12.31.2013_Q4_10-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-34474
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 13-3070826 (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
One South Wacker Drive Suite 1000 Chicago, Illinois (Address of registrant’s principal offices) | 60606 (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 696-3101
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class: | Name of each exchange on which registered: |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share | NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | (NASDAQ Global Select Market) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No ý
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 website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in a definitive proxy or information statement incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
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)
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Large Accelerated Filer | ¨ | Accelerated Filer | ý | Non-Accelerated Filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | ¨ | Smaller Reporting Company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ¨ No ý
Based upon the closing price of the registrant’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 30, 2013, the approximate aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $477,000,000. As of February 28, 2014, 88,716,587 shares of common stock of the registrant were issued and outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
All or a portion of Items 10 through 14 in Part III of this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2014 Annual Meeting, which will be filed within 120 days after the close of the fiscal year covered by this report on Form 10-K, or if the Registrant’s Schedule 14A is not filed within such period, will be included in an amendment to this Report on Form 10-K which will be filed within such 120 day period.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS | PAGE |
| PART I | |
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| PART II | |
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| PART III | |
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| PART IV | |
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PART I
Item 1. Business.
Century Aluminum Company is a Delaware corporation with our principal executive offices located at One South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
Throughout this Form 10-K, and unless expressly stated otherwise or as the context otherwise requires, “Century Aluminum Company,” “Century Aluminum,” “Century,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Century Aluminum Company and its subsidiaries.
Century Aluminum Company is a holding company, whose principal subsidiaries are Century Kentucky, Inc (together with its subsidiaries, “CAKY”), Nordural ehf (“Nordural”), Century Aluminum Sebree LLC (“Century Sebree”), Berkeley Aluminum, Inc. (“Berkeley”), and Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. (“Century of West Virginia” or “CAWV”). CAKY operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Hawesville, Kentucky (“Hawesville”). A subsidiary of Nordural, Nordural Grundartangi ehf, operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Grundartangi, Iceland (“Grundartangi”). Century Sebree operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Robards, Kentucky (“Sebree”). CAWV owns a primary aluminum reduction facility in Ravenswood, West Virginia (“Ravenswood”). Berkeley holds a 49.7% interest in a partnership which operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Mt. Holly, South Carolina (“Mt. Holly”). The remaining interest in the partnership is owned by Alumax of South Carolina, Inc., a subsidiary of Alcoa Inc. (“Alcoa”). We are constructing a primary aluminum facility in Helguvik, Iceland (“Helguvik” or the “Helguvik project”) which is owned and would be operated through Nordural Helguvik ehf, a subsidiary of Nordural.
In 2013, Century Sebree, acquired Sebree from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc. (“RTA”).
In 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Vlissingen B.V. (“Century Vlissingen”) purchased substantially all of the idled assets of an anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands (“Vlissingen”). Vlissingen restarted operations in late 2013 and will supply anodes to Grundartangi.
We also own a 40% stake in Baise Haohai Carbon Co., Ltd. (“BHH”), a joint venture that owns and operates a carbon anode and cathode facility located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China. BHH supplies anodes to Grundartangi.
Available Information
Additional information about Century may be obtained from our website, which is located at www.centuryaluminum.com. Our website provides access to periodic filings we have made through the EDGAR filing system of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. We also make available on our website a copy of our code of ethics that applies to all employees and ownership reports filed on Forms 3, 4 and 5 by our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. Reports that we have filed with the SEC are also available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. In addition, we will make available free of charge copies of our Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q and Forms 8-K upon request. Requests for these documents can be made by contacting our Investor Relations Department by mail at: One South Wacker Drive, Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60606, or by phone at: (312) 696-3101. Information contained in our website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
This annual report includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended. We may make forward-looking statements in our SEC filings, press releases, news articles, earnings presentations and when we are speaking on behalf of the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not strictly relate to historical or current facts. Often, they include the words “believe,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,”
“plan,” “seek,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project,” “scheduled,” “forecast” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” or “may.”
Forward-looking statements in this annual report, for example, include statements about the following subjects, among other things:
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• | Our business objectives, strategies and initiatives, the growth of our business (including with respect to production and production capacity) and our competitive position and prospects; |
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• | Our assessment of significant economic, financial, political and other factors and developments outside of our control that may affect our results, including currency risks and other risks relating to our international operations; |
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• | Our assessment of the aluminum market, aluminum prices, aluminum financing, inventories and warehousing arrangements and other similar matters; |
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• | Aluminum prices, regional delivery premiums and product premiums and their effect on our financial position and results of operations; |
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• | The cyclical nature of the aluminum industry; |
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• | Disruptions to, or changes in the terms of, our raw material and electrical power supply agreements and our “take-or-pay” commitments; |
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• | Future construction investment and development, including at the Helguvik Project, the Century Vlissingen project and our expansion project at Grundartangi, including our discussions regarding securing sufficient amounts of power, future capital expenditures, the costs of completion or cancellation, production capacity and sources of funding; |
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• | Our hedging and other strategies to mitigate risk and their potential effects including whether or not we enter into forward contracts or other hedging arrangements to mitigate electrical power price risk; |
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• | Our curtailed operations, including the potential restart of curtailed operations at Ravenswood, and potential curtailment of other domestic assets and ability to realize benefits from any such curtailment; |
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• | Our procurement of electricity, alumina, carbon products and other raw materials and our assessment of pricing and costs, other terms relating thereto and our ability to realize the potential benefits to be provided to Grundartangi and our planned Helguvik smelter from the purchase by Century Vlissingen of carbon anode production assets in the Netherlands; |
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• | Our agreements for providing market-based power to the Hawesville and Sebree facilities and our ability to purchase electricity on the wholesale power market for Hawesville and Sebree at economical prices; |
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• | Our relationship with employees and labor unions; |
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• | The loss or a material change in the business of a significant customer; |
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• | Our limited control over certain of our operating assets; |
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• | Our ability to successfully execute our acquisition strategy and integrate any acquired businesses; |
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• | Estimates of our pension and other postretirement liabilities and future payments, property plant and equipment impairment, environmental liabilities and other contingent liabilities and contractual commitments; |
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• | Our settlement agreement with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation regarding our Ravenswood facility and future contributions to our defined benefit plans; |
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• | Critical accounting policies and estimates, the impact or anticipated impact of recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting principles; |
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• | Our anticipated tax liabilities, benefits or refunds including the realization of U.S. and certain foreign deferred tax assets; |
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• | Our assessment of the ultimate outcome of outstanding litigation and environmental matters and liabilities relating thereto; |
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• | Compliance with and changes in laws and regulations and the effect of future laws and regulations; |
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• | Our capital resources, projected financing sources and projected uses of capital; |
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• | Our debt levels and ability to incur or repay debt in the future, including the E.ON contingent obligation, and access the capital markets. |
We believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, based on information available to us on the date of this annual report. However, all forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including those discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and we cannot guarantee our future performance or results of operations, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. You are advised to consult any additional disclosures we make in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual report on Form 10-K and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. See Item 1, “Business - Available Information.”
Overview
We produce primary aluminum. Primary aluminum is an internationally traded commodity and its price is effectively determined on the London Metal Exchange (the “LME”). Our primary aluminum facilities produce standard grade and value-added primary aluminum products. Our current annualized primary aluminum production capacity is approximately 1,033,000 tonnes per year (“tpy”), of which 170,000 tpy remained curtailed as of December 31, 2013. We produced approximately 777,000 tonnes of primary aluminum in 2013. We operate our business through one reportable segment, primary aluminum.
Primary Aluminum Facilities:
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Facility | Location | Operational | Annualized Production Capacity (tpy) | Ownership Percentage |
Grundartangi (1) | Grundartangi, Iceland | 1998 | 294,000 | 100% |
Hawesville | Hawesville, Kentucky, USA | 1970 | 250,000 | 100% |
Sebree (2) | Robards, Kentucky, USA | 1973 | 205,000 | 100% |
Mt. Holly (3) | Mt. Holly, South Carolina, USA | 1980 | 229,000 | 49.7% |
Ravenswood (4) | Ravenswood, West Virginia, USA | 1957 | 170,000 | 100% |
Helguvik (5) | Helguvik, Iceland | N/A | N/A | 100% |
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(1) | Through 2013, Grundartangi has achieved a production capacity increase of approximately 10,000 tpy as a result of an ongoing $65 million 40,000 tpy expansion project which is expected to be completed in 2016. |
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(2) | We acquired Sebree on June 1, 2013. In 2013, Sebree's production under Century's ownership was approximately 119,000 tonnes. |
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(3) | Alcoa holds the remaining 50.3% ownership interest and is the operator. Century’s share of Mt. Holly’s annualized production capacity is approximately 114,000 tpy. |
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(4) | In February 2009, we curtailed all operations at the Ravenswood facility. We may in the future restart the curtailed operations upon the realization of several objectives, including an expectation of higher long-term LME prices, a new power agreement that would provide for flexibility in Ravenswood’s cost structure under adverse industry conditions or market-based pricing, passage of supporting legislation and a new labor agreement. |
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(5) | The Helguvik project is expected to have a rated production capacity of up to 360,000 tpy. During 2013, project activity and spending remained at modest levels. We plan to restart major construction activity if we are able to successfully resolve ongoing discussions with the contracted power suppliers or potentially other power suppliers for the project. See “Electrical Power Supply Agreements.” |
Carbon Anode Facilities:
In addition to our primary aluminum assets, we own or hold stakes in other facilities at which we produce carbon products for the aluminum smelting process.
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Facility | Location | Type | Capacity | Ownership Percentage |
Century Vlissingen (1) | Vlissingen, the Netherlands | Carbon anodes | 75,000 tpy | 100% |
BHH (2) | Guangxi Zhuang, China | Carbon anode, cathode and graphitized products | 180,000 tpy anode; 20,000 tpy cathode/graphitized products | 40% |
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(1) | Century Vlissingen restarted production in late 2013. The initial annual anode production capacity is expected to be 75,000 tonnes with an option to increase production capacity to 150,000 tonnes when we conclude it is feasible and advantageous to do so. |
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(2) | Guangxi Qiangqiang Carbon Co., Ltd. holds the remaining 60% ownership interest and is the operator of this facility. BHH supplies a portion of the anodes used in our Grundartangi facility. |
Strategic Objectives
Our strategic objective is to maximize the financial returns we generate for our shareholders by: (a) optimizing our safety and environmental performance; (b) improving our cost structure for our existing assets by managing costs and improving productivity and efficiency; (c) pursuing upstream investment opportunities in bauxite mining, alumina refining and the production of other key operating supplies; and (d) expanding our primary aluminum business by improving and investing in the facilities we currently own as well as constructing, investing in or acquiring additional capacity.
The following table shows our primary aluminum shipment volumes since 2008.
Recent Developments
Information on our recent developments is available in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included herein.
Competition
The market for primary aluminum is global, and demand for aluminum varies widely from region to region. We compete with U.S. and international companies in the aluminum industry primarily in the areas of product portfolio, price, quality and service. In addition, aluminum competes with materials such as steel, copper, carbon fiber, composites, plastic and glass, each of which may be substituted for aluminum in certain applications.
The weakening of primary aluminum prices since 2011 caused by, among other factors, high inventories and weak demand, has increased the pressure on the industry. Outside of China, producers have curtailed unprofitable production and delayed investment in expansion projects. Primary aluminum production in the United States and North America in 2013
decreased approximately 10% and 6%, respectively, from 2012 levels. This pattern is not unique to North America; similar trends are evident in Europe, Australia and other regions. Demand has begun to increase in the markets in which we operate; if this trend were to continue, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of the recent reductions in regional production.
Our Hawesville plant is located adjacent to its largest customer. This location allows Hawesville to deliver a portion of its production in molten form, at a cost savings to both parties, providing a competitive advantage over other potential suppliers. In addition, Hawesville is the largest producer of high purity aluminum in North America.
We believe that the proximity of Iceland to European markets provides a competitive advantage for Nordural. We believe that this location offers Century logistical benefits and freight savings compared to our competitors outside the EU. As a member of the European Economic Area, Iceland has duty free access to these European markets.
We produce high-grade billet in the United States at Mt. Holly and Sebree. We receive a significant product premium above the Midwest Transaction Price (which is LME price plus Midwest delivery premium) for our billet sales. In addition, the proximity to our customer base in key manufacturing areas in the U.S. provides a competitive advantage in freight costs over our foreign competitors. For additional information, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors - We may be unable to continue to compete successfully in the highly competitive markets in which we operate.”
Customer Base
In 2013, we derived approximately 85% of our consolidated sales from our four major customers: Glencore Xstrata plc (together with its subsidiaries, “Glencore”), Southwire Company (“Southwire”), RTA and BHP Billiton. Our metal sales agreement with RTA (which had been entered into in connection with our acquisition of Sebree) and our tolling agreement with BHP Billiton expired at the end of 2013. We have entered into a long-term metal agreement with Glencore to replace the BHP Billiton tolling agreement in Iceland and intend to sell production previously sold to RTA directly to Sebree's historical customer base and others. Additional information about the revenues to these major customers is available in Note 20 Business segments to the consolidated financial statements included herein. We currently have long-term primary aluminum sales or tolling contracts with Glencore and Southwire. More information about these contracts is available under “Forward Physical Delivery Agreements” in Note 16 Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Financial Information about Segments and Geographic Areas
We operate in one reportable segment, primary aluminum. Additional information about our segment reporting and certain geographic information is available in Note 20 Business segments to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Major primary aluminum metal sales and tolling contracts
Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts
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Contract | Customer | Volume | Term | Pricing |
Glencore Grundartangi Metal Agreement (1) | Glencore | All primary aluminum produced at Grundartangi, net of tolling and other sales commitments . | January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017 | Variable, based on LME and European Duty Paid premium |
Southwire Metal Agreement (2) | Southwire | 216 million pounds per year (high conductivity molten aluminum) | January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 | Variable, based on U.S. Midwest Transaction Price |
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(1) | The Glencore Grundartangi Metal Agreement is for all metal produced at Grundartangi from 2014 through 2017, less commitments under existing tolling and other sales contracts. Grundartangi currently estimates that it will sell Glencore approximately 155,000 tonnes of aluminum under this agreement in 2014. |
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(2) | Southwire may, at its option, increase the volume purchased under the agreement by up to four percent by adjusting their monthly metal commitment. |
Tolling Contracts
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Contract | Customer | Volume | Term | Pricing |
Glencore Toll Agreement | Glencore | 90,000 tpy | Through July 31, 2016 | Variable, based on LME and European Duty Paid premium |
Glencore Toll Agreement | Glencore | 40,000 tpy | Through December 31, 2014 | Variable, based on LME and European Duty Paid premium |
Energy, Key Supplies and Raw Materials
We consume the following key supplies, energy and raw materials in the primary aluminum reduction process:
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| ● | electrical power | ● | carbon anodes | ● | liquid pitch |
| ● | alumina | ● | cathode blocks | ● | calcined petroleum coke |
| ● | aluminum fluoride | ● | natural gas | ● | silicon carbide |
Electrical power, alumina, carbon anodes and labor are the principal components of cost of goods sold. These components together represented over 75% of our 2013 cost of goods sold. We have long-term contracts to attempt to ensure the future availability of many of our cost components. For a description of certain risks related to our raw material supplies and labor, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Supply Contracts
Alumina Supply Agreements
A summary of our alumina supply agreements is provided below. Grundartangi receives a portion of its alumina under alumina supply agreements, but this facility also tolls alumina provided by Glencore into primary aluminum. During 2013, Grundartangi also tolled approximately 263,000 tonnes of alumina provided by BHP Billiton under a tolling agreement. With the expiration of the BHP Billiton tolling agreement at the end of 2013, Grundartangi will shift more production from tolling to direct sales. We have entered into additional alumina supply agreements sufficient to support the increased direct sales production and the continued expansion of the Grundartangi plant. See above for more information on the tolling agreements.
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Supplier | Quantity | Term | Pricing |
Glencore | Approximately 766,000 tonnes | Through December 31, 2014 | Variable, LME-based |
Glencore (1) | Variable | Through December 31, 2017 | Variable, LME-based |
Noranda Alumina LLC ("Noranda") | Approximately 390,000 tpy | Through December 31, 2016 | Variable, LME-based |
BHP Billiton | Approximately 150,000 tpy | Through December 31, 2015 | Variable, based on published alumina index |
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(1) | Under the terms of this agreement, Glencore will provide alumina supply for all of Century's requirements during the contract term, net of the other existing contractual commitments set forth above. For 2014, we have agreed to price half of our requirements under this agreement based on a published alumina index. |
Electrical Power Supply Agreements
We use significant amounts of electrical power in the aluminum production process. A summary of our long-term power supply agreements is provided below.
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Facility | Supplier | Term | Pricing |
Grundartangi (1)(6) | Landsvirkjun | Through 2019 - 2036 | Variable rate based on the LME price for primary aluminum |
Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (“OR”) |
HS Orka hf (“HS”) |
Hawesville (2) | Kenergy Corporation ("Kenergy") | Through December 31, 2023 | Variable rate based on market prices |
Sebree (3) | Kenergy | Through December 31, 2023 | Variable rate based on market prices |
Mt. Holly (4) | South Carolina Public Service Authority | Through December 31, 2015 | Fixed price, with fuel cost adjustment clause |
Ravenswood (5) | Appalachian Power Company | Evergreen | Based on published tariff |
Helguvik (6) | OR | Approximately 25 years from the dates of each phase of power delivery under the respective power agreements | Variable rate based on the LME price for primary aluminum |
| HS |
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(1) | The power delivered to Grundartangi is priced at rates based on the LME price for primary aluminum and is produced from hydroelectric and geothermal sources. |
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(2) | Effective on August 20, 2013, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (“KPSC”) approved a new power supply arrangement with Kenergy, a member cooperative of Big Rivers Electric Company (“Big Rivers”), and Big Rivers for providing market-based power to the Hawesville smelter. Under the arrangement, the power companies purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Hawesville at Midcontinent Independent System Operator (“MISO”) pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. In connection with the new power arrangement, CAKY is also seeking approval from applicable regional transmission organizations and regulatory bodies regarding grid stability and energy import capability. See Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Electrical Power Developments in the U.S. in 2013 and 2014.” |
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(3) | On February 1, 2014, Sebree began taking power under a new market-based power contract, similar to the agreement we have reached for Hawesville, providing market-based power to the Sebree smelter. Under the arrangement, Kenergy and Big Rivers purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Sebree at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. See Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Electrical Power Developments in the U.S. in 2013 and 2014.” |
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(4) | Effective June 1, 2012, Mt. Holly and South Carolina Public Service Authority (“Santee Cooper”) amended the terms of Mt. Holly's power agreement in order to allow Mt. Holly to receive all or a portion of Mt. Holly's supplemental power requirements from an off-system natural gas-fired power generation facility (the “off-system facility”). The energy charge for supplemental power from the off-system facility is based, among other factors, on the cost of natural gas rather than Santee Cooper's system average fuel costs, which are primarily coal-based. The amendments to the power agreement may provide a benefit to Mt. Holly provided that natural gas costs remain below Santee Cooper's system average fuel costs. The amended power agreement provides that Mt. Holly may continue to receive its supplemental power requirements from the off-system facility through December 31, 2015. We are currently in discussions with Santee Cooper and other parties regarding power arrangements for Mt. Holly following December 31, 2015. The deadline to give notice to reduce the contract demand to zero effective December 31, 2015 is June 30, 2014. Mt. Holly must give notice by that date to avoid any further costs if the parties do not agree to a new contract. |
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(5) | All operations at the Ravenswood facility are presently curtailed. Appalachian Power Company (“APCo”) supplies all of Ravenswood’s power requirements. Ravenswood currently purchases a limited amount of power under the APCo Agreement as necessary to maintain its Ravenswood smelter. Power is supplied under the APCo Agreement at prices set forth in published tariffs (which are subject to change), with certain adjustments. |
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(6) | In April 2013, Grundartangi received a ruling in an arbitration case holding that Grundartangi is restricted from reducing power under its existing power contracts in order to take power under the Helguvik power purchase agreement with OR. Grundartangi remains entitled to take power under the Helguvik power purchase agreement to the extent that its power needs exceed the amount of power provided under its existing power contracts. See Note 15 Commitments and contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information concerning this matter. |
See “Item 1A, “Risk Factors — If we are unable to procure a reliable source of power, the Helguvik project may not be feasible.”
