CAS - 10Q - 3.31.14
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
ý
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2014 or,
 
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from             to            
Commission File Number 1-5415
 
A. M. Castle & Co.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
 
 
Maryland
36-0879160
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
incorporation of organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
1420 Kensington Road, Suite 220, Oak Brook, Illinois
60523
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone, including area code 847/455-7111
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
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  ý No  ¨  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    
Yes  ý No  ¨  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer; an accelerated filer; a non-accelerated filer; or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one):
Large Accelerated Filer
¨
 
Accelerated Filer
ý
Non-Accelerated Filer
¨
 
Smaller Reporting Company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý


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Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding as of April 25, 2014
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
23,477,820 shares


Table of Contents

A. M. CASTLE & CO.
Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 2.
Item 6.
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
Amounts in thousands, except par value and per share data
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
As of
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
25,708

 
$
30,829

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $3,515 and $3,463
145,911

 
128,544

Inventories, principally on last-in first-out basis (replacement cost higher by $129,638 and $130,854)
213,846

 
214,900

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
11,293

 
9,927

Deferred income taxes
1,924

 
3,242

Income tax receivable
3,694

 
3,249

Total current assets
402,376

 
390,691

Investment in joint venture
43,179

 
41,879

Goodwill
68,754

 
69,289

Intangible assets
65,968

 
69,489

Prepaid pension cost
16,758

 
16,515

Other assets
14,529

 
15,265

Property, plant and equipment
 
 
 
Land
4,915

 
4,917

Buildings
54,160

 
53,252

Machinery and equipment
181,270

 
179,632

Property, plant and equipment, at cost
240,345

 
237,801

Less - accumulated depreciation
(165,131
)
 
(161,107
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
75,214

 
76,694

Total assets
$
686,778

 
$
679,822

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
88,274

 
$
69,577

Accrued liabilities
34,727

 
30,007

Income taxes payable
1,187

 
1,360

Current portion of long-term debt
396

 
397

Total current liabilities
124,584

 
101,341

Long-term debt, less current portion
246,601

 
245,599

Deferred income taxes
10,149

 
10,733

Other non-current liabilities
5,184

 
5,646

Pension and post retirement benefit obligations
6,543

 
6,609

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders’ equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—9,988 shares authorized (including 400 Series B Junior Preferred $0.00 par value shares); no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value—60,000 shares authorized and 23,567 shares issued and 23,439 outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 23,471 shares issued and 23,409 outstanding at December 31, 2013
235

 
234

Additional paid-in capital
224,787

 
223,893

Retained earnings
89,279

 
105,277

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(18,905
)
 
(18,743
)
Treasury stock, at cost—128 shares at March 31, 2014 and 62 shares at December 31, 2013
(1,679
)
 
(767
)
Total stockholders’ equity
293,717

 
309,894

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
686,778

 
$
679,822

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS


 
For the Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
253,410

 
$
292,714

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
188,531

 
219,431

Warehouse, processing and delivery expense
35,381

 
35,584

Sales, general and administrative expense
29,624

 
29,876

Restructuring charges
739

 
2,225

Depreciation and amortization expense
6,457

 
6,571

Operating loss
(7,322
)
 
(973
)
Interest expense, net
(9,952
)
 
(10,188
)
Other expense
(682
)
 
(2,299
)
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint venture
(17,956
)
 
(13,460
)
Income taxes
51

 
1,369

Loss before equity in earnings of joint venture
(17,905
)
 
(12,091
)
Equity in earnings of joint venture
1,907

 
1,469

Net loss
$
(15,998
)
 
$
(10,622
)
 
 
 
 
Basic loss per share
$
(0.69
)
 
$
(0.46
)
Diluted loss per share
$
(0.69
)
 
$
(0.46
)
Dividends per common share
$

 
$

Comprehensive loss
$
(16,160
)
 
$
(10,244
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
For the Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(15,998
)
 
$
(10,622
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
6,457

 
6,571

Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount
1,927

 
1,710

Unrealized (gains) losses on commodity hedges
(208
)
 
1,031

Equity in earnings of joint venture
(1,907
)
 
(1,469
)
Dividends from joint venture
607

 
2,692

Deferred tax provision (benefit)
571

 
(417
)
Other, net
243

 
(510
)
Increase (decrease) from changes in:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(17,930
)
 
(25,763
)
Inventories
904

 
32,272

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(1,365
)
 
(395
)
Other assets
1,972

 
55

Prepaid pension costs
173

 
(1,219
)
Accounts payable
18,423

 
23,344

Income taxes payable and receivable
(1,454
)
 
(1,218
)
Accrued liabilities
4,818

 
6,299

Postretirement benefit obligations and other liabilities
(102
)
 
224

Net cash (used in) from operating activities
(2,869
)
 
32,585

Investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(2,012
)
 
(1,881
)
Other investing activities
46

 
468

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,966
)
 
(1,413
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
11,506

 
106,500

Repayments of long-term debt
(11,605
)
 
(137,869
)
Other financing activities
45

 
651

Net cash used in financing activities
(54
)
 
(30,718
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(232
)
 
(691
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(5,121
)
 
(237
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
30,829

 
21,607

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
25,708

 
$
21,370

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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A. M. Castle & Co.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Unaudited - Amounts in thousands except per share data and percentages
(1) Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by A. M. Castle & Co. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2013 is derived from the audited financial statements at that date. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, the unaudited statements, included herein, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial results for the interim period. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K. The 2014 interim results reported herein may not necessarily be indicative of the results of the Company’s operations for the full year.
(2) New Accounting Standards
Standards Updates Adopted
Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments in this ASU require an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward except when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available or when the deferred tax asset is not intended for this purpose. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition.
(3) Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus common stock equivalents. Common stock equivalents consist of employee and director stock options, restricted stock awards, other share-based payment awards, and contingently issuable shares related to the Company’s convertible debt which are included in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding using the treasury stock method, if dilutive. The following table is a reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Numerator:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(15,998
)
 
$
(10,622
)
Denominator:
 
 
 
Denominator for basic loss per share:
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
23,324

 
23,127

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
Outstanding common stock equivalents

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share
23,324

 
23,127

Basic loss per share
$
(0.69
)
 
$
(0.46
)
Diluted loss per share
$
(0.69
)
 
$
(0.46
)
Excluded outstanding share-based awards having an anti-dilutive effect
1,049

 
1,316

Excluded "in the money" portion of Convertible Notes having an anti-dilutive effect
1,610

 
2,054

The Convertible Notes are dilutive to the extent the Company generates net income and the average stock price during the period is greater than $10.28, the conversion price of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes are only dilutive for the “in the money” portion of the Convertible Notes that could be settled with the Company’s stock. In future periods,

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absent a fundamental change, (as defined in the Convertible Notes agreement), the outstanding Convertible Notes could increase diluted average shares outstanding by a maximum of approximately 5,600 shares.
(4) Inventories
Approximately 80% of the Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of LIFO cost or market. Final inventory determination under the LIFO costing method is made at the end of each fiscal year based on the actual inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO determinations, including those at March 31, 2014, are based on management’s estimates of future inventory levels and costs for the balance of the current fiscal year. The Company values its LIFO increments using the cost of its latest purchases during the periods reported.
Current replacement cost of inventories exceeded book value by $129,638 and $130,854 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Income taxes would become payable on any realization of this excess from reductions in the level of inventories.
(5) Joint Venture
Kreher Steel Company, LLC is a 50% owned joint venture of the Company. Kreher is a national distributor and processor of carbon and alloy steel bar products, headquartered in Melrose Park, Illinois.
The following information summarizes financial data for this joint venture for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
65,251

