UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
Commission file number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State of incorporation) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act. 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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding at April 30, 2024 amounted to
1
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts) |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
||
Net sales |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Cost of sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
(Gain) on sale of assets |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Operating profit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other loss, net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Income before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Income tax provision |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to Koppers |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Earnings per common share attributable to Koppers common shareholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Diluted |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Changes in other comprehensive income (loss): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Currency translation adjustment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges, net of tax expense of $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pension adjustments, net of tax expense of $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Comprehensive income attributable to Koppers |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
(Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts) |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Inventories, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Derivative contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Goodwill |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Intangible assets, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred tax assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current operating lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accrued postretirement benefits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
(Note 13) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common Stock, $ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Treasury stock, at cost, |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Total Koppers shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total liabilities and equity |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Adjustments to reconcile net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Change in derivative contracts |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Non-cash interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Loss (gain) on sale of assets |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Insurance proceeds |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Change in other liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other - net |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Changes in working capital: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accounts receivable |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Inventories |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Accounts payable |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Other working capital |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash (used in) operating activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Capital expenditures |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Insurance proceeds received |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash provided by sale of assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net cash (used in) investing activities |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Borrowings of credit facility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Repayments of credit facility |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Repayments of long-term debt |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Issuances of Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Repurchases of Common Stock |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Payment of debt issuance costs |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Dividends paid |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Accrued capital expenditures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
||
Common Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning and end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Employee stock plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Issuance of common stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Retained earnings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to Koppers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common Stock dividends ($ |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Currency translation adjustment |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flow hedges, net of tax(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pension adjustments, net of tax(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at end of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Treasury stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Purchases |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance at end of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total equity – beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Total equity – end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applicable to interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of Koppers Holdings Inc.’s and its subsidiaries’ (Koppers, Koppers Holdings, the Company, we or us) financial position and interim results as of and for the periods presented have been included. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless disclosed otherwise. Because our business is seasonal, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for a full year. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 has been summarized from the audited balance sheet contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023. Certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.
2. New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU updates reportable segment disclosures by expanding the frequency and extent of segment disclosures. ASU No. 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We are currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on our disclosures.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU updates income tax disclosures by requiring annual disclosures of consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU No. 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. We are currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on our disclosures.
3. Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the estimated fair values and the related carrying amounts of our financial instruments:
|
|
March 31, 2024 |
|
|
December 31, 2023 |
|
||||||||||
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Fair Value |
|
|
Carrying |
|
||||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Financial assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Investments and other assets |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Financial liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Long-term debt (including current portion) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Investments and other assets – Represents the broker-quoted cash surrender value on universal life insurance policies. This asset is classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy.
Debt – The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based on the market prices for the same or similar issuances or on the current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2). The fair value of our Credit Facility (as defined in Note 11 – Debt) approximates carrying value due to the variable rate nature of this instrument.
See Note 12 – Derivative Financial Instruments, for the fair value of our derivative financial instruments.
6
4. Common Stock
The following table presents changes in common stock and treasury stock:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Shares in thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Common Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Issued for employee stock plans |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at end of period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Treasury Stock: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Shares repurchased |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance at end of period |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Common Stock Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
5. Earnings and Dividends per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions, except share and per share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to Koppers |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Effect of dilutive securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Earnings per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Basic |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Diluted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
On
6. Stock-based Compensation
The board of directors granted restricted stock units and performance stock units (collectively, the stock units) to certain employee participants in January 2024.
The number of performance stock units granted represents the target award and participants have the ability to earn between
We calculated the fair value of the restricted stock units and performance stock units with a performance condition using the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant.
|
|
January 2024 Grant |
|
|
Grant date price per share of performance award |
|
$ |
|
|
Expected volatility |
|
|
% |
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
% |
|
Look-back period in years |
|
|
|
|
Grant date fair value per share |
|
$ |
|
|
7
The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of non-vested stock units:
|
|
Restricted |
|
|
Performance |
|
|
Total |
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
||||
Non-vested at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Granted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Credited from dividends |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Vested |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Forfeited |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
Non-vested at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of stock options:
|
|
Options |
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
Aggregate Intrinsic |
|
||||
Outstanding at December 31, 2023 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Exercised |
|
|
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Outstanding at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
||||
The following table presents total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of operations:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Less related income tax benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Decrease in net income attributable to Koppers |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
7. Segment Information
We have
Our RUPS segment primarily sells pressure-treated railroad ties to the railroad industry and treated utility poles to utility markets. Railroad products and services include procuring and treating items such as crossties, switch ties and various types of lumber used for railroad bridges and crossings. Utility products include the pressure treatment of transmission and distribution poles for electric and telephone utilities. In addition, we provide untreated wood products and rail joint bars, which are steel bars used to join rails together for railroads, to the railroad markets and inspection services to the utility markets. We also operate a railroad services business that conducts engineering, design, repair and inspection services for railroad bridges and a business related to the recovery of used crossties, serving the same customer base as our North American railroad business.
