UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

 

OR

 

For the transition period from                 to                

 

Commission File Number: 001-14437

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

(412) 893-0026

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o     No þ

 

Number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (“Common Stock”) outstanding as of October 24, 2008 was 22,997,636.

 

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

As used in this report, the terms “RTI,” “Company,” “Registrant,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” mean RTI International Metals, Inc., its predecessors, and consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Shareholders’ Equity
(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of RTI International Metals, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “RTI”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all of the adjustments of a normal and recurring nature considered necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

 

The balance sheet at December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with accounting policies and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

The Company is a leading U.S. producer of titanium mill products and a global supplier of fabricated titanium and specialty metal components for the national and international market. RTI is a successor to entities that have been operating in the titanium industry since 1951. The Company first became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1990 under the name RMI Titanium Co., and was reorganized into a holding company structure in 1998 under the symbol “RTI.”

 

The Company conducts business in three segments:  the Titanium Group, the Fabrication Group and the Distribution Group.

 

The Titanium Group melts and produces a complete range of titanium mill products, which are further processed by its customers for use in a variety of commercial aerospace, defense, and industrial applications. The titanium mill products consist of basic mill shapes including ingot, slab, bloom, billet, bar, plate and sheet. The Titanium Group also produces ferro titanium alloys for steel-making customers.

 

The Fabrication Group is comprised of companies that fabricate, machine, and assemble titanium and other specialty metal parts and components. Its products, many of which are engineered parts and assemblies, serve commercial aerospace, defense, oil and gas, power generation, and chemical process industries, as well as a number of other industrial and consumer markets.

 

The Distribution Group stocks, distributes, finishes, cuts-to-size, and facilitates just-in-time delivery services of titanium, steel, and other specialty metal products.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Stock Options

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2008, and the activity during the nine months then ended, are presented below:

 

 

The fair value of stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based upon the assumptions noted in the following table:

 

 

Restricted Stock

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested restricted stock as of September 30, 2008, and the activity during the nine months then ended, are presented below:

 

 

Performance Share Awards

 

On January 25, 2008, the Board of Directors implemented a new compensation philosophy by introducing performance share awards to executive officers and certain key managers. The purpose of the performance share awards is to more closely align the compensation of the Company’s executives with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. These performance share awards will earn shares of the Company’s Common Stock in amounts ranging from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares based upon the total shareholder return of the Company compared to a designated peer group over a pre-determined performance period.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

The fair value of the performance shares granted was calculated using a probabilistic model (such as the Monte Carlo Model) which incorporates the market-based performance conditions within the grant. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance shares awarded was $64.06. The initial valuation remains fixed throughout the life of the grant regardless of the actual performance outcome.

 

A summary of the Company’s performance share activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is presented below:

 

 

 

Management evaluates the estimated annual effective income tax rate on a quarterly basis based on current and forecasted business levels and activities, including the mix of domestic and foreign results and enacted tax laws. This estimated annual effective tax rate is updated quarterly based upon actual results and updated operating forecasts. Items unrelated to current year ordinary income are recognized entirely in the period identified as a discrete item of tax. The quarterly income tax provision is comprised of tax on ordinary income at the most recent estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for the effect of discrete items.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the estimated annual effective tax rate applied to ordinary income was 37.3% compared to a rate of 36.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. These rates differ from the federal statutory rate of 35% principally as a result of state and foreign income taxes reduced by the benefit of the federal manufacturing deduction. The rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 is higher than the comparable rate in 2007 primarily due to the mix of expected domestic and foreign results leading to relatively higher foreign tax effects.

 

The Company recognized a provision for income taxes, inclusive of discrete items, of $6,964, or 38.2% of pretax income, and $12,016, or 32.7% of pretax income for federal, state, and foreign income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Discrete items recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2008 were not material. Discrete items reducing the provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2007 by $1,806 were comprised primarily of normal adjustments made upon filing the 2006 tax return and favorable adjustments to prior years’ taxes based upon additional information that became available during the quarter.

 

The Company recognized a provision for income taxes, inclusive of discrete items, of $30,311, or 36.8% of pretax income, and $34,823, or 34.0% of pretax income for federal, state, and foreign income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Discrete items recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were not material. Discrete items reducing the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 by $2,501 were comprised primarily of normal adjustments made upon filing the 2006 tax return and favorable adjustments to prior years’ taxes based upon additional information that became available during the period.

 

During the current quarter, there were no material changes to the amount of previously disclosed unrecognized tax benefits.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Earnings per share amounts for each period are presented in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, Earnings Per Share, which requires the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share was calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive shares of Common Stock that were outstanding during the periods presented.