 
$
57,329

Cost of materials
54,303

 
48,219

Income before taxes
4,804

 
3,356

Net income
3,814

 
2,938

(6) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Metals
Segment
 
Plastics
Segment
 
Total
Balance as of January 1, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
$
116,533

 
$
12,973

 
$
129,506

Accumulated impairment losses
(60,217
)
 

 
(60,217
)
Balance as of January 1, 2014
56,316

 
12,973

 
69,289

Currency valuation
(535
)
 

 
(535
)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
115,998

 
12,973

 
128,971

Accumulated impairment losses
(60,217
)
 

 
(60,217
)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
$
55,781

 
$
12,973

 
$
68,754

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company changed its goodwill testing date for both the Metals and Plastics reporting units from January 1 to December 1. Based on the December 1, 2013 test, the Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill. The Metals and Plastics reporting units each had estimated fair values that exceeded carrying values by 13% and 23%, respectively, as of December 1, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company’s Metals reporting unit experienced weaker demand than anticipated, which led to larger than anticipated negative financial operating results for the period. Based on these results, as noted below, management assessed whether an interim goodwill impairment test should be performed for the Metals reporting unit and concluded that one was not required. As of March 31, 2014, the impact of the negative quarterly financial operating results on the fair value estimate of the Metals reporting unit is not significant.  Current trends within the Metals reporting unit as of March 31, 2014 suggest that future period cash flow estimates are still reasonable. Additionally, the multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for metals companies as of March 31, 2014 continue to

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support the multiple used to value the Metals reporting unit at December 1, 2013. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the Metals reporting unit fair value has not decreased below its carrying value as of March 31, 2014. However, if positive trends do not continue to build and/or there is a continued unfavorable divergence in actual financial results compared to those used to estimate the Metals reporting unit fair value at December 1, 2013, the fair value of the Metals reporting unit could be impacted significantly which may result in a goodwill impairment charge. Additionally, future declines in the Company’s share price may also result in a conclusion that that the fair value of one of both of its reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
The following table summarizes the components of intangible assets:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
Customer relationships
$
117,141

 
$
57,579

 
$
117,794

 
$
55,157

Non-compete agreements
3,888

 
3,652

 
3,888

 
3,569

Trade name
7,953

 
2,114

 
8,025

 
1,939

Developed technology
1,400

 
1,069

 
1,400

 
953

Total
$
130,382

 
$
64,414

 
$
131,107

 
$
61,618


Substantially all of the Company’s intangible assets were acquired as part of the acquisitions of Transtar on September 5, 2006 and Tube Supply on December 15, 2011.

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate amortization expense was $2,916 and $2,956, respectively.
The following is a summary of the estimated annual amortization expense for 2014 and each of the next 4 years:
2014
$
11,639

2015
10,872

2016
10,872

2017
8,849

2018
4,728

(7) Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
LONG-TERM DEBT
 
 
 
12.75% Senior Secured Notes due December 15, 2016
$
210,000

 
$
210,000

7.0% Convertible Notes due December 15, 2017
57,500

 
57,500

Revolving Credit Facility due December 15, 2015

 

Other, primarily capital leases
895

 
998

Total long-term debt
268,395

 
268,498

Less: unamortized discount
(21,398
)
 
(22,502
)
Less: current portion
(396
)
 
(397
)
Total long-term portion
246,601

 
245,599

TOTAL DEBT
$
246,997

 
$
245,996

During December of 2011, the Company issued $225,000 aggregate principal amount of 12.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the “Secured Notes”), $57,500 aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Convertible Notes”) and entered into a $100,000 senior secured asset based revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Net proceeds from these transactions (collectively referred to as the “Debt Transactions”)

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were used to complete the acquisition of Tube Supply, repay existing debt and for general corporate purposes. In November 2013, the Company purchased and subsequently retired $15,000 aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes. In January 2014, the Company partially exercised the accordion option under its revolving credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments by $25,000. As a result, the Company's borrowing capacity increased from $100,000 to $125,000, and the Company maintains the ability to exercise the accordion for an additional $25,000 of aggregate commitments in the future.
Secured Notes
The Secured Notes will mature on December 15, 2016. The Company pays interest on the Secured Notes at a rate of 12.75% per annum in cash semi-annually. The Secured Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain 100% owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company (the Note Guarantors). Refer to Note 16 for Guarantor Financial Information disclosure.
Subject to certain conditions, within 95 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Company must make an offer to purchase the Secured Notes with certain of its excess cash flow (as defined in the indenture) for such fiscal year at 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Company estimated that it had no excess cash flow (as defined in the indenture) and therefore, the Company did not make an offer to purchase the Secured Notes.
Convertible Notes
The Convertible Notes are due December 15, 2017. The Company pays interest on the Convertible Notes at a rate of 7.0% per annum in cash semi-annually. The Convertible Note holders may convert their Convertible Notes during the three months immediately succeeding March 31, 2014, as the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock exceeded $13.36 for at least 20 of the last 30 consecutive trading days ending on March 31, 2014.  If any Convertible Notes were to be surrendered, the Company would settle them via a combination of cash and shares of its common stock.  If all the Convertible Notes were to be surrendered, the Company has estimated that it would deliver cash of $57,500 and issue approximately 1,644 shares of common stock.  Although the conversion of the Convertible Notes is outside the control of the Company at March 31, 2014, the carrying value of the outstanding Convertible Notes are classified as long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at March 31, 2014, as the Company would have the ability and intent to utilize its Revolving Credit Facility, which is classified as long-term, to settle the cash portion of the conversion. 
Revolving Credit Facility
The weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 3.12%. The Company pays certain customary recurring fees with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility.
The Revolving Credit Facility contains a springing financial maintenance covenant requiring the Company to maintain the ratio (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Loan and Security Agreement) of EBITDA to fixed charges of 1.1 to 1.0 when excess availability is less than the greater of 10% of the calculated borrowing base (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Loan and Security Agreement) or $12,500. In addition, if excess availability is less than the greater of 12.5% of the calculated borrowing base (as defined in the Revolving Credit Facility Loan and Security Agreement) or $15,625, the lender has the right to take full dominion of the Company’s cash collections and apply these proceeds to outstanding loans under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company's ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges was 0.14 for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014. At this ratio, the Company's current maximum borrowing capacity would be $99,683 before triggering full dominion of the Company's cash collections. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $115,308 of of available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility.

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(8) Fair Value Measurements
The three-tier value hierarchy the Company utilizes, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, is:
Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3—Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants.
The fair value of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying values. The fair value of cash equivalents are determined using the fair value hierarchy described above. Cash equivalents consisting of money market funds are valued based on quoted prices in active markets and as a result are classified as Level 1.
The Company’s pension plan asset portfolio as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is primarily invested in fixed income securities, which generally fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fixed income securities are valued based on evaluated prices provided to the trustee by independent pricing services. Such prices may be determined by factors which include, but are not limited to, market quotations, yields, maturities, call features, ratings, institutional size trading in similar groups of securities and developments related to specific securities.
Fair Value Measurements of Debt
The fair value of the Company’s Secured Notes as of March 31, 2014 was estimated to be $235,725 compared to a carrying value of $205,380. The fair value for the Secured Notes is determined based on recent trades of the bonds and fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the Convertible Notes as of March 31, 2014 was approximately $89,370 compared to a carrying value of $40,722. The fair value of the Convertible Notes, which fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, is determined based on similar debt instruments that do not contain a conversion feature, as well as other factors related to the callable nature of the notes.
The main inputs and assumptions into the fair value model for the Convertible Notes at March 31, 2014 were as follows:
Company's stock price at the end of the period
$
14.69

Expected volatility
27.2
%
Credit spreads
5.05
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.32
%
Fair Value Measurements of Commodity Hedges
The Company has a commodity hedging program to mitigate risks associated with certain commodity price fluctuations. At March 31, 2014, the Company had executed forward contracts that extend through 2016. The counterparty to these contracts is not considered a credit risk by the Company. At March 31, 2014, the notional value associated with forward contracts was $11,156. The Company recorded, through cost of materials, realized and unrealized net losses of $286 and $1,299 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively, as a result of the change in the fair value of the contracts. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, all commodity hedge contracts were in a liability position. Refer to Note 13 for letters of credit outstanding for collateral associated with commodity hedges.