Our PC segment develops, manufactures, and markets wood preservation chemicals and wood treatment technologies and services to a diverse range of end-markets including residential, infrastructure and commercial construction, and agriculture.
Our CMC segment is primarily a manufacturer of creosote, carbon pitch, naphthalene, phthalic anhydride and carbon black feedstock. Creosote is used in the treatment of wood and carbon black feedstock is used in the production of carbon black. Carbon pitch is a critical raw material used in the production of aluminum and steel. Naphthalene is used for the production of phthalic anhydride and as a surfactant in the production of concrete. Phthalic anhydride is used in the production of plasticizers, polyester resins and alkyd paints.
8
Our primary measure of segment profitability is adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and certain non-cash and/or non-recurring items that do not contribute directly to management’s evaluation of our operating results (as defined by us, adjusted EBITDA). These items include impairment, restructuring and plant closure costs, mark-to-market commodity hedging, gain or loss on sale of assets and LIFO inventory effects. This presentation is consistent with how our chief operating decision maker evaluates the results of operations and makes strategic decisions about the business. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used to determine the level of achievement of management’s short-term incentive goals and related payout, as well as one of the measures used to determine performance and related payouts for certain performance share units granted to management. For these reasons, we believe that adjusted EBITDA represents the most relevant measure of segment profit and loss.
Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income on a consolidated basis, the most directly comparable financial measure determined and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Contract Balances
The timing of revenue recognition results in both billed accounts receivable and unbilled receivables, both classified as accounts receivable, net of allowance within the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Contract assets of $
The following table sets forth revenues for significant product lines, net of all intersegment transactions, for our segments:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad treated products |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Utility poles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad infrastructure products and services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Performance Chemicals: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Wood preservative products |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Other products |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Performance Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Carbon Materials and Chemicals: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pitch and related products |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Phthalic anhydride, naphthalene, and other chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Carbon black feedstock and distillates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Intersegment revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Performance Chemicals |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
9
The following table sets forth certain operating data, net of all intersegment transactions, for our segments:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Adjusted EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Items excluded from the determination of segment profit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIFO expense(1) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Gain on sale of assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Mark-to-market commodity hedging gains |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Interest expense |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Income tax provision |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Net income |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
The following table sets forth assets and goodwill allocated to each of our segments:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Segment assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
All other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Goodwill: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
8. Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate
The income tax provision for interim periods is comprised of an estimated annual effective income tax rate applied to current year ordinary income and tax associated with discrete items. These discrete items generally relate to excess stock compensation deductions, changes in tax laws, adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits and changes of estimated tax liability to the actual liability determined upon filing income tax returns. To determine the annual effective tax rate, management is required to make estimates of annual pretax income in each domestic and foreign jurisdiction in which we conduct business. Entities that have historical pre-tax losses and current year estimated pre-tax losses that are not projected to generate a future benefit are excluded from the estimated annual effective income tax rate.
10
The estimated annual effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate due to:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
Federal income tax rate |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Foreign earnings taxed at different rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Nondeductible expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Change in tax contingency reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
GILTI inclusion, net of foreign tax credits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Estimated annual effective income tax rate |
|
|
% |
|
|
% |
||
Income taxes as a percentage of pretax income were
During the year, management regularly updates estimates of pre-tax income and income tax expense based on changes in pre-tax income projections by taxable jurisdiction, repatriation of foreign earnings, unrecognized tax benefits and other tax matters. Effective January 1, 2024, certain jurisdictions in which we operate have enacted legislation that is consistent with one or more Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (commonly referred to as "Pillar Two"). These Pillar Two rules include minimum domestic top up taxes, income inclusion rules and undertaxed profit rules all aimed to ensure that multinationals pay a minimum effective corporate tax rate of
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, individual U.S. state jurisdictions and non-U.S. jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, U.S. state, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2017.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, unrecognized tax benefits of $
9. Inventories, net
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Raw materials |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Work in process |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Finished goods |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Less revaluation to LIFO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
10. Pensions and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
We maintain a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits for employees in the United States, as well as employees outside the United States.
