
)
 
(158,650
)
 
(136,520
)
                           
Operating income
   
16,879
   
11,053
   
60,365
   
28,297
 
                           
Interest expense, net
   
(1,765
)
 
(2,175
)
 
(5,875
)
 
(6,706
)
Discount on sale of accounts receivable
   
(127
)
 
(167
)
 
(1,127
)
 
(684
)
                           
Income before income tax and equity in joint venture
   
14,987
   
8,711
   
53,363
   
20,907
 
                           
Income tax expense
                         
     Federal
   
(4,393
)
 
(2,135
)
 
(15,617
)
 
(4,971
)
     State
   
(938
)
 
(554
)
 
(3,014
)
 
(1,283
)
     Foreign
   
132
   
(819
)
 
(1,377
)
 
(2,201
)
     
(5,199
)
 
(3,508
)
 
(20,008
)
 
(8,455
)
Net income before equity in joint venture
   
9,788
   
5,203
   
33,355
   
12,452
 
                           
Equity earnings of joint venture
   
817
   
1,458
   
3,342
   
3,197
 
     Income taxes - joint venture
   
(321
)
 
(574
)
 
(1,314
)
 
(1,259
)
Net income
   
10,284
   
6,087
   
35,383
   
14,390
 
                           
Preferred dividends
   
(240
)
 
(240
)
 
(720
)
 
(720
)
Net income applicable to common stock
 
$
10,044
 
$
5,847
 
$
34,663
 
$
13,670
 
                           
Basic earnings per share
 
$
0.63
 
$
0.37
 
$
2.18
 
$
0.87
 
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.56
 
$
0.36
 
$
1.96
 
$
0.87
 
                           
EBITDA *
 
$
19,901
 
$
14,756
 
$
70,459
 
$
38,230
 
                   
*Earnings before interest, discount on sale of accounts receivable, taxes, depreciation and amortization
                 
Reconciliation of EBITDA to net income:
   
For the Three
   
For the Nine
 
 
   
Months Ended
   
Months Ended
 
 
   
Sept 30
 
 
Sept 30
 
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
Net income
 
$
10,284
 
$
6,087
 
$
35,383
 
$
14,390
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
2,205
   
2,245
   
6,752
   
6,736
 
Interest, net
   
1,765
   
2,175
   
5,875
   
6,706
 
Discount on accounts receivable sold
   
127
   
167
   
1,127
   
684
 
Provision from income taxes
   
5,199
   
3,508
   
20,008
   
8,455
 
Provision from income taxes - joint venture
   
321
   
574
   
1,314
   
1,259
 
EBITDA
 
$
19,901
 
$
14,756
 
$
70,459
 
$
38,230
 
 
m o r e . . . .
A. M. Castle
Add 4

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
             
(Dollars in thousands)
 
As of
 
Unaudited*
   
Sep 30
   
Dec. 31
   
Sep 30
 
     
2005
   
2004
   
2004
 
ASSETS
                   
Current assets
                   
Cash and equivalents
 
$
11,956
 
$
3,106
 
$
5,435
 
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $1,937 in September 2005,
$1,760 in December 2004, and $423 in September 2004
   
116,497
   
80,323
   
99,073
 
Inventories (principally on last-in, first-out basis)
(latest cost higher by approximately $97,432 in September 2005,
$92,500 in December 2004, and $79,569 in September 2004)
   
117,698
   
135,588
   
121,297
 
Income tax receivable
   
144
   
169
   
310
 
Assets held for sale
   
-
   
995
   
995
 
Other current assets
   
6,662
   
7,325
   
7,926
 
Total current assets
   
252,957
   
227,506
   
235,036
 
Investment in joint venture
   
10,149
   
8,463
   
7,024
 
Goodwill
   
32,296
   
32,201
   
31,959
 
Pension assets
   
41,275
   
42,262
   
42,216
 
Other assets
   
4,748
   
7,586
   
7,517
 
Assets held for sale
   
995
   
-
   
-
 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
                   
Land
   
4,772
   
4,771
   
4,768
 
Building
   
45,719
   
45,514
   
47,255
 
Machinery and equipment
   
127,513
   
124,641
   
121,092
 
     
178,004
   
174,926
   
173,115
 
Less - accumulated depreciation
   
(114,848
)
 