Labor Agreements
Our labor costs at Hawesville, Sebree and Ravenswood are subject to the terms of labor contracts with the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (“USWA”), which generally have provisions for annual fixed increases in hourly wages and benefits adjustments. The five labor unions represented at Grundartangi operate under a labor contract that establishes wages and work rules for covered employees. The employees at Vlissingen are represented by the Federation for the Metal and Electrical Industry (“FME”), which negotiates working conditions with trade unions on behalf of its members. The employees at Mt. Holly are employed by Alcoa and are not represented by a labor union. A summary of key labor agreements is provided below.
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Facility | Organization | Term |
Grundartangi | Icelandic labor unions | Through December 31, 2014 |
Hawesville | USWA | Through March 31, 2015 |
Sebree | USWA | Through October 28, 2014 |
Vlissingen | FME | Through May 1, 2015 |
Ravenswood | USWA | Expired August 31, 2010 |
Pricing
Generally, we price our products at a “market” price, in which the customer pays a regional delivery premium over the LME price, plus any value-added product premiums. Our operating results are highly sensitive to changes in the LME price of primary aluminum and the value of regional delivery and product premiums, as well as the cost of electrical power, raw materials and other operating supplies used in production. As a result, from time to time, we assess the appropriateness of mitigating the effects of fluctuations in these items through the use of various fixed-price commitments and financial instruments. We purchase most of our alumina for all of our facilities and electrical power at Grundartangi at prices indexed to the price of primary aluminum; this mechanism provides a “natural hedge” in the pricing of some of our largest production costs. Hawesville and Sebree have recently shifted to market-based power arrangements and, thus, are subject to significant volatility in their power costs for a variety of reasons beyond our control. We may enter into forward contracts or other hedging arrangements to mitigate our electrical power price risk, but did not hold any such contracts as of December 31, 2013.
Primary Aluminum Facilities
Grundartangi
The Grundartangi facility, located in Grundartangi, Iceland, is owned and operated by Nordural Grundartangi ehf. Grundartangi is our most modern and lowest cost facility. Operations began in 1998 and production capacity has expanded to its current annualized production capacity of approximately 294,000 tpy. Through 2013, Grundartangi has achieved a production capacity increase of approximately 10,000 tpy as a result of an ongoing $65 million 40,000 tpy expansion project which is expected to be completed in 2016.
Grundartangi operates under various long-term permits and agreements with the Government of Iceland, local municipalities, and Faxafloahafnir sf (which operates the harbor at Grundartangi and is jointly owned by several municipalities). These agreements include: (a) an investment agreement that establishes Grundartangi's tax status and the Government's obligations to grant certain permits; (b) a reduction plant site agreement by which Grundartangi leases the property; and (c) a harbor agreement by which Grundartangi is granted access to the port at Grundartangi through 2020, subject to renewal at its option. Grundartangi is currently in the process of expanding its operating permit for aluminum production. The current operating permit is for 300,000 tpy and is valid until June 2020.
Tolling Agreements. Grundartangi has long-term tolling agreements with Glencore for approximately half of its expected production capacity. Under these agreements, Glencore provides Grundartangi alumina and receives primary aluminum in return for tolling fees that are based on the price of primary aluminum. See Note 16 Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments to the consolidated financial statements included herein for more information about these agreements.
Direct Sales. In 2013, Grundartangi sold approximately 13,000 tonnes of primary aluminum outside of the tolling agreements, using alumina purchased under an alumina supply agreement with Glencore. With the expiration of the BHP Billiton tolling agreement at the end of 2013, Grundartangi has entered into a new direct sales agreement with Glencore described under “Metal Sales Agreement” below.
Metal Sales Agreement. In 2013, Grundartangi entered into a new agreement to sell to Glencore all primary aluminum produced at Grundartangi from 2014 through 2017 at market prices, less commitments under existing tolling and other sales contracts (the “Glencore Grundartangi Metal Agreement”). Grundartangi currently estimates that it will sell to Glencore approximately 155,000 tonnes of aluminum under this agreement in 2014. More information on the Glencore Grundartangi Metal Agreement is available under “Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts” in Note 16 Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Employees. Our employees at Grundartangi are represented by five labor unions that operate under a labor contract that expires on December 31, 2014. See “Supply Contracts - Labor Agreements” above.
Hawesville
Hawesville is owned and operated by CAKY. Hawesville is located adjacent to the Ohio River near Hawesville, Kentucky and began operations in 1970. Hawesville has five reduction potlines with an annualized production capacity of approximately 250,000 tonnes.
Hawesville is the largest producer of high purity primary aluminum in North America. Four of Hawesville's five potlines are specially configured and operated to produce high purity primary aluminum. The average purity level of primary aluminum produced by these potlines is 99.9%, compared to standard-purity aluminum which is approximately 99.7%. High purity primary aluminum is sold at a significant premium to standard-purity aluminum. Hawesville’s specially configured facility is also capable of providing high-conductivity metal used in electrical wire and cable products as well as for certain aerospace applications.
Metal Sales Agreement. We had a contract to sell to Glencore all primary aluminum we produce in the U.S., less existing commitments and high purity sales, at variable pricing determined by reference to the LME price for primary aluminum, plus the Midwest Premium (the “Midwest Transaction Price”) through December 31, 2013 (the “Glencore Sweep Agreement”). Hawesville has an aluminum sales contract with Southwire (the “Southwire Metal Agreement”) to sell molten aluminum to Southwire. The Southwire Metal Agreement extends through December 2014. The price for aluminum delivered to Southwire is variable and is determined by reference to the Midwest Transaction Price and additional product premiums. Under the contract, Hawesville supplies approximately 216 million pounds (approximately 98,000 tonnes) of primarily high-conductivity molten aluminum annually to Southwire’s adjacent wire and cable manufacturing facility, with an option for Southwire to purchase an additional 4%. More information on the Southwire Metal Agreement is available under “Primary Aluminum Sales Contracts” in Note 16 Forward delivery contracts and financial instruments to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Alumina. Hawesville receives its alumina supply from Noranda and Glencore under long-term alumina purchase agreements.
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Employees. The bargaining unit employees at Hawesville are represented by the USWA. The collective bargaining agreement, which covers all of the represented hourly employees at Hawesville, expires in March 2015.
CAKY has issued a conditional notice to the employees at the Hawesville smelter of its intent to curtail all plant operations if certain approvals related to the market-based power arrangements are not received. The conditional notice was made on April 16, 2013 pursuant to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”). The WARN notice has been extended through March 31, 2014.
Sebree
Sebree is owned and operated by Century Sebree. Sebree is located adjacent to the Green River near Robards, Kentucky and began operations in 1973. Sebree has three reduction potlines that have an annualized production capacity of 205,000 tonnes.
Sebree casts molten aluminum from the potlines into two primary products, billet and sow. Approximately one-half of Sebree's production is cast into billet. Billet is a value-added primary aluminum product and is sold at a premium to sow.
Metal Sales Agreement. In connection with the acquisition of Sebree in June 2013, Sebree agreed to sell all of its primary aluminum production for the remainder of 2013 to RTA (the “Sebree Metal Agreement”). Following the expiration of the Sebree Metal Agreement at the end of 2013, Sebree intends to sell its production directly to its traditional customer base as well as other customers.
Alumina. After the acquisition of Sebree in June 2013, Sebree continued to purchase alumina from RTA through October 31, 2013. Thereafter and in 2014, Sebree did and will receive its alumina supply from Glencore under a long-term alumina purchase agreement.
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Employees. The bargaining unit employees at Sebree are represented by the USWA. The collective bargaining agreement, which covers all of the represented hourly employees at Sebree, expires on October 28, 2014.
Mt. Holly
Mt. Holly, located in Mt. Holly, South Carolina, was built in 1980 and is the most recently constructed aluminum reduction facility in the United States. The facility consists of two potlines with an annualized production capacity of 229,000 tpy and casting equipment used to cast molten aluminum into standard-grade ingot, extrusion billet and other value-added primary aluminum products. Value-added primary aluminum products are sold at a premium to standard-grade primary aluminum. Our 49.7% interest represents approximately 114,000 tpy of the facility’s annualized production capacity.
Our interest in Mt. Holly is held through Berkeley. Under the Mt. Holly ownership structure, we hold an undivided 49.7% interest in the property, plant and equipment comprising the aluminum reduction operations at Mt. Holly and an equivalent share in the general partnership responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility. Alcoa owns the remaining 50.3% interest in Mt. Holly and an equivalent share of the operating partnership. Under the terms of the operating partnership, Alcoa is responsible for operating and maintaining the facility. Each owner supplies its own alumina for conversion to primary aluminum and is responsible for its proportionate share of operational and maintenance costs.
Metal Sales Agreements. We had a contract to sell to Glencore 20,400 tpy of primary aluminum through December 31, 2013, produced at Mt. Holly or Hawesville, at a price determined by reference to the Midwest Transaction Price, subject to an agreed cap and floor as applied to the U.S. Midwest Premium (the “Glencore Metal Agreement”).
Alumina. Substantially all of our alumina requirements for Mt. Holly are provided by Glencore under agreements that extend through 2017. The pricing for alumina under our contracts with Glencore is variable and based on the LME price for primary aluminum.
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Employees. The employees at Mt. Holly are employed by Alcoa and are not represented by a labor union.
Ravenswood
The Ravenswood facility is owned and operated by CAWV. Built in 1957, Ravenswood has four potlines with a rated production capacity of 170,000 tpy. The facility is located adjacent to the Ohio River near Ravenswood, West Virginia.
In February 2009, we conducted an orderly curtailment of the plant operations at Ravenswood. We may restart the curtailed operations upon the realization of several objectives, including an expectation of higher long-term LME prices,
a new power agreement that would provide for flexibility in Ravenswood’s cost structure under adverse industry conditions or market-based pricing, passage of supporting legislation and a new labor agreement.
Legislation has been passed in West Virginia that gives us the ability to enter into discussions with the public service commission and other applicable entities in regard to an enabling power contract for the curtailed plant. We have engaged in discussions with APCo and other stakeholders. Until those discussions have progressed further it is not possible to predict when or if a restart of the plant might occur.
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Employees. The bargaining unit employees at Ravenswood represented by the USWA were under a labor agreement that expired in August 2010.
Helguvik project
The Helguvik project site is located approximately 30 miles from the city of Reykjavik, Iceland and is owned and would be operated through Nordural Helguvik ehf.
We commenced construction of the Helguvik project in June 2008. We significantly reduced construction activity and spending on the project in late 2008 in response to the global financial crisis and deterioration of Icelandic economic and political conditions, including the financial condition of our contracted power suppliers. Construction activity and spending on the project remain significantly curtailed pending confirmation from the contracted power suppliers or potentially other power suppliers that they will be able to deliver the required power per an agreed schedule. See “Supply Contracts – Electrical Power Supply Agreements.” We are working to complete the activities required for a full restart of construction activity at Helguvik as soon as we have resolution of the power supply issues. Capitalized costs for the project through December 31, 2013 were approximately $149 million, with approximately $3 million incurred during 2013. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors – Construction at our Helguvik smelter site has been significantly curtailed. Substantial delay in the completion of this project may increase its cost, subject us to losses and impose other risks to completion that are not foreseeable at this time” and “If we are unable to procure a reliable source of power, the Helguvik project may not be feasible.”
Power. See “Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” above for additional information.
Helguvik Investment Agreement. Nordural Helguvik ehf and the Government of Iceland entered into an Investment Agreement for Helguvik in August 2009. The Helguvik Investment Agreement and associated Enabling Act, governs, among other things, the fiscal regime associated with the project and includes a commitment by the Government of Iceland to assist us in obtaining necessary regulatory approvals for completion of the Helguvik project.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Operating License. Nordural Helguvik ehf has received a positive opinion from the Icelandic Planning Agency on the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed Helguvik smelter as well as an Operating License enabling production of up 250,000 tpy.
Transmission Agreement. Nordural Helguvik ehf has entered into a transmission agreement with Landsnet hf (“Landsnet”) to provide an electrical power transmission system to the Helguvik project. Landsnet is the company responsible for operating and managing Iceland’s transmission system. As a result of delays in construction of the Helguvik project, the parties are currently in discussions with respect to the timeline for construction of the transmission system.
Other agreements. We have also entered into a site and harbor agreement, as well as technology and equipment supply agreements with respect to the Helguvik project.
Carbon Products Facilities
Century Vlissingen
In June 2012, Century Vlissingen purchased substantially all of the assets of the idled former Zeeland Aluminum Company (“Zalco”) anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. In connection with the purchase, we entered into a ground lease with respect to the facility that is renewable at our option.
The anode production facility, which was curtailed by Zalco in December 2011, required a significant capital investment to comply with environmental regulations and optimize anode production for our customers, including Grundartangi and potentially the planned Helguvik smelter.
Century Vlissingen restarted production in late 2013. The initial annual anode production capacity is expected to be 75,000 tonnes with an option to increase production capacity to 150,000 tonnes when we conclude it is feasible and advantageous to do so.
Baise Haohai Carbon Company, Ltd.
We have a joint venture agreement in which we hold a 40% stake in BHH, a carbon anode and cathode facility located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China. The BHH facility has an anode production capacity of 180,000 tpy and a cathode baking and graphitization capacity of 20,000 tpy. The facility began operations in 2008.
Our investment in the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting with results of operations reported on a one-quarter lag.
Anode agreement. BHH provides anodes to Grundartangi under a long-term agreement through 2014, renewable through December 31, 2017.
Environmental Matters
We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations both in the U.S. and in other countries. We have spent, and expect to spend, significant amounts for compliance with those laws and regulations. In addition, some of our past manufacturing activities have resulted in environmental consequences that require remedial measures. Under certain environmental laws, which may impose liability regardless of fault, we may be liable for the costs of remediation of contaminated property, including our current and formerly owned or operated properties or adjacent areas, or for the amelioration of damage to natural resources. We believe, based on currently available information, that our current environmental liabilities are not likely to have a material adverse effect on Century. However, we cannot predict the requirements of future environmental laws and future requirements at current or formerly owned or operated properties or adjacent areas or the outcome of certain existing litigation to which we are a party. Such future requirements or events may result in unanticipated costs or liabilities that may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. More information concerning our environmental contingencies can be found in Note 15 Commitments and contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Intellectual Property
We own or have rights to use a number of intellectual property rights relating to various aspects of our operations. We do not consider our business to be materially dependent on any of these intellectual property rights.
Employees
As of December 31, 2013, we have approximately 1,800 employees.
Our Executive Officers
Executive officers are appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The following table details certain information about our executive officers as of February 28, 2014.
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| | |
Name | Age | Position and Duration |
Michael A. Bless | 48 | President and Chief Executive Officer since November 2011. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from January 2006 to October 2011. |
Jesse E. Gary | 34 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since February 2013. Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary from June 2010 to January 2013. Associate General Counsel from February 2010 to May 2010. |
Michelle M. Harrison | 38 | Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer since January 2013. Vice President and Treasurer from February 2007 to December 2012. Treasurer since June 2006. Assistant Treasurer from November 2005 to June 2006. Corporate Financial Analyst from May 2000 to October 2005. |
John E. Hoerner | 56 | Vice President – North America Operations since September 2011. |
Prior to joining Century, Mr. Gary practiced law at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz from July 2007 to January 2010.
Prior to joining Century, Mr. Hoerner served as General Director of Finished Production for the Western Division of RUSAL from 2010 to August 2011 and Managing Director of Kubikenborg Aluminium in Sundsvall, Sweden (Kubal) from 2003 through 2010.
Mr. Bless and Ms. Harrison joined Century in 2006 and 2000, respectively. Their respective biographical information is set forth in the table above.
Disclosure Pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act
Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (“ITRA”), effective August 10, 2012, added a new subsection (r) to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, which requires issuers that file periodic reports with the SEC to disclose in their annual and quarterly reports whether, during the reporting period, they or any of their “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) have knowingly engaged in specified activities or transactions relating to Iran, including activities not prohibited by U.S. law and conducted outside the U.S. by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable laws. Issuers must also file a notice with the SEC if any disclosable activity under ITRA has been included in an annual or quarterly report.
Because the SEC defines the term “affiliate” broadly, our largest stockholder may be considered an affiliate of the Company despite the fact that the Company has no control over its actions or the actions of its affiliates. As such, pursuant to Section 13(r)(1)(D)(iii) of the Exchange Act, the Company hereby discloses the following information provided by our largest stockholder regarding transactions or dealings with entities controlled by the Government of Iran (“GOI”):
During 2013 as previously reported, non-U.S. affiliates of the largest stockholder of the Company (“non-U.S. Stockholder Affiliates”) entered into sales contracts for agricultural products as well as sale and purchase contracts for metal oxides and metals with Iranian entities wholly or majority owned by the GOI. All contracts were conducted in compliance with applicable sanction laws and, where required, with the necessary prior approvals by the relevant governmental authorities.
The gross revenue of the non-U.S Stockholder Affiliates related to these contracts did not exceed the value of $163.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. This figure includes the gross revenue of goods sold in 2013 but purchased in previous years. The non-U.S. Stockholder Affiliates do not allocate net profit on a country-by-country or activity-by-activity basis, but estimate the net profit attributable to the contracts with the GOI would not exceed a small fraction of the gross revenue from such contracts. It is not possible to determine accurately the precise net profit attributable to these contracts.
These contracts disclosed above do not violate applicable sanctions laws administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, and are not the subject of any enforcement action under Iran sanction laws.
In compliance with applicable economic sanctions and in conformity with U.S. secondary sanctions, the non-U.S. Stockholder Affiliates expect to continue to engage in similar activities in the future relating to agricultural products.
Century and its global subsidiaries had no transactions or activities requiring disclosure under ITRA, nor were we involved in the transactions described in this section. As of the date of this report, the Company is not aware of any other activity, transaction or dealing by it or any of its affiliates during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 that requires disclosure in this report under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following describes certain of the risks and uncertainties we face that could cause our future results to differ materially from our current results and from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. These risk factors should be considered together with the other risks and uncertainties described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere herein. This list of significant risk factors is not all-inclusive or necessarily in order of importance.
The cyclical nature of the aluminum industry causes variability in our earnings and cash flows.
Our operating results depend on the market for primary aluminum, which is a highly cyclical commodity with prices that are affected by global demand and supply, political and economic conditions and other related factors. For example, aluminum warehouse inventory levels remain at very high levels, which may cause primary aluminum prices and regional delivery premiums to fall as such inventory enters the market. Historically, aluminum prices have been volatile, and we expect such volatility to continue. The cash aluminum price, as quoted on the LME, averaged approximately $1,846 per tonne in 2013; this level is below the average price of approximately $2,019 per tonne for the previous five years. The LME cash aluminum price on February 28, 2014 was $1,724 per tonne.
Declines in primary aluminum prices have a negative impact on our earnings and cash flows. Although Midwest and European Duty Paid premiums reached levels substantially higher than historical averages in 2014, we expect these premiums to decrease, which would have a negative impact on our results of operations. If the price we realize for our products falls below our cost of production, we may choose or be forced to curtail all or a portion of our operations or otherwise restructure our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to take actions necessary to curtail or otherwise restructure our operations, if these steps are required. Future downturns in aluminum prices (and regional delivery and other premiums) may significantly reduce the amount of cash available to meet our obligations and fund our long-term business strategies and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Disruptions to, or changes in the terms of, our raw material and electricity supply arrangements could increase our production costs.
