UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

[X]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 3, 2005

or

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

Commission File Number 1-3295

--

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

            DELAWARE

25-1190717    

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174-0002
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(212) 878-1800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

YES X  

NO _____

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES X  

NO _____

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
Common Stock, $0.10 par value

Outstanding at July 20, 2005
20,272,081

 


 

 

 

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

                                                                                                          

 

Page No.

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
   
   

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 
   
               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three-month and six-month periods ended July 3, 2005 and June 27, 2004 (Unaudited)

3

   
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 3, 2005 (Unaudited)
and December 31, 2004

4

   
  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six-month
periods ended July 3, 2005 and June 27, 2004 (Unaudited)

5

   
  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

   
  Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

14

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

15

   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

24

   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

24

   
   
   
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

25

   
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

25

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

25

   
Item 6. Exhibits

26

   
   
Signature

27


PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

                                                  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

 
Net sales

$

244,734

   

$

229,292

   

$

495,550

   

$

438,765

 
Operating costs and expenses:                              
       Cost of goods sold  

193,339

     

174,998

     

386,324

     

334,805

 
  Marketing and administrative expenses  

23,263

     

23,579

     

49,881

     

45,790

 
  Research and development expenses  

7,322

     

7,378

     

14,476

     

14,195

 
  Restructuring costs  

--

     

428

     

--

     

1,000

 
                               
Income from operations  

20,810

     

22,909

     

44,869

     

42,975

 
Non-operating deductions, net  

1,259

     

725

     

2,477

     

2,290

 
Income before provision for taxes                              
   on income and minority interests  

19,551

     

22,184

     

42,392

     

40,685

 
Provision for taxes on income  

6,101

     

6,593

     

13,227

     

12,093

 
Minority interests  

316

     

473

     

793

     

884

 
                               
Net income

$

13,134

   

$

15,118

   

$

28,372

   

$

27,708

 
                               
Earnings per share:                              
                                   
     Basic earnings per share

$

0.64

   

$

0.74

   

$

1.38

   

$

1.35

 
                                    
  Diluted earnings per share

$

0.63

   

$

0.73

   

$

1.36

   

$

1.33

 
                               
Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.05

   

$

0.05

   

$

0.10

   

$

0.10

 
                               
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:                              
     Basic  

20,573

     

20,559

     

20,551

     

20,520

 
  Diluted  

20,836

     

20,802

     

20,814

     

20,760

 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

3


 

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

ASSETS

               
(thousands of dollars)  

July 3,
2005*

     

December 31, 2004**

 
               
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents

$

91,191

   

$

105,767

 
  Short-term investments, at cost which approximates market  

--

     

7,200

 
  Accounts receivable, net  

173,026

     

156,276

 
  Inventories  

117,907

     

106,125

 
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets  

26,906

     

20,303

 

  Total current assets  

409,030

     

395,671

 
               
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated              
  depreciation and depletion - July 3, 2005 - $728,561; December 31, 2004 - $715,891  

612,163

     

614,285

 
Goodwill  

52,491

     

53,729

 
Prepaid benefit cost  

59,834

     

61,617

 
Other assets and deferred charges  

28,066

     

29,600

 
      Total assets

$

1,161,584

   

$

1,154,902

 
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                 
Current liabilities:              
  Short-term debt

$

59,674

   

$

30,000

 
  Current maturities of long-term debt  

3,847

     

3,917

 
  Accounts payable  

60,146

     

56,381

 
  Other current liabilities  

61,914

     

62,555

 
  Total current liabilities  

185,581

     

152,853

 
               
Long-term debt  

91,842

     

94,811

 
Other non-current liabilities  

110,819

     

107,925

 
  Total liabilities  

388,242

     

355,589

 
                 
Shareholders' equity:              
  Common stock  

2,799

     

2,778

 
  Additional paid-in capital  

260,742

     

248,230

 
  Deferred compensation  

(3,746

)    

(2,088

)
  Retained earnings  

805,711

     

779,397

 
  Accumulated other comprehensive income  

2,223

     

35,624

 
     

1,067,729

     

1,063,941

 
                 
Less treasury stock  

(294,387

)    

(264,628

)
  Total shareholders' equity  

773,342

     

799,313

 
                 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,161,584

   

$

1,154,902

 

* Unaudited
** Condensed from audited financial statements

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

4


 

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

                                                    

Six Months Ended

(thousands of dollars)    

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

 
Operating Activities:                
                 
Net income  

$

28,372

   

$

27,708

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash                
   provided by operating activities:                
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization    

35,830

     

34,381

 
    Other non-cash items    

3,022

     

6,340

 
    Net changes in operating activities    

(37,846

)    

( 23,249

)
Net cash provided by operating activities    

29,378

     

45,180

 
                 
Investing Activities:                
                 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment    

(53,959

)    

( 39,234

)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments    

7,200

     

--

 
Other    

43

     

290

 
Net cash used in investing activities    

(46,716

)    

( 38,944

)
                 
Financing Activities:                
                 
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt    

154,420

     

2,980

 
Repayment of debt    

(127,091

)    

(  4,555

)
Purchase of common shares for treasury    

(24,140

)    

(  9,261

)
Proceeds from issuance of stock under option plan    

8,352

     

10,753

 
Cash dividends paid    

(2,058

)    

(  2,051

)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities    

9,483

     

(  2,134

)
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and                
      cash equivalents    

(6,721

)    

( 1,013

)
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    

(14,576

)    

3,089

 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    

105,767

     

90,515

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  

$

91,191

   

$

93,604

 
                     
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Interest paid  

$

3,477

   

$

3,325

 
                 
Income taxes paid  

$

11,655

   

$

7,725

 
                 
Non-cash Financing Activities:                
Treasury stock purchases settled after period end  

$

5,619

   

$

--

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

5


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

Note 1 -- Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. The results for the three-month and six-month periods ended July 3, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2005.

Note 2 -- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Property, Plant and Equipment

     Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Significant improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. The Company capitalizes interest cost as a component of construction in progress. In general, the straight-line method of depreciation is used for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods are used for U.S. and certain foreign tax reporting purposes. The annual rates of depreciation are 3% - 6.67% for buildings, 6.67% - 12.5% for machinery and equipment, 8% - 12.5% for furniture and fixtures and 12.5% - 25% for computer equipment and software-related assets.

     Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives. Useful lives are based on management's estimates of the period that the assets can generate revenue, which does not necessarily coincide with the remaining term of a customer's contractual obligation to purchase products made using those assets. The Company's sales of precipitated calcium carbonate ("PCC") are predominantly pursuant to long-term contracts, initially ten years in length, with paper mills at which the Company operates satellite PCC plants. The terms of many of these agreements have been extended, often in connection with an expansion of the satellite PCC plant. The Company also continues to supply PCC at two locations where the PCC contract has expired and one location, representing one unit of PCC production, at which the host mill has provided notice to the Company of its plans to cancel the PCC supply contract upon its expiration in 2006. Failure of a PCC customer to renew an agreement or continue to purchase PCC from a Company facility could result in an impairment of assets charge or accelerated depreciation at such facility.