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The Company uses information which is representative of readily observable market data when valuing derivatives liabilities associated with commodity hedges. The derivative liabilities are included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Company's balance sheets and classified as Level 2 in the table below.
The liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
As of March 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liability for commodity hedges
$

 
$
2,663

 
$

 
$
2,663

As of December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liability for commodity hedges
$

 
$
2,871

 
$

 
$
2,871

(9) Stockholders’ Equity
Shareholder Rights Plan
In August 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Plan”) and declared a dividend of one right for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock outstanding at the close of business on September 11, 2012. Pursuant to the Rights Plan, the Company issued one preferred stock purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of common stock outstanding on September 11, 2012. Each Right, once exercisable, represents the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Company, without par value, for $54.00, subject to adjustment. The Rights become exercisable in the event any individual person or entity, without Board approval, acquires 10% or more of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain exceptions. In these circumstances, each holder of a Right (other than rights held by the acquirer) will be entitled to purchase, at the then-current exercise price of the Right, additional shares of the Company’s common stock having a value of twice the exercise price of the Right. Additionally, if the Company is involved in a merger or other business combination transaction with another person after which its common stock does not remain outstanding, each Right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the then-current exercise price of the Right, shares of common stock of the ultimate parent of such other person having a market value of twice the exercise price of the Right. The Rights may be redeemed by the Company for $0.001 per Right at any time until the tenth business day following the first public announcement of an acquisition of beneficial ownership of 10% of the Company’s common stock. On August 13, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors agreed to extend the Rights Plan from August 30, 2013, when it was originally set to expire, to August 30, 2014, unless the rights issued thereunder are earlier redeemed or the Rights Plan is amended by the Board of Directors.
Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive loss includes net loss and all other non-owner changes to equity that are not reported in net loss.
The Company’s comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
 
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net loss
$
(15,998
)
 
$
(10,622
)
Foreign currency translation (loss) gain
(415
)
 
33

Pension cost amortization, net of tax
253

 
345

Total comprehensive loss
$
(16,160
)
 
$
(10,244
)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Foreign currency translation losses
$
(5,032
)
 
$
(4,617
)
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit costs, net of tax
(13,873
)
 
(14,126
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(18,905
)
 
$
(18,743
)

11

Table of Contents

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component are as follows:
 
Defined Benefit Pension and Postretirement Items
 
Foreign Currency Items
 
Total
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Balance as of January 1,
$
(14,126
)
 
$
(18,749
)
 
$
(4,617
)
 
$
(2,322
)
 
$
(18,743
)
 
$
(21,071
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

 

 
(415
)
 
33

 
(415
)
 
33

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (a)
253

 
345

 

 

 
253

 
345

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
253

 
345

 
(415
)
 
33

 
(162
)
 
378

Balance as of March 31,
$
(13,873
)
 
$
(18,404
)
 
$
(5,032
)
 
$
(2,289
)
 
$
(18,905
)
 
$
(20,693
)
(a) See the table below for details of reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items
 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (b)
 
$
(71
)
 
$
(81
)
Actuarial loss (b)
 
(345
)
 
(485
)
Total before Tax
 
(416
)
 
(566
)
Tax benefit
 
163

 
221

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax
 
$
(253
)
 
$
(345
)
(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (see Note 11 for additional details).
(10) Share-based Compensation
The Company accounts for its share-based compensation arrangements by recognizing compensation expense for the fair value of the share awards granted ratably over their vesting period. All compensation expense related to share-based compensation arrangements is recorded in sales, general and administrative expense and warehouse, processing and delivery expense. The unrecognized compensation cost as of March 31, 2014 associated with all share-based payment arrangements is $7,245 and the weighted average period over which it is to be expensed is 1.5 years.
2014 Long-Term Compensation Plan
On March 26, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company approved equity awards under the Company’s 2014 Long-Term Compensation Plan (“2014 LTC Plan”) for executive officers and other select personnel. The 2014 LTC Plan awards included restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”). All 2014 LTC Plan awards are subject to the terms of the Company’s 2008 A.M. Castle & Co. Omnibus Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of April 25, 2013.
The 2014 LTC Plan consists of three components of share-based payment awards as follows:
Restricted Share Units - The Company granted 114 RSUs with a grant date fair value of $14.35 per share unit to executive officers and other select personnel. The grant date fair value was established using the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The RSUs cliff vest on December 31, 2016. Each RSU that becomes vested entitles the participant to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares delivered may be reduced by the number of shares required to be withheld for federal and state withholding tax requirements (determined at the market price of Company shares at the time of payout).
Performance Share Units - The Company granted 229 PSUs, half of which contain a market-based performance condition dependent on relative total shareholder return ("RTSR") and half of which contain a non-market-based performance condition dependent on Company-specific target goals for Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") (as defined

12

Table of Contents

in the 2014 LTC Plan). Partial performance awards can be earned for performance less than the target goal, but in excess of minimum goals, and award distributions up to twice the target can be achieved if the target goals are exceeded. The number of performance shares, if any, that vest based on the performance achieved during the three-year performance period, will vest at the end of the three-year performance period.
PSUs containing the RTSR performance condition - The potential award for PSUs containing the RTSR performance condition is measured over a three-year performance period, beginning January 1st of the year of grant. RTSR is measured against a group of peer companies either in the metals industry or in the industrial products distribution industry (the “RTSR Peer Group”). Each performance share that becomes vested entitles the participant to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. The grant date fair value for the PSUs containing the RTSR performance condition that were granted to executive officers and other select personnel under the 2014 LTC Plan of $20.16 was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation with the following assumptions:
 
2014
Expected volatility
40.8
%
Risk-free interest rate
0.79
%
Expected life (in years)
2.77

Expected dividend yield

Compensation expense for performance awards containing the RTSR performance condition is recognized regardless of whether the market condition is achieved to the extent the requisite service period condition is met.
PSUs containing the ROIC performance condition - The potential award for PSUs containing the ROIC performance condition is determined based on the Company’s average actual performance versus target goals for ROIC for the three-year performance period beginning on January 1st of the year of grant. Compensation expense recognized is based on management’s expectation of future performance compared to the pre-established performance goals. If the performance goals are not expected to be met, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. The grant date fair-value of the PSUs containing the ROIC performance condition was established using the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.
The award information associated with RTSR and ROIC awards is summarized below:
Share type
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Estimated
Number of PSUs
to be Issued
 
Maximum Number of
PSUs that could
Potentially be Issued
RTSR performance condition
$
20.16

 
98

 
229

ROIC performance condition
$
14.35

 
80

 
229

(11) Employee Benefit Plans
Components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Service cost
$
127

 
$
213

Interest cost
1,740

 
1,619

Expected return on assets
(2,095
)
 
(2,320
)
Amortization of prior service cost
71

 
81

Amortization of actuarial loss
345

 
485

Net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost
$
188

 
$
78

Contributions paid
$

 
$

The Company anticipates making no significant cash contributions to its pension plans in 2014.