Our business depends upon the adequate supply of alumina, electricity, aluminum fluoride, calcined petroleum coke, pitch, finished carbon anodes and cathodes and other materials at competitive prices. Disruptions to the supply of these production inputs could occur for a variety of reasons, including disruptions of production at a particular supplier’s facility or power plant. For some of these production inputs, such as power and anode supply, we rely on a limited number of suppliers. Many of our supply agreements are short term or expire in the next few years. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to renew such agreements at commercially favorable terms, if at all.
Any supply disruption may require us to purchase these products on less favorable terms than under our current agreements due to the limited number of suppliers of these products or other market conditions. In some instances, we may be unable to secure alternative supply of these resources. In addition, we may not be able to obtain alumina or power in the future at prices that are based on the LME. Because we sell our products based on the LME price for primary aluminum, we would not be able to pass on any increased costs of raw material that are not linked to the LME price to our customers. A disruption in our materials or electricity supply may adversely affect our operating results if we are unable to secure alternate supplies of materials or electrical power at comparable prices.
Certain of our alumina and electricity supply contracts contain “take-or-pay” obligations.
We have obligations under certain contracts to take-or-pay for specified quantities of alumina and electricity over the term of those contracts regardless of our operating requirements. Our financial position and results of operations may therefore be adversely affected by the market price for alumina and electric power even if we were to curtail unprofitable production capacity (or delay construction of new capacity) as we will continue to incur costs under these contracts to meet or settle our contractual take-or-pay obligations. If we were unable to use such electrical power or raw materials in our operations or sell them at prices consistent with or greater than our contract costs, we could incur significant losses under these contracts. In addition, these commitments may also limit our ability to take advantage of favorable changes in the market prices for electricity or raw materials and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Losses caused by disruptions in our supply of power would adversely affect our operations.
We use large amounts of electricity to produce primary aluminum. Any loss of power which reduces the amperage to our equipment or causes an equipment shutdown would result in a reduction in the volume of molten aluminum produced, and prolonged losses of power may result in the hardening or “freezing” of molten aluminum in the pots where it is produced, which could require an expensive and time consuming restart process. Disruptions in the supply of electrical power to our facilities can be caused by a number of circumstances, including unusually high demand, blackouts, equipment or transformer failure, human error, malicious acts, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Our movement toward market-based power supply arrangements has further increased the risk that disruptions in the supply of electrical power to our domestic operations could occur. Under these arrangements we have greater exposure to transmission line outages, problems with grid stability and limitations on energy import capability. An alternative supply of power in the event of a disruption may not be feasible. If a disruption in the supply of electrical power at one of our facilities were to occur, we may lose production for a prolonged period of time, experience pot instability that could decrease levels of productivity and incur significant losses. Such a condition may also force a curtailment of all or part of the production at any of these facilities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We operate our plants at close to peak amperage. Accordingly, even partial failures of high voltage equipment could affect our production. We maintain property and business interruption insurance to mitigate losses resulting from catastrophic events, but are required to pay significant amounts under the deductible provisions of those insurance policies. In addition, the coverage under those policies may not be sufficient to cover all losses, or may not cover certain events. Certain of our insurance policies do not cover any losses that may be incurred if our suppliers are unable to provide power during periods of unusually high demand. Certain losses or prolonged interruptions in our operations may trigger a default under certain of our outstanding indebtedness and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Increases in energy costs adversely affect our business.
Electricity represents our single largest operating cost. As a result, the availability of electricity at economic prices is critical to the profitability of our operations. We have finalized a new market-based electricity arrangement for each of Hawesville and Sebree. Market-based electricity contracts expose us to market price volatility and fluctuations. In addition, we do not have experience purchasing electricity on the open market or otherwise managing market-based electricity arrangements. Our movement toward market-based power supply arrangements, therefore, has increased our electrical power price risk for our domestic operations. There can be no assurance that such market-based power supply arrangements will result in lower electricity costs. Electrical power prices have fluctuated significantly in recent years (for instance, as a result of extreme weather conditions), without any direct relationship to the price of aluminum. Market fluctuations that lead to increased electricity and energy prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
A significant portion of the electrical power supplied to Mt. Holly is produced by natural gas. An increase in the price of natural gas would also increase the price that Mt. Holly pays for electricity. The Mt. Holly power contract also has take-or-pay type provisions, so our financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Mt. Holly and Century may be adversely affected by the price for electrical power even if we curtail unprofitable production capacity at this facility. Significant increases in electricity costs at any of our operations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
If we are unable to successfully finalize regulatory and transmission issues relating to our new power arrangement at our Hawesville smelter, we would likely have to curtail this facility.
Effective August 20, 2013, the KPSC approved a new power supply arrangement for Hawesville with Kenergy and Big Rivers that allows the power companies to purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Hawesville at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. However, there are still significant regulatory and transmission issues that remain unresolved with respect to the new power supply arrangement at Hawesville. We must also incur substantial capital expenditures at Hawesville in order to successfully implement this new power supply arrangement. If we are unable to successfully resolve the regulatory and transmission issues, or fund the necessary capital expenditures, then the Hawesville smelter would likely have to be curtailed. A curtailment of the Hawesville plant would impose various costs on us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
In addition, uncertainty regarding the future operation of this smelter may damage our relationships with our customers, suppliers, employees and other stakeholders, whether or not this plant is ultimately curtailed. For example, on April 16, 2013, we issued a conditional WARN notice to our employees in Hawesville that has been extended through March 31, 2014 given the potential plant closure. We may also need to take actions to terminate other customer and supply contracts or curtail individual potlines well in advance of any plant closure. Customers and suppliers may also become unwilling to renew existing contracts or enter into new contracts with us. It may also become more difficult to attract and retain employees. Such actions and events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Curtailment of unprofitable aluminum production at our U.S. facilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Curtailing unprofitable production to reduce our operating costs requires us to incur substantial expense, both at the time of the curtailment and on an ongoing basis. Our facilities are subject to contractual and other fixed costs that continue even if we curtail operations at these facilities. These costs reduce the cost saving advantages of curtailing unprofitable aluminum production.
If we are unable to realize the intended effects of any production curtailment, including at our currently curtailed Ravenswood facility, or if any production curtailment or other restructuring does not achieve sufficient reduction in operating expenses, we may have to seek bankruptcy protection for some or all of our U.S. subsidiaries; we could also be forced to divest some or all of these subsidiaries. If we were to seek bankruptcy protection for any of these subsidiaries, we would face additional risks. Such action could cause concern among our customers and suppliers, distract our management and our other employees and subject us to increased risks of lawsuits. Other negative consequences could include negative publicity, which could have an impact on the trading price of our securities and affect our ability to raise capital in the future.
Any curtailments of our U.S. operations, or actions taken to seek bankruptcy protection or divest some or all of our U.S. subsidiaries, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
International operations expose us to political, regulatory, currency and other related risks.
We receive a significant portion of our revenues from our international operations, primarily in Iceland. These operations expose us to risks, including unexpected changes in foreign laws and regulations, political and economic instability, challenges in managing foreign operations, increased costs to adapt our systems and practices to those used in foreign countries, taxes, export duties, currency restrictions and exchange, tariffs and other trade barriers, and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws and regulations. Changes in foreign laws and regulations are generally beyond our ability to control, influence or predict and future adverse changes in these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Our international operations are also exposed to risks related to the challenges in obtaining permits necessary to run them. For example, the Grundartangi expansion program is subject to the receipt of an operating permit from Icelandic regulators. If we are unable to obtain this permit, we will not be permitted to produce more than 300,000 tpy of primary aluminum at Grundartangi and we will only realize a partial return on our significant investment in the Grundartangi expansion.
In addition, we may be exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. As a result, an increase in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar could increase our operating expenses which are denominated and payable in those currencies. As we continue to explore other opportunities outside the U.S., including the expansion program at Grundartangi, the Helguvik project and the restart of Vlissingen, our currency risk with respect to the Icelandic krona (“ISK”), the euro and other foreign currencies will significantly increase.
If economic, financial and political conditions in Iceland were to deteriorate our financial position and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Iceland is important to our business. Disruptions in Iceland’s economic, financial and political systems have decreased the stability of Iceland’s economy and financial markets and made cash management activities in Iceland more challenging. For example, the Icelandic government and the Central Bank of Iceland are restricting the transfer of funds into and outside of Iceland. While we are currently exempt from these foreign currency rules, we cannot control further actions by the Central Bank of Iceland which might restrict our ability to transfer funds through the Icelandic banking system and outside of Iceland. While we currently maintain essentially all of our Icelandic operating funds in accounts outside of Iceland, and are receiving substantially all of our customer payments in such accounts, a portion of our funds remain in the Icelandic banks to meet local working capital requirements. In addition, as payables become due in Iceland, we must transfer funds through the Icelandic banking system. If economic, financial or political conditions in Iceland deteriorate, or if counterparties and lenders become unwilling to engage in normal banking relations with and within Iceland, our ability to operate our Grundartangi smelter, including paying vendors, processing payroll and receiving payments, as well as our ability to complete the Helguvik project, could be adversely impacted, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
New LME warehousing rules could cause aluminum prices to decrease.
The LME has announced new rules scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2014 that will require LME warehouses, under certain conditions, to deliver out more aluminum than they take in. These or other new rules could cause an increase in the supply of aluminum to enter the physical market and may cause regional delivery premiums and LME aluminum prices to fall. Declines in aluminum prices and regional delivery premiums reduce our earnings and cash flows. Downturns in regional delivery premiums and aluminum prices may significantly reduce the amount of cash available to meet our obligations and fund our long-term business strategies and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We require substantial resources to pay our operating expenses and fund our capital expenditures.
We require substantial resources to pay our operating expenses and fund our capital expenditures, including construction at our Helguvik project, the expansion programs at our Grundartangi smelter, the restart of Vlissingen and to implement the new power supply arrangement at Hawesville. In addition, if we were to resume operations at our Ravenswood smelter, we would incur substantial capital expenditures, working capital funding and operating expenses. If we are unable to generate funds from our operations to pay our operating expenses and fund our capital expenditures and other obligations, our ability to continue to meet these cash requirements in the future could require substantial liquidity and access to sources of funds, including from capital and credit markets.
If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unacceptable terms, we may be unable to respond to competitive pressures, take advantage of market opportunities or fund operations, capital expenditure or other obligations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Construction at our Helguvik smelter site has been significantly curtailed. Substantial delay in the completion of, or failure to complete, this project may increase its cost, subject us to losses and impose other risks to completion that are not foreseeable at this time.
Nordural Helguvik ehf, our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, has significantly curtailed construction activity and spending at our Helguvik project in response to ongoing negotiations with the power companies contracted to provide power to the Helguvik project. See “If we are unable to procure a reliable source of power, the Helguvik project may not be feasible,” and “If economic, financial and political conditions in Iceland were to deteriorate, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely impacted.” Nordural Helguvik cannot be certain when or if it will restart major construction and engineering activities or ultimately complete the Helguvik project or, if completed, that the Helguvik smelter would operate in a profitable manner. We will not realize any return on our significant investment in the Helguvik project until we are able to
commence Helguvik operations in a profitable manner. If we fail to achieve operations at Helguvik, we may have to recognize a loss on our investment, which would have a material adverse impact on our earnings.
Many of the contractual arrangements related to the Helguvik project have time periods for performance. The delay in restarting major construction and completing the Helguvik project has caused Nordural Helguvik to renegotiate and extend, or undertake to renegotiate and extend, existing contractual commitments, including with respect to power, transmission, technology, equipment and construction. There can be no assurance that the contractual arrangements and conditions, including extensions, necessary to proceed with construction of the Helguvik project will be obtained or satisfied on a timely basis or at all. In addition, such approvals or extensions may be subject to conditions that are unfavorable or make the project impracticable or less attractive from a financial standpoint. We may also become liable to some of our suppliers for damages relating to delays in the project.
Even if we were to receive the necessary approvals and extensions on terms that we determine are acceptable, the construction of this project is a complex undertaking. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete the project within our projected budget and schedule. To successfully execute this project, in addition to procuring a reliable source of power, we would need to arrange additional financing and secure a supply of necessary raw materials. Furthermore, unforeseen technical difficulties could increase the cost of the project, delay the project or render the project infeasible.
We intend to finance our future capital expenditures from available cash, cash flow from operations and accessing capital markets. We may be unable to raise additional capital, or do so on attractive terms, due to a number of factors, including a lack of demand, poor economic conditions, interruptions in the capital markets, unfavorable interest rates or our financial condition or credit rating at the time. If additional capital resources are unavailable, we may further curtail construction and development activities.
Further delay in the completion of the project or increased costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
If we are unable to procure a reliable source of power, the Helguvik project may not be feasible.
The Helguvik project will require generation and transmission of a substantial amount of electricity to power the smelter. Nordural Helguvik has entered into agreements with two providers of power, HS and OR. Each of HS and OR has alleged that certain conditions to the delivery of power under the power agreements have not yet been satisfied. If we are unable to reach agreement with each of HS and OR, we may have to seek alternative sources of power, incur substantially increased power costs or further curtail construction activities of the Helguvik project. Due to the limited number of Icelandic power providers with resources sufficient to provide power to the Helguvik project (only three are currently in operation in Iceland), we may find it difficult or impossible to procure additional sources of power if HS and OR do not perform under their existing agreements and may be unable to complete construction of the smelter. If we agree to pay increased prices for power or substantially delay or are unable to complete the Helguvik project, we may have to recognize a substantial loss on our investment. Any failure to complete the Helguvik project, or any further delays in completing the project could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
The generation of the contracted power for the Helguvik project will also require successful development of new energy sources by our contracted power providers and completion of the necessary transmission infrastructure to service the Helguvik project. If there are construction delays or technical difficulties in developing these new energy sources or transmission infrastructure, power may be delayed or may not be available. Development of the generation and transmission infrastructure is expensive and requires significant resources from the power and transmission providers. Factors which could delay or impede the generation and transmission of electric power are substantially beyond our ability to control, influence or predict, including the power and transmission providers’ ability to finance and obtain necessary permits, real property and other rights for the development of new energy sources and associated transmission infrastructure. In addition, if Nordural Helguvik is unable to proceed with the Helguvik project, it may incur significant reimbursement obligations for certain costs incurred by third party providers under transmission and other agreements entered into in connection with the Helguvik project and remain subject to significant power commitments already confirmed under its agreement with OR. If the power or transmission providers are unable to provide or transmit the contracted amounts of power, such failure could substantially delay or make the Helguvik project infeasible and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Our failure to maintain satisfactory labor relations could adversely affect our business.
The bargaining unit employees at our Grundartangi, Hawesville, Sebree, Vlissingen and Ravenswood smelters are represented by labor unions, representing approximately 75% of our total workforce. If we fail to maintain satisfactory relations with any labor union representing our employees, our labor contracts may not prevent a strike or work stoppage at any of these facilities in the future. In addition, the collective bargaining agreements for our bargaining unit employees at our Grundartangi, Hawesville, Vlissingen and Sebree locations expire in either 2014 or 2015. The Sebree labor contract expires on October 28, 2014 and the Hawesville labor contract expires on March 31, 2015. We may not be able to renegotiate these or our other labor contracts on satisfactory terms. As part of any negotiation, we may reach agreements with respect to future wages and benefits that may have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, negotiations could divert management attention or result in union-initiated work actions, including strikes or work stoppages. Any threatened or actual work stoppage in the future or inability to renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements could prevent or significantly impair our ability to conduct production operations at our facilities subject to these collective bargaining agreements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We could be adversely affected by the loss of a major customer or changes in the business or financial condition of our major customers.
In 2013, we derived approximately 85% of our consolidated sales from our major customers: Southwire, Glencore, RTA and BHP Billiton. In 2014 and beyond, we expect to further concentrate our customer base to two major customers (Glencore and Southwire) as our metal sales and tolling agreements with RTA and BHP Billiton expired in 2013 and were not renewed. A significant downturn or deterioration in the business or financial condition of one of these major customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, a loss of either of these customers or failure to renew one of these major contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We are exposed to the credit risks of our customers, and any material nonpayment or nonperformance by one or more of our customers may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
Following our acquisition of Sebree, we are attempting to expand the number of customers that we sell our primary aluminum products to. Some of these customers are not as well capitalized as our historical customers, exposing us to increased credit risks. In addition, some of these customers have relatively short operating periods or limited financial information available, making it more difficult for us to accurately assess the associated credit risks. We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers. Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to fully eliminate customer credit risk. If we fail to adequately assess the creditworthiness of existing or future customers or unanticipated deterioration in their creditworthiness, any resulting increase in nonpayment or nonperformance by them may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Our ability to access the credit and capital markets on acceptable terms may be limited due to our credit ratings, our financial condition or the deterioration of these markets.
Our credit rating was, and continues to be, adversely affected by unfavorable market and financial conditions. Our existing credit ratings, or any future negative actions the credit agencies may take, could affect our ability to access the credit and capital markets in the future and could lead to worsened trade terms, increasing our liquidity needs. An inability to access capital and credit markets when needed in order to refinance our existing debt or raise new debt or equity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We may be unable to continue to compete successfully in the highly competitive markets in which we operate.
We are engaged in a highly competitive industry. Aluminum also competes with other materials, such as steel, copper, plastics, composite materials and glass, among others, for various applications. Many of our competitors are larger than we are and have greater financial and technical resources than we do. These larger competitors may be better able to withstand reductions in price or other adverse industry or economic conditions. Similarly, competitors with superior cost positions to ours may be better able to withstand reductions in price or other adverse industry or economic conditions. If we are not able to compete successfully, our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Because we own less than a majority of some of our operating assets, we cannot exercise complete control over their operations.
We have limited control over the operation of some of our operating assets, including the Mt. Holly smelter and the BHH carbon anode and cathode facility, because we beneficially own less than a majority of the ownership interests in such assets. While we seek to exert as much influence with respect to the management and operation of such assets as possible, we are dependent on our co-owners to operate such assets. Our co-owners may have interests, objectives and incentives with respect to such assets that differ from our own.
We require significant cash flow to meet our debt service requirements, which increases our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, reduces cash available for other purposes and limits our operational flexibility.
As of December 31, 2013, we had an aggregate of approximately $263 million of outstanding debt, $8.6 million of which will become due in 2014. We may incur additional debt in the future.
The level of our debt could have important consequences, including:
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• | increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions; |
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• | reducing cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, working capital and other general corporate purposes, because a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to servicing our debt; and |
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• | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, competitive and other changes in our business and the industry in which we operate. |
We have various obligations to make payments in cash, including contractual commitments, pension funding, and certain contingent obligations, that will reduce the amount of cash available to make interest payments required on our outstanding debt and for other uses. Our industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”) and any borrowings on our U.S. and Iceland revolving credit facilities are at variable interest rates, and future borrowings required to fund working capital at our businesses, construction of the Helguvik project, acquisitions, or other strategic opportunities may be at variable rates. An increase in interest rates would increase our debt service obligations under these instruments, further limiting cash flow available for other uses. In addition to our debt, we have liabilities and other obligations which could reduce cash available for other purposes and could limit our operational flexibility.
Our ability to pay interest on and to repay or refinance our debt and to satisfy other commitments will depend upon our access to additional sources of liquidity and future operating performance, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors, including market prices for primary aluminum, that are beyond our control. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay debt service obligations, refinance our existing debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we could attempt to restructure or refinance our debt or seek additional equity or debt capital. There can be no assurance that we would be able to accomplish those actions on satisfactory terms, or at all, and if we are unable to ultimately meet our debt service obligations and fund our other liquidity needs, it may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Despite our substantial level of debt, we may incur more debt, which could exacerbate any or all of the risks described above.