 

Actual weighted-average shares of Common Stock outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, options to purchase 197,040 and 181,740 shares of Common Stock, at an average price of $57.65 and $59.10, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, options to purchase 62,050 and 55,070 shares of Common Stock, at an average price of $77.91 and $77.80, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive.

 

 

Inventories are valued at cost as determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 56% and 57% of the Company’s inventories at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The remaining inventories are valued at cost determined by a combination of the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) and weighted-average cost methods. Inventory costs generally include materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead (including depreciation). When market conditions indicate an excess of carrying cost over market value, a lower-of-cost-or-market provision is recorded. Inventories consisted of the following:

 

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the current cost of inventories exceeded their carrying value by $78,344 and $85,870, respectively. The Company’s FIFO inventory value is used to approximate current costs.

 

 

Under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. Absent any events throughout the year which would indicate potential impairment, the Company performs annual impairment testing during the fourth quarter. There have been no impairments to date. In the case of goodwill and long-lived assets, if future product demand or market conditions reduce management’s expectation of future cash flows from these assets, a write-down of the carrying value of goodwill or long-lived assets may be required.

 

Goodwill.  The carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

 

Intangibles.  Intangible assets consist of customer relationships as a result of our acquisition of Claro Precision, Inc. (“Claro”) in 2004. These intangible assets, which were valued at fair value, are being amortized over 20 years. In the event that demand or market conditions change and the expected future cash flows associated with these assets is reduced, a write-down or acceleration of the amortization period may be required.

 

There were no intangible assets attributable to our Titanium Group and Distribution Group at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008. The carrying amount of intangible assets attributable to our Fabrication Group at December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2008 was as follows:

 

 

 

The Company reported a liability for billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings of $36,429 as of September 30, 2008 and $21,573 as of December 31, 2007. These amounts primarily represent payments, received in advance from commercial aerospace, defense, and energy market customers on long-term orders, which the Company has not recognized as revenues.

 

 

Other income (expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $551 and $(1,035), respectively. Other income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $(129) and $(1,940), respectively. Other income (expense) consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses from international operations.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Components of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for those salaried and hourly covered employees were as follows:

 

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, the Company made cash contributions totaling $4.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, to its Company-sponsored pension plans. The Company does not expect to make any further contributions throughout the remainder of 2008; however, the Company is currently assessing the impact that the recent market performance may have on its plan assets, as a decrease in asset values could precipitate an increase in the Company’s future funding obligations.

 

 

From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. In our opinion, the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from these matters will have no significant impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Given the critical nature of many of the aerospace end uses for the Company’s products, including specifically their use in critical rotating parts of gas turbine engines and structural supports in high performance military aircraft, the Company maintains aircraft products liability insurance of $350 million, which includes grounding liability.

 

Environmental Matters

 

The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations as well as various health and safety laws and regulations that are subject to frequent modifications and revisions. While the costs of compliance for these matters have not had a material adverse impact on the Company in the past, it is impossible to accurately predict the ultimate effect these changing laws and regulations may have on the Company in the future. The Company continues to evaluate its obligation for environmental-related costs on a quarterly basis and make adjustments in accordance with provisions of Statement of Position 96-1, Environmental Remediation Liabilities and SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

Given the status of the proceedings at certain of our sites that have been subject to environmental investigation, including the Ashtabula River, the former Ashtabula Extrusion Plant, and the Reserve Environmental Services Landfill, along with the evolving nature of environmental laws, regulations, and remediation techniques, the Company’s ultimate obligation for investigative and remediation costs cannot be predicted. It is the Company’s policy to recognize environmental costs in the financial statements when an obligation becomes probable and a reasonable estimate of exposure can be determined. When a single estimate cannot be reasonably made, but a range can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues the amount it determines to be the most likely amount within that range.

 

Based on available information, RTI believes that its share of possible environmental-related costs is in a range from $1,689 to $3,161 in the aggregate. At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the amounts accrued for future environmental-related costs were $2,321 and $2,874, respectively. Of the total amount accrued at September 30, 2008, $2,016 is expected to be paid out within one year and is included in the other accrued liabilities line of the balance sheet. The remaining $305 is recorded in other noncurrent liabilities.

 

The Company has included $514 and $90 in its other current and noncurrent assets, respectively, for expected contributions from third parties. These third parties include prior owners of RTI property and prior customers of RTI that have agreed to partially reimburse the Company for certain environmental-related costs. The Company has been receiving contributions from such third parties for a number of years as partial reimbursement for costs incurred by the Company.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in the assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

 

As these proceedings continue toward final resolution, amounts in excess of those already provided may be necessary to discharge the Company from its obligations for these sites which include the Ashtabula River, the former Ashtabula Extrusion Plant, and the Reserve Environmental Services Landfill.