     Depletion of mineral reserves is determined on a unit-of-extraction basis for financial reporting purposes and on a percentage depletion basis for tax purposes.

     Mining costs associated with waste gravel and rock removal in excess of the expected average life of mine stripping ratio are deferred. These costs are charged to production on a unit-of-production basis when the ratio of waste to ore mined is less than the average life of mine stripping ratio.

 

Note 3 -- Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123-R, "Share-Based Payments." This statement replaces Statement No. 123 and supercedes APB Opinion 25 covering a wide range of share-based compensation arrangements including share options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights, and employee share purchase plans. It will require companies to recognize the compensation costs relating to share-based payments to their employees in their financial statements. This statement will be effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact this new pronouncement will have on its operations. In the interim, the Company will continue its proforma disclosure as required under SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."

6


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

     The fair value of stock-based awards to employees was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, modified for dividends, with the following weighted average assumptions:

                                          

July 3,
2005

 

June 27, 2004

Expected life (years)

7

   

7

 

Interest rate

3.92

%  

3.49

%

Volatility

29.16

%  

30.12

%

Expected dividend yield

0.32

%  

0.37

%

     Pro forma net income and earnings per share reflecting compensation cost for the fair value of stock options were as follows:

                                                  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

(in millions, except per share data)

 

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

 
Net income, as reported

$

13.1

 

$

15.1

   

$

28.4

 

$

27.7

 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included                          
   in reported net income, net of related tax effects  

0.2

   

0.1

     

0.3

   

0.2

 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation                          
   expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects  

(0.6

)  

( 0.6

)    

(1.1

)  

( 1.2

)
                           
      Pro forma net income

$

12.7

 

$

14.6

   

$

27.6

 

$

26.7

 
                           
Basic EPS                          
 
Net income, as reported

$

0.64

 

$

0.74

   

$

1.38

 

$

1.35

 
Pro forma net income

$

0.62

 

$

0.71

   

$

1.34

 

$

1.30

 
                           
Diluted EPS                          
                           
Net income, as reported

$

0.63

 

$

0.73

   

$

1.36

 

$

1.33

 
Pro forma net income

$

0.61

 

$

0.70

   

$

1.33

 

$

1.29

 

 

Note 4 -- Earnings Per Share (EPS)

     Basic earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

                                                    

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

 
Basic EPS                              
(in thousands, except per share data)                              
Net income

$

13,134

   

$

15,118

   

$

28,372

   

$

27,708

 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding  

20,573

     

20,559

     

20,551

     

20,520

 
                               
Basic earnings per share

$

0.64

   

$

0.74

   

$

1.38

   

$

1.35

 

 

7


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Diluted EPS                              
(in thousands, except per share data)                              
Net income

$

13,134

   

$

15,118

   

$

28,372

   

$

27,708

 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding  

20,573

     

20,559

     

20,551

     

20,520

 
Dilutive effect of stock options and stock units  

263

     

243

     

263

     

240

 
Weighted average shares outstanding, adjusted  

20,836

     

20,802

     

20,814

     

20,760

 
                               
Diluted earnings per share

$

0.63

   

$

0.73

   

$

1.36

   

$

1.33

 

Note 5 -- Income Taxes

     On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("AJCA") was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special, one-time, 85% dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. The Company decided during the first quarter of 2005 to repatriate $3 million and decided during the second quarter to repatriate an additional $15.6 million, which resulted in a tax liability of approximately $1.3 million. The Company is continuing the process of evaluating the impact of the repatriation provision on additional dividend distributions. The tax effect of any additional distributions can not be determined at this time.

 

Note 6 -- Inventories

     The following is a summary of inventories by major category:

(thousands of dollars)

   

July 3,
2005

     

December 31,
2004  

 
           

Raw materials

 

$

54,836

   

$

45,333

 

Work-in-process

   

7,720

     

7,078

 

Finished goods

   

35,012

     

33,733

 

Packaging and supplies

   

20,339

     

19,981

 

Total inventories

 

$

117,907

   

$

106,125

 

 

Note 7 -- Restructuring Charges and Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

     During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company announced plans to restructure its operations in an effort to reduce operating costs and to improve efficiency. The restructuring resulted in a total workforce reduction of approximately three percent of the Company's worldwide workforce. The Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 to reflect these actions. This charge consisted of severance, other employee benefits, and lease termination costs. During the second quarter and the first half of 2004, additional severance costs related to this program of approximately $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, were recorded. There were no restructuring costs in the first half of 2005.

 

Note 8 -- Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are no longer amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142.

     The carrying amount of goodwill was $52.5 million and $53.7 million as of July 3, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The net change in goodwill since January 1, 2005 was due to the effect of foreign exchange.

8


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

     Acquired intangible assets subject to amortization as of July 3, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were as follows:

                                    

 

July 3, 2005

 

December 31, 2004

(millions of dollars)

   

Gross Carrying Amount

     

Accumulated Amortization

     

Gross Carrying Amount

     

Accumulated Amortization

 

Patents and trademarks

 

$

5.8

   

$

1.4

   

$

5.8

   

$

1.2

 

Customer lists

   

1.4

     

0.3

     

1.4

     

0.3

 

Other

   

0.2

     

0.1

     

  0.2

     

  0.1

 
   

$

7.4

   

$

1.8

   

$

7.4

   

$

1.6

 

     The weighted average amortization period for acquired intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately 15 years. Estimated amortization expense is $0.4 million for each of the next five years through 2010.

     Included in other assets and deferred charges is an intangible asset of approximately $10.2 million which represents the non-current unamortized amount paid to a customer in connection with contract extensions at eight PCC satellite facilities. In addition, a current portion of $1.8 million is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Such amounts will be amortized as a reduction of sales over the remaining lives of the customer contracts. Approximately $0.9 million was amortized in the first half of 2005. Estimated amortization as a reduction of sales is as follows: remainder of 2005 - - $0.9 million; 2006 - $1.8 million; 2007 - $1.8 million; 2008 - $1.8 million; 2009 - $1.5 million; with smaller reductions thereafter over the remaining lives of the contracts.

 

Note 9 -- Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

     The Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." SFAS No. 144 establishes a uniform accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company estimates the undiscounted future cash flows (excluding interest), resulting from the use of the asset and its ultimate disposition. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest) is less than the carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset, determined principally using discounted cash flows. There was no charge for impairment during the first half of 2005.

 

 

 

9


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

Note 10 -- Long-Term Debt and Commitments

     The following is a summary of long-term debt:

(thousands of dollars)  

July 3,
2005

     

December 31,
2004

 
7.49% Guaranteed Senior Notes Due July 24, 2006 $

50,000

   

$

50,000

 
Yen-denominated Guaranteed Credit Agreement              
   Due March 31, 2007  

4,535

     

6,316

 
Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds              
   Due 2009  

4,000

     

4,000

 
Economic Development Authority Refunding Revenue Bonds              
   Series 1999 Due 2010  

4,600

     

4,600

 
Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds              
   Due August 1, 2012  

8,000

     

8,000

 
Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds              
   Series 1999 Due November 1 2014  

8,200

     

8,200

 
Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial Development Revenue Bonds              
   Due March 31, 2020  

5,000

     

5,000

 
Installment obligations  

9,700

     

10,551

 
Other borrowings  

1,654

     

2,061

 
             Total  

95,689

     

98,728

 
Less: Current maturities  

3,847

     

3,917

 
Long-term debt

$

91,842

   

$

94,811

 

     During the first quarter of 2005, the Company repaid $30 million of short-term debt that had notional interest rate swaps hedging the interest rate. The Company then issued certain other short-term borrowings under its bank credit lines. As of July 3, 2005, the Company had $110 million of uncommitted short-term bank credit lines, of which approximately $59 million was in use.