13

Table of Contents

(12) Restructuring Activity
As part of the Company's efforts to adapt operations to market conditions, restructuring activities related to the Company's organizational structure and operations were announced during January of 2013. In October 2013, the Company announced the consolidation of four additional facilities in locations where it has redundant operations as part of its continuous improvement plans to lower structural operating costs. The charges associated with the restructuring activities are primarily included in the Company's Metals segment. Charges for the Company's Other segment, which includes the costs of the executive, legal, and finance departments shared by both the Metals and Plastics segments, are insignificant.
The Company recorded the following restructuring charges during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Employee termination and related benefits
 
$

 
$
1,398

Moving costs associated with plant consolidations
 
739

 
859

Other exit costs
 

 
42

Inventory write-offs
 

 
683

Total
 
$
739

 
$
2,982

Charges in the three months ended March 31, 2014 consisted of moving costs associated with one of the additional facility consolidations announced in October 2013. Restructuring activity related to the October 2013 announced plant consolidations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized below:
 
 
 
Period Activity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance January 1, 2014
 
Charges (a)
 
Cash payments
 
Balance March 31, 2014
 
Cumulative Charges Incurred to Date
 
Total Charges Expected to be Incurred
Moving costs associated with plant consolidations
$

 
$
739

 
$
(739
)
 
$

 
$
1,051

 
$
2,270

Employee termination and related benefits
129

 

 
(118
)
 
11

 
129

 
130

Total October 2013 plant consolidations
129

 
739

 
(857
)
 
11

 
1,180

 
2,400

(a) Costs associated with moving and plant consolidations and employee termination and related benefits are recorded to the restructuring charges line item within the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as they are incurred.
The charges incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2013 were comprised of one-time employee termination and related benefits associated with salaried and hourly workforce reductions, moving costs and other exit costs associated with five plant consolidations announced in January 2013. The January 2013 announced restructuring activities are complete. As of March 31, 2014, there is a restructuring liability for lease termination costs related to the January 2013 restructuring activities. Activity for the restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized below:
 
Balance January 1, 2014
 
Charges
 
Cash payments
 
Balance March 31, 2014 (a)
Lease termination costs
921

 

 
(117
)
 
804

(a) Payments on certain of the lease obligations are scheduled to continue until 2016. Market conditions and the Company’s ability to sublease these properties could affect the ultimate charge related to the lease obligations. Any potential recoveries or additional charges could affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements of future periods. As of March 31, 2014, the short-term portion of the lease termination costs in the restructuring liability of $465 is included in accrued liabilities and the long-term portion of $339 is included in other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

14

Table of Contents

(13) Income Taxes
The reported effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 0.3% and 10.2%, respectively. The change in effective tax rate primarily results from valuation allowances recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2014. The Company continues to generate losses at its United Kingdom (“UK”) subsidiary. The larger than expected current period losses, when combined with prior losses and future income projections, indicate that it is more likely than not that the UK deferred tax assets will not be realized. Therefore, during the three months ended March 31, 2014, a valuation allowance of $2,740 was recorded against all the previously existing deferred tax assets of the UK subsidiary. Additionally, the current period losses generated by the UK subsidiary during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were not benefited nor are future losses expected to be benefited until the entity returns to profitability and evidence suggests that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. The impact on the quarterly income tax provision of not benefiting the quarterly losses was approximately $500. The deferred tax assets of the UK subsidiary are comprised primarily of net operating loss carry forwards with no expiration.
In the U.S., the Company is in a net deferred tax asset position as of March 31, 2014, and projects that it will remain in a net deferred tax asset position through December 31, 2014. The Company does not currently have sufficient sources of projected income to cover the net deferred tax asset that is projected at December 31, 2014. Therefore, the Company recorded a valuation allowance and did not provide a tax benefit on a portion of the losses generated by the U.S. during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impact on the quarterly income tax provision of not benefiting the quarterly losses was approximately $2,500. Continued operating losses in future periods and changes to the sources of income identified to utilize the U.S. deferred tax assets that differ significantly from current estimates may result in additional benefits not being recognized and a valuation allowance being recorded against some or all of the remaining U.S. deferred tax assets.
The following tax years remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject:
U.S. Federal
2010 to 2013
U.S. States
2009 to 2013
Foreign
2008 to 2013
A 2011 and 2012 income tax audit of the Company's Canadian subsidiary is in process as of March 31, 2014. To date, no issues have been raised and no adjustments have been proposed. The Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits are not significant.
The Company received its 2012 federal tax refund of $2,590 during October 2013.
(14) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $6,701 of irrevocable letters of credit outstanding which primarily consisted of $4,000 for collateral associated with commodity hedges and $1,901 for compliance with the insurance reserve requirements of its workers’ compensation insurance carriers.
The Company is party to a variety of legal proceedings arising from the operation of its business. These proceedings are incidental and occur in the normal course of the Company’s business affairs. It is the opinion of management, based upon the information available at this time, that the currently expected outcome of these proceedings will not have a material effect on the consolidated results of operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company, except as noted below.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company received warranty and other claims from certain customers regarding alleged quality defects with certain alloy round bar products sold by the Company in 2012 and 2013.   The Company evaluated the information provided by the customers and issued a notice of potential defect to other affected customers.  The Company estimates that it may incur costs for warranty and other customer claims associated with the alleged quality defects from $325 to $1,250.  Based on the information available as of March 31, 2014, the Company's best estimate of the probable loss resulting from these claims is $1,150, which was included as a reduction of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, approximately $211 remained accrued against accounts receivable in current assets for future payments and credits. The Company is pursuing claims against the original supplier of the products. There can be no assurance that the Company's losses related to these claims will not exceed the Company's estimated range.

15

Table of Contents

(15) Segment Reporting
The Company distributes and performs processing on both metals and plastics. Although the distribution processes are similar, the customer markets, supplier bases and types of products are different. Additionally, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the chief operating decision-maker, reviews and manages these two businesses separately. As such, these businesses are considered reportable segments and are reported accordingly.
In its Metals segment, the Company’s marketing strategy focuses on distributing highly engineered specialty grades and alloys of metals as well as providing specialized processing services designed to meet very precise specifications. Core products include alloy, aluminum, stainless, nickel, titanium and carbon. Inventories of these products assume many forms such as plate, sheet, extrusions, round bar, hexagon bar, square and flat bar, tubing and coil. Depending on the size of the facility and the nature of the markets it serves, service centers are equipped as needed with bar saws, plate saws, oxygen and plasma arc flame cutting machinery, trepanning machinery, boring machinery, honing equipment, water-jet cutting, stress relieving and annealing furnaces, surface grinding equipment and sheet shearing equipment. This segment also performs various specialized fabrications for its customers through pre-qualified subcontractors that thermally process, turn, polish and straighten alloy and carbon bar.
The Company’s Plastics segment consists exclusively of a wholly-owned subsidiary that operates as Total Plastics, Inc. (“TPI”) headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Plastics segment stocks and distributes a wide variety of plastics in forms that include plate, rod, tube, clear sheet, tape, gaskets and fittings. Processing activities within this segment include cut-to-length, cut-to-shape, bending and forming according to customer specifications. The Plastics segment’s diverse customer base consists of companies in the retail (point-of-purchase), automotive, marine, office furniture and fixtures, safety products, life sciences applications, and general manufacturing industries. TPI has locations throughout the upper Northeast and Midwest regions of the U.S. and one facility in Florida from which it services a wide variety of users of industrial plastics.
The accounting policies of all segments are the same as described in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Management evaluates the performance of its business segments based on operating income.
Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
 