We are evaluating the termination of our United States qualified pension plan and are targeting the potential completion of this effort in the first quarter 2025. We estimate that a termination will require additional cash funding of $
11
In connection with the planned termination of our defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom, in 2021, we entered into a buy-in bulk annuity insurance policy in exchange for a premium payment of $
The timing of the conversion to a buy-out policy may be impacted by a ruling from the High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom in the case of Virgin Media Limited v NTL Pension Trustees II Limited and Others related to certain amendments to UK pension plans. This ruling is currently under appeal.
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension plans:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Service cost |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Interest cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Amortization of net loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Defined contribution plan expense |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
11. Debt
The following table summarizes debt:
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Maturity |
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Credit Facility |
|
|
% |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Term Loan B |
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Less short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Less unamortized debt issuance costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Long-term debt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||
Credit Facility
We have a credit agreement (the Credit Facility) with a consortium of banks. The Credit Facility provides for an $
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets (excluding real property and other customary assets) of Koppers Inc., Koppers Holdings Inc. and our material domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contains certain covenants that may limit Koppers Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries from taking certain actions. These limitations include, among others, restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, dividends, investments, acquisitions, certain distributions, asset sales, transactions with affiliates and modifications to material documents, including organizational documents. In addition, such covenants may give rise to events of default upon the failure by Koppers Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to meet certain financial ratios.
As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $
12
Term Loan B
In April 2023, a new class of senior secured term loans under the Credit Facility (the Term Loan B) was issued at
Interest Rate Swaps
See Note 12 – Derivative Financial Instruments for discussion of the interest rate swap agreements, which effectively convert the variable rate to a fixed rate for a portion of our variable rate debt.
Subsequent Events
On April 12, 2024, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Facility (Amendment No. 3) which, among other modifications: (i) provides for the incurrence of incremental term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $
12. Derivative Financial Instruments
We utilize derivative instruments to manage exposures to risks that have been identified, measured and are capable of being mitigated. The primary risks that we manage by using derivative instruments are commodity price risk associated with copper, fuel oil, foreign currency exchange risk, principally the U.S. dollar, Australian dollar and British pound sterling, and interest rate risk associated with variable rate borrowings. Generally, we enter into master netting arrangements with the counterparties and offset net derivative positions with the same counterparties. Currently, our agreements do not require cash collateral.
The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. The derivative instruments are classified as current or noncurrent based upon the expected timing of cash flows and are subject to offset under our master netting arrangements. A derivative instrument's fair value is determined using significant other observable inputs, a Level 2 fair value measurement.
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative instruments representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
Swap contracts on copper are used to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing processes. Generally, we will not hedge cash flow exposures for durations longer than
We enter into heating oil swap contracts to manage price risk associated with fuel oil purchases for our plant operations and certain raw material requirements. The fair value associated with these swap contracts are not designated as hedges, and the related unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is reported in current earnings. These amounts are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had contracts totaling
We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency risk associated with our receivable and payable balances in addition to foreign-denominated sales. The fair value associated with forward contracts related to foreign currency that are not designated as hedges, and the related unrealized gain or loss on the derivative is reported in current earnings. These amounts are classified in cost of sales in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
13
We enter into interest rate swaps to effectively convert portions of our variable interest rate debt into fixed rate debt to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. We entered into interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $
See the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income and condensed consolidated statement of shareholders' equity for amounts recorded in other comprehensive income and for amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into net income.