We may incur substantial additional debt in the future. Although the loan and security agreement governing our U.S. revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the 7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 (the “7.5% Notes”) limits our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur additional debt, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and, under certain circumstances, debt incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. For example, as of December 31, 2013, approximately $68 million was available to us for borrowing under our U.S. revolving credit facility and $44 million was available to us under our Iceland revolving credit facility, which our wholly-owned subsidiary Nordural Grundartangi ehf entered into in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, the loan and security agreement governing our U.S. revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the 7.5% Notes do not prevent us from incurring certain obligations that do not constitute debt as defined in these agreements. To the extent that we incur additional debt or such other obligations, the risks associated with our substantial debt described above, including our possible inability to service our debt or other obligations, would increase.
We depend upon intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries to meet our debt service obligations.
We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations depends upon the receipt of intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries. Subject to the restrictions contained in our U.S. revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our 7.5% Notes, future borrowings by our subsidiaries could contain restrictions or prohibitions on intercompany transfers by those subsidiaries. In addition, under applicable law, our subsidiaries could be limited in the amounts that they are permitted to pay as dividends on their capital stock. For example, the Icelandic government and the Central Bank of Iceland currently restrict the free transfer of funds outside of Iceland. While we are currently exempt from these foreign currency rules, we cannot control further actions by the Central Bank of Iceland which might restrict our ability to transfer funds through the Icelandic banking system and outside of Iceland.
We may be required to write down the book value of certain assets.
We are required to perform various analyses related to the carrying value of various assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that their net carrying amount may not be recoverable. Given changes in the extent and manner our assets are being used, changes in certain factors critical to our industry, as well as recent global economic conditions, which in part drive assumptions for the future in such analyses, we could have significant adjustments in the carrying value for certain assets. For instance, if we do not eventually resume operations at Ravenswood or we do not complete the Helguvik project, we may be required to recognize a loss related to all or a portion of the assets of these facilities. The net carrying value of Ravenswood was approximately $50 million at December 31, 2013. The aggregate capital expenditures through December 31, 2013 related to the Helguvik project were approximately $149 million. In the future, we will continue to evaluate our assets for impairments, which could be significant. Any such adjustments would be in the form of a non-cash charge which would reduce our earnings and increase our accumulated deficit. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Climate change legislation or environmental regulations may adversely impact our operations.
Climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are the subject of significant attention in the countries in which we operate and a number of governments or governmental bodies in these countries have introduced or are contemplating legislative and regulatory change in response to the potential impacts of climate change. For example, as a member of the European Economic Area and a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, Iceland has implemented legislation to abide by the Kyoto Protocol and prepare to abide by Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament which establishes a “cap and trade” scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading. Because Iceland was granted emissions allowances under the Kyoto Protocol through 2012, Iceland has implemented Directive 2003/87/EC, and is complying with the Directive by participating in the European Union (“EU”) Emission Trade Scheme from January 1, 2013. Although we will receive approximately 90% of needed carbon dioxide allowances for the Grundartangi smelter free of charge, the economic impact of implementing this system is not fully known as cost of allowances could rise and we cannot be certain that Helguvik will be granted free allowances if the project is completed.
Implementation of these potential regulatory changes or others is uncertain and may be either voluntary or legislated and may impact our operations directly or indirectly through customers or our supply chain. As a result of the foregoing, we may incur increased capital expenditures resulting from required compliance with such regulatory changes, increased energy costs, costs associated with a “cap and trade” system, increased insurance premiums and deductibles, a change in competitive position relative to industry peers and changes to profit or loss arising from increased or decreased demand for goods produced by us and indirectly, from changes in costs of goods sold. For example, “cap and trade” legislation may impose significant additional costs to our power suppliers that could lead to significant increases in our energy costs. In addition, the potential physical impacts of climate change on our operations are highly uncertain and will be particular to the geographic circumstances. These may include changes in rainfall patterns, shortages of water or other natural resources, changing sea levels, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperature levels. Any adverse regulatory and physical changes may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We and our suppliers are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
We are obligated to comply with various foreign, federal, state and other environmental laws and regulations, including the environmental laws and regulations of the United States, Iceland, China and the EU. Environmental laws and regulations may expose us to costs or liabilities relating to our manufacturing operations or property ownership. We incur operating costs
and capital expenditures on an ongoing basis to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations. We also are currently, and may in the future be, responsible for the cleanup of contamination at some of our current and former facilities or for the amelioration of damage to natural resources. In addition, many of our key suppliers are subject to environmental laws and regulations that may affect their costs of production resulting in an increase in the price of the products that we purchase from them. For instance, much of the power we purchase in the U.S., is generated at coal-based power plants, which are subject to significant environmental regulation. If more stringent compliance or cleanup standards under environmental laws or regulations are imposed, previously unknown environmental conditions or damages to natural resources are discovered or alleged, or if contributions from other responsible parties with respect to sites for which we have cleanup responsibilities are not available, we may be subject to additional liability, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Further, additional environmental matters for which we may be liable may arise in the future at our present sites where no problem is currently known, with respect to sites previously owned or operated by us, by related corporate entities or by our predecessors, or at sites that we may acquire or operate in the future. In addition, overall production costs may become prohibitively expensive and prevent us from effectively competing in price sensitive markets if future capital expenditures and costs for environmental compliance or cleanup are significantly greater than expected.
Unpredictable events, including natural disasters, dangerous weather conditions, terrorist attacks and political unrest, may adversely affect our ability to conduct business.
We receive a significant portion of our revenues from operations in areas that have heightened risk of natural disasters, including Iceland. Iceland suffered several natural disasters and extreme weather events in 2010, 2011 and 2012, including significant volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. In addition, our Grundartangi smelter lost power for approximately three hours in January 2012 as the result of damage sustained due to abnormal and extreme weather conditions at an off-site electrical substation owned and operated by the national power grid operator.
Future unpredictable events, including natural disasters, dangerous weather conditions, terrorist attacks and political unrest, may adversely affect our ability to conduct business by causing disruptions in Icelandic, Chinese, Dutch, U.S. or global economic conditions, inflicting loss of life, damaging property and requiring substantial capital expenditures and operating expenses to remediate damage and restore operations at our production facilities.
Acquisitions may present difficulties.
We have a history of making acquisitions and we expect to opportunistically seek to make acquisitions in the future. We are subject to numerous risks as a result of our acquisition strategy, including the following:
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• | we may spend time and money pursuing acquisitions that do not close; |
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• | acquired companies may have contingent or unidentified liabilities; |
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• | it may be challenging for us to manage our existing business as we integrate acquired operations; and |
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• | we may not achieve the anticipated benefits from our acquisitions. |
For example, we consummated the Sebree acquisition in June 2013. We are subject to numerous risks following the consummation of the Sebree acquisition, including, for example, that we may incur costs and expenses associated with any unidentified or potential liabilities, we may not achieve anticipated revenue and cost benefits from the Sebree acquisition and unforeseen difficulties may arise in integrating the acquired Sebree operations into our existing operations.
Accordingly, our past or future acquisitions might not ultimately improve our competitive position and business prospects as anticipated and may subject us to additional liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Any restart of the Ravenswood smelter would involve significant risks and uncertainties.
In 2009, we curtailed all operations at our Ravenswood smelter. We may restart the curtailed operations upon the realization of several objectives, including an expectation of higher long-term LME prices, a new power agreement that would provide for flexibility in Ravenswood’s cost structure under adverse industry conditions or market-based pricing, passage of supporting legislation and a new labor agreement. If we are unable to realize these and other objectives, a restart of the Ravenswood smelter may not be feasible. Any potential restart of operations at the Ravenswood smelter would involve significant risks and uncertainties, including:
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• | we may spend time and incur significant costs and liabilities pursuing a restart that does not occur or that does not achieve the anticipated benefits; and |
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• | it may be challenging for us to manage our existing business as we restart operations at Ravenswood. |
Accordingly, any potential restart of operations at Ravenswood might not ultimately improve our competitive position and business prospects as anticipated and may subject us to additional liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Our ability to utilize certain net operating loss carryforwards to offset future taxable income may be significantly limited if we experience an “ownership change” under the Internal Revenue Code.
As of December 31, 2013, we had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1.3 billion, after adjusting for losses carried back to previous tax years, which could offset future taxable income. Our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets to offset future federal taxable income may be significantly limited if we experience an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In general, an ownership change would occur if our “five-percent shareholders,” as defined under the Code, collectively increase their ownership in us by more than 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. Future transactions in our stock that may not be in our control may cause us to experience such an ownership change and thus limit our ability to utilize net operating losses, tax credits and other tax assets to offset future taxable income.
Glencore may exercise substantial influence over us, and they may have interests that differ from those of our other stockholders.
Glencore beneficially owns approximately 41.8% of our outstanding common stock and all of our outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred stock. Through its ownership of our common and preferred stock, Glencore has an overall 46.6% economic ownership of Century. In addition, three of our nine directors were appointed by Glencore pursuant to support agreements with Glencore. Glencore is also one of our largest customers, and in 2013 represented approximated 35.1% of our consolidated sales. Century and Glencore enter into various transactions such as the purchase and sale of primary aluminum, purchase and sale of alumina, tolling agreements and certain forward financial contracts. Because of the interests described above, Glencore may have substantial influence over our business, and on the outcome of any matters submitted to our stockholders for approval.
In addition, certain decisions concerning our operations or financial structure may present conflicts of interest between Glencore and our other stockholders. For example, Glencore may, in the future, engage in a wide variety of activities in our industry that may result in conflicts of interest with respect to matters affecting us. In addition, because of the interests described above, any future agreements or arrangements that we enter into with Glencore may not be comparable to those we could have negotiated with an unaffiliated third party.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
We have no unresolved comments from the staff of the SEC.
Item 2. Properties
Owned Properties:
|
| |
Facility | Ownership |
Hawesville | 100% |
Sebree | 100% |
Ravenswood | 100% |
Mt. Holly | 49.7% Century; 50.3% Alcoa |
Leased Properties:
|
| |
Facility | Term |
Grundartangi | long-term operating lease through 2020, renewable at our option |
Helguvik | long-term operating lease expected through 2060, with automatic extension provision |
Century Vlissingen | long-term operating lease through 2017, automatically renewable for five year terms through 2042 |
Chicago Corporate Office | long-term operating lease that expires in September 2024 |
Except for our Ravenswood facility, which was curtailed in February 2009, our Vlissingen facility, which resumed operations in late 2013, and Helguvik, which is under construction, all of our facilities are operating at or near their full productive capacity. We believe all of our facilities are suitable and adequate for our current operations. Additional information about the age, location, and productive capacity of our facilities is available in the “Overview” section of Item 1, “Business.”
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are a party from time to time in various legal actions arising in the normal course of business, the outcomes of which, in the opinion of management, neither individually nor in the aggregate are likely to result in a material adverse effect on the our financial position, operating results and cash flows. For information regarding legal proceedings pending against us at December 31, 2013, refer to Note 15 Commitments and contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Market Information
Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol: CENX. The following table sets forth, on a quarterly basis, the high and low sales prices of the common stock during the two most recent fiscal years.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | 2012 |
| High sales price | Low sales price | High sales price | Low sales price |
First quarter | $ | 9.70 |
| $ | 7.68 |
| $ | 11.30 |
| $ | 8.57 |
|
Second quarter | 10.60 |
| 6.26 |
| 9.46 |
| 6.51 |
|
Third quarter | 10.53 |
| 7.65 |
| 8.50 |
| 5.52 |
|
Fourth quarter | 10.49 |
| 7.80 |
| 8.84 |
| 6.63 |
|
Holders
As of February 28, 2014, there were 35 holders of record of our common stock, which does not include the number of beneficial owners whose common stock was held in street name or through fiduciaries.
Dividend Information
We did not declare dividends on our common stock in 2013 or 2012. We do not plan to declare cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any declaration of dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors.
Our U.S. revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our 7.5% senior secured notes due 2021 (the “7.5% Notes due 2021”) contain restrictions which limit our ability to pay dividends. Additional information about the terms of our long-term borrowing agreements is available at Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
Stock Performance Graph
The following line graph compares Century Aluminum Company’s cumulative total return to stockholders with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Index and the Morningstar Aluminum Index. These comparisons assume the investment of $100 on December 31, 2008 and the reinvestment of dividends.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return to Stockholders December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2013
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As of December 31, | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 |
Century Aluminum Company | $ | 100 |
| $ | 163 |
| $ | 157 |
| $ | 86 |
| $ | 88 |
| $ | 105 |
|
Morningstar Aluminum Index | 100 |
| 173 |
| 172 |
| 91 |
| 94 |
| 99 |
|
S&P 500 Index | 100 |
| 126 |
| 146 |
| 149 |
| 172 |
| 228 |
|
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities during the three months ended December 31, 2013
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| | | | | | | | | | |
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (1) | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program |
October 1 through October 31 | — |
| $ | — |
| — |
| $ | 10,076,076 |
|
November 1 through November 30 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 10,076,076 |
|
December 1 through December 31 | — |
| — |
| — |
| 10,076,076 |
|
Total for quarter ended December 31, 2013 | — |
| $ | — |
| — |
| $ | 10,076,076 |
|
| |
(1) | On August 11, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program. Under the program, Century is authorized to repurchase up to $60 million of our outstanding shares of common stock, from time to time, on the open market at prevailing market prices, in block trades or otherwise. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by our management based on its evaluation of market conditions, the trading price of our common stock and other factors. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for each of the last five fiscal years. The selected consolidated historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 and the selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are derived from our consolidated financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP included herein. The selected consolidated historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the selected consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our consolidated financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP which are not included herein.
Our selected historical results of operations include:
| |
• | the acquisition of our Sebree smelter in the second quarter of 2013; |
| |
• | the restart of the curtailed potline at our Hawesville smelter in the second quarter of 2011; |
| |
• | the curtailment of operations of our Ravenswood smelter in the first quarter of 2009; |
| |
• | the curtailment of one potline at our Hawesville smelter in the first quarter of 2009; and, |
| |
• | our equity in the earnings and related losses on disposition of our 50% joint venture investments in Gramercy Alumina LLC and St. Ann Bauxite Ltd. prior to divesting our interest in those companies in August 2009. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 (1) | 2012 (2) | 2011 (3) | 2010 (4) | 2009 (5) |
| (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) |
Net sales | $ | 1,454,313 |
| $ | 1,272,111 |
| $ | 1,356,424 |
| $ | 1,169,271 |
| $ | 899,253 |
|
Gross profit (loss) | 39,523 |
| 46,342 |
| 89,522 |
| 112,396 |
| (65,665 | ) |
Operating income (loss) | (36,556 | ) | (7,274 | ) | 47,296 |
| 102,980 |
| (97,456 | ) |
Net income (loss) | (40,313 | ) | (35,610 | ) | 11,325 |
| 59,971 |
| (205,982 | ) |
Earnings (loss) per share: | | |
| |
| |
| |
|
Basic and diluted | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.40 | ) | $ | 0.11 |
| $ | 0.59 |
| $ | (2.73 | ) |
| | | | | |
Dividends per common share | $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
|
Total assets | 1,810,196 |
| 1,776,326 |
| 1,811,094 |
| 1,923,056 |
| 1,861,750 |
|
Total debt (6) | 262,946 |
| 273,766 |
| 271,285 |
| 314,919 |
| 298,678 |
|
Long-term debt obligations (7) | 246,528 |
| 265,951 |
| 263,470 |
| 261,621 |
| 247,624 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 (1) | 2012 (2) | 2011 (3) | 2010 (4) | 2009 (5) |
| (in dollars) |
Other information: | |
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| |
| |
Shipments – Primary aluminum: | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Direct shipments (tonnes) | 485,690 |
| 377,314 |
| 334,889 |
| 317,940 |
| 329,327 |
|
Toll shipments (tonnes) | 278,908 |
| 269,215 |
| 267,253 |
| 267,455 |
| 275,799 |
|
| | | | | |
Average realized price per tonne: | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Direct shipments | $ | 2,154 |
| $ | 2,265 |
| $ | 2,577 |
| $ | 2,297 |
| $ | 1,728 |
|
Toll shipments | $ | 1,448 |
| $ | 1,544 |
| $ | 1,839 |
| $ | 1,634 |
| $ | 1,198 |
|
Average LME price: | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Per tonne | $ | 1,846 |
| $ | 2,020 |
| $ | 2,398 |
| $ | 2,173 |
| $ | 1,665 |
|
Average Midwest premium: | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Per tonne | $ | 244 |
| $ | 218 |
| $ | 169 |
| $ | 138 |
| $ | 104 |
|
Average European Duty Paid premium: | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Per tonne | $ | 272 |
| $ | 241 |
| $ | 193 |
| $ | 163 |
| $ | 54 |
|
| |
(1) | 2013 Net loss includes a $31.0 million benefit for deferred power contract liability amortization and an unrealized gain of $16.8 million, related to a LME-based contingent obligation. In addition, we recorded a gain on bargain purchase of $5.3 million related to the Sebree acquisition. We also incurred office relocation costs of $5.8 million, a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $3.3 million and an $8.4 million charge relating to the separation of our former chief executive officer. |
| |
(2) | 2012 Net loss includes a benefit of $19.8 million for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, an unrealized net loss on forward contracts of $3.0 million primarily related to the mark to market of aluminum price protection options, and a net benefit of $4.1 million related to certain litigation items. |
| |
(3) | 2011 Net income includes a charge of $19.8 million for lower of cost or market inventory adjustments, an after-tax benefit of $18.3 million for changes to the Century of West Virginia retiree medical benefits program, a charge related to the restart of a curtailed potline at Hawesville of $8.6 million and a charge of $7.7 million related to the contractual impact of changes in our Board of Directors and executive management team. |
| |
(4) | 2010 Net income includes an after-tax benefit of $56.7 million for changes to the Century of West Virginia retiree medical benefits program, a charge of $10.5 million for mark-to-market losses for primary aluminum price protection options and a charge for contractual termination pension benefits of $4.6 million due to the continued curtailment of the Ravenswood facility. |
| |
(5) | 2009 Net loss includes an after-tax charge of $73.2 million for loss on disposition of our equity investments in Gramercy and St. Ann, an after-tax charge of $41.7 million for curtailment costs for our U.S. smelters, an after-tax benefit of $57.8 million for gains related to the termination of a power contract and a replacement power contract at Hawesville and a benefit of $14.3 million for discrete tax adjustments. |
| |
(6) | Total debt includes all long-term debt obligations, the net contingent obligation to E.ON for payments made by E.ON above an agreed amount on CAKY’s behalf to Big Rivers under the Big River Agreement (the “E.ON contingent obligation”) and any debt classified as short-term obligations, net of any debt discounts, including current portion of long-term debt, borrowings under the Iceland revolving credit facility and the IRBs. |
| |
(7) | Long-term debt obligations are all payment obligations under long-term borrowing arrangements, including the net E.ON contingent obligation and excluding the current portion of long-term debt, borrowings under the Iceland revolving credit facility, IRBs and net of any debt discounts. |
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
We produce primary aluminum. The aluminum industry is cyclical and the price of primary aluminum (which trades as a commodity) is determined by global supply and demand, among other factors. The key determinants of our results of operations and cash flow from operations are as follows:
| |
• | Our selling price is based on the LME price of primary aluminum and is influenced by regional delivery premiums and, at certain times, by fixed price sales contracts. In addition, we receive product premiums on certain value-added products (including high-purity aluminum and billet products). |
| |
• | In normal circumstances, our facilities operate at or near capacity, and fluctuations in volume, other than through curtailments, acquisitions or expansion, generally are small. |
| |
• | The principal components of cost of goods sold are electrical power, alumina, carbon products and labor, which in aggregate exceed 75% of our cost of goods sold. Many of these costs are governed by long-term contracts. |
The production of primary aluminum requires capital-intensive facilities and consumes large amounts of electrical power. The continuous production cycle of primary aluminum and the high costs associated with restarting operations after a prolonged interruption or curtailment limit our ability to scale our production to current economic conditions.