 

Duty Drawback Investigation

 

The Company maintained a program through an authorized agent to recapture duty paid on imported titanium sponge as an offset against exports for products shipped outside the U.S. by the Company or its customers. The agent performed the recapture process by matching the Company’s duty paid with the export shipments through filings with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. Customs”).

 

Historically, the Company recognized a credit to Cost of Sales when it received notification from the agent that a claim had been filed and received by U.S. Customs. For the period January 1, 2001 through March 31, 2007, the Company recognized a reduction to Cost of Sales totaling $14.5 million associated with the recapture of duty paid. This amount represents the total of all claims filed by the agent on the Company’s behalf.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

During the second quarter of 2007, the Company received notice from U.S. Customs that it was under formal investigation with respect to $7.6 million of claims previously filed by the agent on the Company’s behalf. The investigation relates to discrepancies in, and lack of supporting documentation for, claims filed through the authorized agent. The Company revoked the authorized agent’s authority and is fully cooperating with U.S. Customs to determine to what extent any claims may be invalid or may not be supportable with adequate documentation. In response to the investigation noted above, the Company suspended the filing of new duty drawback claims through the third quarter of 2007. The Company is fully engaged and cooperating with U.S. Customs in an effort to complete the investigation in an expeditious manner.

 

Concurrent with the U.S. Customs investigation, the Company is currently performing an internal review of the entire $14.5 million of drawback claims filed with U.S. Customs to determine to what extent any claims may have been invalid or may not have been supported with adequate documentation. In those instances, the Company is attempting to provide additional or supplemental documentation to U.S. Customs to support claims previously filed. As of the date of this filing, this review is not complete due to the extensive amount of documentation which must be examined. However, as a result of this review to date, the Company recorded charges totaling $7.2 million to Cost of Sales during 2007. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company booked additional charges totaling $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to additional claim amendments. These charges were determined in accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and represent the Company’s current best estimate of probable loss. Of these amounts, $7.3 million was recorded as a contingent current liability and $0.7 million was recorded as a write-off of an outstanding receivable representing claims filed which had not yet been paid by U.S. Customs. The Company has repaid $1.1 million to U.S. Customs for invalid claims through September 30, 2008. As a result of these payments, the Company’s liability totaled $6.2 million as of September 30, 2008. While the ultimate outcome of the U.S. Customs investigation and the Company’s own internal review is not yet known, the Company believes there is an additional possible risk of loss between $0 and $3.9 million based on current facts, exclusive of any amounts imposed for interest and penalties, if any, which cannot be quantified at this time.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company began filing new duty drawback claims through a new authorized agent. No new claims were filed during the three months ended September 30, 2008. Claims filed during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $1.3 million. As a result of the open investigation discussed above, we have not recognized any credits to Cost of Sales upon the filing of these new claims. We intend to record these credits on a “cash basis,” as they are paid by U.S. Customs until a consistent history of receipts against claims filed has been established.

 

Other Matters

 

The Company is also the subject of, or a party to, a number of other pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters incidental to its business. The Company is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a significant impact on the results of the operations, cash flows, or the financial position of the Company.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

Long-term debt consisted of:

 

 

On September 8, 2008, the Company entered into the first amendment of its existing credit agreement (the “Agreement”) dated September 27, 2007. The amended Agreement replaces the $240 million revolving credit facility with a term loan in the amount of $225 million and a revolving credit facility in the amount of $200 million. The principal on the term loan will be repaid in quarterly installments beginning in 2010 with 20% of the principal balance being repaid in both 2010 and 2011 and the remaining 60% being repaid in 2012.

 

Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at the option of the Company at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (the “LIBOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin or a prime rate plus an applicable margin. In addition, the Company pays a facility fee in connection with the Agreement. Both the applicable margin and the facility fee vary based upon the Company’s consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA. The Agreement contains covenants which, among other things, require the compliance with certain financial ratios, including a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The Company may prepay the borrowings under the Agreement in whole or in part, at any time, without a prepayment penalty. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the $200 million revolving credit facility and had fully borrowed against the $225 million term loan.

 

The existing credit agreements between the Company’s wholly-owned, Canadian subsidiary, RTI Claro, and National City Bank’s Canada Branch and Investissement Quebec remain in place; however, the credit agreement between RTI Claro and National City Bank’s Canada Branch was amended to permit the amendments to the Agreement.