The fair value of the outstanding derivative contracts recorded in the balance sheet are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Copper Swap |
|
|
Heating Oil Contracts |
|
|
Foreign Currency |
|
|
Interest Rate |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Derivative contracts |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Other assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|||
Net asset on balance sheet |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Accumulated other comprehensive gain, |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Copper Swap |
|
|
Heating Oil Contracts |
|
|
Foreign Currency |
|
|
Interest Rate |
|
|
Total |
|
|||||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Derivative contracts |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|||||
Accrued liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
||
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
|||
Net asset (liability) on balance sheet |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
|
|||
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss), |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
( |
) |
|
$ |
( |
) |
|||
Over the next
Copper Swap Contracts
As of the periods presented, we had outstanding copper swap contracts of the following amounts:
|
|
Units Outstanding (in Pounds) |
|
|
Net Fair Value – Asset |
|
||||||||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||||
(Amounts in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash flow hedges |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
Contracts where hedge accounting was not |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||||
The unrealized gain from copper swaps contracts where hedge accounting was not elected is as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Gain from contracts where hedge accounting was not elected |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
14
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The net currency units outstanding for contracts were:
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
(In millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
United States Dollars |
|
|
USD |
|
|
|
USD |
|
British Pound Sterling |
|
|
GBP |
|
|
|
GBP |
|
Australian Dollars |
|
|
AUD |
|
|
|
AUD |
|
13. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
We are involved in litigation and various proceedings relating to environmental laws and regulations, product liability and other matters. Certain of these matters are discussed below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty and should we fail to prevail in any of these legal matters or should several of these legal matters be resolved against us in the same reporting period, these legal matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
Coal Tar Pitch Cases. Koppers Inc. is one of several defendants in lawsuits filed in
The plaintiffs in all
We have
Environmental and Other Litigation Matters
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations and potential liabilities relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety including, among other things, the cleanup of contaminated sites, the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, the discharge of effluent into waterways, the emission of substances into the air and various health and safety matters. We expect to incur substantial costs for ongoing compliance with such laws and regulations. We may also face governmental or third-party claims, or otherwise incur costs, relating to cleanup of, or for injuries resulting from, contamination at sites associated with past and present operations. We accrue for environmental liabilities when a determination can be made that a liability is probable and reasonably estimable.
Environmental and Other Liabilities Retained or Assumed by Others. We have agreements with former owners of certain of our operating locations under which the former owners retained, assumed and/or agreed to indemnify us against certain environmental and other liabilities. The most significant of these agreements was entered into at Koppers Inc.’s formation on December 29, 1988 (the Acquisition). Under the related asset purchase agreement between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East, subject to certain limitations, Beazer East retained the responsibility for and agreed to indemnify Koppers Inc. against certain liabilities, damages, losses and costs, including, with certain limited exceptions, liabilities under and costs to comply with environmental laws to the extent attributable to acts or omissions occurring prior to the Acquisition and liabilities related to products sold by Beazer East prior to the Acquisition (the Indemnity). Beazer Limited, the parent company of Beazer East, unconditionally guaranteed Beazer East’s performance of the Indemnity pursuant to a guarantee.
15
The Indemnity provides different mechanisms, subject to certain limitations, by which Beazer East is obligated to indemnify Koppers Inc. with regard to certain environmental, product and other liabilities and imposes certain conditions on Koppers Inc. before receiving such indemnification, including, in some cases, certain limitations regarding the time period as to which claims for indemnification can be brought. In July 2004, Koppers Inc. and Beazer East agreed to amend the environmental indemnification provisions of the December 29, 1988 asset purchase agreement to extend the indemnification period for pre-closing environmental liabilities, subject to the following paragraph, and agreed to share toxic tort litigation defense arising from any sites acquired from Beazer East.
Qualified expenditures under the Indemnity are not subject to a monetary limit. Qualified expenditures under the Indemnity include (i) environmental cleanup liabilities required by third parties, such as investigation, remediation and closure costs, relating to pre-December 29, 1988 (Pre-Closing) acts or omissions of Beazer East or its predecessors; (ii) environmental claims by third parties for personal injuries, property damages and natural resources damages relating to Pre-Closing acts or omissions of Beazer East or its predecessors; (iii) punitive damages for the acts or omissions of Beazer East and its predecessors without regard to the date of the alleged conduct and (iv) product liability claims for products sold by Beazer East or its predecessors without regard to the date of the alleged conduct. The indemnification period ended July 14, 2019 (the Claim Deadline) and Beazer East may now tender certain third-party claims described in sections (i) and (ii) above to Koppers Inc. However, to the extent the third-party claims described in sections (i) and (ii) above were tendered to Beazer East by the Claim Deadline, Beazer East will continue to be required to pay the costs arising from such claims under the Indemnity. Furthermore, the Claim Deadline did not change the provisions of the Indemnity with respect to indemnification for non-environmental claims, such as product liability claims, which claims may continue to be tendered by Koppers Inc. to Beazer East.
The Indemnity provides for the resolution of issues between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East by an arbitrator on an expedited basis upon the request of either party. The arbitrator could be asked, among other things, to make a determination regarding the allocation of environmental responsibilities between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East. Arbitration decisions under the Indemnity are final and binding on the parties.