Net
Sales
 
Operating
(Loss) Income
 
Capital
Expenditures
 
Depreciation &
Amortization
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals segment
$
219,063

 
$
(6,232
)
 
$
1,878

 
$
6,056

Plastics segment
34,347

 
1,507

 
134

 
401

Other (a)

 
(2,597
)
 

 

Consolidated
$
253,410

 
$
(7,322
)
 
$
2,012

 
$
6,457

2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals segment
$
258,380

 
$
(275
)
 
$
1,127

 
$
6,165

Plastics segment
34,334

 
1,181

 
480

 
406

Other (a)

 
(1,879
)
 

 

Consolidated
$
292,714

 
$
(973
)
 
$
1,607

 
$
6,571

(a) 
“Other” – Operating income includes the costs of executive, legal and finance departments, which are shared by both the Metals and Plastics segments.

16

Table of Contents

Below are reconciliations of segment data to consolidated loss before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Operating loss
$
(7,322
)
 
$
(973
)
Interest expense, net
(9,952
)
 
(10,188
)
Other expense
(682
)
 
(2,299
)
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint venture
(17,956
)
 
(13,460
)
Equity in earnings of joint venture
1,907

 
1,469

Consolidated loss before income taxes
$
(16,049
)
 
$
(11,991
)
Segment information for total assets is as follows:
 
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
Metals segment
$
581,881

 
$
580,570

Plastics segment
61,718

 
57,373

Other (a)
43,179

 
41,879

Consolidated
$
686,778

 
$
679,822

(a) 
“Other” — Total assets consist of the Company's investment in joint venture.
(16) Guarantor Financial Information
The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Rule 3-10 of SEC Regulation S-X “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.” The consolidating financial information presents A. M. Castle & Co. (Parent) and subsidiaries. The consolidating financial information has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated statements of the Parent. The equity method of accounting is followed within this financial information.
In September 2013, the Company merged Transtar Metals Corp. and Oliver Steel Plate Co., guarantors, with the Parent. In addition, certain non-guarantor subsidiaries were merged with the parent in September 2013. The Company has reflected these changes in its accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements of guarantors and non-guarantors.


17

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2014

 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,893

 
$
1,350

 
$
20,465

 
$

 
$
25,708

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
78,266

 
20,686

 
46,959

 

 
145,911

Receivables from affiliates
3,475

 

 

 
(3,475
)
 

Inventories
127,660

 
18,174

 
68,080

 
(68
)
 
213,846

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,269

 
1,874

 
6,970

 
(202
)
 
16,911

Total current assets
221,563

 
42,084

 
142,474

 
(3,745
)
 
402,376

Investment in joint venture
43,179

 

 

 

 
43,179

Goodwill
41,504

 
12,973

 
14,277

 

 
68,754

Intangible assets
50,212

 

 
15,756

 

 
65,968

Other assets
27,733

 

 
3,554

 

 
31,287

Investment in subsidiaries
113,646

 

 

 
(113,646
)
 

Receivables from affiliates
93,399

 
35,145

 
3,513

 
(132,057
)
 

Property, plant and equipment, net
49,810

 
12,472

 
12,932

 

 
75,214

Total assets
$
641,046

 
$
102,674

 
$
192,506

 
$
(249,448
)
 
$
686,778

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
55,502

 
$
10,467

 
$
22,305

 
$

 
$
88,274

Payables due to affiliates
2,724

 

 
751

 
(3,475
)
 

Other current liabilities
26,427

 
598

 
8,889

 

 
35,914

Current portion of long-term debt
371

 

 
25

 

 
396

Total current liabilities
85,024

 
11,065

 
31,970

 
(3,475
)
 
124,584

Long-term debt, less current portion
246,571

 

 
30

 

 
246,601

Payables due to affiliates

 
7,971

 
124,086

 
(132,057
)
 

Deferred income taxes
4,193

 
7,111

 
(1,155
)
 

 
10,149

Other non-current liabilities
11,541

 

 
186

 

 
11,727

Stockholders’ equity
293,717

 
76,527

 
37,389

 
(113,916
)
 
293,717

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
641,046

 
$
102,674

 
$
192,506

 
$
(249,448
)
 
$
686,778


18

Table of Contents


Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2013

 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8,675

 
$
495

 
$
21,659

 
$

 
$
30,829

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
67,536

 
18,305

 
42,703

 

 
128,544

Receivables from affiliates
2,811

 

 

 
(2,811
)
 

Inventories
133,139

 
16,357

 
65,472

 
(68
)
 
214,900

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
8,383

 
2,244

 
5,993

 
(202
)
 
16,418

Total current assets
220,544

 
37,401

 
135,827

 
(3,081
)
 
390,691

Investment in joint venture
41,879

 

 

 

 
41,879

Goodwill
41,504

 
12,973

 
14,812

 

 
69,289

Intangible assets
52,703

 

 
16,786

 

 
69,489

Other assets
28,145

 

 
3,635

 

 
31,780

Investment in subsidiaries
119,075

 

 

 
(119,075
)
 

Receivables from affiliates
87,247

 
34,637

 
1,465

 
(123,349
)
 

Property, plant and equipment, net
50,812

 
12,855

 
13,027

 

 
76,694

Total assets
$
641,909

 
$
97,866

 
$
185,552

 
$
(245,505
)
 
$
679,822

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
41,233

 
$
8,274

 
$
20,070

 
$

 
$
69,577

Payables due to affiliates
2,270

 

 
541

 
(2,811
)
 

Other current liabilities
22,801

 
944

 
7,622

 

 
31,367

Current portion of long-term debt
371

 

 
26

 

 
397

Total current liabilities
66,675

 
9,218

 
28,259

 
(2,811
)
 
101,341

Long-term debt, less current portion
245,561

 

 
38

 

 
245,599

Payables due to affiliates

 
6,579

 
116,770

 
(123,349
)
 

Deferred income taxes
7,823

 
7,061

 
(4,151
)
 

 
10,733

Other non-current liabilities
11,956

 

 
299

 

 
12,255

Stockholders’ equity
309,894

 
75,008

 
44,337

 
(119,345
)
 
309,894

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
641,909

 
$
97,866

 
$
185,552

 
$
(245,505
)
 
$
679,822



19

Table of Contents


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net Sales
$
164,206

 
$
34,347

 
$
59,966

 
$
(5,109
)
 
$
253,410

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
121,912

 
24,105

 
47,623

 
(5,109
)
 
188,531

Warehouse, processing and delivery expense
26,003

 
2,982

 
6,396

 

 
35,381

Sales, general and administrative expense
19,961

 
4,829

 
4,834

 

 
29,624

Restructuring charges
739

 

 

 

 
739

Depreciation and amortization expense
4,890

 
532

 
1,035

 

 
6,457

Operating (loss) income
(9,299
)
 
1,899

 
78

 

 
(7,322
)
Interest expense, net
(6,166
)
 

 
(3,786
)
 

 
(9,952
)
Other expense

 

 
(682
)
 

 
(682
)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries and joint venture
(15,465
)
 