Note 11 -- Pension Plans

     The Company and its subsidiaries have pension plans covering the majority of eligible employees on a contributory or non-contributory basis.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

(millions of dollars)                          

Pension Benefits

 

 

Three Months Ended

   

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

 
Service cost

$

1.8

   

$

1.7

   

$

3.7

   

$

3.4

 
Interest cost  

2.2

     

2.1

     

4.5

     

4.3

 
Expected return on plan assets  

(3.4

)    

( 3.1

)    

(6.9

)    

( 6.2

)
Amortization of prior service cost  

0.1

     

0.1

     

0.2

     

0.2

 
Recognized net actuarial loss  

0.5

     

0.5

     

1.0

     

1.0

 
SFAS No. 88 settlement  

0.1

     

0.3

     

0.1

     

0.6

 
     Net periodic benefit cost

$

1.3

   

$

1.6

   

$

2.6

   

$

3.3

 

10


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

(millions of dollars)                           

Other Benefits

 

 

Three Months Ended

   

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

 
Service cost

$

0.5

   

$

0.3

   

$

0.9

   

$

0.6

 
Interest cost  

0.5

     

0.4

     

1.1

     

0.8

 
Recognized net actuarial loss  

0.2

     

0.1

     

0.4

     

0.2

 
     Net periodic benefit cost

$

1.2

   

$

0.8

   

$

2.4

   

$

1.6

 

Employer Contributions

     The Company expects to contribute $8 million to its pension plan and $3 million to its other post retirement benefit plan in 2005. As of July 3, 2005, no contributions have been made to the pension plan and approximately $1.2 million has been contributed to the post retirement benefit plan.

Note 12 -- Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     The following are the components of comprehensive income:

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

   

July 3, 2005

     

June 27, 2004

     

July 3,
2005

     

June 27,
2004

Net income

$

13,134

   

$

15,118

   

$

28,372

   

$

27,708

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:                            
    Foreign currency translation adjustments  

(19,216

)    

(1,196

)    

(33,876

)    

(5,349

)
  Cash flow hedges:                            
         Net derivative gains (losses) arising during the period  

(277

)    

62

     

113

     

56

  Reclassification adjustment  

288

     

63

     

362

     

23

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

(6,071

)  

$

14,047

   

$

(5,029

)  

$

22,438

                             
     The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax, are as follows:
(millions of dollars)  

July 3, 2005

     

December 31,
2004

           
Foreign currency translation adjustments

$

7.0

   

$

40.9

           
Minimum pension liability adjustment  

(4.9

)    

(4.9

)          
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges  

0.1

     

(0.4

)          
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

$

2.2

   

$

35.6

           

 

Note 13 -- Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

     SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" establishes the financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company has asset retirement obligations related to its PCC satellite facilities and its mining properties, both within the Specialty Minerals Segment. This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.

11


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

     The following is a reconciliation of asset retirement obligations as of July 3, 2005:

(thousands of dollars)

     
       

Asset retirement liability, December 31, 2004

$

9,913

 

Accretion expense

 

295

 

Payments made

 

(85

)

Foreign currency translation

 

(159

)

Asset retirement liability, July 3, 2005

$

9,964

 

 

Note 14 -- Deferred Compensation

     The Company has granted certain corporate officers rights to receive shares of the Company's common stock under the Company's 2001 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the 2001 Plan). The rights will be deferred for a specified number of years of service, subject to restrictions on transfer and other conditions. Upon issuance of the rights, a deferred compensation expense equivalent to the market value of the underlying shares on the date of the grant was charged to stockholders' equity and is being amortized over the estimated average deferral period of approximately 5 years. The Company granted 34,100 and 26,900 shares in the first quarter of 2005 and 2004, respectively. Compensation expense amortized with respect to restricted stock units during the three-month and six-month periods ending July 3, 2005 was $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

 

Note 15 -- Segment and Related Information

     Segment information for the three and six-month periods ended July 3, 2005 was as follows:

                                   

Net Sales

                                      

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

(thousands of dollars)

 

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

 
                           
Specialty Minerals

$

160,672

 

$

155,130

   

$

330,518

 

$

298,850

 
Refractories  

84,062

   

74,162

     

165,032

   

139,915

 
  Total

$

244,734

 

$

229,292

   

$

495,550

 

$

438,765

 

 

Income from Operations

                                                  

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

(thousands of dollars)

 

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

     

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

 
                           
Specialty Minerals

$

12,191

 

$

16,146

   

$

28,541

 

$

29,620

 
Refractories  

8,619

   

6,763

     

16,328

   

13,355

 
  Total

$

20,810

 

$

22,909

   

$

44,869

 

$

42,975

 

     Included in income from operations for the Specialty Minerals and Refractories segments for the second quarter of 2004 are restructuring costs of $0.2 million for each segment.

     Included in income from operations for the Specialty Minerals and Refractories segments for the first half of 2004 are restructuring costs of $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

12


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

     The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment as of July 3, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was as follows:

                                 

Goodwill

(thousands of dollars)  

July 3,
2005

     

December 31,
2004     

 
Specialty Minerals

$

15,530

   

$

16,407

 
Refractories  

36,961

     

37,322

 
    Total

$

52,491

   

$

53,729

 

     A reconciliation of the totals reported for the operating segments to the applicable line items in the condensed consolidated financial statements is as follows:

 

Income Before Provision For Taxes On Income And Minority Interests

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

July 3,
2005

June 27,
2004

July 3,
2005

June 27,
2004

Income from operations for reportable segments

$

20,810

   

$

22,909

   

$

44,869

   

$

42,975

 
Non-operating deductions, net  

1,259

     

725

     

2,477

     

2,290

 
Income before provision for taxes on income                              
   and minority interests

$

19,551

   

$

22,184

   

$

42,392

   

$

40,685

 

 

     The Company's sales by product category are as follows:

 

Sales by Product Category

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

July 3,
2005

June 27,
2004

July 3,
2005

June 27,
2004

Paper PCC

$

108,781

   

$

105,330

   

$

228,479

   

$

205,609

 
Specialty PCC  

14,141

     

13,226

     

28,458

     

25,284

 
Talc  

13,704

     

13,062

     

27,742

     

24,495

 
Other Processed Minerals  

24,046

     

23,512

     

45,839

     

43,462

 
Refractory Products  

59,586

     

60,579

     

123,920

     

114,032

 
Metallurgical Products  

24,476

     

13,583

     

41,112

     

25,883

 
     Net Sales

$

244,734

   

$

229,292

   

$

495,550

   

$

438,765

 

 

13


 

 

REVIEW REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Minerals Technologies Inc.:

     We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Minerals Technologies Inc. and subsidiary companies as of July 3, 2005 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month and six-month periods ended July 3, 2005 and June 27, 2004, and the related condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended July 3, 2005 and June 27, 2004. These condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.