Contamination has been identified at most manufacturing and other sites of our subsidiaries.
To date, the parties that retained, assumed and/or agreed to indemnify us against the liabilities referred to above, including Beazer East, have performed their obligations in all material respects. Periodically, issues have arisen between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East and/or other indemnitors that have been resolved without arbitration. Koppers Inc. and Beazer East engage in discussions from time to time that involve, among other things, the allocation of environmental costs related to certain operating and closed facilities.
If for any reason (including disputed coverage or financial incapability) one or more of such parties fail to perform their obligations and we are held liable for or otherwise required to pay all or part of such liabilities without reimbursement, the imposition of such liabilities on us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Furthermore, we could be required to record a contingent liability on our balance sheet with respect to such matters, which could result in a negative impact to our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Domestic Environmental Matters. Koppers Inc. has been named as one of the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at the Portland Harbor CERCLA site located on the Willamette River in Oregon. Koppers Inc. operated a coal tar pitch terminal near the site. Koppers Inc. has responded to an EPA information request and has executed a PRP agreement which outlines a private process to develop an allocation of past and future costs among more than
The EPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) in January 2017 for the Portland Harbor CERCLA site. The selected remedy includes a combination of sediment removal, capping, enhanced and monitored natural recovery and riverbank improvements. The ROD does not determine who is responsible for remediation costs. At that time, the net present value and undiscounted costs of the selected remedy as estimated in the ROD were approximately $
16
Additionally, Koppers Inc. is involved in two separate matters involving natural resource damages at the Portland Harbor site. One matter involves claims by the trustees to recover damages based upon an assessment of damages to natural resources caused by the releases of hazardous substances to the Willamette River. The assessment serves as the foundation to estimate liabilities for settlements of natural resource damages claims or litigation to recover from those who do not settle with the trustee groups. Koppers Inc. has been engaged in a process to resolve its natural resource damage liabilities for the assessment area. A second matter involves a lawsuit filed in January 2017 by the Yakama Nation in Oregon federal court. Yakama Nation seeks recovery for response costs and the costs of assessing injury to natural resources in waterways beyond the current assessment area. Following the most recent court rulings, the Yakama Nation case has been stayed pending completion of the private allocation process for the Portland Harbor CERCLA site.
In September 2009, Koppers Inc. received a general notice letter stating that it may be a PRP at the Newark Bay CERCLA site. In January 2010, Koppers Inc. submitted a response to the general notice letter asserting that Koppers Inc. is a de minimis party at this site.
We have accrued the estimated costs of participating in the PRP group at the Portland Harbor and Newark Bay CERCLA sites and estimated de minimis contributor settlement amounts at the sites totaling $
There are
Foreign Environmental Matters. There is one plant site related to the Performance Chemicals business located in Australia where we have recorded an environmental remediation liability for soil and groundwater contamination which occurred prior to the acquisition of the business. As of March 31, 2024, our estimated for the acquired site totals $
Environmental Reserves Rollforward.
|
|
Period ended |
|
|||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
Expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Cash expenditures |
|
|
|
|
|
( |
) |
|
Currency translation |
|
|
( |
) |
|
|
( |
) |
Balance at end of period |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
||
14. Subsequent Events
On April 1, 2024, we completed our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Brown Wood Preserving Company, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (Brown Wood) for approximately $
17
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This report and any documents incorporated herein by reference contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and may include, but are not limited to, statements about sales levels, acquisitions, restructuring, declines in the value of Koppers assets and the effect of any related impairment charges, profitability and anticipated expenses and cash outflows. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “continue,” “plans,” “potential,” “intends,” “likely,” or other similar words or phrases are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement contained herein, in press releases, written statements or documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or in Koppers communications and discussions with investors and analysts in the normal course of business through meetings, phone calls and conference calls, regarding future dividends, expectations with respect to sales, earnings, cash flows, operating efficiencies, restructurings, product introduction or expansion, the benefits of acquisitions and divestitures, or other matters as well as financings and debt reduction, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies. Many of these risks, uncertainties and contingencies are beyond our control, and may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements. Factors that might affect such forward-looking statements, include, among other things, the impact of changes in commodity prices, such as oil and copper, on product margins; general economic and business conditions; inflation; potential difficulties in protecting our intellectual property; the ratings on our debt and our ability to repay or refinance our outstanding indebtedness as it matures; our ability to operate within the limits of our debt covenants; unexpected business disruptions; potential impairment of our goodwill and/or long-lived assets; demand for Koppers goods and services; competitive conditions; capital market conditions, including interest rates, borrowing costs and foreign currency rate fluctuations; availability of and fluctuations in the prices of key raw materials, such as coal tar, lumber and scrap copper; disruptions and inefficiencies in the supply chain; economic, political and environmental conditions in international markets; changes in laws; the impact of environmental laws and regulations; and unfavorable resolution of claims against us, as well as those discussed more fully elsewhere in this report and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly our latest annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings. We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors may not contain all of the material factors that are important to you. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein may not in fact occur. Any forward-looking statements in this report speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after that date or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Part I as well as the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Overview
We are a leading integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood preservation chemicals and carbon compounds. Our products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end-markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber and construction industries. We serve our customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with manufacturing capabilities in North America, South America, Australasia and Europe. We operate three principal businesses: RUPS, PC and CMC.