Shipment volumes, average realized price and cost of goods sold per tonne shipped are our key performance indicators. Revenue can vary significantly from period to period due to the fluctuations in the LME and regional delivery premiums. Any adverse changes in the conditions that affect shipment volumes or the market price of primary aluminum could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and cash flows. Fluctuations in working capital are influenced by shipments, the LME and regional delivery and value-added premiums, cost of electrical power, raw materials and operating supplies, and by the timing of cash receipts from major customers and disbursements to our suppliers.

Our operating results vary significantly with changes in the price of primary aluminum and the materials used in its production, including electrical power, alumina, aluminum fluoride and carbon products. Because we sell our products based principally on the LME price for primary aluminum and regional delivery premiums, we cannot pass on increased costs to our customers. Although we attempt to mitigate the effects of price fluctuations from time to time through the use of various fixed-price commitments, financial instruments and also by pricing some of our raw materials and electrical power contracts based on LME prices, these efforts also limit our ability to take advantage of favorable changes in the market prices for primary aluminum or raw materials and may affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Electrical Power Developments in the U.S. in 2013 and 2014
Electrical power represents our single largest operating cost. As a result, the availability of reliable electrical power at competitive prices is critical to the profitability and stability of our operations. Historically, our domestic operations relied on long-term fixed price power supply agreements, or more recently, power supply agreements based on tariff and/or cost-based pricing. Over the last several years, we have tried, with some success, to reduce our electrical power price risk by, amongst other tactics, attempting to enter into power contracts with LME pricing contingencies thereby reducing our power costs during periods of lower LME pricing. Meanwhile, our smelters in Kentucky and South Carolina faced some of the highest power tariffs for aluminum smelters in the United States. At the same time, developments in the U.S. power markets, driven partly by an abundance of natural gas available at low prices, have led to the availability of lower priced power in competitive wholesale markets.
In 2012, we began the process of moving toward market-based electrical power supply agreements for our domestic operations. In August 2012, we issued a 12-month notice to terminate CAKY's long-term power supply agreement (the “Hawesville Power Agreement”). Pursuant to the termination notice, the Hawesville Power Agreement terminated on August 20, 2013. The KPSC approved a new power supply agreement with Kenergy and Big Rivers which provides market-based power to the Hawesville smelter, effective August 20, 2013. Under the arrangement, the power companies purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Hawesville at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them.
In January 2013, Sebree (then still owned by RTA) issued a 12-month notice to terminate its long-term power supply agreement (the “Sebree Power Agreement”). On February 1, 2014, Sebree began taking power under a new market-based power contract, similar to the agreement we have reached for Hawesville, providing market-based power to the Sebree smelter. Under the arrangement, Kenergy and Big Rivers purchase power on the open market and pass it through to Sebree at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them.
Amended terms of Mt. Holly's power agreement allow Mt. Holly to receive all or a portion of Mt. Holly's supplemental power requirements from an off-system natural gas-fired power generation facility (the “off-system facility”). The energy charge for supplemental power from the off-system facility is based on the cost of natural gas rather than Santee Cooper's system average fuel costs, which are primarily coal-based. The amended power agreement provides that Mt. Holly may continue to receive its supplemental power requirements from the off-system facility through December 31, 2015. We are currently in discussions with Santee Cooper and other parties regarding power arrangements for Mt. Holly following December 31, 2015.
With the movement toward market-based power supply agreements, we have increased our electrical power price risk for our domestic operations. Changes in the price and/or availability of market power could significantly impact the profitability and viability of our Hawesville, Sebree and Mt. Holly operations. Transmission line outages, problems with grid stability or limitations on energy import capability could also increase power prices, disrupt production through pot instability or force a curtailment of all or part of the production at these facilities. In addition, indirect factors that lead to power cost increases, such as the increasing prices for natural gas or coal, fluctuations in or extremes in weather patterns (such as those experienced in January and February 2014) or new or more stringent environmental regulations may severely impact our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
While we currently have not entered into any forward contracts to mitigate the price risk associated with our open market power purchases, we may manage our exposure by entering into certain forward contracts or option contracts in future periods.
Primary Aluminum Supply Trends
The LME price of primary aluminum has continued a downward trend since 2011. Low LME prices, high inventory levels, high power costs and surplus production have increased the pressure on marginal, high-cost producers to close unprofitable smelters. We are beginning to see the impacts of these challenging market conditions for marginal primary aluminum producers. Outside of China, many producers have begun curtailing unprofitable production and delayed investment in expansion and greenfield projects. Primary aluminum production in the United States and North America in 2013 decreased approximately 10% and 6%, respectively, from 2012 levels. This pattern is not unique to North America; these same trends are evident in Europe as well. We believe that the list of announced smelter closures and industry bankruptcies will continue to grow if the underlying market fundamentals mentioned above do not improve.
Pricing
The average LME price for primary aluminum for 2013 was $1,846 per tonne. The average LME price in 2013 was down from $2,020 per tonne in 2012 and $2,398 per tonne in 2011. Demand for aluminum products continued to improve in 2013 with some growth in Asia and other developing economies, continued improvement in the U.S. and some early signs of growth in Europe. China continued to experience strong growth in aluminum consumption, albeit at a slower pace of growth; in addition, overcapacity in China offset some of the increase in demand. In addition, aluminum inventories remain at historically high levels, which may put downward pressure on aluminum prices.
In addition to the LME price, we receive regional delivery premiums and product premiums for value-added products (including high-purity and billet products). We receive these regional delivery premiums for our aluminum products in the U.S. Midwest and EU. Recently, these regional delivery premiums have surged to historically high levels due to a number of factors, including aluminum financing transactions. In the near term, higher regional delivery premiums help balance the impact of the low LME pricing, but there can be no assurance how long these high regional delivery premiums will last.
LME Warehouses
Much of the primary aluminum held in LME warehouses currently serves as collateral for financing transactions and is thus not available to the market. The economic attractiveness of aluminum financing transactions is influenced by many factors. Any change that reduces the attractiveness of these primary aluminum financing transactions, such as an increase in interest rates, a flattening of the forward curve for primary aluminum or increases in warehouse rents, could result in a dramatic increase in the outflow of metal from these warehouses, which may further depress the LME prices or premiums. It is not possible to predict how long the current LME warehouse conditions will continue. Recently, the LME announced reforms to their warehouse load out rules effective April 1, 2014, which are expected to reduce warehouse queue times and increase the outflow of primary aluminum into the market. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors – New LME warehousing rules could cause aluminum prices to decrease.”
Recent Developments
Century Sebree enters into an agreement for market-based power
Effective February 1, 2014, Century Sebree began purchasing market-based electrical power for the Sebree smelter under new agreements with Big Rivers and Kenergy. Under the new arrangement, the power companies will purchase power on the open market and resell it to Sebree at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. The definitive contracts with Big Rivers and Kenergy were approved by the KPSC on January 30, 2014.
As a result of the decision by the KPSC, we rescinded the WARN notice issued by Sebree in November 2013. The WARN notice had specified that the plant would be curtailed unless Century Sebree gained access to competitively priced power.
CAKY enters an agreement for market-based power for Hawesville; Conditional WARN notice at Hawesville remains in place
Effective August 20, 2013, CAKY began purchasing market-based electrical power for the Hawesville smelter under new agreements with Big Rivers and Kenergy. Under the new arrangement, the power companies will purchase power on the open market and resell it to Hawesville at MISO pricing plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. The definitive contracts with Big Rivers and Kenergy were approved by the KPSC on August 14, 2013; however, there are still significant regulatory and transmission issues that remain unresolved with respect to the new power supply arrangement at Hawesville. CAKY could curtail all smelter operations if these issues are not ultimately resolved. CAKY has kept in place a conditional WARN notice to the employees at the Hawesville smelter that has been extended through March 31, 2014 given the potential plant curtailment. See Part I Item 1A - Risk Factors - “If we are unable to successfully finalize the new power arrangement at our Hawesville smelter, we will curtail this facility” for a discussion of risks related to the Hawesville power agreement.
Withholding and prepaid tax refunds received
In November 2013, we received a refund of approximately $21.7 million for withholding taxes we paid Iceland in the third quarter of 2012 and in the first quarter of 2013 related to intercompany dividend payments.
Under an agreement with the Government of Iceland, Nordural Grundartangi ehf agreed to prepay taxes during 2012, 2011 and 2010 as an advance levy of income taxes and other governmental taxes for the period of 2013 through 2018. In November 2013, the total prepaid amount of approximately $9.5 million was credited against taxes due in 2013.
Century acquires the Sebree aluminum smelter
On June 1, 2013, Century Sebree acquired the Sebree aluminum smelter from a subsidiary of RTA. Sebree, located in Robards, Kentucky, has an annualized hot metal production capacity of 205,000 tonnes of primary aluminum and employs approximately 500 people.
The purchase price for the acquisition was $61 million (subject to customary working capital adjustments), of which we have paid approximately $48 million as of December 31, 2013. The remaining portion of the purchase price, if any, will be paid following final determination of the applicable working capital adjustments. As part of the transaction, RTA retained all historical environmental liabilities of the Sebree smelter and fully funded the pension plan assumed by Century in accordance with the purchase agreement.
Revolving Credit Facility Amended
We and certain of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as lender and agent, and Credit Suisse AG, BNP Paribas and Morgan Stanley, as lenders, entered into the Credit Facility, dated May 24, 2013, as amended, modifying the credit facility signed July 1, 2010. The Credit Facility extended the term through May 24, 2018 and provides for borrowings of up to $150 million in the aggregate, including up to $80 million under a letter of credit sub-facility. Any letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility reduce our borrowing availability on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Grundartangi enters into revolving credit facility
Our subsidiary, Nordural Grundartangi ehf and Landsbankinn hf, as lender, entered into a revolving credit facility, dated November 27, 2013 (the “Iceland Revolving Credit Facility”). The Iceland Revolving Credit Facility has a three-year term and provides for borrowings of up to $50 million.
Century issues $250 million of 7.5% senior secured notes due 2021
On June 4, 2013, we issued $250 million of 7.5% Notes due 2021. The notes have an interest rate of 7.5% per annum and were issued at a price equal to 98.532% of their face value.
Tender offer and redemption of 8.0% senior secured notes due 2014
On May 20, 2013, we commenced a cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of our then outstanding 8.0% Senior Secured Notes due 2014 (the “8.0% Notes”). We received tenders and consents from holders of a majority of the principal amount of the 8.0% Notes in the tender offer.
On June 4, 2013, we elected to redeem the remaining outstanding 8.0% Notes at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest and transferred the necessary funds to our trustee to complete the redemption. As of December 31, 2013, we had no principal amounts outstanding on the 8.0% Notes.
Century Aluminum of West Virginia reaches agreement with PBGC for future pension contributions
In April 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the PBGC regarding an alleged “cessation of operations” at our Ravenswood facility as a result of the curtailment of operations at the facility. While we do not believe that a “cessation of operations” has occurred, we have reached an agreement with the PBGC to resolve the matter. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we will make additional contributions (above any minimum required contributions) to our defined benefit pension plans totaling approximately $17.4 million over the term of the agreement, which runs through 2016. In 2013, we made contributions pursuant to this agreement of approximately $6.7 million. Under certain circumstances, in periods of low primary aluminum prices relative to our operations, we may defer one or more of these payments, but we would be required to provide the PBGC with acceptable security for any deferred payments.
Century receives arbitration ruling in Kruger lawsuit
In December 2013, we received a ruling in the arbitration of a lawsuit filed by our former Chief Executive Officer, Logan Kruger. In the lawsuit, Mr. Kruger alleged that Century had breached the employment and severance protection agreements between Century and Mr. Kruger and that Century was obligated to make various severance payments to him in excess of $20 million. In its ruling, the arbitration panel awarded Mr. Kruger approximately $8.7 million in severance payments, plus accrued interest, but rejected Mr. Kruger’s claims for further severance payments and held that Mr. Kruger had forfeited all of his outstanding incentive awards upon his resignation from Century. We recorded a net charge of approximately $8.4 million in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Century signs lease for Chicago corporate headquarters
In February 2013, we signed a 10-year operating lease for office space for our corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. We have completed our relocation to Chicago, but we expect to continue to incur relocation expenses through the first quarter of 2014.
Results of Operations
The following discussion reflects our historical results of operations, the comparability of which is affected by the acquisition of Sebree in June 2013 and the restart of operations of one potline at Hawesville in April 2011.
Accordingly, the results for fiscal years 2012 and 2011 are not fully comparable to the results of operations for fiscal year 2013. We believe that our historical results are not indicative of our current business. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included herein.
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in our Statements of Operations.
|
| | | | | | |
| Percentage of Net Sales |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Net sales | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
Cost of goods sold | (97.3 | ) | (96.4 | ) | (93.4 | ) |
Gross profit | 2.7 |
| 3.6 |
| 6.6 |
|
Other operating income (expense) - net | (0.6 | ) | (1.4 | ) | 0.3 |
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (4.6 | ) | (2.8 | ) | (3.4 | ) |
Operating income (loss) | (2.5 | ) | (0.6 | ) | 3.5 |
|
Interest expense – third party | (1.6 | ) | (1.9 | ) | (1.9 | ) |
Interest income – third party | 0.1 |
| 0.1 |
| — |
|
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts | 1.1 |
| (0.3 | ) | 0.1 |
|
Gain on bargain purchase | 0.4 |
| — |
| — |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | (0.2 | ) | — |
| (0.1 | ) |
Other income (expense) - net | — |
| 0.4 |
| — |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures | (2.7 | ) | (2.3 | ) | 1.6 |
|
Income tax expense | (0.3 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (1.0 | ) |
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures | (3.0 | ) | (3.0 | ) | 0.6 |
|
Equity in earnings of joint ventures | 0.2 |
| 0.2 |
| 0.2 |
|
Net income (loss) | (2.8 | )% | (2.8 | )% | 0.8 | % |
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the shipment volumes and the average sales price per tonne shipped:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Primary aluminum shipments |
| Direct (1) | | Toll |
| Tonnes | $/tonne | | Tonnes | $/tonne |
2013 | 485,690 |
| $ | 2,154 |
| | 278,908 |
| $ | 1,448 |
|
2012 | 377,314 |
| 2,265 |
| | 269,215 |
| 1,544 |
|
2011 | 334,889 |
| 2,577 |
| | 267,253 |
| 1,839 |
|
| |
(1) | Direct shipments do not include toll shipments from Grundartangi. |
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012
Net sales: Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased $182.2 million to $1,454.3 million. Higher shipment volumes had a $263.2 million positive impact on net sales. Direct shipments from our four operating smelters increased 108,376 tonnes in 2013 compared to 2012, due to the acquisition of the Sebree smelter on June 1, 2013. Toll shipments increased 9,693 tonnes relative to the same period last year. Lower price realizations for primary aluminum in the year ended December 31, 2013, negatively impacted our net sales by $81.0 million. The monthly average LME cash price for 2013 was down approximately 9% from the monthly average LME cash price in 2012.
Gross profit: During 2013, lower price realizations, net of LME based alumina and power cost decreases, reduced gross profit by $52.0 million, with volume and mix decreasing gross profit by $5.3 million. Offsetting the gross profit reduction of $57.3 million described above were $40.5 million in net cost decreases comprised of: reduced costs for power and natural gas at our U.S. smelters, $12.7 million; reduced costs for maintenance, supplies and materials, $34.9 million; offset by other cost increases, $3.0 million; and higher depreciation charges, $4.1 million.
As part of the accounting for the purchase of the Sebree facility, we recorded a $36.6 million liability for the power contract we assumed based on the difference between the forecasted contract rate and market power rates through the contract termination date in January 2014. This liability will be fully amortized over the period from June 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014 resulting in a credit to our cost of goods sold. During 2013, the credit was $31.0 million reflecting seven months amortization under Century's ownership.
As of December 31, 2013, the market value of our inventory was below its cost basis, resulting in the recording of a lower of cost or market (“LCM”) reserve and a charge to cost of goods sold of $1.2 million for 2013. As of December 31, 2012, the market value of our inventory exceeded its cost basis, resulting in the elimination of a LCM reserve and a corresponding credit to cost of goods sold of $19.8 million for 2012. This resulted in a period to period decrease in gross profit of $21.0 million.
Other operating expense: Other operating expense is primarily related to costs associated with Ravenswood. In 2012, we accrued for a legal liability that was ultimately settled in 2013 for an amount lower than the accrual. This resulted in a year over year improvement of $6.0 million. A significant portion of the remaining improvement is due to lower expenses for employee benefits.
Selling, general and administrative expenses: During 2013, relocation and severance expenses related to moving our headquarters to Chicago increased selling, general and administrative expenses by $5.8 million; litigation matters, accruals for our performance-based compensation program and other general expenses increased expenses by approximately $7.6 million. In addition, we recorded a charge of $8.4 million in 2013 related to the separation of our former chief executive officer. We also incurred approximately $2.5 million in additional selling, general and administrative expenses associated with the newly acquired Sebree facility. In addition, we experienced a $7.8 million increase in general and administrative expenses in 2013 related to the integration of the Century Vlissingen anode facility into our business. With the restart of operations, Century Vlissingen costs will be recorded in cost of goods sold beginning in 2014.
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts: The net gain on forward and derivative contracts in 2013 was primarily the result of an increase in the fair value of an embedded derivative asset in the E.ON contingent liability. This change in fair value resulted in unrealized gains of $16.8 million in 2013. The net loss on forward and derivative contracts in 2012 related primarily to marking-to-market, and recording settlements, of option contracts that were put in place to provide partial downside price protection for our domestic facilities. As of June 30, 2012, all of these option contracts were settled.
Gain on bargain purchase: On June 1, 2013, we acquired the Sebree smelter. Based on the purchase price allocation, we recorded a gain on bargain purchase of $5.3 million. The gain on bargain purchase reflects the LME market and the risk associated with the power agreement for the facility at June 1, 2013. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information. Loss on early extinguishment of debt: As a result of the tender offer and redemption of the 8% Notes, we recorded charges of $3.3 million for loss on early extinguishment of debt. The loss on early extinguishment of debt consisted of the write-off of deferred financing costs and the debt discount associated with the 8.0% Notes, as well as the tender premium paid as part of the 8.0% Notes Tender Offer. See Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information. Other income (expense) - net: During 2012, Grundartangi received a $7.9 million settlement payment for the costs to repair a transformer damaged in transit, a related business interruption claim, interest and other fees associated with the claim. A significant portion of the remainder of other income (expense) - net relates to exchange rate gains and losses, the majority of which relate to items denominated in ISK.
Income tax expense: Our 2013 and 2012 income tax expense was primarily driven by our earnings in Iceland.
Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011
Net sales: Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2012 decreased $84.3 million to $1,272.1 million. Lower price realizations for primary aluminum in the year ended December 31, 2012, contributed $196.9 million to the sales decrease. The monthly average LME cash price for 2012 was down 16% from the monthly average LME cash price in 2011. Higher net sales volume had a year over year positive impact of $112.6 million. Direct shipments increased 42,425 tonnes from the same period in 2011 due to the restart of curtailed capacity and improvements in operations at Hawesville and the increase in direct sales from Grundartangi. Toll shipments increased 1,962 tonnes from the same period in 2011.
Gross profit: During 2012, lower price realizations, net of LME based alumina and power cost decreases, reduced gross profit by $138.1 million. Higher shipment volume contributed $1.3 million to the increase in gross profit. Offsetting the gross profit reduction of $136.8 million described above were $54.0 million in net cost decreases comprised of: reduced costs for power and natural gas at our U.S. smelters, $6.3 million; reduced costs for maintenance, supplies and materials, $31.3 million; other cost reductions, $14.1 million; offset by higher depreciation charges, $0.6 million; and a charge of $2.9 million in 2011 related to an insurance recovery that went into litigation.