 

 

SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in an enterprise’s financial statements. Under SFAS 131, operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that are evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is a function of a team consisting of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Operating Officer.

 

Effective July 1, 2008, the Company introduced a new operating and financial reporting structure. Under the new structure, RTI separated its fabrication and distribution businesses into two segments in order to better position

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

the Company to produce and offer customers a full range of value-added mill products, provide greater accountability for these individual operations, and drive increased transparency. As such, the Company now has three reportable segments: the Titanium Group, the Fabrication Group and the Distribution Group.

 

The Titanium Group manufactures and sells a wide range of titanium mill products to a customer base consisting primarily of manufacturing and fabrication companies in the commercial aerospace and nonaerospace markets. Titanium mill products are sold primarily to customers such as metal fabricators and forge shops in addition to the Fabrication Group. Titanium mill products are usually raw or starting material for these customers, who then form, fabricate, or further process mill products into finished or semi-finished components or parts.

 

The Fabrication Group is engaged primarily in the fabrication of titanium, specialty metals and steel products, including pipe and engineered tubular products, for use in the oil and gas and geo-thermal energy industries; hot and superplastically formed parts; and cut, forged, extruded, and rolled shapes for commercial and military aerospace and nonaerospace applications.

 

The Distribution Group stocks, distributes, finishes, cuts-to-size, and facilitates just-in-time delivery services of titanium, steel, and other specialty metal products.

 

Intersegment sales are accounted for at prices which are generally established by reference to similar transactions with unaffiliated customers. Reportable segments are measured based on segment operating income after an allocation of certain corporate items such as general corporate overhead and expenses. Assets of general corporate activities include unallocated cash and deferred taxes.

 

Because the Company changed the structure of its internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change, the corresponding information for prior periods has been adjusted to conform to the current year reportable segment presentation.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

A summary of financial information by reportable segment is as follows:

 

 

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

 

 

SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”) clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based upon assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs utilized in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data and which require the Company to develop its own assumptions. This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. On a recurring basis, the Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including its cash equivalents.

 

The Company’s cash equivalents consist of highly liquid Money Market Funds that are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.

 

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 157. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 became effective as of January 1, 2008. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to make an irrevocable election to measure certain financial instruments and other assets and liabilities, for which fair value accounting is not prescribed by another standard, at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected should be recognized into net earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The provisions of SFAS 159 became effective as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements as no fair value elections were made.

 

RTI INTERNATIONAL METALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts, unless otherwise indicated)

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141(R) also establishes additional disclosure requirements related to the financial effects of a business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective as of January 1, 2009. The impact of adopting SFAS 141(R) will depend on the nature, terms, and size of business combinations completed after the effective date.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interest of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective as of January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 provides for additional disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities, including disclosures as to how and why a company uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133 and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective as of January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 161 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of the financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The following discussion should be read in connection with the information contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following information contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is subject to the safe harbor created by that Act. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by their use of words like “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” or other words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions regarding future events. In addition to factors discussed throughout this quarterly report, the following factors and risks should also be considered, including, without limitation:

 

 

Because such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These and other risk factors are set forth in this, as well as in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) over the last 12 months, copies of which are available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.

Overview

 

RTI International Metals, Inc. (the “Company,” “RTI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a leading U.S. producer and supplier of titanium mill products and fabricated titanium and specialty metal parts for the global market.

 

Effective July 1, 2008, we introduced a new operating and financial reporting structure. Under the new structure, we separated our fabrication and distribution businesses into two segments in order to better position the Company to produce and offer customers a full range of value-added mill products, provide greater accountability for these individual operations, and drive increased transparency. As such, we now conduct our operations in three reportable segments: the Titanium Group, the Fabrication Group, and the Distribution Group.

 

The Titanium Group melts and produces a complete range of titanium mill products which are further processed by its customers for use in a variety of commercial aerospace, defense, and industrial and consumer applications. With operations in Niles, Ohio; Canton, Ohio; and Hermitage, Pennsylvania; the Titanium Group has overall responsibility for the production of primary mill products including, but not limited to, bloom, billet, sheet, and plate. This Group also focuses on the research and development of evolving technologies relating to raw materials, melting and other production processes, and the application of titanium in new markets.

 

The Fabrication Group is comprised of companies with significant hard-metal expertise that fabricate, machine, and assemble, titanium and other specialty metal parts and components. Its products, many of which are engineered parts and assemblies, serve commercial aerospace, defense, oil and gas, power generation, and chemical process industries, as well as a number of other industrial and consumer markets. With operations located in Houston, Texas; Washington, Missouri; and Laval, Quebec; and a representative office in China; the Fabrication Group concentrates its efforts on maximizing its profitability by offering value-added products and services such as engineered tubulars and extrusions, fabricated and machined components and sub-assemblies, as well as engineered systems for energy-related markets by accessing the Titanium Group as its primary source of mill products.