     We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

     Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

     We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Minerals Technologies Inc. and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 10, 2005 we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004 is fairly presented, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

 

 

KPMG LLP

 

New York, New York
August 2, 2005

 

 

14


 

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

 

Income and Expense Items as a Percentage of Net Sales

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

   

July 3,
2005

   

June 27,
2004

 

Net sales

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%  

100.0

%

Cost of goods sold

79.0

76.3

77.9

76.3

Marketing and administrative expenses

9.5

   

10.3

   

10.1

   

10.5

 

Research and development expenses

3.0

   

3.2

   

2.9

   

3.2

 

Restructuring costs

--

   

0.2

   

--

   

0.2

 

Income from operations

8.5

   

10.0

   

9.1

   

9.8

 

Net income

5.4

%  

6.6

%  

5.7

%  

6.3

%

Executive Summary

     Consolidated sales for the second quarter of 2005 grew 7% over prior year to $244.7 million. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately 2 percentage points of growth. Income from operations, however, declined 9% to $20.8 million primarily due to paper industry labor actions in Finland resulting in temporary shutdowns of certain PCC satellite facilities; continuing development costs relating to our European coating program at the merchant PCC facility in Germany; and initial start-up and ramp-up costs for two new PCC satellite facilities in China. The labor dispute in Finland was settled on June 29, 2005 and the paper mills and our PCC plants are presently operating at normal levels. Net income declined 13% to $13.1 million from $15.1 million in the second quarter of 2004.

     We face some significant risks and challenges in the future:

 

Our success depends in part on the performance of the industries we serve, particularly papermaking and steel making. Some of our customers may continue to face a difficult business environment, and may experience further shutdowns.

 

The recent wave of consolidations in the paper and steel industries concentrates purchasing power in the hands of fewer customers, increasing pricing pressure on suppliers such as Minerals Technologies;

 

Most of our Paper PCC sales are under long-term contracts; when they reach their expiration dates these contracts may not be renewed, or may be renewed on terms less favorable to us;

 

The cost of employee benefits, particularly health insurance, has risen significantly in recent years and continues to do so;

 

We are experiencing increased cost of magnesia and talc imported from China, including higher shipping costs and higher other raw material costs in both segments;

 

We are also experiencing increased energy costs in both our business segments;

 

Although the SYNSIL® Products family has received favorable reactions from potential customers and we have signed four supply contracts, this product line is not yet profitable and its commercial viability cannot be assured; and

 

As we expand our operations abroad we face the inherent risks of doing business in many foreign countries, including foreign exchange risk, import and export restrictions, and security concerns.

     Despite these risks and challenges, we are optimistic about the opportunities for continued growth that are open to us, including:

 

Increasing our sales of PCC for paper by further penetration of the markets for paper filling at both free sheet and groundwood mills;

15


   

 

Increasing our sales of PCC for paper coating, particularly from the coating PCC facility in Walsum, Germany;

 

Continuing research and development activities for new products, including commercialization of a filler-fiber composite technology for the paper industry;

 

Achieving market acceptance of the SYNSIL® Products family of composite minerals for the glass industry;

 

Continuing our penetration in both business segments into China, including the start-up of two four-unit satellite PCC plants through our joint venture with Asia Pulp & Paper (China) Pte. Ltd. ("APP China"), and our new manufacturing facility for the Refractories segment;

 

Increase market penetration in the Refractories segment through higher value specialty products and application systems.

     However, there can be no assurance that we will achieve success in implementing any one or more of these opportunities.

     On July 19, 2005, the Company's largest customer, International Paper announced a plan to restructure certain elements of its businesses. We are presently evaluating the impact of this restructuring on our Paper PCC product line and assets.

Results of Operations

     Three months ended July 3, 2005 as compared with three months ended June 27, 2004:

Sales

(millions of dollars)

Second Quarter 2005

% of Total
Sales

Growth

Second Quarter 2004

% of Total Sales

Net Sales

U.S.  

$

148.9

 

60.9

%  

%  

$

139.9

   

61.0

%
International  

$

95.8

 

39.1

%  

%  

$

89.4

   

39.0

%
                                 
Paper PCC  

$

108.8

 

44.5

%  

%  

$

105.3

   

45.9

%
Specialty PCC    

14.1

 

5.8

%  

%    

13.2

   

5.8

%
       PCC Products  

$

122.9

 

50.3

%  

%  

$

118.5

   

51.7

%
Talc  

$

13.7

 

5.6

%  

%  

$

13.1

   

5.7

%
Other Processed Minerals    

24.1

 

9.8

%  

%    

23.5

   

10.2

%
      Processed Minerals Products  

$

37.8

 

15.4

%  

%  

$

36.6

   

15.9

%
  Specialty Minerals Segment  

$

160.7

 

65.7

%  

%  

$

155.1

   

67.6

%
Refractory Products  

$

59.5

 

24.3

%  

(2)

%  

$

60.6

   

26.4

%
Metallurgical Products    

24.5

 

10.0

%  

80 

%    

13.6

   

6.0

%
      Refractories Segment  

$

84.0

 

34.3

%  

13 

%  

$

74.2

   

32.4

%
                                 
Net Sales  

$

244.7

 

100.0

%  

%  

$

229.3

   

100.0

%

     Worldwide net sales in the second quarter of 2005 increased 7% from the previous year to $244.7 million. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately $4.9 million or 2 percentage points of growth. Sales in the Specialty Minerals segment, which includes the PCC and Processed Minerals product lines, increased 4% to $160.7 million compared with $155.1 million for the same period in 2004. Sales in the Refractories segment grew 13% over the previous year to $84.0 million.

16


     Worldwide net sales of PCC, which is primarily used in the manufacturing process of the paper industry, increased 4% in the second quarter to $122.9 million from $118.5 million in the prior year. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately 2 percentage points of growth. Paper PCC sales grew 3% to $108.8 million from $105.3 million in the prior year. Paper PCC sales in North America, our largest market, grew 8% with approximately 3 percentage points of growth generated from the Millinocket, Maine, facility which restarted in May 2004. Excluding foreign currency, European region sales declined 14%. The European region was affected by paper industry labor actions in Finland, which impacted sales by approximately $5 million or 15 percentage points of growth. The labor dispute was settled on June 29, and our PCC plants, after a ramp-up in production through mid-July, should be operating at normal levels through the balance of the third quarter. Sales of Specialty PCC grew 7% to $14.1 million from $13.2 million in 2004 due to increased sales from our Brookhaven, Mississippi, facility and from our facility in Lifford, U.K.

     Net sales of Processed Minerals products increased 3% in the second quarter to $37.8 million from $36.6 million in the second quarter of 2004. The demand continues to be strong for our talc products from the construction-related, polymer and healthcare industries. Talc sales increased 5% as compared with the prior year.