1,899

 
(4,390
)
 

 
(17,956
)
Income taxes
2,574

 
(380
)
 
(2,143
)
 

 
51

Equity in (losses) earnings of subsidiaries
(5,014
)
 

 

 
5,014

 

Equity in earnings of joint venture
1,907

 

 

 

 
1,907

Net (loss) income
(15,998
)
 
1,519

 
(6,533
)
 
5,014

 
(15,998
)
Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(16,160
)
 
$
1,519

 
$
(6,948
)
 
$
5,429

 
$
(16,160
)


20

Table of Contents


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Net Sales
$
202,909

 
$
34,334

 
$
66,568

 
$
(11,097
)
 
$
292,714

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
154,728

 
24,438

 
51,362

 
(11,097
)
 
219,431

Warehouse, processing and delivery expense
26,502

 
3,098

 
5,984

 

 
35,584

Sales, general and administrative expense
19,615

 
4,509

 
5,752

 

 
29,876

Restructuring charges
1,820

 

 
405

 

 
2,225

Depreciation and amortization expense
5,008

 
544

 
1,019

 

 
6,571

Operating (loss) income
(4,764
)
 
1,745

 
2,046

 

 
(973
)
Interest expense, net
(6,492
)
 

 
(3,696
)
 

 
(10,188
)
Other expense

 

 
(2,299
)
 

 
(2,299
)
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries and joint venture
(11,256
)
 
1,745

 
(3,949
)


 
(13,460
)
Income taxes
1,110

 
(198
)
 
457

 

 
1,369

Equity in (losses) earnings of subsidiaries
(1,945
)
 

 

 
1,945

 

Equity in earnings of joint venture
1,469

 

 

 

 
1,469

Net (loss) income
$
(10,622
)
 
$
1,547

 
$
(3,492
)
 
$
1,945

 
$
(10,622
)
Comprehensive (loss) income
$
(10,244
)
 
$
1,547

 
$
(3,459
)
 
$
1,912

 
$
(10,244
)




21

Table of Contents


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(15,998
)
 
$
1,519

 
$
(6,533
)
 
$
5,014

 
$
(15,998
)
Equity in losses (earnings) of subsidiaries
5,014

 

 

 
(5,014
)
 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities
13,635

 
(1,399
)
 
893

 

 
13,129

Net cash (used in) from operating activities
2,651

 
120

 
(5,640
)
 

 
(2,869
)
Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(1,236
)
 
(149
)
 
(627
)
 

 
(2,012
)
Other investing activities
3

 

 
43

 

 
46

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,233
)
 
(149
)
 
(584
)
 

 
(1,966
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
10,500

 

 
1,006

 

 
11,506

Repayments of long-term debt
(10,593
)
 

 
(1,012
)
 

 
(11,605
)
Net intercompany (repayments) borrowings
(6,152
)
 
884

 
5,268

 

 

Other financing activities
45

 

 

 

 
45

Net cash (used in) from financing activities
(6,200
)
 
884

 
5,262

 

 
(54
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
(232
)
 

 
(232
)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(4,782
)
 
855

 
(1,194
)
 

 
(5,121
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
8,675

 
495

 
21,659

 

 
30,829

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
3,893

 
$
1,350

 
$
20,465

 
$

 
$
25,708



22

Table of Contents


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 
Parent
 
Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
Operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) income
$
(10,622
)
 
$
1,547

 
$
(3,492
)
 
$
1,945

 
$
(10,622
)
Equity in losses (earnings) of subsidiaries
1,945

 

 

 
(1,945
)
 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities
45,508

 
(2,424
)
 
123

 

 
43,207

Net cash from (used in) operating activities
36,831

 
(877
)
 
(3,369
)
 

 
32,585

Investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(1,287
)
 
(482
)
 
(112
)
 

 
(1,881
)
Other investing activities
463

 
5

 

 

 
468

Net cash used in investing activities
(824
)
 
(477
)
 
(112
)
 

 
(1,413
)
Financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from long-term debt
106,500

 

 

 

 
106,500

Repayments of long-term debt
(137,107
)
 

 
(762
)
 

 
(137,869
)
Net intercompany (repayments) borrowings
(4,717
)
 
475

 
4,242

 

 

Other financing activities
651

 

 

 

 
651

Net cash (used in) from financing activities
(34,673
)
 
475

 
3,480

 

 
(30,718
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 
(691
)
 

 
(691
)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
1,334

 
(879
)
 
(692
)
 

 
(237
)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
4,106

 
903

 
16,598

 

 
21,607

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
$
5,440

 
$
24

 
$
15,906

 
$

 
$
21,370


23

Table of Contents

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

Amounts in millions, except per share data
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Information provided and statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements only speak as of the date of this report and the Company assumes no obligation to update the information included in this report. Such forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, including descriptions of our business strategy. These statements often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “predict,” “plan,” or similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there are many factors that could affect our actual financial results or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those risk factors identified in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. All future written and oral forward-looking statements by us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we do not have any obligations or intention to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances in the future, to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or for any other reason.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in ITEM 1 “Financial Statements (unaudited)”.
Executive Overview
Economic Trends and Current Business Conditions
A. M. Castle & Co. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) experienced lower sales in its Metals segment products in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013. The Company's Metals segment experienced lower demand in the Oil and Gas and Industrial sectors, while Aerospace sales were slightly higher than the same period last year. Sales in the Company's Plastics segment in the first quarter 2014 were comparable to the same period last year.

Management uses the PMI provided by the Institute for Supply Management (website is www.ism.ws) as an external indicator for tracking the demand outlook and possible trends in its general manufacturing markets. The table below shows PMI trends from the first quarter of 2012 through the first quarter of 2014. Generally speaking, an index above 50.0 indicates growth in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy, while readings under 50.0 indicate contraction. Material pricing and demand in both the Metals and Plastics segments of the Company’s business have historically proved to be difficult to predict with any degree of accuracy. A favorable PMI trend suggests that demand for some of the Company’s products and services, in particular those that are sold to the general manufacturing customer base in the U.S., could potentially be at a higher level in the near-term. The Company believes that its revenue trends typically correlate to the changes in PMI on a six to twelve month lag basis.
YEAR
Qtr 1
 
Qtr 2
 
Qtr 3
 
Qtr 4
2012
53.3

 
52.7

 
50.3

 
50.6

2013
52.9

 
50.2

 
55.8

 
56.9

2014
52.7

 

 

 

Consolidated net sales decreased $39.3 million or 13.4% from the first quarter of 2013 due to decreased Metals segment sales pricing and volumes. Consolidated operating loss for the first quarter of 2014 was $7.3 million compared to first quarter of 2013 consolidated operating loss of $1.0 million. Consolidated net loss for the first quarter of 2014 was $16.0 million compared to consolidated net loss of $10.6 million for the first quarter of 2013.