 

The Distribution Group stocks, distributes, finishes, cuts-to-size, and facilitates just-in-time delivery services of titanium, steel, and other specialty metal products. With operations in Garden Grove, California; Windsor, Connecticut; Houston, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Sullivan, Missouri; Staffordshire, England; and Rosny-Sur-Seine, France; the Distribution Group services a variety of commercial aerospace, defense, and industrial and consumer customers.

 

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $11.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, on sales of $150.6 million, compared with net income totaling $24.7 million or $1.06 per diluted share, on sales of $163.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $52.1 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, on sales of $461.1 million, compared with net income of $67.7 million, or $2.92 per diluted share, on sales of $463.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

 

A summary of the Titanium Group’s sales to the Fabrication and Distribution Groups, as a percentage of total Titanium Group Sales, is as follows:

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

Net Sales.  Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding intersegment sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

The decrease in the Titanium Group’s net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007 was primarily due to a 24% decrease in the average realized selling prices of prime mill products. The lower average realized selling prices were the result of changes in the product mix between the periods as well as increased sales related to long-term supply agreements which generally carry lower overall sales prices. In addition, we made fewer spot sales during the current period and trade shipments decreased 0.2 million pounds during the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007.

 

The increase in the Fabrication Group’s net sales was primarily the result of the higher Boeing 787 shipments compared to the prior year, higher realized selling prices in certain commercial aerospace programs, and the completion of significant orders for our energy market customers. These increases were substantially offset by the temporary closure of two of our Fabrication Group facilities located in Houston due to Hurricane Ike which resulted in an unfavorable impact to net sales. At September 30, 2008, these facilities had returned to operating at pre-hurricane levels.

 

The increase in the Distribution Group’s net sales was the result of higher sales under our long-term supply agreement with Airbus supporting the Airbus family of commercial aircraft and a slight increase in commercial aerospace demand, mostly related to short-term inventory corrections assisted by decreased market prices on certain specialty metals. This increase was partially offset by decreased demand and lower pricing on military programs such as the C-17. Net sales for the Distribution Group were further impacted by the temporary closure of our Houston distribution facility due to Hurricane Ike. At September 30, 2008, our Houston distribution facility had returned to operating at pre-hurricane levels.

 

Gross Profit.  Gross profit for our reportable segments, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

Excluding the $3.7 million charge in the three months ended September 30, 2007 associated with the U.S. Customs investigation of our previously filed duty drawback claims, gross profit for the Titanium Group decreased $15.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was principally attributable to higher raw material costs and under-absorption of

production costs, lower trade shipments volume, a lower margin product mix, and lower average realized selling prices during the three months ended September 30, 2008. These decreases were partially offset by favorable profit impacts associated with the sale of Titanium Group-sourced inventory through our Fabrication Group and Distribution Group businesses as well as favorable ferro-alloys margins.

 

The decrease in gross profit for the Fabrication Group was largely the result of the temporary closure of two of our Fabrication Group facilities located in Houston due to Hurricane Ike. The unfavorable impacts from the temporary closures were largely offset by higher realized prices in certain commercial aerospace programs. As a result, the gross profit percentage for the Fabrication Group decreased to 20.4% for the current period compared to 21.3% in the prior year.

 

The decrease in gross profit for the Distribution Group was primarily attributable to the softening in realized prices for certain specialty metals and decreasing margins on certain military programs. The gross profit percentage for the Distribution Group decreased to 17.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 from 26.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2007.

 

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for our reportable segments, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table:

 

 

Total SG&A increased $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. This increase was largely the result of increased compensation-related expenses reflecting additional personnel and increased professional and consulting fees. These personnel include engineering and technology professionals to support long-term strategic growth projects and initiatives, including our announced expansion projects in Hamilton, Mississippi and Martinsville, Virginia.

 

Research, Technical, and Product Development Expenses.  Research, technical, and product development expenses (“R&D”) were $0.6 and $0.4 million for the three month periods ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. This spending reflects our continued efforts in making productivity and quality improvements to current manufacturing processes.

 

Operating Income.  Operating income for our reportable segments, for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is summarized in the following table:

 

Excluding the $3.7 million charge in the three months ended September 30, 2007 associated with the U.S. Customs investigation of our previously filed duty drawback claims, operating income for the Titanium Group decreased $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was primarily the result of lower gross profit due to higher raw material costs and under-absorption of production costs, lower trade shipments, a lower margin product mix, and lower average realized selling prices, coupled with higher SG&A costs due to increased compensation-related expenses.