     Net sales in the Refractories segment in the second quarter of 2005 increased 13% to $84.0 million from $74.2 million in the prior year. The favorable impact of foreign exchange was approximately 3 percentage points of growth. The sales growth was driven globally by the metallurgical product line where sales grew 80% to $24.5 million. This increase was attributable to a combination of price increases due to the substantial escalation in the cost of raw materials for this product line, and strong volume growth at both of our manufacturing facilities in Canaan, Connecticut, and Hengelo, Holland. Sales of refractory products and systems to steel and other industrial applications decreased 2% to $59.5 million from $60.6 million in the prior year. The weakness in the steel industry in the United States throughout the second quarter has had a negative affect on our sales growth in this product line.

     Consolidated net sales in the United States were $148.9 million in the second quarter of 2005, up 6% from the $139.9 million in the prior year. International sales in the second quarter of 2005 increased 7% to $95.8 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, the international sales growth was approximately 2%.

Operating Costs and Expenses

 

Second Quarter
2005

 

 

 

Second
Quarter
2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Cost of goods sold

$

193.3

   

$

175.0

   

10 

%
Marketing and administrative

$

23.3

   

$

23.6

   

(1)

%
Research and development

$

7.3

   

$

7.4

   

(1)

%
Restructuring Costs

$

--

   

$

0.4

   

*  

 

   * Percentage not meaningful

     Cost of goods sold was 79.0% of sales compared with 76.3% of sales in the prior year for the second quarter. Cost of goods sold increased 8% in the Specialty Minerals segment, which had an unfavorable leveraging impact on the sales growth resulting in a 12% decline in production margin. This unfavorable leveraging occurred in Europe and Asia. European margins were affected by the labor dispute in Finland and ongoing coating development costs at our new merchant PCC facility in Germany. The margins in Asia were impacted by the continuing start-up and ramp-up costs at our two new facilities in China. Collectively, these three factors had an adverse impact on production margin and operating income of approximately $5 million. Cost of goods sold in the Refractories segment increased 16%. This had an unfavorable leveraging impact on sales growth resulting in only a 7% increase in production margin. Higher raw material costs continue to impact the Refractories segment margins.

     Marketing and administrative costs decreased 1% in the second quarter to $23.3 million and represented 9.5% of net sales as compared with 10.3% of sales. Marketing and administrative expenses were favorably impacted by lower provisions for bad debt of approximately $1.9 million as compared with the prior year. Our overall allowance for doubtful accounts was reduced from $7.5 million at April 3, 2005 to $6.6 million at July 3, 2005.

 

 

17


 

 

     Research and development expenses decreased 1% to $7.3 million and represented 3.0% of net sales.

     In the second quarter of the prior year we recorded a restructuring charge of $0.4 million for a program that was initiated at the end of 2003.

Income from Operations

 

Second Quarter
2005

 

 

 

Second
Quarter
2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Income from operations

$

20.8

   

$

22.9

   

(9)

%

     Income from operations in the second quarter of 2005 decreased 9% to $20.8 million from $22.9 million in the second quarter of 2004. Income from operations decreased to 8.5% of sales as compared with 10.0% of sales in 2004.

     Income from operations for the Specialty Minerals segment decreased 24% to $12.2 million and was 7.6% of its net sales. Unfavorable leveraging to operating income for this segment was primarily due to the aforementioned labor dispute in Finland, the European coating development program, and start-up and ramp-up costs in China. Operating income for the Refractories segment increased 27% to $8.6 million and was 10.3% of its net sales as compared with 9.5% of sales in the prior year. The improvement in the operating income ratio was attributable to the margin contributions of the metallurgical product line and to lower provisions for bad debt.

Non-Operating Deductions

 

Second
Quarter
2005

 

 

 

Second
Quarter
2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Non-operating deductions, net

$

1.3

   

$

0.7

   

86

%

     The increase in non-operating deductions was primarily due to foreign exchange losses in the second quarter.

Provisions for Taxes on Income

 

Second
Quarter
2005

 

 

 

Second
Quarter
2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Provision for taxes on income

$

6.1

   

$

6.6

   

(8)

%

     The effective tax rate increased in 2005 to 31.2% from 29.7% in the prior year due to the mix of earnings and a higher level of repatriation of foreign earnings.

Net Income

 

Second
Quarter
2005

 

 

 

Second
Quarter
2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Net income

$

13.1

   

$

15.1

   

(13)

%

     Net income decreased 13% to $13.1 million from $15.1 million in the second quarter of 2004. Diluted earnings per common share decreased 14% to $0.63 compared with $0.73 in 2004.

18


 

     Six months ended July 3, 2005 as compared with six months ended June 27, 2004:

(millions of dollars)

First
Half
2005

% of Total
Sales

Growth

First Half
2004

% of Total Sales

Net Sales

U.S.  

$

297.6

 

60.1

%  

12

%  

$

264.9

   

60.4

%
International  

$

197.9

 

39.9

%  

14

%  

$

173.9

   

39.6

%
                                 
Paper PCC  

$

228.5

 

46.1

%  

11

%  

$

205.6

   

46.9

%
Specialty PCC    

28.4

 

5.7

%  

12

%  

 

25.3

   

5.7

%
       PCC Products  

$

256.9

 

51.8

%  

11

%  

$

230.9

   

52.6

%
Talc  

$

27.7

 

5.6

%  

13

%  

$

24.5

   

5.6

%
Other Processed Minerals    

45.9

 

9.3

%  

6

%  

 

43.5

   

9.9

%
      Processed Minerals Products  

$

73.6

 

14.9

%  

8

%  

$

68.0

   

15.5

%
  Specialty Minerals Segment  

$

330.5

 

66.7

%  

11

%  

$

298.9

   

68.1

%
Refractory Products  

$

123.9

 

25.0

%  

9

%  

$

114.0

   

26.0

%
Metallurgical Products    

41.1

 

8.3

%  

59

%  

 

25.9

   

5.9

%
      Refractories Segment  

$

165.0

 

33.3

%  

18

%  

$

139.9

   

31.9

%
                                 
Net Sales  

$

495.5

 

100.0

%  

13

%  

$

438.8

   

100.0

%

     Worldwide sales for the first half of 2005 increased 13% to $495.5 from $438.8 in the previous year. The favorable impact of foreign exchange on sales for the first six months was approximately $10.7 million, or 2 percentage points of growth. We also benefited from five additional business days in the first half of 2005 as compared with the prior year. Sales in the Specialty Minerals segment increased 11% from the prior year to $330.5 million. Refractories segment sales increased 18% for the first six months of 2004 to $165.0 from $139.9 in 2004.

     For the first six months, worldwide PCC sales increased 11% to $256.9 million from $230.9 million last year. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately 2 percentage points of growth. Paper PCC sales grew 11% over the prior year to $228.5 million from $205.6 million. Overall Paper PCC volume grew 7% over the prior year despite the Finnish paper industry labor actions, which occurred in the second quarter. Sales of Specialty PCC increased 12% to $28.4 from $25.3 million in the prior year.

     Net sales of Processed Minerals products increased 8% to $73.6 million from $68.0 million. There was strong demand in the first half of 2005 from construction-related industries and from polymer and health-care applications for our talc products. Talc sales increased 13% to $27.7 million from $24.5 million in the prior year.