Through our RUPS business, we believe that we are the largest supplier of railroad crossties to the Class I railroads in North America. Our other treated wood products include utility poles for the electric, telephone, and broadband utility industries in the United States and Australia and construction pilings in the United States. In addition, we provide untreated wood products and rail joint bars to the railroad markets and inspection services to the utility markets. We also operate a railroad services business that conducts engineering, design, repair and inspection services for railroad bridges and a business related to the recovery of used crossties, serving the same customer base as our North American railroad business.
Through our PC business, we believe that we are the global leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing wood preservation chemicals and wood treatment technologies for use in the pressure treating of lumber for residential, industrial and agricultural applications.
18
Our CMC business processes coal tar into a variety of products, including creosote, carbon pitch, carbon black feedstock, naphthalene and phthalic anhydride, which are intermediate materials necessary in the pressure treatment of wood, and the production of aluminum, steel, carbon black, high-strength concrete, plasticizers and specialty chemicals.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We utilize certain financial measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) to analyze and manage the performance of our business. We believe that adjusted EBITDA provides information useful to investors in understanding the underlying operational performance of the company, our business and performance trends, and facilitates comparisons between periods. The exclusion of certain items permits evaluation and a comparison between periods of results for business operations, and it is on this basis that our management internally assesses our performance. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure of profitability we use to evaluate our businesses. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is the primary measure used to determine the level of achievement of management's short-term incentive goals and related payout, as well as one of the measures used to determine performance and related payouts for certain performance share units granted to management.
Although we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures enhance investors’ understanding of our business and performance, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP financial measures and should be read in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures. Other companies in a similar industry may define or calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as income before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other adjustments. These other adjustments are items that we believe are not representative of underlying business performance. Adjusted items typically include certain expenses associated with impairment, restructuring and plant closure costs, significant gains and losses on asset disposals or business combinations, LIFO, mark-to-market commodity hedging and other unusual items. The LIFO expense adjustment removes the entire impact of LIFO and effectively reflects the results as if we were on a FIFO inventory basis. See Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation in the below section for the reconciliation from net income to adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis.
We do not provide reconciliations of guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS to comparable GAAP measures, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception. We are unable, without unreasonable efforts, to forecast certain items required to develop meaningful comparable GAAP financial measures. These items include, but are not limited to, restructuring and impairment charges, acquisition-related costs, mark-to-market commodity hedging, and LIFO adjustments that are difficult to forecast for a GAAP estimate and may be significant.
Outlook
We remain committed to expanding and optimizing our business and making continued progress towards our long-term financial goals. After considering global economic conditions, as well as ongoing uncertainty associated with geopolitical and supply chain challenges, the following summarizes our 2024 financial goals:
Our keys to success for 2024 are the following:
19
Significant market indicators for our businesses include:
Our businesses and results of operations are affected by various competitive and other factors including (i) the impact of global economic conditions on demand for our products, including the impact of imported products from competitors in certain regions where we operate; (ii) raw material pricing and availability, in particular the cost and availability of hardwood lumber for railroad crossties, softwood lumber for utility poles, scrap copper prices, and the cost and amount of coal tar available in global markets, which is negatively affected by reductions in blast furnace steel production; (iii) volatility in oil prices, which impacts the cost of coal tar and certain other raw materials, as well as selling prices and margins for certain of our products including carbon black feedstock, phthalic anhydride, and naphthalene; (iv) competitive conditions in global carbon pitch markets; and (v) changes in foreign exchange rates. Any or all of these factors could impact our actual results for 2024.