 

The decrease in the Fabrication Group’s operating income was largely the result of lower gross profit due to the temporary closure of two of our Fabrication Group facilities in Houston due to Hurricane Ike, coupled with a slight increase in SG&A costs due to higher compensation-related expenses. The decrease was largely offset by higher realized prices in certain commercial aerospace programs.

 

The decrease in operating income for the Distribution Group was primarily attributable to continued softening in realized prices for certain specialty metals coupled with higher SG&A costs due to increased compensation-related expenses.

 

Other Income (Expense).  Other income (expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $0.6 million and $(1.0) million, respectively. Other income (expense) consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses from our international operations.

 

Interest Income and Interest Expense.  Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $1.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to our increase in long-term debt compared to the prior year as a result of borrowing on our $225 million term loan in September 2008 in anticipation of tightening credit markets to provide flexibility for our cash needs. Interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The decrease in interest income was principally related to lower average levels of cash and short-term investments compared to the prior year, coupled with lower returns on invested cash due to a more conservative investment philosophy in light of the continuing credit market uncertainties. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our cash balances due to the funding of our $225 million term loan during September 2008.

 

Provision for Income Taxes.  We recognized income tax expense of $7.0 million, or 38.2% of pretax income, and $12.0 million, or 32.7% of pretax income, for federal, state, and foreign income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Tax expense, as a percentage of pretax income, increased year over year as a result of increased foreign income tax effects. Discrete items recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2008 were not material. Discrete items reducing the provision for income taxes the three months ended September 30, 2007 by $1.8 million were comprised primarily of normal adjustments made upon filing the 2006 tax return and favorable adjustments to prior years’ taxes based on additional information that became available during the period.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

 

Net Sales.  Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding intersegment sales, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

The decrease in the Titanium Group’s net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007 was primarily due to an 18% decrease in the average realized selling prices of prime mill products as well as a decrease in the overall level of spot sales. The lower average realized selling prices were the result of changes in the product mix between the periods as well as increased sales related to long-term supply agreements which generally carry lower overall sales prices. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in trade shipments of 0.2 million pounds during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007.

 

The increase in the Fabrication Group’s net sales was principally related to an increase in shipments on our current long-term contracts in the commercial aerospace and defense markets, including increases in Boeing 787-related shipments, as well as better pricing on certain of our commercial aerospace programs and the completion of significant projects for our energy market customers.

 

The increase in the Distribution Group’s net sales was primarily related to higher sales under our long-term supply agreement with Airbus supporting the Airbus family of commercial aircraft and higher demand from certain military programs. These increases were partially offset by a softening in realized prices for certain specialty metals products.

 

Gross Profit.  Gross profit for our reportable segments, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

Excluding the $7.1 million charge in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 associated with the U.S. Customs investigation of our previously filed duty drawback claims, gross profit for the Titanium Group decreased $14.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease was principally attributable to higher raw material costs and under-absorption of production costs, lower average realized selling prices and a lower margin product mix. These decreases were partially offset by a slight increase in trade shipments, favorable ferro-alloys margins and the favorable profit impacts associated with the sale of Titanium Group-sourced inventory through our Fabrication Group and Distribution Group businesses.

 

The increase in gross profit for the Fabrication Group was largely due to increased sales across the commercial aerospace, defense, and energy markets, somewhat offset by lower utilization and other inefficiencies in the current year related to delays in the ramp up of the Boeing 787 Program. The gross profit percentage decreased to 22.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from 23.9% for the same period in the prior year.

 

The decrease in gross profit for the Distribution Group was primarily due to the softening in realized prices for certain specialty metals and lower margins on certain military programs, coupled with the growth in lower margin shipments under our long-term supply agreements. As a result, gross profit percentage for the Distribution Group decreased to 19.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from 25.3% for the same period in the prior year.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses.  SG&A expenses for our reportable segments, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in the following table:

 

 

Total SG&A increased $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007. This increase was largely the result of increased compensation-related expenses, reflecting additional personnel and increased professional and consulting fees. These personnel include engineering and technology professionals to support long-term strategic growth projects and initiatives, including our announced expansion projects in Hamilton, Mississippi and Martinsville, Virginia. This increase was partially offset by decreases in stock-based compensation and pension costs and further reductions in our audit-related expenses.

 

Research, Technical, and Product Development Expenses.  R&D expenses were $1.6 million and $1.3 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, respectively. This spending reflects our continued efforts in making productivity and quality improvements to current manufacturing processes.