    Net sales in the Refractories segment for the first six months of 2005 increased 18% to $165.0 million from $139.9 million in the prior year. Foreign currency had a favorable impact on sales of approximately 3 percentage points of growth. Sales growth was driven by the metallurgical product line where sales grew 59% to $41.1 million from $25.9 million. This increase was attributable to a combination of price increases due to the substantial escalation in the cost of raw materials for this product line as well as volume growth. Sales of refractory products and systems increased 9% to $123.9 million from $114.0 million.

     Net sales in the United States were $297.6 million in the first half of 2005, a 12% increase from $264.9 in the prior year. International sales grew 14% for the first six months to $197.9 million from $173.9 million for the same period last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, international sales grew approximately 8% over the prior year.

19


 

Operating Costs and Expenses  

First
 Half
2005

   

First
Half 2004

 

Growth

 
(millions of dollars)          
                 
Cost of goods sold

$

386.3

 

$

334.8

 

15

%
Marketing and administrative

$

49.9

 

$

45.8

 

9

%
Research and development

$

14.5

 

$

14.2

 

2

%
Restructuring Costs

$

--

 

$

1.0

 

*

 

   * Percentage not meaningful

     Cost of goods sold was 77.9% of sales compared with 76.3% of sales in the prior year for the first half. Both segments have been impacted by higher raw material and energy costs. In the Specialty Minerals segment, product margins increased 2% as compared with 11% sales growth. Margins in this segment were affected by the Finnish labor actions and start-up and ramp-up costs at our two new satellite PCC facilities in China, and our new coating facility in Walsum, Germany. In the Refractories segment, production margins increased 11% over the prior year as compared with 18% sales growth. This unfavorable leveraging was due to higher raw material costs.

     Marketing and administrative costs increased 9% in the second quarter to $49.9 million and represented 10.1% of net sales. Both segments increased marketing expenses to support worldwide business development efforts and we incurred higher litigation costs to protect our intellectual property. These increases were partially mitigated by lower provisions for bad debts in the first half of approximately $2.3 million. Our overall allowance for doubtful accounts was reduced from $7.1 million at December 31, 2004 to $6.6 million at July 3, 2005.

     Research and development expenses increased 2% to $14.5 million and represented 2.9% of net sales.

     In the first half of 2004, we recorded a restructuring charge of $1.0 million for a program that was initiated at the end of 2003.

Income from Operations  

First
Half
2005

   

First
Half 2004

 

Growth

 
(millions of dollars)          
                 
Income from operations

$

44.9

 

$

43.0

 

4%

     Income from operations in the first half of 2005 increased 4% to $44.9 million from $43.0 million in the first half of 2004. Income from operations decreased to 9.1% of sales as compared with 9.8% of sales in 2004.

     Income from operations for the Specialty Minerals segment decreased 4% to $28.5 million and was 8.6% of its net sales. Unfavorable leveraging to operating income for this segment was primarily due to the Finnish paper industry labor actions and the aforementioned start-up and ramp-up costs in China and Germany. Operating income for the Refractories segment increased 22% to $16.3 million and was 9.9% of its net sales.

Non-Operating Deductions

 

First Half
2005

 

 

 

First Half 2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Non-operating deductions, net

$

2.5

   

$

2.3

   

9%

 

20


 

     The increase in non-operating deductions was primarily due to foreign exchange.

Provision for Taxes on Income

 

First Half
2005

 

 

 

First Half 2004

   

Growth

  
(millions of dollars)              
                     
Provision for taxes on income

$

13.2

   

$

12.1

   

9%

     The effective tax rate increased in the first half of 2005 to 31.2% from 29.7% in the prior year due to the mix of earnings and a higher level of repatriation of foreign earnings.

Net Income  

First
 Half
2005

   

First
Half 2004

 

Growth

 
(millions of dollars)          
                 
Net income

$

28.4

 

$

27.7

 

2

%

     Net income increased 2% in the first half of 2005 to $28.4 million from $27.7 million in the prior year. Earning per common share, on a diluted basis, increased 2% in the first half to $1.36 as compared with $1.33 in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Cash flows in the first six months of 2005 were provided from operations and short-term financing and were used principally to fund capital expenditures, and purchases of common shares for treasury. Cash provided from operating activities amounted to $29.4 million in the first six months of 2005 as compared with $45.2 million for the same period last year. The reduction in cash from operating activities was primarily due to an increase in working capital during the first half of 2005.

     On October 23, 2003, our Board of Directors authorized our Management Committee, at its discretion, to repurchase up to $75 million in shares over the next three-year period. As of July 3, 2005, we repurchased 777,000 shares under this program at an average price of approximately $59.18 per share.

     On April 27, 2005, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend on our common stock of $0.05 per share. No dividends will be payable unless declared by the Board and unless funds are legally available for payment thereof.

     We have $50 million in Guaranteed Senior Notes due on July 24, 2006, which we expect to refinance, in whole or in part, through a combination of bank loans and/or private placements.

     We have $110 million in uncommitted short-term bank credit lines, of which approximately $59 million was in use at July 3, 2005. We anticipate that capital expenditures for all of 2005 will approximate $100 million. We expect to meet our long-term financing requirements from internally generated funds, uncommitted bank credit lines and, where appropriate, project financing of certain satellite plants. The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows: remainder of 2005 - $1.4 million; 2006 - $53.9 million; 2007 - $2.0 million; 2008 - $6.8 million; 2009 - $4.4 million; thereafter - $27.2 million.

Prospective Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results

     The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand companies' future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This report may contain forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on management's plans and assumptions. Words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," and words and terms of similar substance, used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify these forward-looking statements.

21


     We cannot guarantee that the outcomes suggested in any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements and should refer to the discussion of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions under the heading "Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results" in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

    In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections - a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3." This statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles as well as those changes required by an accounting pronouncement where the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. This statement requires retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of changes in accounting principles as opposed to including in net income, in the period of the change, the cumulative effect of change in accounting principles. However, when an accounting pronouncement includes specific transition provisions, those provisions should be followed. This statement is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.

     In March 2005, the FASB published FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations." A conditional asset retirement obligation, as used in FASB No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" refers to a legal obligation to perform 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 the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity however, is unconditional and must be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. Interpretation No. 47 is effective no later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. We are currently completing an analysis of the ultimate impact that this new pronouncement will have on the Company's results of operations.

     In March 2005, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 04-06, "Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred During Production in the Mining Industry." This consensus states that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of the inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred. This guidance applies to all mining entities and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. Stripping costs are costs incurred for the removal of overburden, or waste materials, for the purpose of obtaining access to an ore body that will be produced commercially. Since the Company defers stripping costs in excess of the average life of mine stripping ratio and amortizes such costs on a unit of production method, the cumulative effect of this accounting adjustment will have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements upon adoption. We are currently completing an analysis of the ultimate impact that this new pronouncement will have on the ongoing results of operations.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment." This statement is a revision to SFAS No. 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and amends FASB Statement No. 95, "Statement of Cash Flows." This statement requires a public entity to expense the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. This statement also provides guidance on valuing and expensing these awards, as well as disclosure requirements of these equity arrangements.