Seasonality and Effects of Weather on Operations
Our quarterly operating results fluctuate due to a variety of factors that are outside of our control, including inclement weather conditions, which in the past have affected operating results. Operations at some of our facilities have at times been reduced during the winter months. Moreover, demand for some of our products declines during periods of inclement weather. As a result of the foregoing, we anticipate that we may experience material fluctuations in quarterly operating results. Historically, our operating results have been significantly lower in the first and fourth calendar quarters as compared to the second and third calendar quarters.
Results of Operations – Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Results
Net sales are summarized by segment in the following table:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
||||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
225.1 |
|
|
$ |
213.1 |
|
|
$ |
12.0 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
150.1 |
|
|
|
146.9 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
122.4 |
|
|
|
153.4 |
|
|
|
(31.0 |
) |
|
|
-20 |
% |
|
|
$ |
497.6 |
|
|
$ |
513.4 |
|
|
$ |
(15.8 |
) |
|
|
-3 |
% |
20
RUPS net sales increased largely due to $9.6 million of volume increases for crossties and a net $8.1 million of pricing increases across multiple markets, particularly for crossties and domestic utility poles. These increases were partly offset by lower activity in our maintenance of way businesses and a 4.2 percent volume decrease in our domestic utility pole business due to temporary customer overstock and budget realignment. Foreign currency changes compared to the prior year period had an unfavorable impact on sales in the current year period of $0.6 million, mainly from our Australian utility pole business.
PC net sales increased as a result of volume increases of $6.8 million in the current year period, including a 6.1 percent volume increase in the Americas, primarily for our copper-based preservatives. These increases were partly offset by $3.3 million of lower prices in the Americas and Australasia. Foreign currency changes compared to the prior year period had an unfavorable impact on sales in the current year period of $0.2 million.
CMC net sales decreased mainly due to $28.6 million of lower sales prices across most products, including carbon pitch where prices were down 24.6 percent globally, along with $11.5 million of lower volumes of carbon pitch and carbon black feedstock. The decreases in carbon pitch prices and volumes were driven by reduced market demand in the current year period. These decreases were partly offset by volume increases for phthalic anhydride. Foreign currency changes compared to the prior year period from our international markets had an unfavorable impact on sales in the current year period of $1.7 million.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 81 percent, compared to 80 percent in the prior year period as the market driven reduction in CMC pricing, primarily carbon pitch, more than offset lower CMC raw material costs, particularly in North America and Australia. Significant items impacting cost of sales in individual operating segments are discussed as part of "Segment adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin" herein.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $2.1 million higher when compared to the prior year period as recent capital expenditures include increased investment in growth projects, such as the expansion of our RUPS facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas and a yield enhancement project at our CMC facility in Nyborg, Denmark. Additionally, asset retirement obligations in our European CMC operations increased during the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the prior year period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.9 million higher when compared to the prior year period due mainly to an increase in compensation-related costs along with an increase in professional service expenses.
Gain on sale of assets for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was related to a sale of assets of our former coal tar distillation facility located in China.
Interest expense was $3.1 million higher when compared to the prior year period due primarily to higher interest rates.
Income tax expense decreased by $5.5 million when compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower income before income taxes. See Note 8 – Income Taxes.
Segment Results
Segment adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin is summarized in the following table:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Change |
|
|
% Change |
|
||||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Adjusted EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
$ |
17.7 |
|
|
$ |
15.8 |
|
|
$ |
1.9 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
29.8 |
|
|
|
26.3 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
|
|
(15.4 |
) |
|
|
-79 |
% |
Total Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
51.5 |
|
|
$ |
61.5 |
|
|
$ |
(10.0 |
) |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Adjusted EBITDA margin as a percentage of GAAP sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Railroad and Utility Products and Services |
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
7.4 |
% |
|
|
0.5 |
% |
|
|
7 |
% |
Performance Chemicals |
|
|
19.9 |
% |
|
|
17.9 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
% |
|
|
11 |
% |
Carbon Materials and Chemicals |
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
12.6 |
% |
|
|
-9.3 |
% |
|
|
-74 |
% |
21
RUPS adjusted EBITDA increased due primarily to net sales price increases and $3.7 million from improved plant utilization, which combined to more than offset $10.6 million of higher operating, raw material and selling, general and administrative expenses.
PC adjusted EBITDA increased primarily as a result of higher volumes. Lower sales prices were offset by raw material price decreases.