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Table of Contents

Results of Operations: First quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013
Consolidated results by business segment are summarized in the following table for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
 
 
 
 
 
Favorable/(Unfavorable)
 
2014
 
2013
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals
$
219.1

 
$
258.4

 
$
(39.3
)
 
(15.2
)%
Plastics
34.3

 
34.3

 

 
 %
Total Net Sales
$
253.4

 
$
292.7

 
$
(39.3
)
 
(13.4
)%
Cost of Materials
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals
$
164.4

 
$
195.0

 
$
30.6

 
15.7
 %
% of Metals Sales
75.1
 %
 
75.5
 %
 
 
 
 
Plastics
24.1

 
24.4

 
0.3

 
1.4
 %
% of Plastics Sales
70.2
 %
 
71.1
 %
 
 
 
 
Total Cost of Materials
$
188.5

 
$
219.4

 
$
30.9

 
14.1
 %
% of Total Sales
74.4
 %
 
75.0
 %
 
 
 
 
Operating Costs and Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals
$
60.9

 
$
63.7

 
$
2.8

 
4.4
 %
Plastics
8.7

 
8.7

 

 
 %
Other
2.6

 
1.9

 
(0.7
)
 
(38.2
)%
Total Operating Costs & Expenses
$
72.2

 
$
74.3

 
$
2.1

 
2.8
 %
% of Total Sales
28.5
 %
 
25.4
 %
 
 
 
 
Operating (Loss) Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Metals
$
(6.2
)
 
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(5.9
)
 
(2,166.2
)%
% of Metals Sales
(2.8
)%
 
(0.1
)%
 
 
 
 
Plastics
1.5

 
1.2

 
0.3

 
27.6
 %
% of Plastics Sales
4.4
 %
 
3.5
 %
 
 
 
 
Other
(2.6
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(38.2
)%
Total Operating Loss
$
(7.3
)
 
$
(1.0
)
 
$
(6.3
)
 
(652.5
)%
% of Total Sales
(2.9
)%
 
(0.3
)%
 
 
 
 
“Other” includes the costs of executive, legal and finance departments which are shared by both segments of the Company.
Net Sales:
Consolidated net sales were $253.4 million, a decrease of $39.3 million, or 13.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2013. Metals segment sales during the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $219.1 million were $39.3 million, or 15.2%, lower than the same period last year reflecting lower demand and softer average selling prices compared to the first quarter of 2013. First quarter of 2014 Metals segment sales volumes were 4.5% lower than the first quarter of 2013 and average prices and mix were lower by 10.7%. Within the Metals segment, first quarter 2014 sales were slightly higher in the Aerospace business, but lower in both the Oil and Gas and Industrial businesses. All of the Company's products experienced lower average selling prices when compared to first quarter of 2013, with most average selling prices lower by 6% to 13%.
Plastics segment sales during the first quarter of 2014 of $34.3 million were flat compared to the first quarter of 2013. There was an increase in demand from the Life Science sector which was offset by a slight decline in demand from the Automotive sector.

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Table of Contents

Cost of Materials:
Cost of materials (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) during the first quarter of 2014 was $188.5 million, a decrease of $30.9 million, or 14.1%, compared to the first quarter of 2013. Cost of materials included LIFO income of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to LIFO expense of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2013. In addition, restructuring charges of $0.8 million impacted cost of materials in the first quarter of 2013. There were no restructuring charges impacting cost of materials in the first quarter of 2014.
Material costs for the Metals segment for the first quarter of 2014 were $164.4 million, or 75.1% as a percent of net sales, compared to $195.0 million, or 75.5% as a percent of net sales, for the first quarter of 2013. Cost of materials in the Metals segment decreased $30.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2013 primarily as a result of the softer pricing environment and decrease in demand. First quarter 2014 material costs as a percentage of net sales for the Metals segment were flat compared to the first quarter of 2013 excluding restructuring charges. Material costs for the Plastics segment were $24.1 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to $24.4 million for the same period last year. Plastics segment material costs as a percentage of net sales improved from 71.1% in the first quarter of 2013 to 70.2% in the first quarter of 2014.
Operating Expenses and Operating Income:
On a consolidated basis, operating costs and expenses decreased $2.1 million, or 2.8%, compared to the first quarter of 2013. Operating costs and expenses, including restructuring charges of $0.7 million, were $72.2 million, or 28.5% of net sales, compared to $74.3 million, including $2.2 million of restructuring charges, or 25.4% of net sales, during the first quarter of 2013. The restructuring charges incurred during the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 were cash charges and were in-line with the Company's expectations.
The $2.1 million decrease in operating expenses for the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013 is due to a $1.5 million decrease in restructuring charges and a $0.6 million decrease in warehouse, processing and delivery costs, sales, general and administrative costs and depreciation and amortization.
During the first quarter of 2014, the Company achieved the $6.0 million of structural costs savings expected from its January 2013 and October 2013 restructuring activities. However, these cost savings were offset by $1.0 million of costs associated with severe weather during the quarter, $2.9 million of premium temporary costs incurred in order to execute certain initiatives and $1.6 million of other timing related items that impacted the first quarter of 2014 that were not present during the same period in 2013. Costs associated with the severe weather, such as higher utilities and repair and maintenance costs, are not expected to reoccur. The premium temporary costs such as, overtime, temporary labor and consulting fees are considered short-term in nature and are expected to be substantially managed out of the business during the second quarter of 2014.
Warehouse, processing and delivery costs decreased by approximately $0.2 million as a result of decreased sales activity in the Metals segment for the period and cost improvements resulting from 2013 restructuring activities. This decrease in costs was partially offset by cost increases from restructuring related facility transitions, optimizing operations and addressing weather related issues;
Sales, general and administrative costs decreased by $0.3 million as a result of cost improvements from 2013 restructuring activities offset by investments in the commercial foundation, including commercial hiring, and costs related to optimizing our commercial structure.
Consolidated operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014, including restructuring charges of $0.7 million, was $7.3 million compared to operating loss of $1.0 million, including $3.0 million of restructuring charges, for the same period last year.
Other Income and Expense, Income Taxes and Net Income:
Interest expense was $10.0 million in the first quarter of 2014, a decrease of $0.2 million versus the same period last year as a result of reduced borrowing under the revolving credit facility and the retirement of $15.0 million of senior secured debt in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Other expense related to foreign currency transaction losses was $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $2.3 million of foreign currency transaction losses for the same period last year. The majority of these transaction losses related to unhedged intercompany financing arrangements between the United States and the United Kingdom and Canada.
The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2014 compared to a tax benefit of $1.4 million for the same period last year. The Company’s effective tax rate is expressed as ‘Income taxes’, which

26

Table of Contents

includes tax expense on the Company’s share of joint venture earnings, as a percentage of ‘Income before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint venture.’ The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 was 0.3% and 10.2%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of the 2014 was impacted primarily by the recognition of a $2.7 million valuation allowance against all existing deferred tax assets of the Company’s UK subsidiary and $3.0 million from not recognizing the full tax benefit on the first quarter losses in the U.S. and UK. Historical performance of the U.S. and UK entities combined with their current period losses and future earnings projections led management to the conclude that the above mentioned deferred tax assets and benefits were not likely to be realized. Additionally, the geographical mix and timing of income (losses) as well as the discrete treatment of the restructuring charges incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014 also impacted the effective rate for the first quarter of 2014.
Equity in earnings of the Company’s joint venture was $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2014, which increased $0.4 million compared to the same period last year. Improved demand and pricing for Kreher’s products was the primary factor contributing to the increase in equity in earnings of the Company’s joint venture.
Consolidated net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $16.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $10.6 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the same period in 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents increased (decreased) as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Net cash from (used in) operating activities
$
(2.9
)
 
$
32.6

Net cash used in investing activities
(2.0
)
 
(1.4
)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities

 
(30.7
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(0.2
)
 
(0.7
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(5.1
)
 