 

Operating Income.  Operating income for our reportable segments, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is summarized in the following table:

 

 

Excluding the $7.1 million charge in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 associated with the U.S. Customs investigation of our previously filed duty drawback claims, operating income for the Titanium Group decreased $17.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This decrease was primarily the result of higher raw material costs and under-absorption of production costs, lower gross profit due to the lower margin product mix and lower average realized selling prices, coupled with higher SG&A costs due to increased compensation-related expenses.

 

The decrease in operating income for the Fabrication Group was principally related to higher SG&A costs due to increases in compensation-related expenses and professional consulting costs in support of long-term business growth opportunities. This increase in SG&A costs was offset to some extent by increased gross margin in our Fabrication Group due to increased sales across the commercial aerospace, defense and energy markets.

 

The decrease in operating income for the Distribution Group was largely due to the continued softening in realized prices for certain specialty metals and lower margins on certain military programs, coupled with the growth in lower margin shipments under our long-term supply agreements and higher SG&A costs due to increased compensation-related expenses.

Other Expense.  Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $(0.1) million and $(1.9) million, respectively. Other expense consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses from our international operations.

 

Interest Income and Interest Expense.  Interest expense was $1.6 million and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in interest expense was primarily attributable to our increase in long-term debt compared to the prior year. Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was $2.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The decrease in interest income was principally related to lower average levels of cash and short-term investments compared to the prior year, coupled with lower returns on invested cash due to a more conservative investment philosophy in light of the continuing credit market uncertainties. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our cash balances due to borrowings on our $225 million term loan during September 2008.

 

Provision for Income Taxes.  We recognized income tax expense of $30.3 million, or 36.8% of pretax income, and $34.8 million, or 34.0% of pretax income, for federal, state, and foreign income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Tax expense, as a percentage of pretax income, increased year over year as a result of increased foreign income tax effects. Discrete items recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were not material. Discrete items reducing the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 by $2.5 million were comprised primarily of normal adjustments made upon filing the 2006 tax return and favorable adjustments to prior years’ taxes based upon additional information that became available during the period.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

In connection with our new long-term supply agreements for the Joint Strike Fighter (“JSF”) program and the Airbus family of commercial aircraft, including the A380 and A350XWB programs, we are undertaking several capital expansions. During 2007, we announced plans to construct a premium-grade titanium sponge facility in Hamilton, Mississippi, with anticipated capital spending of approximately $300 million. In addition, we announced plans to construct a new titanium forging and rolling facility in Martinsville, Virginia, and new melting facilities in Canton and Niles, Ohio, with anticipated capital spending of approximately $100 million. In light of current economic uncertainties and the overall softening within the industry, we have delayed the construction of these facilities and now expect them to become operational during 2011. We anticipate the majority of the capital expenditures related to these facilities will occur in 2009 and 2010.

 

In connection with these capital expansion programs and the continuing uncertainties in the credit markets, we completed the first amendment of our $240 million credit agreement in September 2008. The amendment replaced our $240 million revolving credit facility with a $225 million term loan, on which we have fully borrowed, and a $200 million revolving credit facility. We expect that, in combination with our cash and cash equivalents and our cash flows from operations, the new agreement will provide us sufficient liquidity to meet our operating needs and complete our capital expansion projects.

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities.  Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $53.2 million and $13.7 million, respectively. The increase was the result of increased advance payments received on long-term projects and improvements in the levels of working capital during the current year compared to the prior year.

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities.  Cash provided by (used in) investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $(88.8) million and $40.4 million, respectively. The increase in cash used by investing activities is principally related to increased capital spending on our capital expansion

projects outlined above. In addition, the nine months ended September 30, 2007 included the liquidation of our variable rate demand securities due to the continuing credit market uncertainties and reinvestment of these proceeds into highly liquid Money Market Funds that are classified as cash and cash equivalents.

 

Cash provided by financing activities.  Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $219.0 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The increase in our cash provided by financing activities was primarily related to our borrowing under our $225 million term loan and the receipt of several government grants related to our capital expansion projects, partially offset by our repurchase of 176,976 shares of RTI Common Stock at an average price of $50.83, as well as reduced stock option activity.

 

Credit Agreements

 

On September 8, 2008, we entered into the first amendment of our existing credit agreement (the “Agreement”) dated September 27, 2007. The amended Agreement replaces the $240 million revolving credit facility with a term loan in the amount of $225 million and a revolving credit facility in the amount of $200 million. The principal on the term loan will be repaid in quarterly installments beginning in 2010 with 20% of the principal balance being repaid in both 2010 and 2011 and the remaining 60% being repaid in 2012.