(109,928
)
 
(107,528
)
     
63,156
   
64,998
   
65,587
 
Total assets
 
$
405,576
 
$
383,016
 
$
389,339
 
                     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                   
Current liabilities
                   
Accounts payable
 
$
85,161
 
$
93,342
 
$
102,893
 
Accrued liabilities and deferred gains
   
27,441
   
23,016
   
23,990
 
Current and deferred income taxes
   
8,076
   
4,349
   
2,954
 
Current portion of long-term debt
   
16,390
   
11,607
   
11,676
 
Total current liabilities
   
137,068
   
132,314
   
141,513
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
   
67,374
   
89,771
   
89,450
 
Deferred income taxes
   
21,484
   
19,668
   
19,942
 
Deferred gain on sale of assets
   
5,826
   
6,465
   
6,673
 
Minority interest
   
1,419
   
1,644
   
1,268
 
Postretirement benefits obligations
   
3,083
   
2,905
   
2,834
 
Stockholders' equity
                   
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares
authorized; 12,000 shares issued and outstanding
   
11,239
   
11,239
   
11,239
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 30,000,000
shares; issued and outstanding 15,981,952 at September 2005,
15,806,366 at December 2004, and 15,796,437 at September 2005
   
160
   
159
   
159
 
Additional paid in capital
   
40,922
   
35,082
   
35,025
 
Earnings reinvested in the business
   
117,064
   
82,400
   
80,147
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
2,631
   
1,616
   
1,350
 
Other - deferred compensation
   
-
   
(2
)
 
(16
)
Treasury stock, at cost - 219,748 shares at September 2005, 62,065
shares at December 2004, and 59,260 shares at September 2004
   
(2,694
)
 
(245
)
 
(245
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
169,322
   
130,249
   
127,659
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
405,576
 
$
383,016
 
$
389,339
 
 
more . . .
 
A. M. Castle
Add 5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
         
(Dollars in thousands)
 
For the Nine Months
 
Unaudited
 
Ended September 30
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
           
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net income
 
$
35,383
 
$
4,390
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
from operating activities
             
         
Depreciation and amortization
   
6,752
   
6,736
 
Amortization of deferred gain
   
(639
)
 
(631
)
Equity in earnings from joint venture
   
(3,342
)
 
(3,197
)
Deferred income taxes
   
241
   
1,367
 
Non-cash pension and postretirement benefit expense
   
1,685
   
315
 
Deferred stock compensation expense
   
2,796
   
-
 
Other
   
(390
)
 
643
 
Increase (decrease) from changes in:
             
Accounts receivable sold (purchased)
   
(16,500
)
 
(8,000
)
Accounts receivable
   
(19,276
)
 
(35,224
)
Inventory
   
18,205
   
(1,905
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(3,781
)
 
38,875
 
Other current assets
   
316
   
(953
)
Income taxes payable
   
5,265
   
3,080
 
Net cash from operating activities
   
26,715
   
15,495
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Investments and acquisitions, net of cash acquired
   
(236
)
 
(1,744
)
Dividends from joint venture
   
1,705
   
624
 
Capital expenditures
   
(4,784
)
 
(3,419
)
Collection of note receivable
   
2,639
   
-
 
Net cash from investing activities
   
(676
)
 
(4,539
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
   
4,000
   
-
 
Repayment of long-term debt
   
(21,542
)
 
(7,337
)
Preferred stock dividend
   
(720
)
 
(720
)
Other
   
597
   
(85
)
Net cash from financing activities
   
(17,665
)
 
(8,142
)
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
476
   
166
 
               
Net increase in cash
   
8,850
   
2,980
 
               
Cash - beginning of year
 
$
3,106
 
$
2,455
 
Cash - end of period
 
$
11,956
 
$
5,435
 

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