$
(0.2
)
The Company’s principal sources of liquidity are cash provided by operations and available borrowing capacity to fund working capital needs and growth initiatives. Cash used in operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $2.9 million compared to cash from operations of $32.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Specific components of the change in working capital are highlighted below:
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, higher accounts receivable resulted in $17.9 million of cash flow use compared to $25.8 million of cash flow use for the same period last year. Average receivable days outstanding was 49.3 days for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 50.5 days for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, lower inventory levels were a $0.9 million cash flow source compared to a $32.3 million of cash flow source for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Average days sales in inventory was 163.6 days for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 173.4 days for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were a $23.2 million cash flow source compared to a $29.6 million cash flow source for the same period last year. Accounts payable days outstanding was 40.7 days for the first quarter of 2014 compared to 35.7 days for the same period last year.
Historically, the Company’s primary uses of liquidity and capital resources have been capital expenditures, payments on debt (including interest payments) and acquisitions. Management believes the Company will be able to generate sufficient cash from operations and planned working capital improvements to fund its ongoing capital expenditure programs and meet its debt obligations for at least the next twelve months. Furthermore, the Company has available borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company's debt agreements impose significant operating and financial restrictions which may prevent the Company from executing certain business opportunities such as, making acquisitions or paying dividends, among other things. The Revolving Credit Facility contains a springing financial maintenance covenant requiring the Company to maintain the ratio (as defined in the agreement) of EBITDA to fixed charges of 1.1 to 1.0 when excess availability is less than the greater of 10% of the calculated borrowing base (as defined in the agreement) or $12.5 million. In addition, if excess availability is less than the greater of 12.5% of the calculated borrowing base (as defined in the agreement) or $15.6 million, the lender has the right to take full dominion

27

Table of Contents

of the Company’s cash collections and apply these proceeds to outstanding loans under the Revolving Credit Agreement (“Cash Dominion”). The Company's ratio of EBITDA to fixed charges was 0.14 for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014. At this ratio, the Company's current maximum borrowing capacity would be $99.7 million before triggering Cash Dominion. Based on the Company’s cash projections, it does not anticipate a scenario whereby Cash Dominion would occur during the next twelve months.
The Company is committed to maintaining a strong financial position through maintaining sufficient levels of available liquidity, managing working capital and monitoring the Company’s overall capitalization. Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2014 were $25.7 million, and the Company had $115.3 million of available borrowing capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility. Approximately 28.5% of the Company’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance resides in the United States. As foreign earnings are permanently reinvested, availability under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility would be used to fund operations in the United States should the need arise in the future.
In January 2014, the Company partially exercised the accordion option under its revolving credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments by $25.0 million. As a result, the Company's borrowing capacity increased from $100.0 million to $125.0 million, and the Company maintains the ability to exercise the accordion for an additional $25.0 million of aggregate commitments in the future.
In November 2013, the Company purchased $15.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Secured Notes in the open market with available cash. The Senior Secured Notes that were purchased by the Company were subsequently retired.
Working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, and the balances of its significant components are as follows:
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2014
 
2013
 
to Working Capital
Working capital
$
277.8

 
$
289.4

 
$
(11.6
)
Accounts payable
88.3

 
69.6

 
(18.7
)
Cash and cash equivalents
25.7

 
30.8

 
(5.1
)
Accrued liabilities
34.7

 
30.0

 
(4.7
)
Accounts receivable
145.9

 
128.5

 
17.4

The Company monitors its overall capitalization by evaluating total debt to total capitalization. Total debt to total capitalization is defined as the sum of short-term and long-term debt, divided by the sum of total debt and stockholders’ equity. Total debt to total capitalization was 45.7% at March 31, 2014 and 44.3% at December 31, 2013. Over the long-term, the Company plans to continue to improve its total debt to total capitalization by improving operating results, managing working capital and using cash generated from operations to repay outstanding debt. As and when permitted by term of agreements noted above, depending on market conditions, the Company may decide in the future to refinance, redeem or repurchase its debt and take other steps to reduce its debt or lease obligations or otherwise improve its overall financial position.
Cash paid for capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $2.0 million, a increase of $0.1 million compared to the same period last year. Management believes that annual capital expenditures will be approximately $12 million to $14 million in 2014.
The Company’s principal payments on long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, required during the next five years and thereafter are summarized below:
2014
$
0.3

2015
0.4

2016
210.2

2017
57.5

2018

2019 and beyond

Total debt
$
268.4


28

Table of Contents

As of March 31, 2014, the Company had $6.7 million of irrevocable letters of credit outstanding, which primarily consisted of $4.0 million for collateral associated with commodity hedges and $1.9 million for compliance with the insurance reserve requirements of its workers’ compensation insurance carriers.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate, commodity price and foreign exchange rate risks that arise in the normal course of business. There have been no significant or material changes to such risks since December 31, 2013. Refer to Item 7a in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2013 for further discussion of such risks.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
A review and evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


29

Table of Contents

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
(Amounts in millions)
During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company received warranty and other claims from certain customers regarding alleged quality defects with certain alloy round bar products sold by the Company in 2012 and 2013.   The Company evaluated the information provided by the customers and issued a notice of potential defect to other affected customers.  The Company estimates that it may incur costs for warranty and other customer claims associated with the alleged quality defects from $0.3 million to $1.3 million.  Based on the information available as of March 31, 2014, the Company's best estimate of the probable loss resulting from these claims is $1.2 million, which was included as a reduction of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of March 31, 2014, approximately $0.2 million remained accrued against accounts receivable in current assets for future payments and credits. The Company is pursuing claims against the original supplier of the products. There can be no assurance that the Company's losses related to these claims will not exceed the Company's estimated range.
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Directors of the Company who are not employees may elect to defer receipt of up to 100% of his or her cash retainer. A director who defers board compensation may select either an interest or a stock equivalent investment option for amounts in the director's deferred compensation account. Disbursement of the stock equivalent unit account may be in shares of Company common stock or in cash as designated by the director. If payment from the stock equivalent unit account is made in shares of the Company's common stock, the number of shares to be distributed will equal the number of full stock equivalent units held in the director's account. On January 2, 2014, receipt of approximately 513 shares was deferred as payment for the board compensation. The shares were acquired at a price of $14.61 per share, which represented the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date such fees would otherwise have been paid to the director. Exemption from registration of the shares is claimed by the Company under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

The table below presents shares of the Company’s common stock which were acquired by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2014:
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
January 1 through January 31

 

 

 

February 1 through February 28
11,901

 
$
13.87

 

 

March 1 through March 31

 

 

 

Total
11,901

 
$
13.87

 

 

(1) 
The total number of shares purchased represents shares surrendered to the Company by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting of performance share units awarded pursuant to the Company’s 2011-2013 Long-Term Compensation Plan. The Company does not have any publicly announced share repurchase plans or programs.

30

Table of Contents

Item 6.
Exhibits

Exhibit No.
 
Description
10.39*
 
Employment Offer Letter dated March 7, 2014, between A. M. Castle & Co. and Mr. Marec Edgar
31.1
 
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
*
This agreement is considered a compensatory plan or arrangement.


31

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE
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.
 
 
 
 
A. M. Castle & Co.
 
 
 
(Registrant)
Date:
April 30, 2014
By:
/s/ Patrick R. Anderson
 
 
 
Patrick R. Anderson
 
 
 
Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
(Mr. Anderson has been authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.)


32

Table of Contents

Exhibit Index
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference:
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
Page
10.39*
 
Employment Offer Letter dated March 7, 2014, between A. M. Castle & Co. and Mr. Marec Edgar
E-1
31.1
 
CEO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
E-4
31.2
 
CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
E-5
32.1
 
CEO and CFO Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002
E-6
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
 
*
This agreement is considered a compensatory plan or arrangement.


33