Our operating costs in 2011 were negatively impacted by the costs related to the restart of idled capacity at the Hawesville facility and the instability of operations at the plant for a majority of the year. The absence of those costs in 2012 had a favorable impact on gross profit and their impact is included in the amounts reported above.
A decline in LME prices at the end of 2011 resulted in a decline in the market value of our inventory below its cost basis, resulting in charges to cost of goods sold of $19.8 million in 2011. At the end of 2012, the market value of our inventory was greater than its cost basis; adjustments to the lower of cost or market inventory reserve reversed the $19.8 million reserve through cost of goods sold in 2012. On a year to year comparative basis, this positively impacted the change in gross profit by $39.6 million.
Other operating expense (income) - net: Other operating expense (income) - net is primarily related to items associated with Ravenswood. In addition to the on-going costs at the curtailed facility, in 2012, we increased our estimate of accrued litigation liabilities. In 2011, we recorded net benefits of $18.3 million resulting from the elimination of medical benefits for retirees of Ravenswood.
Selling, general and administrative expenses: During 2012, we incurred general and administrative charges related to the integration of the Century Vlissingen anode facility into our business. During 2012, litigation expenditures related to Helguvik were lower than in 2011. In addition, as part of the Helguvik arbitration decision, we were reimbursed for a portion of those expenditures in 2012. During 2011, we recorded charges of $7.7 million related to the contractual impact of changes in our Board of Directors and executive management team; these charges did not repeat in 2012.
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts: The net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts in 2012 and 2011 relates primarily to marking-to-market and recording settlements of option contracts that were put in place to provide partial downside price protection for our domestic facilities. At the end of 2012, all of these option contracts had been settled.
Other income (expense) - net: During 2012, Grundartangi received a $7.9 million settlement payment for the costs to repair a transformer damaged in transit, a related business interruption claim, interest and other fees associated with the claim.
Income tax expense: Our 2012 and 2011 income tax expense was primarily driven by our earnings in Iceland. In addition, during 2011, we had a partial offset to income tax expense due to a discrete tax benefit arising from the elimination of medical benefits for retirees of the Ravenswood facility.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our principal sources of liquidity are available cash, cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. We have also raised capital in the past through the public equity and debt markets, and we regularly explore various other financing alternatives. Our principal uses of cash are the funding of operating costs (including postretirement benefits), maintenance of curtailed production facilities, payments of principal and interest on our outstanding debt, the funding of capital expenditures, investments in our growth activities and in related businesses, working capital and other general corporate requirements.
Our consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2013 was approximately $84 million compared to $184 million at December 31, 2012. Century's U.S. revolving credit facility matures in May 2018 and our Iceland revolving credit facility matures in November 2016. As of December 31, 2013 our credit facilities had $6 million in amounts outstanding and approximately $112 million of net availability. As of December 31, 2013, we had approximately $71 million of letters of credit outstanding under our U.S. revolving credit facility. Future curtailments of production capacity would reduce accounts receivable and inventory, which comprise the borrowing base of our revolving credit facilities, and could result in a corresponding reduction in availability under the revolving credit facilities. The acquisition of the Sebree smelter increased
domestic accounts receivable and inventory and resulted in a corresponding increase in availability under the U.S. revolving credit facility.
We have $250 million in 7.5% senior secured notes payable that will mature on June 1, 2021. Our remaining 7.5% senior unsecured notes due August 2014 will reach maturity this year, and we expect to make a $2.6 million repayment to retire these notes.
In 2012 and 2013, Nordural ehf participated in the 50/50 ISK Auctions (the “Auctions”) sponsored by the Central Bank of Iceland (“CBI”) and may participate in future auctions. The Auctions allow authorized investors to exchange foreign currency for ISK with 50% exchanged at the official rate set by the CBI and 50% exchanged at the auction rate. The ISK received in the Auction must be invested in Iceland for a minimum of five years.
We may be required to make installment payments for the E.ON contingent obligation in the future. These payments are contingent based on the LME price of primary aluminum and the level of Hawesville’s operations. Based on the LME forward market at December 31, 2013 and management’s estimate of the LME forward market beyond the quoted market period, we currently believe that we will not be required to make payments on the E.ON contingent obligation during the term of the agreement through 2028. There can be no assurance that circumstances will not change thus accelerating the timing of such payments. See Note 5 Derivative and hedging instruments and Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information. In August 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program. Through December 31, 2013, we had expended approximately $50 million under the program, but no repurchases have been made since March 2012. At December 31, 2013, we had approximately $10 million remaining under the repurchase program authorization. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
In April 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the PBGC regarding an alleged “cessation of operations” at our Ravenswood facility as a result of the curtailment of operations at the facility. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we will make additional contributions (above any minimum required contributions) to our defined benefit pension plans over the term of the agreement, which runs through 2016. The remaining contributions under this agreement are approximately $10.7 million, of which approximately $3.7 million is due in 2014. Under certain circumstances, in periods of low primary aluminum prices relative to our operations, we may defer one or more of these payments, but we would be required to provide the PBGC with acceptable security for any deferred payments.
In addition to the contributions required pursuant to the PBGC settlement, based on current actuarial and other assumptions, we expect to make minimum required contributions to the qualified defined benefit plans and unqualified supplemental executive retirement benefits (“SERB”) plan of approximately $4.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for total pension contributions of $10.1 million during 2014. We may choose to make additional contributions to these plans from time to time at our discretion.
Under an agreement with the Government of Iceland, Nordural Grundartangi ehf agreed to prepay taxes during 2012, 2011 and 2010 as an advance levy of income taxes and other governmental taxes for the period of 2013 through 2018. In November 2013, the total prepaid amount of approximately $9.5 million was refunded to Nordural Grundartangi ehf, with approximately $1.3 million credited against taxes due in 2013.
We pay withholding taxes for intercompany dividend payments in Iceland. On November 1, 2013, we received a refund of the withholding taxes paid in 2012 and the first quarter of 2013 totaling approximately $21.7 million. In November 2014, we expect to receive a refund for withholding taxes paid in 2013 of $9.8 million. The withholding taxes and associated refunds are payable in ISK and we are subject to foreign currency risk associated with fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared the ISK.
In December 2013, we received a ruling in the arbitration of a lawsuit filed by our former Chief Executive Officer, Logan Kruger. In its ruling, the arbitration panel awarded Mr. Kruger approximately $8.7 million in severance payments, plus accrued interest. We made the severance payment in the first quarter of 2014 and no additional payments related to this issue are expected in future periods.
In May 2013, we received a US federal income tax refund of $5.0 million upon the notification from the Internal Revenue Service that it had finalized the review of our federal income tax returns for the tax years 2008, 2009, and 2010 and refund years of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
In June 2012, Nordural Grundartangi ehf entered into a new supplemental power contract with Landsvirkjun. The supplemental power contract, which will expire in October 2029 (or upon the occurrence of certain earlier events), will provide Nordural Grundartangi ehf with supplemental power, as Nordural Grundartangi ehf may request from time to time, at LME-based variable rates. Nordural Grundartangi ehf has agreed to make certain prepayments to Landsvirkjun for power expected to be used at a later date in connection with the contract, which will reduce the price paid for power at the time of consumption. As of December 31, 2013, these power prepayments totaled approximately $2.0 million. We expect the amount of the prepayment to continue to grow slowly and we do not expect to realize the benefits from the prepayments in the near term.
Capital Resources
We intend to finance our future recurring capital expenditures from available cash, our cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. For major investment projects, such as the Helguvik project, we would likely seek financing from various capital and loan markets and may potentially pursue the formation of strategic alliances. We may be unable to issue additional debt or equity securities, or enter into other financing arrangements on attractive terms, or at all, due to a number of factors including a lack of demand, unfavorable pricing, poor economic conditions, unfavorable interest rates, or our financial condition or credit rating at the time. Future uncertainty in the U.S. and international markets and economies may adversely affect our liquidity, our ability to access the debt or capital markets and our financial condition.
Capital expenditures for 2013 were $68.1 million, of which $24.1 million was related to the Grundartangi expansion project and $18.2 million was related to the Century Vlissingen restart. The remaining amounts are related to upgrading production equipment, improving facilities and complying with environmental requirements. We believe capital spending in 2014, excluding any expansion of the current production capacity at Century Vlissingen, will be approximately $50 million.
On June 1, 2013, we acquired the Sebree aluminum smelter from a subsidiary of RTA. The purchase price for the acquisition was $61 million (subject to customary working capital adjustments), of which we have paid approximately $48 million as of December 31, 2013. The remaining portion of the purchase price, if any, will be paid following final determination of the applicable working capital adjustments. We are working with RTA to resolve our disagreement relating to the working capital amount in accordance with the procedures set forth in the purchase agreement. We expect the matter to be resolved in the second quarter of 2014. The transaction was funded with available cash on hand. See Note 2 Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter to the consolidated financial statements contained herein for additional information. In order to restart the first 75,000 tonnes of annual anode capacity at Century Vlissingen, we made approximately $18.2 million in capital expenditures during 2013 and expect to make an additional $10.2 million in 2014. The first 75,000 tonnes of capacity was restarted in late 2013 and will provide an anode supply to Grundartangi to replace third-party anode supply contracts that terminated in 2013. We have an option to increase production capacity to 150,000 tonnes when we conclude it is feasible and advantageous to do so.
We have made and continue to make capital expenditures for the construction and development of our Helguvik project. We have substantial future contractual commitments for the Helguvik project. If we were to cancel the Helguvik project, we estimate that our exposure to contract cancellation costs would be approximately $20 million, of which we currently have accrued liabilities of approximately $12.8 million. We are continuing to negotiate with the power suppliers to the project to, among other things, remove all the remaining conditions to their obligations to supply contracted power. The timing of the power availability together with other factors will determine the timing of resumption of major construction activity at Helguvik. We expect that capital expenditures for this project will be less than $0.5 million per year until the restart of major construction activities. We cannot, at this time, predict when the restart of major construction activity will occur. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors — Construction at our Helguvik smelter site has been significantly curtailed. Substantial delay in the completion of this project may increase its cost, subject us to losses and impose other risks to completion that are not foreseeable at this time” included herein.
Historical Cash Flows
Our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are summarized below:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
| (dollars in thousands) |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 19,718 |
| $ | 37,139 |
| $ | (2,936 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (117,174 | ) | (32,531 | ) | (24,895 | ) |
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,432 | ) | (4,033 | ) | (93,064 | ) |
Change in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (99,888 | ) | $ | 575 |
| $ | (120,895 | ) |
Our cash flows from operating activities decreased to $19.7 million in 2013 from $37.1 million in 2012. The decrease in net cash from operating activities in 2013 was due to the impact of lower LME prices on our operating income in 2013 compared to 2012, higher pension and OPEB contributions in 2013 related to the PBGC settlement of approximately $3.5 million and non-recurring costs for corporate relocation in 2013 of approximately $5.8 million. In addition, in 2013, we paid a litigation settlement of $1.6 million; we received an insurance settlement of $7.9 million in 2012. Offsetting these decreases in cash flows, we received approximately $8.1 million in net tax refunds in 2013 versus approximately $13.7 million in net tax payments in 2012.
Our cash flows from operating activities were $37.1 million in 2012 compared to net cash used in operating activities of $2.9 million in 2011. The increase in net cash from operating activities was due to lower net pension and benefits contributions of $14.0 million, lower net income and withholding tax payments in Iceland of $24.4 million, an insurance settlement received in 2012 for $7.9 million, other changes in working capital totaling $18.0 million in the aggregate and non-recurring costs incurred in 2011 associated with the restart of a curtailed potline of $8.6 million. The increase in net cash from operating activities in 2012 was partially offset by the impact of lower LME prices in 2012 compared to 2011.
Our net cash used in investing activities in 2013 was $117.2 million compared to $32.5 million in 2012. The increase in cash used was due to the purchase of the Sebree smelter in 2013, $48.1 million. In addition, increased capital expenditures in 2013 compared to 2012 accounted for an increase of $29.3 million, primarily for the Grundartangi expansion project and Vlissingen restart. Restricted cash deposits were $1.2 million higher in 2013 compared to 2012 and payments received from joint ventures were $6.6 million lower in 2013.
Our net cash used in investing activities in 2012 was $32.5 million compared to $24.9 million in 2011. The increase in cash used was primarily due to the purchase and improvements of Vlissingen for $13.8 million, offset by lower capital expenditures and larger payments received from joint ventures in 2012 and cash inflows in 2011 related to the return of restricted cash deposits of $3.7 million that did not recur in 2012.
Our net cash used in financing activities during 2013 was $2.4 million. The cash used was primarily related to the tender offer, consent solicitation and redemption of our 7.5% Notes due 2014 and issuance of our 7.5% Notes due 2021. The net cost of our long-term debt transactions in 2013 was $8.5 million, offset by net borrowings under our revolving credit facilities of $6.0 million.
Our net cash used in financing activities during 2012 was $4.0 million. The cash used was related to the repurchase of our common stock.
Our net cash used in financing activities during 2011 was $93.1 million. The use was primarily due to the redemption of the 1.75% Notes in May 2011 of $47.1 million and $45.9 million for the repurchase of common stock.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 Summary of significant accounting policies to the consolidated financial statements. The preparation of the financial statements requires that management make judgments, assumptions and estimates in applying these accounting policies. Those judgments are normally based on knowledge and
experience about past and current events and on assumptions about future events. Critical accounting estimates require management to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate and a change in these estimates may have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Significant judgments and estimates made by our management include expenses and liabilities related to pensions and other postretirement benefits (“OPEB”), deferred tax assets, purchase accounting and property, plant and equipment. Our management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors and the audit committee has reviewed our disclosure.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liabilities
We sponsor several pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Our liabilities under these defined benefit plans are determined using methodologies that involve several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which are the discount rate, health care cost inflation rate and the long-term rate of return on plan assets.
Discount Rate Selection
It is our policy to select a discount rate for purposes of measuring obligations under defined benefit plans by matching cash flows separately for each plan to yields on high-quality zero coupon bonds. In 2012, we changed the approach that we use to determine the yield from the Citigroup Pension Liability Index to the Ryan Discount Rate Curve (the “Ryan Curve”). Both approaches are considered acceptable under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). We believe the Ryan Curve provides a method of developing spot curve yield (our discount rate) that is more consistent with observable market conditions and represents a refinement over the Citigroup Pension Liability Index. This change in the approach for determining our discount rate was considered a change in accounting estimate under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250 “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.”
The Ryan Curve was specifically developed to meet the criteria set forth in ASC 715 “Compensation — Retirement Benefits.” The published information at the end of each calendar month includes spot rate yields (high quality zero coupon bond yield estimates) in half year increments for use in tailoring a discount rate to a particular plan's projected benefit cash flows. The Ryan Curve rate represents the assumed discount rate developed from these spot rate yields, based on the pattern and duration of the benefit payments of a typical, large, somewhat mature pension plan (that we believe is consistent with our plans).
The individual characteristics of each plan, including projected cash flow patterns and payment durations, have been taken into account, since discount rates are determined on a plan-by-plan basis. We will generally select a discount rate rounded to the nearest 0.25%, unless specific circumstances provide for a more appropriate non-rounded rate to be used. We believe the projected cash flows used to determine the Ryan Curve rate provide a good approximation of the timing and amounts of our defined benefit payments under our plans and no adjustment to the Ryan Curve rate has been made.
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| | |
Weighted Average Discount Rate Assumption for: | 2013 | 2012 |
| | |
Pension plans | 4.89% | 4.00% |
OPEB | 4.99% | 3.98% |
A change of a half percentage point in the discount rate for our defined benefit plans would have the following effects on our obligations under these plans as of December 31, 2013:
|
| | | | | | |
Effect of changes in the discount rates on the Projected Benefit Obligations for: | 50 basis point increase | 50 basis point decrease |
| (dollars in millions) |
Pension plans | $ | (14.1 | ) | $ | 15.6 |
|
OPEB plans | (8.4 | ) | 9.4 |
|
Century provides postretirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits for a portion of the retired employees of our U.S. based operations. ASC 715 requires the accrual of the estimated cost of providing postretirement benefits during the working careers of those employees who could become eligible for such benefits when they retire. We fund these benefits as the retirees submit claims.
Measurement of our postretirement benefit obligations requires the use of several assumptions about factors that will affect the amount and timing of future benefit payments. The assumed health care cost trend rates are the most critical estimates for measurement of the postretirement benefit obligation. Changes in the health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care benefit obligation.
Medical cost inflation is initially estimated to be 9%, declining to 5% over nine years and thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care benefit obligations. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have had the following effects in 2013:
|
| | | | | | |
| 1% Increase | 1% Decrease |
| (dollars in millions) |
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $ | 1.6 |
| $ | (1.3 | ) |
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation | 19.5 |
| (16.1 | ) |
Long-term Rate of Return on Plan assets assumption
We are currently using a 7.25% long-term rate of return on plan assets for the development of the net periodic cost for the defined benefit pension plans. The rate was selected by taking into account our expected asset mix and is based on historical performance as well as expected future rates of return on plan assets.
Deferred Income Tax Assets
We regularly assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent we believe that it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. When a valuation allowance is established or increased, an income tax charge is included in the consolidated statement of operations and net deferred tax assets are adjusted accordingly. Changes in tax laws, statutory tax rates and future taxable income levels could result in actual realization of the deferred tax assets being materially different from the amounts provided for in the consolidated financial statements. If the actual recovery amount of the deferred tax asset is less than anticipated, we would be required to write-off the remaining deferred tax asset and increase the tax provision.
The amount of a valuation allowance is based upon our best estimate of our ability to realize the net deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance can subsequently be reversed when we believe that the assets are realizable on a more likely than not basis. We have a valuation allowance of $765 million against all of our U.S. and Netherlands deferred tax assets and a portion of our Icelandic deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2013, due to our assessment that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized based on our cumulative net losses.
Purchase Accounting
We account for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of the acquisition at their respective estimated fair values. The judgments used to estimate the fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the estimated life of each, can materially impact the results of operations for the current period and for periods subsequent to the acquisition through depreciation and amortization. For significant acquisitions, the purchase price allocation is carried out with assistance from independent third-party valuation specialists.
As part of the Sebree acquisition, we assumed an unfavorable electrical power supply agreement with a fair value of approximately $36.6 million and recorded the liability on Sebree’s opening balance sheet. Determining the fair value of the assumed liability required us to make estimates of future prices under the existing electrical power supply agreement as well as estimates of future MISO prices plus transmission and other costs. In 2013, we recognized income of approximately $31.0 million related to the amortization of this unfavorable electrical power supply agreement liability. Changes in the estimates and
assumptions we used could result in a materially different valuation of these assumed liabilities and their amortization, which could have had a material effect on our results of operations.
Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment
We review our property, plant and equipment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets (asset group) may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of the assets (asset group) is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets (asset group). In that case, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the assets (asset group), with the fair value determined using a discounted cash flow calculation. These estimates of future cash flows include management’s assumptions about the expected use of the assets (asset group), the remaining useful life, expenditures to maintain the service potential, market and cost assumptions.
Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves significant management judgment involving highly uncertain matters, including estimating the future sales volumes, future selling prices and cost, alternative uses for the asset, and estimated proceeds from the disposal of the asset. However, the impairment reviews and calculations are based on estimates and assumptions that take into account our business plans and long-term investment decisions at the time of such impairment reviews.
We are currently evaluating the Helguvik project’s cost, scope and schedule, in light of issues surrounding the Helguvik electrical power agreements. In 2011, Nordural Helguvik ehf received the results of an arbitration with HS, one of the power suppliers to the Helguvik project. The arbitration panel ruled that the parties' power contract remains in force in accordance with its terms and that HS remains obligated to provide the full amount of contracted power to Nordural Helguvik ehf, subject to the satisfaction of certain remaining conditions. We are currently in negotiations with both power suppliers with respect to the satisfaction of all remaining conditions. If we are unable to reach agreement with HS and OR regarding the satisfaction of the remaining conditions to their respective power contracts, we may have to seek alternative sources of power, incur substantially increased power costs or further curtail construction activities of the Helguvik project. Due to the limited number of Icelandic power providers with resources sufficient to provide power to the Helguvik project (only three are currently in operation in Iceland), we may find it difficult or impossible to procure additional sources of power if HS and/or OR do not perform under their existing agreements and may be unable to complete construction of the smelter. If we agree to pay increased prices for power or substantially delay or are unable to complete the Helguvik project, we may have to recognize a substantial loss on our investment.