CMC adjusted EBITDA decreased due to price and volume decreases along with lower North American plant utilization primarily due to a plant outage in January, partly offset by an $18.6 million reduction in raw material costs, particularly in Europe and North America.
Segment Results
Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation. The following table reconciles net income to adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated basis:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|||||
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
||
(Dollars in millions) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Net income |
|
$ |
13.0 |
|
|
$ |
26.2 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
17.1 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
16.1 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
9.9 |
|
Sub-total |
|
|
50.6 |
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
Adjustments to arrive at adjusted EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
LIFO expense(1) |
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
(Gain) on sale of assets |
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
Mark-to-market commodity hedging gains |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
Total adjustments |
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
$ |
51.5 |
|
|
$ |
61.5 |
|
Cash Flow
Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $12.3 million compared to $15.3 million in the prior year. The improvement was primarily the result of lower working capital usage in the current year which more than offset the cash impact of lower net income in the current year period the reasons for which are discussed under results of operations.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $25.8 million compared to $28.5 million in the prior year driven primarily by capital expenditures. Capital expenditures were higher in the prior year period due to investment in growth projects, such as the expansion of our RUPS facility in North Little Rock, Arkansas which was completed in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a yield enhancement project at our CMC facility in Nyborg, Denmark which was completed in the first quarter of 2024.
Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $23.0 million compared to $56.8 million in the prior year. The primary source of financing cash flows was net borrowings of $27.9 million and the primary uses of financing cash flows were payments related to taxes withheld under stock-based compensation plans and dividends paid. In the prior year, the primary source of financing cash flows was net borrowings of $63.5 million and the primary uses of financing cash flows were repurchases of common stock and dividends paid.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our Credit Facility is described in Note 11 – Debt.
Restrictions on Dividends to Koppers Holdings
Koppers Holdings depends on the dividends from the earnings of Koppers Inc. and its subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations, including the payment of any declared dividend of Koppers Holdings. The Credit Facility permits Koppers Inc. to make dividend payments to Koppers Holdings if certain conditions are met, including, among other permitted dividend payments, the ability to fund the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on and repurchases of Koppers Holdings common stock, in an aggregate amount per year not to exceed the greater of (a) $50.0 million in any fiscal year, with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to the succeeding fiscal year, and (b) 6.0 percent of market capitalization.
22
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024, liquidity was approximately $340 million.
Our need for cash in the next twelve months relates primarily to capital spending, purchase commitments, operating leases, working capital, debt service, pension plan funding, dividends and share repurchases. We may also use cash to pursue other potential strategic acquisitions or voluntary pension plan contributions, including pension plan settlements. Capital expenditures in 2024, excluding acquisitions, if any, are expected to total approximately $80 million to $90 million and are expected to be funded by cash from operations. We anticipate that our liquidity will continue to be adequate to fund our cash requirements for at least the next twelve months, and based on our current expectations, for the foreseeable future.
We manage our working capital to increase our flexibility to pay down debt. Debt will fluctuate throughout any operating period based upon the timing of receipts from customers and payments to vendors. As of March 31, 2024, approximately 90 percent of accounts payable was current and ten percent was 1-30 days past due. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 85 percent of accounts payable was current and 15 percent was 1-30 days past due.
Bank Debt Covenants
The bank debt covenants that affect availability of the Credit Facility and which may restrict the ability of Koppers Inc. to pay dividends include the following financial ratios:
We are currently in compliance with all covenants governing the Credit Facility. Our continued ability to meet these financial covenants may be affected by events beyond our control.
Legal Matters
The information set forth in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Koppers Holdings Inc. included in Item 1 of this Part I is incorporated herein by reference.
Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
The information set forth in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Koppers Holdings Inc. included in Item 1 of this Part I is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Environmental and Other Matters
The information set forth in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Koppers Holdings Inc. included in Item 1 of this Part I is incorporated herein by reference.
23
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There are no material changes to the disclosure on this matter made in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and utilizing the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information set forth in Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Koppers Holdings Inc. included in Item 1 of Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended March 31, 2024, none of our directors or executive officers
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
3.1* |
Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of Koppers Holdings Inc., as amended on May 2, 2024. |
31.1* |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2* |
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1* |
|
101.INS* |
Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded with the Inline XBRL document. |
101.SCH* |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents |
104 |
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Filed herewith.
24
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC. (REGISTRANT) |
||
|
|
||
Date: May 3, 2024 |
|
By: |
/s/ Jimmi Sue Smith |
|
|
|
Jimmi Sue Smith Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer) |
25