     As permitted by SFAS No. 123, we currently account for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25's intrinsic value method and, as such, we generally recognize no compensation cost for employee stock options. The impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 123R cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However, valuation of employee stock options under SFAS No. 123R is similar to SFAS No. 123, with minor exceptions. For information about what our reported results of operations and earnings per share would have been had we adopted SFAS No. 123, please see the discussion under the heading, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation" in Note 3 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R's fair value method will have a significant impact on our

 

 

22


 

results of operations, although it will have no impact on our overall financial position. SFAS No. 123R also requires the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as required under current literature. This requirement will reduce net operating cash flows and increase net financing cash flows in periods after adoption. We are currently completing an analysis of the ultimate impact that this new pronouncement will have on the results of operations. This statement was to be effective for the first interim reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, however, in April 2005 the SEC deferred the effective date to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.

     In November 2004, FASB issued Statement No. 151, "Inventory Costs - an Amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4." This statement amends the guidance in ARB No 43, Chapter 4, "Inventory Pricing," to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This statement requires that items such as idle facility expense, excessive spoilage, double freight, and re-handling costs be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, this statement requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. This statement will be effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently completing an analysis of the ultimate impact that this new pronouncement will have on the Company's results of operations.

     In December 2004, FASB issued Statement No. 153, "Exchanges of Non-Monetary Assets - an amendment to APB Opinion No. 29." This statement amends the guidance in Opinion No. 29 to eliminate the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. A non-monetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The Company had no such exchanges in the first half of 2005.

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 109-2, "Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004," which provides relief concerning the timing of the SFAS No. 109 requirement to accrue deferred taxes for unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries. On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (AJCA) was signed into law. The AJCA includes a special one-time 85% dividends received deduction for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated. The Company decided during the first quarter of 2005 to repatriate $3 million and decided during the second quarter to repatriate an additional $15.6 million, which resulted in a tax liability of approximately $1.3 million. The Company is continuing the process of evaluating the impact of the repatriation provision on additional dividend distributions. The tax effect of any additional distributions can not be determined at this time.

Critical Accounting Policies

     Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

     On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, pension plan assumptions, income taxes, income tax valuation allowances and litigation and environmental liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that can not readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

Property, Plant and Equipment

     Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives. Useful lives are based on management's estimates of the period that the assets can generate revenue, which does not necessarily coincide with the remaining term of a customer's contractual obligation to purchase products made using those assets. The Company's sales of PCC are predominantly pursuant to long-term contracts, initially ten years in length, with paper mills where the Company operates satellite PCC plants. The terms of many of these agreements have been extended, often in

 

23


 

connection with an expansion of the satellite PCC plant. The Company also continues to supply PCC at two locations at which the PCC contract has expired, and one location, representing one unit of PCC production where the host mill has provided notice to the Company of its plans to cancel the PCC supply contract upon its expiration in 2006. Failure of a PCC customer to renew an agreement or continue to purchase PCC from the Company facility could result in an impairment of assets charge or accelerated depreciation at such facility.

 

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to adverse changes in market prices and rates. We are exposed to market risk because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar. We do not anticipate that near-term changes in exchange rates will have a material impact on our future earnings or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that a sudden and significant decline in the value of foreign currencies would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Approximately 50% of our bank debt bears interest at variable rates; therefore our results of operations would only be affected by interest rate changes to such outstanding bank debt. An immediate 10 percent change in interest rates would not have a material effect on our results of operations over the next fiscal year.     

     We are exposed to various market risks, including the potential loss arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. When appropriate, we enter into derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps, to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange rate movements and interest rate movements on our operating results. The counterparties are major financial institutions. Such forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps would not subject us to additional risk from exchange rate or interest rate movements because gains and losses on these contracts would offset losses and gains on the assets, liabilities, and transactions being hedged. We have open forward exchange contracts to purchase approximately $4.6 million of foreign currencies as of July 3, 2005. These contracts mature between July and December of 2005. The fair value of these instruments at July 3, 2005 was an asset of $0.1 million.

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

     As of the end of the period covered by this report, and under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     The Company is in the process of implementing a global enterprise resource planning systems (ERP) to manage our business operations. As of July 3, 2005, a substantial number of our domestic locations were using the new systems. The worldwide implementation is expected to be completed over the next few years and involves changes in systems that include internal controls. Although the transition has proceeded to date without material adverse effects, the possibility exists that our migration to the new ERP system could adversely affect the Company's disclosure controls and procedures or our results of operations in future periods. We are reviewing each system as it is being implemented and the controls affected by the implementation of the new systems, and are making appropriate changes to affected internal controls as we implement the new systems. We believe that the controls as modified are appropriate and functioning effectively.    

     There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (other than the ongoing implementation of the ERP system discussed above) during the quarter ended July 3, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

24


 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

     A November 28, 2005 trial date has been set for the Company's patent infringement lawsuit against Omya AG. As previously reported, on June 15, 2004, the Company filed suit against Switzerland-based Omya for patent infringement seeking injunctive relieve and damages in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that Omya and its subsidiaries have infringed, are inducing the infringement of, or are contributing to the infringement of two patents held by the Company covering the use of the calcium carbonate in the manufacture of acidic paper. The Company's technology is commonly referred to as acid tolerant technology and is commercialized by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Specialty Minerals Inc., through its AT® precipitated calcium carbonate. Minerals Technologies argues that its business has been, and continues to be, damaged by this alleged infringement.

     There have been no other material developments during the second quarter in legal proceedings or environmental matters involving the Company or its subsidiaries since those reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2005 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

     The Company and its subsidiaries are not party to any other material pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation incidental to their businesses.

 

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

e)     Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 Period

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

     

Average Price Paid Per Share

     

Cumulative Number of Shares Purchased as Part of the Program

   

Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program

 

April 4 - May 1

 

5,000

   

$

63.15

     

413,800

 

$

29,332,286

 

May 2 - May 29

 

--

   

$

--

     

413,800

 

$

29,332,286

 

May 30 - July 3

 

363,200

   

$

61.22

     

777,000

 

$

29,016,536

 
                             

            Total

 

368,200

   

$

61.25

               

     On October 23, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company's Management Committee, at its discretion, to repurchase up to $75 million in additional shares per year over the next three-year period. As of July 3, 2005, the Company had repurchased 777,000 shares under this program at an average price of approximately $59.18 per share.

 

 

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

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 25, 2005, the following two items were submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company:

1. Votes regarding the election of four directors for a term expiring in 2008 were as follows:
Term Expiring in 2008

Votes For

Votes Withheld

Paula H. J. Cholmondeley

18,980,020

675,357

Duane R. Dunham

19,227,980

427,397

Steven J. Golub

12,756,683

6,898,694

Jean-Paul Vallès

10,847,156

8,808,221

25


2. Votes regarding ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for the 2005 fiscal year were as follows:
 

19,391,862

Votes for approval
 

149,004

Votes against
 

114,511

Abstentions

ITEM 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit No.

   

Exhibit Title

 

15

 

Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification executed by the Company's principal executive officer.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification executed by the Company's principal financial officer.

32

 

Section 1350 Certifications.

99

 

Statement of Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results.

26


 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

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

     

Minerals Technologies Inc.