The aggregate capital expenditures through December 31, 2013 related to the Helguvik project were approximately $149 million. In evaluating the construction in progress at Helguvik, we considered the costs to complete the construction and the estimated undiscounted future cash flows over the estimated useful life of Helguvik and concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceed the carrying value and expected costs to complete construction of the Helguvik project. If we do not restart construction, we may have to recognize a loss on our investment at the time that a decision is made to abandon the project.
In February 2009, we curtailed the operations of the Ravenswood facility. The net carrying value of the asset group at the Ravenswood facility was approximately $50 million at December 31, 2013. If the estimated future undiscounted cash flows from the asset group were less than the carrying value of the asset group or our assumptions for the use of this facility were to change, we would recognize a loss on all or a portion of the assets at that time. The estimated future undiscounted cash flows assume that the operations at the Ravenswood facility will resume once adequate LME prices for primary aluminum are reached and upon the successful negotiation and execution of certain critical enabling agreements for power and labor. We concluded that the estimated undiscounted future cash flows exceed the carrying value of Ravenswood and the expected cost of restarting the facility.
Other Contingencies
We are a defendant in several actions relating to various aspects of our business. While it is impossible to predict the ultimate disposition of any litigation, we do not believe that any of these lawsuits, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. See Note 15 Commitments and contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional information.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Updates
Contractual Obligations
In the normal course of business, we have entered into various contractual obligations that will be settled in cash. These obligations consist primarily of long-term debt obligations and purchase obligations. The expected future cash flows required to meet these obligations are shown in the table below. More information is available about these contractual obligations in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included herein.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Payments Due by Period |
| Total | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Thereafter |
| (dollars in millions) |
Long-term debt (1) | $ | 266 |
| $ | 9 |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | 257 |
|
Estimated interest payments (2) | 140 |
| 19 |
| 19 |
| 19 |
| 19 |
| 19 |
| 45 |
|
Purchase obligations (3) | 1,901 |
| 433 |
| 216 |
| 219 |
| 107 |
| 111 |
| 815 |
|
OPEB obligations (4) | 77 |
| 5 |
| 6 |
| 7 |
| 7 |
| 8 |
| 44 |
|
Other liabilities (5) | 70 |
| 6 |
| 6 |
| 12 |
| 11 |
| 11 |
| 24 |
|
Total | $ | 2,454 |
| $ | 472 |
| $ | 247 |
| $ | 257 |
| $ | 144 |
| $ | 149 |
| $ | 1,185 |
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(1) | Long-term debt includes principal repayments on the 7.5% Notes due 2014 and the 7.5% Notes due 2021, the IRBs and borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. Payments are based on the assumption that all outstanding debt instruments will remain outstanding until their respective due dates. Based on the LME forward market prices for primary aluminum at December 31, 2013 and management's estimate of the LME forward market for periods beyond the quoted periods, we believe that we will not have any payment obligations for the E.ON contingent obligation through the term of the agreement, which expires in 2028. |
| |
(2) | Estimated interest payments on our long-term debt are based on several assumptions, including an assumption that all outstanding debt instruments will remain outstanding until their respective due dates. Our estimated future interest payments for any debt with a variable rate are based on the assumption that the December 31, 2013 rate for that debt continues until the respective due date. We assume that no interest payments on the E.ON contingent obligation will be paid through the term of agreement, see above. |
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(3) | Purchase obligations include long-term alumina, power contracts and anode contracts, excluding market-based power and raw material requirements contracts. For contracts with LME-based pricing provisions, including our long-term alumina contracts and Icelandic power contracts, we assumed an LME price using the LME forward curve as of December 31, 2013. |
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(4) | Includes the estimated benefit payments for our OPEB obligations through 2023, which are unfunded. |
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(5) | Other liabilities include SERB benefit payments, workers' compensation benefit payments, asset retirement obligations and contractual commitments for the Helguvik project. Asset retirement obligations are estimated disposal costs for the potliner currently in service. Our contractual commitments for the Helguvik projects consist of various contracts for equipment and services associated with the project. |
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Commodity Price Sensitivity
We are exposed to price risk for primary aluminum. From time to time, we may manage our exposure to fluctuations in the price of primary aluminum through financial instruments designed to protect our downside price risk exposure. In addition, we manage our exposure to fluctuations in our costs by purchasing certain of our alumina and power requirements under supply contracts with prices tied to the same indices as our aluminum sales contracts (the LME price of primary aluminum). Our risk management activities do not include any trading or speculative transactions.
Apart from the Glencore Grundartangi Metal Agreement, the Southwire Metal Agreement and the Glencore Sweep Agreement (which expired at the end of 2013), we had the following forward delivery contractual commitments:
Other forward delivery contracts
|
| | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 |
| (in tonnes) |
Other forward delivery contracts – total | 118,373 |
| 88,827 |
|
Other forward delivery contracts – Glencore | 20,008 |
| 1,811 |
|
We had no outstanding primary aluminum forward financial sales contracts at December 31, 2013. We had no fixed price forward financial contracts to purchase aluminum at December 31, 2013.
Market-Based Power Price Sensitivity
Market-Based Electrical Power Agreements
Hawesville and Sebree terminated their long-term cost-based electrical power agreements with Kenergy and Big Rivers in August 2013 and January 2014, respectively. The KPSC has approved new power supply agreements with Kenergy and Big Rivers to provide market-based electrical power to the Hawesville smelter, effective August 20, 2013 and to the Sebree smelter, effective February 1, 2014. Under the market-based power agreements, Kenergy and Big Rivers purchase market-based electrical power on the open market and pass it through to Hawesville and Sebree at MISO pricing, plus transmission and other costs incurred by them. See Part I, Item 1, “Business - Supply Contracts - Electrical Power Supply Agreements” for additional information about these market-based power agreements.
Electrical Power Price Sensitivity
We are exposed to market price risk due to fluctuations in the price of power available on the MISO market. Power represents our single largest operating cost, so changes in the price and/or availability of market-based power could significantly impact the profitability of Hawesville and Sebree. In addition, indirect factors that lead to power cost increases, such as increasing market prices for natural gas or coal, fluctuations in or extremes in weather patterns, new or more stringent environmental regulations, or problems associated with power transmission, grid stability or energy import capability may severely impact our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Electrical power price sensitivity by location: |
| Hawesville | Sebree | Total |
Expected average load (in MW) | 482 |
| 385 |
| 867 |
|
Annual expected electrical power usage (in MWh) | 4,222,320 |
| 3,372,600 |
| 7,594,920 |
|
Annual cost impact of an increase or decrease of $1 per MWh (in thousands) | $ | 4,200 |
| $ | 3,400 |
| $ | 7,600 |
|
While we currently have not entered into any forward contracts to mitigate the price risk associated with our open market power purchases, we may manage our exposure by entering into certain forward contracts or option contracts in future periods.
Forwards and Financial Purchase Agreements
Foreign Currency
We are exposed to foreign currency risk due to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the ISK, the euro, the Chinese yuan and other currencies. Grundartangi’s labor costs, part of its maintenance costs and other local services are denominated in ISK and a portion of its anode costs are denominated in euros and Chinese yuan. We have deposits denominated in ISK in Icelandic banks; in addition, our tax payments in Iceland for withholding taxes on intercompany dividends and estimated payments of Icelandic income taxes and any associated refunds are denominated in ISK. As a result, an increase or decrease in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would affect Grundartangi’s operating margins. We may incur further capital expenditures for Century Vlissingen in future periods. In addition, Century Vlissingen's labor costs, maintenance costs and other local services are denominated in euros. We expect to incur capital expenditures for the construction of the Helguvik project, although we continue to evaluate the Helguvik project’s cost, scope and schedule. Upon a restart of major construction for the Helguvik project, we have forecasted that a significant portion of the capital expenditures would be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, with significant portions in ISK, euros and Swiss francs.
We may manage our exposure by entering into foreign currency forward contracts or option contracts for forecasted transactions and projected cash flows for foreign currencies in future periods. As of December 31, 2013, we had no foreign currency forward contracts outstanding.
Natural Economic Hedges
Any analysis of our exposure to the commodity price of aluminum should consider the impact of natural hedges provided by certain contracts that contain pricing indexed to the LME price for primary aluminum. Certain of our alumina contracts, as well as certain of Grundartangi’s electrical power and tolling contracts, are indexed to the LME price for primary aluminum and provide a natural hedge for a portion of our production.
Risk Management
Our metals, power, natural gas and foreign currency risk management activities are subject to the control and direction of senior management within guidelines established by Century’s Board of Directors. These activities are regularly reported to Century’s Board of Directors.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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| Page |
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Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 | |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 | |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 | |
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Century Aluminum Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Century Aluminum Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Century Aluminum Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 14, 2014
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Century Aluminum Company:
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Century Aluminum Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As described in Item 9A, Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at the Sebree aluminum smelter, which was acquired on June 1, 2013 and whose financial statements constitute approximately 7% of total assets and 17% of net sales of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at the Sebree aluminum smelter. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 of the Company and our report dated March 14, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and the financial statement schedule.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 14, 2014
|
| | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
(in thousands, except share amounts) |
| December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 |
ASSETS | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 84,088 |
| $ | 183,976 |
|
Restricted cash | 1,697 |
| 258 |
|
Accounts receivable — net | 56,184 |
| 50,667 |
|
Due from affiliates | 43,587 |
| 37,870 |
|
Inventories | 239,615 |
| 159,925 |
|
Prepaid and other current assets | 32,276 |
| 34,975 |
|
Deferred taxes — current portion | 13,614 |
| 19,726 |
|
Total current assets | 471,061 |
| 487,397 |
|
Property, plant and equipment — net | 1,247,661 |
| 1,188,214 |
|
Other assets | 91,474 |
| 100,715 |
|
TOTAL | $ | 1,810,196 |
| $ | 1,776,326 |
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | |
LIABILITIES: | |
| |
Accounts payable, trade | $ | 108,490 |
| $ | 75,370 |
|
Due to affiliates | 53,582 |
| 39,737 |
|
Accrued and other current liabilities | 69,466 |
| 40,099 |
|
Accrued employee benefits costs | 8,410 |
| 18,683 |
|
Industrial revenue bonds | 7,815 |
| 7,815 |
|
Total current liabilities | 247,763 |
| 181,704 |
|
Senior notes payable | 246,528 |
| 250,582 |
|
Accrued pension benefits costs — less current portion | 39,848 |
| 67,878 |
|
Accrued postretirement benefits costs — less current portion | 129,284 |
| 143,105 |
|
Other liabilities | 37,743 |
| 40,162 |
|
Deferred taxes | 106,218 |
| 110,252 |
|
Total noncurrent liabilities | 559,621 |
| 611,979 |
|
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 15) |
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | |
| |
Series A Preferred stock (one cent par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 160,000 issued and 79,620 outstanding at December 31, 2013; 160,000 issued and 80,283 outstanding at December 31, 2012) | 1 |
| 1 |
|
Common stock (one cent par value, 195,000,000 shares authorized; 93,496,798 issued and 88,710,277 outstanding at December 31, 2013; 93,335,158 issued and 88,548,637 outstanding at December 31, 2012) | 935 |
| 933 |
|
Additional paid-in capital | 2,508,574 |
| 2,507,454 |
|
Treasury stock, at cost | (49,924 | ) | (49,924 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (91,832 | ) | (151,192 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | (1,364,942 | ) | (1,324,629 | ) |
Total shareholders’ equity | 1,002,812 |
| 982,643 |
|
TOTAL | $ | 1,810,196 |
| $ | 1,776,326 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
NET SALES: | |
| | |
Third-party customers | $ | 943,262 |
| $ | 719,812 |
| $ | 791,993 |
|
Related parties | 511,051 |
| 552,299 |
| 564,431 |
|
| 1,454,313 |
| 1,272,111 |
| 1,356,424 |
|
Cost of goods sold | 1,414,790 |
| 1,225,769 |
| 1,266,902 |
|
Gross profit | 39,523 |
| 46,342 |
| 89,522 |
|
Other operating expense (income) – net | 8,602 |
| 18,253 |
| (3,806 | ) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 67,477 |
| 35,363 |
| 46,032 |
|
Operating income (loss) | (36,556 | ) | (7,274 | ) | 47,296 |
|
Interest expense – third party | (23,091 | ) | (24,029 | ) | (25,129 | ) |
Interest income – third party | 728 |
| 492 |
| 338 |
|
Interest income – related parties | — |
| 62 |
| 303 |
|
Net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts | 16,598 |
| (4,150 | ) | 804 |
|
Gain on bargain purchase | 5,253 |
| — |
| — |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | (3,272 | ) | — |
| (763 | ) |
Other income (expense) – net | 496 |
| 5,576 |
| (610 | ) |
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of joint ventures | (39,844 | ) | (29,323 | ) | 22,239 |
|
Income tax expense | (3,131 | ) | (8,910 | ) | (14,359 | ) |
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of joint ventures | (42,975 | ) | (38,233 | ) | 7,880 |
|
Equity in earnings of joint ventures | 2,662 |
| 2,623 |
| 3,445 |
|
Net income (loss) | $ | (40,313 | ) | $ | (35,610 | ) | $ | 11,325 |
|
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: | |
| |
| |
|
Basic and Diluted | $ | (0.45 | ) | $ | (0.40 | ) | $ | 0.11 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) |
(in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Comprehensive income (loss): | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | (40,313 | ) | $ | (35,610 | ) | $ | 11,325 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect: | | | |
Net unrealized loss on financial instruments | — |
| (218 | ) | (479 | ) |
Net loss reclassified to income on financial instruments | — |
| 567 |
| 40 |
|
Net gain on foreign currency cash flow hedges reclassified as income | (186 | ) | (186 | ) | (186 | ) |
Defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits: | | | |
Net gain (loss) arising during the period | 56,795 |
| (16,691 | ) | (62,212 | ) |
Amortization of prior service benefit during the period | (3,920 | ) | (4,113 | ) | (32,677 | ) |
Amortization of net gain during the period | 8,174 |
| 9,837 |
| 16,926 |
|
Change in equity in investee other comprehensive income | 61 |
| (4,236 | ) | (253 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect | 60,924 |
| (15,040 | ) | (78,841 | ) |
Income tax effect | (1,564 | ) | (1,564 | ) | (5,771 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | 59,360 |
| (16,604 | ) | (84,612 | ) |
Total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 19,047 |
| $ | (52,214 | ) | $ | (73,287 | ) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
(in thousands) |
| Preferred stock | Common stock | Additional paid-in capital | Treasury stock, at cost | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Accumulated deficit | Total shareholders’ equity |
Balance, December 31, 2010 | $ | 1 |
| $ | 928 |
| $ | 2,503,907 |
| $ | — |
| $ | (49,976 | ) | $ | (1,300,344 | ) | $ | 1,154,516 |
|
Net income – 2011 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 11,325 |
| 11,325 |
|
Other comprehensive loss | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (84,612 | ) | — |
| (84,612 | ) |
Issuance of common stock – compensation plans | — |
| 2 |
| 81 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 83 |
|
Repurchase of common stock | — |
| — |
| — |
| (45,891 | ) | — |
| — |
| (45,891 | ) |
Share-based compensation expense | — |
| — |
| 2,856 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 2,856 |
|
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock | — |
| 2 |
| (2 | ) | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Balance, December 31, 2011 | $ | 1 |
| $ | 932 |
| $ | 2,506,842 |
| $ | (45,891 | ) | $ | (134,588 | ) | $ | (1,289,019 | ) | $ | 1,038,277 |
|
Net loss – 2012 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (35,610 | ) | (35,610 | ) |
Other comprehensive loss | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (16,604 | ) | — |
| (16,604 | ) |
Issuance of common stock – compensation plans | — |
| 1 |
| (1 | ) | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Repurchase of common stock | — |
| — |
| — |
| (4,033 | ) | — |
| — |
| (4,033 | ) |
Share-based compensation expense | — |
| — |
| 613 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 613 |
|
Balance, December 31, 2012 | $ | 1 |
| $ | 933 |
| $ | 2,507,454 |
| $ | (49,924 | ) | $ | (151,192 | ) | $ | (1,324,629 | ) | $ | 982,643 |
|
Net loss – 2013 | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (40,313 | ) | (40,313 | ) |
Other comprehensive income | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 59,360 |
| — |
| 59,360 |
|
Issuance of common stock – compensation plans | — |
| 1 |
| 43 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 44 |
|
Share-based compensation expense | — |
| — |
| 1,078 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 1,078 |
|
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock | — |
| 1 |
| (1 | ) | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
|
Balance, December 31, 2013 | $ | 1 |
| $ | 935 |
| $ | 2,508,574 |
| $ | (49,924 | ) | $ | (91,832 | ) | $ | (1,364,942 | ) | $ | 1,002,812 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
|
| | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
(in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| |
| |
Net income (loss) | $ | (40,313 | ) | $ | (35,610 | ) | $ | 11,325 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | |
Unrealized net loss (gain) on forward contracts | (1,170 | ) | 2,987 |
| (750 | ) |
Gain on bargain purchase | (5,253 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Unrealized gain on E.ON contingent obligation | (16,781 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Accrued and other plant curtailment costs — net | 4,452 |
| 5,251 |
| (13,928 | ) |
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment | 1,247 |
| (19,818 | ) | 19,766 |
|
Depreciation | 66,570 |
| 62,570 |
| 62,194 |
|
Sebree power contract amortization | (31,031 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Debt discount amortization | 672 |
| 1,069 |
| 1,857 |
|
Pension and other postretirement benefits | 1,740 |
| 3,129 |
| (28,757 | ) |
Stock-based compensation | 1,078 |
| 613 |
| 2,856 |
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 3,272 |
| — |
| 763 |
|
Equity in earnings of joint ventures, net of dividends
| 871 |
| (2,623 | ) | (3,445 | ) |
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | | |
| |
|
Accounts receivable — net | (6,001 | ) | (2,537 | ) | (3,744 | ) |
Due from affiliates | (5,717 | ) | 2,202 |
| 10,694 |
|
Inventories | (21,740 | ) | 31,854 |
| (35,819 | ) |
Prepaid and other current assets | 5,318 |
| 4,946 |
| (20,791 | ) |
Accounts payable, trade | 25,224 |
| (12,114 | ) | (904 | ) |
Due to affiliates | 13,845 |
| (2,167 | ) | (3,477 | ) |
Accrued and other current liabilities | 5,834 |
| (5,746 | ) | 425 |
|
Other — net | 17,601 |
| 3,133 |
| (1,201 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 19,718 |
| 37,139 |
| (2,936 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |
| |
| |
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (46,533 | ) | (17,677 | ) | (20,100 | ) |
Nordural expansion — Helguvik | (3,331 | ) | (7,317 | ) | (12,882 | ) |
Purchase of carbon anode assets and improvements | (18,213 | ) | (13,814 | ) | — |
|
Purchase of Sebree smelter | (48,058 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Investments in and advances to joint ventures | (125 | ) | (275 | ) | (113 | ) |
Payments received from joint ventures | — |
| 6,622 |
| 3,056 |
|
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 525 |
| 188 |
| 1,471 |
|
Restricted and other cash deposits | (1,439 | ) | (258 | ) | 3,673 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | (117,174 | ) | (32,531 | ) | (24,895 | ) |
| | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
(in thousands) |
| Year Ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| |
| |
|
Repayment of debt | (249,604 | ) | — |
| (47,067 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of debt | 246,330 |
| — |
| — |
|
Repayment of contingent obligation | — |
| — |
| (189 | ) |
Borrowings under revolving credit facility | 22,725 |
| 18,076 |
| 15,900 |
|
Repayments under revolving credit facility | (16,725 | ) | (18,076 | ) | (15,900 | ) |
Debt issuance costs | (3,994 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Debt retirement costs | (1,208 | ) | — |
| — |
|
Repurchase of common stock | — |
| (4,033 | ) | (45,891 | ) |
Issuance of common stock | 44 |
| — |
| 83 |
|
Net cash used in financing activities | (2,432 | ) | (4,033 | ) | (93,064 | ) |
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (99,888 | ) | 575 |
| (120,895 | ) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR | 183,976 |
| 183,401 |
| 304,296 |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR | $ | 84,088 |
| $ | 183,976 |
| $ | 183,401 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011
(amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
1. Summary of significant accounting policies
Organization and Basis of Presentation — Century Aluminum Company (“Century Aluminum,” “Century,” the “Company”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “ours”) is a holding company, whose principal subsidiaries are Century Kentucky, Inc., Nordural ehf (“Nordural”), Century Aluminum Sebree LLC (“Century Sebree”), Berkeley Aluminum, Inc. (“Berkeley”), and Century Aluminum of West Virginia, Inc. (“Century of West Virginia”). Century Kentucky, Inc. operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Hawesville, Kentucky (“Hawesville”). Nordural Grundartangi ehf, a subsidiary of Nordural, operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Grundartangi, Iceland (“Grundartangi”). Century Sebree operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Robards, Kentucky (“Sebree”). Century of West Virginia owns a primary aluminum reduction facility in Ravenswood, West Virginia (“Ravenswood”). Berkeley holds a 49.7% interest in a partnership which operates a primary aluminum reduction facility in Mt. Holly, South Carolina (“Mt. Holly”) and a 49.7% undivided interest in the property, plant, and equipment comprising Mt. Holly. The remaining interest in the partnership and the remaining undivided interest in Mt. Holly's property, plant and equipment are owned by Alumax of South Carolina, Inc., a subsidiary of Alcoa Inc. (“Alcoa”). Alcoa manages and operates Mt. Holly pursuant to an Owners Agreement, prohibiting the disposal of the interest held by any of the owners without the consent of the other owners and providing for certain rights of first refusal. Pursuant to the Owners Agreement, each owner furnishes their own alumina, for conversion to aluminum, and is responsible for their pro rata share of the operating and conversion costs. We are constructing a primary aluminum facility in Helguvik, Iceland (“Helguvik” or the “Helguvik project”) which is owned and would be operated through Nordural Helguvik ehf., a subsidiary of Nordural.