 

Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at our option at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (the “LIBOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin or a prime rate plus an applicable margin. In addition, we pay a facility fee in connection with the Agreement. Both the applicable margin and the facility fee vary based upon our consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA. The Agreement contains covenants which, among other things, require the compliance with certain financial ratios, including a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. We may prepay the borrowings under the Agreement in whole or in part, at any time, without a prepayment penalty. At September 30, 2008, we had no borrowings outstanding under the $200 million revolving credit facility and had fully borrowed against the $225 million term loan.

 

Duty Drawback Investigation

 

We maintained a program through an authorized agent to recapture duty paid on imported titanium sponge as an offset against exports for products shipped outside the U.S. by ourselves or our customers. The agent performed the recapture process by matching our duty paid with the export shipments through filings with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. Customs”).

 

Historically, we recognized a credit to Cost of Sales when we received notification from our agent that a claim had been filed and received by U.S. Customs. For the period January 1, 2001 through March 31, 2007, we recognized a reduction to Cost of Sales totaling $14.5 million associated with the recapture of duty paid. This amount represents the total of all claims filed by the agent on our behalf.

 

During the second quarter of 2007, we received notice from U.S. Customs that we were under formal investigation with respect to $7.6 million of claims previously filed by the agent on our behalf. The investigation relates to discrepancies in, and lack of supporting documentation for, claims filed through our authorized agent. We revoked the authorized agent’s authority and are fully cooperating with U.S. Customs to determine to what extent any claims may be invalid or may not be supportable with adequate documentation. In response to the investigation noted above, we suspended the filing of new duty drawback claims through the third quarter of 2007. We are fully engaged and cooperating with U.S. Customs in an effort to complete the investigation in an expeditious manner.

 

Concurrent with the U.S. Customs investigation, we are currently performing an internal review of the entire $14.5 million of drawback claims filed with U.S. Customs to determine to what extent any claims may have been invalid or may not have been supported with adequate documentation. In those instances, we are attempting to provide additional or supplemental documentation to U.S. Customs to support claims previously filed. As of the date of this filing, this review is not complete due to the extensive amount of documentation which must be examined. However, as a result of this review to date, we have recorded charges totaling $7.2 million to Cost of

Sales during 2007. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we booked additional charges totaling $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to additional claim amendments. These charges were determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, and represent our current best estimate of probable loss. Of these amounts, $7.3 million was recorded as a contingent current liability and $0.7 million was recorded as a write-off of an outstanding receivable representing claims filed which had not yet been paid by U.S. Customs. We have repaid $1.1 million to U.S. Customs for invalid claims through September 30, 2008. As a result of these payments, our liability totaled $6.2 million as of September 30, 2008. While the ultimate outcome of the U.S. Customs investigation and our own internal review is not yet known, we believe there is an additional possible risk of loss between $0 and $3.9 million based on current facts, exclusive of any amounts imposed for interest and penalties, if any, which cannot be quantified at this time.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we began filing new duty drawback claims through a new authorized agent. No new claims were filed during the three months ended September 30, 2008. Claims filed during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 totaled $1.3 million. As a result of the open investigation discussed above, we have not recognized any credits to Cost of Sales upon the filing of these new claims. We intend to record these credits on a “cash basis,” as they are paid by U.S. Customs until a consistent history of receipts against claims filed has been established.

 

Backlog

 

Our order backlog for all markets was approximately $457 million as of September 30, 2008, as compared to $545 million at December 31, 2007. Of the backlog at September 30, 2008, approximately $135 million is likely to be realized over the remainder of 2008. We define backlog as firm business scheduled for release into our production process for a specific delivery date. We have numerous requirement contracts that extend multiple years, including the Airbus, JSF and Boeing 787 long-term supply agreements signed in 2007, that are not included in backlog until a specific release into production or a firm delivery date has been established.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of SFAS 157 became effective as of January 1, 2008. In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities-Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to make an irrevocable election to measure certain financial instruments and other assets and liabilities, for which fair value accounting is not prescribed by another standard, at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected should be recognized into net earnings at each subsequent reporting date. The provisions of SFAS 159 became effective as of January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements as no fair value elections were made.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, and the goodwill acquired. SFAS 141(R) also establishes additional disclosure requirements related to the financial effects of a business combination. SFAS 141(R) is effective as of January 1, 2009. The impact of adopting SFAS 141(R) will depend on the nature, terms, and size of business combinations completed after the effective date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interest in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. SFAS 160 also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interest of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. SFAS 160 is effective as of January 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the potential impact, if any, of the adoption of SFAS 160 on our Consolidated Financial Statements.