 
 
 

By:

/s/John A. Sorel

 

John A. Sorel

  Senior Vice President-Finance and
  Chief Financial Officer
 

(principal financial officer)

 

August 2, 2005

 

27

 

EXHIBIT 15

 

 

EXHIBIT 15

ACCOUNTANTS' ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Board of Directors
Minerals Technologies Inc.:

Re:  Registration Statement Nos. 33-59080, 33-65268, 33-96558 and 333-62739

        With respect to the subject registration statements, we acknowledge our awareness of the use therein of our report dated August 2, 2005, related to our review of interim financial information.

        Pursuant to Rule 436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), such report is not considered a part of a registration statement prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm or a report prepared or certified by an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

 

KPMG LLP

 

 

 

 

New York, New York
August 2, 2005

 

 

EXHIBIT 31

EXHIBIT 31.1

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATIONS

I, Paul R. Saueracker, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Minerals Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 2, 2005

/s/

Paul R. Saueracker

 

Paul R. Saueracker

  Chairman of the Board; President
  and Chief Executive Officer

 

EXHIBIT 31

EXHIBIT 31.2

 

RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, John A. Sorel, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Minerals Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 2, 2005

/s/

John A. Sorel

 

John A. Sorel

  Senior Vice President-Finance and
  Chief Financial Officer
 

(principal financial officer)

 

EXHIBIT 32

EXHIBIT 32

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

 

       Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code), each of the undersigned officers of Minerals Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify that:

       The Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2005 (the "Form 10-Q") of the Company fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:  August 2, 2005

/s/

Paul R. Saueracker

 

Paul R. Saueracker

 

Chairman of the Board; President and

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: August 2, 2005

/s/

John A. Sorel

 

John A. Sorel

 

Senior Vice President-Finance and

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

(principal financial officer)

 

 

 

 

       The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(b); is not deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section; and is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act of 1934.

EXHIBIT 99

EXHIBIT 99

CAUTIONARY FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

     The disclosure and analysis set forth in this report contains certain forward-looking statements, particularly statements relating to future actions, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenditures, and financial results. From time to time, the Company also provides forward-looking statements in other publicly-released materials, both written and oral. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations and forecasts of future events such as new products, revenues and financial performance, and are not limited to describing historical or current facts. They can be identified by the use of words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," and other words and phrases of similar meaning.

     Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on assumptions, estimates and limited information available at the time they are made. A broad variety of risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, as well as the inaccuracy of assumptions and estimates, can affect the realization of the expectations or forecasts in these statements. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Actual future results may vary materially.

     The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. Investors should refer to the Company's subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for further disclosures.

     As permitted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is providing the following cautionary statements which identify factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from historical and expected results. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Investors should not consider this list an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions.

  • Historical Growth Rate

Continuance of the historical growth rate of the Company depends upon a number of uncertain events, including the outcome of the Company's strategies of increasing its penetration into geographic markets such as Asia and Europe; increasing its penetration into product markets such as the market for paper coating pigments and the market for groundwood paper pigments; increasing sales to existing PCC customers by increasing the amount of PCC used per ton of paper produced; and developing, introducing and selling new products and effecting strategically appropriate mergers and acquisitions. Difficulties, delays or failures of any of these strategies could cause the future growth rate of the Company to differ materially from its historical growth rate.

  • Contract Renewals

The Company's sales of Paper PCC are predominantly pursuant to long-term agreements, generally ten years in length, with paper mills where the Company operates satellite PCC plants. The terms of many of these agreements have been extended, often in connection with an expansion of the satellite plant. Failure of a number of the Company's customers to renew existing agreements on terms as favorable to the Company as those currently in effect could cause the future growth rate of the Company to differ materially from its historical growth rate, could have a substantial adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, and could also result in impairment of the assets associated with the PCC plant.

  • Consolidation in Paper Industry

Several consolidations in the paper industry have taken place in recent years. These consolidations could result in partial or total closure of some paper mills at which the Company operates PCC satellites. Such closures would reduce the Company's sales of PCC, except to the extent that they resulted in shifting paper production and associated purchases of PCC to another location served by the Company. There can be no assurance, however, that this will occur. Similarly, following a string of bankruptcies, consolidations have occurred in the steel industry. Such consolidations in the two major industries we serve concentrate purchasing power in the hands of a smaller number of papermakers and steel makers, enabling them to increase pressure on suppliers, such as the Company. This increased pressure could have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations in the future.


 

  • Litigation; Environmental Exposures

The Company's operations are subject to international, federal, state and local governmental, tax and other laws and regulations, and potentially to claims for various legal, environmental and tax matters. The Company is currently a party to various litigation matters. While the Company carries liability insurance which it believes to be appropriate to its businesses, and has provided reserves for such matters which it believes to be adequate, an unanticipated liability arising out of such a litigation matter or a tax or environmental proceeding could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In addition, future events, such as changes in or modifications of interpretations of existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies or further investigation or evaluation of the potential health hazards of certain products may give rise to additional compliance and other costs that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

  • New Products

The Company is engaged in a continuous effort to develop new products and processes in all of its product lines. Difficulties, delays or failures in the development, testing, production, marketing or sale of such new products could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from expected results.

  • Competition; Protection of Intellectual Property

Particularly in its PCC and Refractory product lines, the Company's ability to compete is based in part upon proprietary knowledge, both patented and unpatented. The Company's ability to achieve anticipated results depends in part on its ability to defend its intellectual property against inappropriate disclosure as well as against infringement. In addition, development by the Company's competitors of new products or technologies that are more effective or less expensive than those the Company offers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

  • Risks of Doing Business Abroad

As the Company expands its operations overseas, it faces the increased risks of doing business abroad, including inflation, fluctuation in interest rates and currency exchange rates, changes in applicable laws and regulatory requirements, export and import restrictions, tariffs, nationalization, expropriation, limits on repatriation of funds, civil unrest, terrorism, unstable governments and legal systems, and other factors. Adverse developments in any of these areas could cause actual results to differ materially from historical and expected results.

  • Availability of Raw Materials

The Company's ability to achieve anticipated results depends in part on having an adequate supply of raw materials for its manufacturing operations, particularly lime and carbon dioxide for the PCC product line, magnesia for Refractory operations and talc ore for the Processed Minerals product line, and on having adequate access to the ore reserves at its mining operations. Unanticipated changes in the costs or availability of such raw materials, or in the Company's ability to have access to its ore reserves, could adversely affect the Company's results of operations.

  • Cyclical Nature of Customers' Businesses

The majority of the Company's sales are to customers in two industries, paper manufacturing and steel manufacturing, which have historically been cyclical. The Company's exposure to variations in its customers' businesses has been reduced in recent years by the growth in the number of plants it operates; by the diversification of its portfolio of products and services; and by its geographic expansion. Also, the Company has structured some of its long-term satellite PCC contracts to provide a degree of protection against declines in the quantity of product purchased, since the price per ton of PCC generally rises as the number of tons purchased declines. In addition, many of the Company's product lines lower its customers' costs of production or increase their productivity, which should encourage them to use its products. However, a sustained economic downturn in one or more of the industries or geographic regions that the Company serves, or in the worldwide economy, could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from historical and expected results.