In 2013, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Sebree, acquired Sebree from a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Alcan, Inc. (“RTA”).
In 2012, our wholly owned subsidiary, Century Aluminum Vlissingen B.V. (“Century Vlissingen”) purchased substantially all of the idled assets of the former Zeeland Aluminum Company (“Zalco”) anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. Century Vlissingen restarted operations in late 2013.
We also own a 40% stake in Baise Haohai Carbon Co., Ltd. (“BHH”), a joint venture that owns and operates a carbon anode and cathode facility located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of south China. BHH supplies anodes to Grundartangi.
Prior to our initial public offering, we were an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore Xstrata plc (together with its subsidiaries, “Glencore”). At December 31, 2013, based on their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Glencore beneficially owned 41.8% of Century’s outstanding common stock and all of our outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred stock. Through its ownership of our common and preferred stock, Glencore has an overall 46.6% economic ownership of Century. Century and Glencore enter into various transactions such as the purchase and sale of primary aluminum, purchase and sale of alumina, tolling agreements and certain forward financial contracts.
Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Century Aluminum Company and our subsidiaries, after elimination of all intercompany transactions and accounts. Berkeley’s interest in the Mt. Holly partnership and our interest in the BHH joint venture are accounted for under the equity method. For BHH, we report our investment in its results of operations on a one-quarter lag.
Revenue recognition — Revenue is recognized when title and risk of loss pass to customers in accordance with contract terms. In some instances, we invoice our customers prior to physical shipment of goods. In such instances, revenue is recognized only when the customer has specifically requested such treatment and has made a commitment to purchase the product. The goods must be complete, ready for shipment and physically separated from other inventory with risk of ownership passing to the customer. We must retain no performance obligations and a delivery schedule must be obtained.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash, money market funds and short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accounts Receivable — The accounts receivable are net of an allowance for uncollectible accounts of $734 and $734 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Inventories — Our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (“LCM”), using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Additions, renewals and improvements are capitalized. Asset and accumulated depreciation accounts are relieved for dispositions with resulting gains or losses included in other income (expense) — net. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We capitalize interest for the construction of qualifying assets. Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided for by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Building and improvements 14 to 45 years
Machinery and equipment 5 to 22 years
Impairment of long-lived assets — We review our property, plant and equipment for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets (asset group) may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of the assets (asset group) is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets (asset group). In that case, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the assets (asset group), with the fair value determined using the anticipated cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. We estimate the future cash flows using management’s assumptions about the expected future use of the assets (asset group), the remaining useful life, expenditures to maintain the service potential, market and other cost assumptions.
Determination as to whether and how much an asset is impaired involves significant management judgment involving highly uncertain matters, including estimating the future sales volumes, future selling prices and cost, alternative uses for the asset, and estimated proceeds from the disposal of the asset. However, the impairment reviews and calculations are based on estimates and assumptions that take into account our business plans and long-term investment decisions at the time of such impairment reviews. We did not recognize any impairment losses on our long-lived fixed assets during 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Business Acquisitions — We account for business acquisitions by applying the acquisition method in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805 “Business Combinations.” We allocate the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the date of the acquisition. The difference between the fair value of the net assets acquired and the purchase price is recorded as either goodwill or a bargain purchase gain. We record the operating results of our acquired businesses in our consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition.
Other Assets — Other assets consist primarily of Century’s investment in the Mt. Holly partnership, investments in joint ventures, deferred financing costs, assets held in a Rabbi trust to fund the non-qualified supplemental executive retirement benefits (“SERB”) pension benefit obligation, prepaid power costs, internal use software and operating maintenance supplies not expected to be consumed within the year. Our equity share of the undistributed earnings (loss) increases (decreases) the investment in the joint ventures. Deferred financing costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the related financial instrument.
We account for our interest in the Mt. Holly partnership using the equity method of accounting. Additionally, our undivided interest in certain property, plant and equipment of Mt. Holly is held outside of the partnership and the undivided interest in these assets of the facility is accounted for in accordance with the ASC 810-10-45-14 “Investor Balance Sheet and Income Statement Display under the Equity Method for Investments in Certain Partnerships and Other Ventures.” Accordingly, the undivided interest in these assets and the related depreciation are being accounted for on a proportionate gross basis.
Income Taxes — We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. In evaluating our ability to realize deferred tax assets, we use judgment in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. Based on the weight of evidence, both negative and positive, if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established. Accordingly, we have a valuation allowance against all of our federal and state deferred tax assets. We have a valuation allowance against a portion of our Icelandic and all of our Hong Kong and Dutch net operating loss (“NOL”) deferred tax assets due to our belief that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
realized. During 2012, we removed our election to permanently reinvest foreign earnings. See Note 14 Income taxes for additional information.
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits — We sponsor defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit (“OPEB”) plans for certain of our domestic hourly and salaried employees. We recognize expenses, assets and liabilities based on actuarial assumptions. We contribute to our defined benefit pension plans based upon actuarial and economic assumptions designed to achieve adequate funding of the projected benefit obligations and to meet the minimum funding requirements. In addition, we maintain the SERB plan for certain current and former executive officers. We account for these plans in accordance with ASC 715 “Compensation — Retirement Benefits.” We use a measurement date of December 31st to determine the pension and OPEB liabilities.
Postemployment Benefits — We provide certain postemployment benefits to certain former and inactive employees and their dependents during the period following employment, but before retirement. These benefits include salary continuance, supplemental unemployment and disability healthcare. We recognize the estimated future cost of providing postemployment benefits on an accrual basis over the active service life of the employee.
Derivatives and hedging — We routinely enter into fixed and market priced contracts for the sale of primary aluminum and the purchase of raw materials in future periods. We also enter into fixed price financial sales contracts and put option contracts to manage our exposure to changing primary aluminum prices.
Certain physical delivery and financial sales contracts for primary aluminum that are not designated cash flow hedges or do not qualify for cash flow hedge treatment are marked-to-market quarterly. Fluctuations in the London Metal Exchange (“LME”) price of primary aluminum may have a significant impact on gains and losses included in our financial statements from period to period. We recognize the unrealized and realized gains and losses associated with these contracts in net gain (loss) on forward and derivative contracts.
Foreign Currency – We are exposed to foreign currency risk due to fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar as compared to the euro, the Icelandic krona (“ISK”) and the Chinese yuan. Grundartangi and Century Vlissingen use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, however a portion of the operating expenses of their respective facilities are denominated and payable in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Grundartangi’s labor costs, part of its maintenance costs and other local services are denominated in ISK and a portion of its anode costs are denominated in euros. Labor costs, maintenance costs and other local services at Century Vlissingen are denominated in euros. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise and any transaction gains and losses are reflected in other income (expense) – net in the consolidated statements of operations. As a result, an increase or decrease in the value of those currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would affect Grundartangi’s and Century Vlissingen's operating margins. In addition, our joint venture investment in BHH uses the Chinese yuan as its functional currency. For our joint venture investments, we record gains and losses associated with foreign currency exchange rates in equity in earnings of joint ventures.
Financial Instruments — Our receivables, certain life insurance policies, payables, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and debt related to industrial revenue bonds (“IRBs”) are carried at amounts that approximate fair value. The following table provides the carrying amounts and approximate fair value (based on the last available trading data) of our 7.5% senior secured notes due 2021 (the “7.5% Notes due 2021”), 7.5% senior unsecured notes due 2014 (the “7.5% Notes due 2014”) and our 8.0% senior secured notes due 2014 (the “8.0% Notes”). See Note 4 Fair value measurements for additional information about these financial instruments. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 |
| Carrying amount | Fair value | Carrying amount | Fair value |
7.5% Notes due 2021 | $ | 246,528 |
| $ | 244,375 |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
|
7.5% Notes due 2014 | 2,603 |
| 2,487 |
| 2,603 |
| 2,479 |
|
8% Notes | — |
| — |
| 247,979 |
| 255,706 |
|
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Earnings per share — Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) amounts are calculated by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS amounts assume the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding.
Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock has similar characteristics to a “participating security” as described by ASC 260 “Earnings per Share” and we calculate the amount of earnings (loss) available to common shareholders and basic EPS using the Two-Class Method earnings allocation formula, allocating undistributed income to our preferred shareholder consistent with their participation rights, and diluted EPS using the If-Converted Method when applicable.
Our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is a non-cumulative perpetual participating convertible preferred stock with no set dividend preferences. The holders of our convertible preferred stock do not have a contractual obligation to share in our losses. In periods where we report net losses, we do not allocate these losses to the convertible preferred stock for the computation of basic or diluted EPS.
Asset Retirement Obligations — We are subject to environmental regulations which create certain legal obligations related to the normal operations of our domestic primary aluminum smelter operations. Our asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) consist primarily of costs associated with the disposal of spent pot liner used in the reduction cells of our domestic facilities. AROs are recorded on a discounted basis, at the time the obligation is incurred (when the pot liner is put in service) and accreted over time for the change in the present value of the liability. We capitalized the asset retirement costs by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciating these assets over their remaining useful lives.
Certain conditional asset retirement obligations (“CAROs”) related to the disposal costs of fixed assets at our primary aluminum facilities have not been recorded because they have an indeterminate settlement date. CAROs are a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within our control. We would recognize a CARO in the period in which sufficient information exists to reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. These CAROs relate to the remediation of our primary aluminum facilities for certain regulated assets and hazardous material, such as landfills and asbestos and various other materials.
Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments, which potentially expose us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of trade receivables. Our limited customer base increases our concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables. We routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and collectability of our trade receivables.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Share-Based Compensation — We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. We recognize the cost over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments for which employees do not render the requisite service.
The grant-date fair value of employee share options and service-based share awards are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model adjusted for the unique characteristics of those instruments. Information about our assumptions used to determine the fair value of the grants is available in Note 12 Share-based compensation. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.
We issue shares to satisfy the requirements of our share-based compensation plans. At this time, we do not plan to issue treasury shares to support our share-based compensation plans, but we may in the future.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards – We evaluate the impact of FASB accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) issued. When the adoption or planned adoption of recently issued ASUs will potentially have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, we disclose the quantitative and qualitative effects of the adoption in our consolidated financial statements. During 2013, no ASUs were issued that had or were expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
2. Acquisition of Sebree aluminum smelter
On June 1, 2013, Century Sebree acquired the Sebree aluminum smelter from a subsidiary of RTA. Sebree, located in Robards, Kentucky, has an annualized hot metal production capacity of 205,000 tonnes of primary aluminum and employs approximately 500 people. The purchase price for the acquisition was $61,000 (subject to customary working capital adjustments), of which we have paid approximately $48,000 as of December 31, 2013. The remaining portion of the purchase price, if any, will be paid following final determination of the applicable working capital adjustments. We are working with RTA to resolve our disagreement relating to the working capital amount in accordance with the procedures set forth in the purchase agreement. We expect the matter to be resolved by the second quarter of 2014. The final working capital amount may result in adjustments to the purchase price and change the gain on bargain purchase (which would be recorded as a modified retrospective adjustment to the 2013 consolidated financial statements). As part of the transaction, RTA retained all historical environmental liabilities of the Sebree smelter and funded the pension plan assumed by Century in accordance with the purchase agreement.
Purchase Price Allocation
Allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities involves management judgment. We allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and the bargain gain in accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations.” Once it has been determined that recognition of an asset or liability in a business combination is appropriate, we measure the asset or liability at fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
The determination of the fair value of certain intangible assets and/or liabilities requires management judgment in each of the following areas:
| |
• | Identifying the acquired intangible assets or liabilities. In the case of the Sebree acquisition, we assumed a power contract liability as the contracted power price was in excess of current market prices. |
| |
• | Estimating the fair value of the intangible assets and/or liabilities. We consider various approaches to value the acquired intangible assets and/or liabilities. These valuation approaches include the cost approach, which measures the value of an asset based on the cost to reproduce it or replace it with a like asset; the market approach, which values the asset through an analysis of sales and offerings of comparable assets; and the income approach, which measures the value of an asset (or liability) by measuring the present worth of the economic benefits (or costs) it is expected to produce. |
The allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. We have finalized the purchase price allocation for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, but the final purchase price and gain on bargain purchase are preliminary and subject to change based on any working capital adjustments.
Based on the purchase price allocation, we recorded a gain on bargain purchase of $5,253. In connection with the recognition of the bargain purchase gain and related net deferred tax liabilities, we partially released a valuation allowance associated with recorded deferred tax assets of $2,090. The gain on bargain purchase reflects the LME market and the risk associated with the power supply agreement for the facility at June 1, 2013. The measurement period adjustments to date include adjustments to the valuation of the pension liability, asset retirement obligations, certain inventory balances and related tax effects.
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date:
|
| | | |
| Acquisition Date Estimated Fair Value as of December 31, 2013 |
Consideration: | |
Cash | $ | 48,083 |
|
Deferred purchase price | 1,910 |
|
Assets Acquired: | |
Inventories | 59,018 |
|
Prepaid and other current assets | 2,273 |
|
Property, plant and equipment – net | 55,520 |
|
Total assets acquired | $ | 116,811 |
|
Liabilities Assumed: | |
Accrued and other current liabilities | $ | 43,316 |
|
Accrued pension benefit costs | 996 |
|
Accrued post retirement benefit costs | 6,544 |
|
Other liabilities | 7,476 |
|
Deferred taxes | 3,233 |
|
Total liabilities assumed | $ | 61,565 |
|
Gain on bargain purchase: | $ | 5,253 |
|
From the acquisition date of June 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013, Sebree's revenue and net income included in the consolidated statements of operations is as follows:
|
| | | |
| Year ended December 31, 2013 |
Sebree revenue | $ | 247,178 |
|
Sebree net income (1) | 8,705 |
|
(1) Sebree net income includes a non-recurring gain on bargain purchase of $5,253 and a non-recurring credit for the amortization of the deferred power contract liability of $31,031. As part of the Sebree acquisition, we recorded a $36,625 liability for an unfavorable power contract we assumed. The fair value measurement of the power contract was based on the difference between the forecasted contract rate and estimated market power rates through the contract termination date in January 2014. We will amortize the power contract liability over the remaining period of the contract through January 31, 2014, resulting in a credit to our depreciation and amortization expense within cost of goods sold. The credit reflects the amortization under our ownership from June 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
The following unaudited pro forma financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflects our results of continuing operations as if the acquisition of Sebree had been completed on January 1, 2012. This unaudited pro forma financial information is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations would have been had the transactions taken place on January 1, 2012, nor is it indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the combined companies.
|
| | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31, |
| 2013 | 2012 |
Pro forma revenues | $ | 1,662,707 |
| $ | 1,755,196 |
|
Pro forma loss from continuing operations | (83,035 | ) | (260,505 | ) |
Loss per common share, basic | (0.94 | ) | (2.94 | ) |
Loss per common share, diluted | (0.94 | ) | (2.94 | ) |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. Asset purchase
In June 2012, Century Vlissingen purchased substantially all of the assets of the Zalco anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for approximately $12,500. In connection with the purchase, we entered into a ground lease with respect to the facility that is renewable at our option. Century Vlissingen did not assume, and is indemnified by the seller against, historical liabilities of the facility.
Following the acquisition, we have undertaken a significant capital investment to modernize the facility, comply with environmental regulations and optimize anode production for our smelter in Grundartangi. Century Vlissingen restarted production in late 2013. The initial annual anode production capacity is expected to be 75,000 tonnes of capacity with an option to increase production capacity to 150,000 tonnes when we conclude it is feasible and advantageous to do so.
4. Fair value measurements
ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This pronouncement applies to a broad range of other existing accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. ASC 820 defines fair value as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” Fair value is an exit price and that exit price should reflect all the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
ASC 820 recognizes three valuation techniques: the market approach, income approach, and cost approach. Valuation techniques used for fair value measurements are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
| |
• | Level 1 – Valuations are based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market. |
| |
• | Level 2 – Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations for which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data. |
| |
• | Level 3 – Assets or liabilities whose significant inputs are unobservable. Valuations are determined using pricing models and discounted cash flow models and include management judgment and estimation which may be significant. |
Our fair value measurements include the consideration of market risks that other market participants might consider in pricing the particular asset or liability, specifically non-performance risk and counterparty credit risk. Considerations of the non-performance risk and counterparty credit risk are used to establish the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates used in our fair value measurements.
The following section describes the valuation methodology used to measure our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value.
|
| | |
Overview of Century’s valuation methodology |
| Level | Significant inputs |
Cash equivalents | 1 | Quoted market prices |
Trust assets (1) | 1 | Quoted market prices |
Surety bonds | 1 | Quoted market prices |
E.ON contingent obligation | 3 | Quoted LME forward market, management’s estimates of the LME forward market prices for periods beyond the quoted periods and management’s estimate of future level of operations at CAKY |
Primary aluminum sales contract | 3 | Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium and risk-adjusted discount rates |
Midwest premium contracts | 3 | Management’s estimates of future U.S. Midwest premium
|
| |
(1) | Trust assets are currently invested in money market funds. These trust assets are held to fund the non-qualified supplemental executive pension benefit obligations for certain of our officers. The trust has sole authority to invest the funds in secure interest producing investments consisting of short-term securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or cash and cash equivalents. |
CENTURY ALUMINUM COMPANY
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)