Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007

OR

 

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

Commission File Number 000-25032

 

 

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   25-1724540

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

600 MAYER STREET, BRIDGEVILLE, PA 15017   (412) 257-7600
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)   (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: [None]

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of Class

Common Stock, par value $.001 per share

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

(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 Act). Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2007, based on the closing price of $35.23 per share on that date, was $117,529,000. For the purposes of this disclosure only, the registrant has assumed that its directors, executive officers, and beneficial owners of 5% or more of the registrant’s Common Stock are the affiliates of the registrant. The registrant has made no determination that such persons are “affiliates” within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933.

As of February 29, 2008, there were 6,659,499 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held May 21, 2008.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

PART I

     
Item 1.    Business    3
Item 1A.    Risk Factors    7
Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments    8
Item 2.    Properties    8
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings    9
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    9
PART II      
Item 5.    Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities    9
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data    11
Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    11
Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk    18
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data    19
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure    36
Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures    36
Item 9B.    Other Information    36
PART III      
Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance    36
Item 11.    Executive Compensation    36
Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters    36
Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    37
Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services    37
PART IV      
Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules    37

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

ITEM  1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company”), which was incorporated in 1994, manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steel products, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company’s manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, heat treating, hot and cold rolling, machining and cold drawing of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. The Company’s products are sold to rerollers, forgers, service centers, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and wire redrawers. The Company’s customers further process its products for use in a variety of industries, including the aerospace, power generation, petrochemical and heavy equipment manufacturing industries. The Company also performs conversion services on materials supplied by customers that lack certain of the Company’s production facilities or that are subject to their own capacity constraints.

The Company comprises three operating locations and one corporate headquarters. For segment reporting, the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities have been aggregated into one reportable segment, Universal Stainless & Alloy Products. Dunkirk Specialty Steel represents the second reportable segment.

The Company’s products are manufactured in a wide variety of grades, widths and gauges in response to customer specifications. At its Bridgeville facility, the Company produces specialty steel products in the form of long products (ingots, blooms, billets and bars) and flat rolled products (slabs and plates). Certain grades requiring vacuum-arc remelting (“VAR”) may be transported to the Titusville facility to complete that process and then be transported back to the Bridgeville facility for further processing. The semi-finished long products are primarily used by the Company’s Dunkirk facility and certain customers to produce finished bar, rod and wire products, and the semi-finished flat rolled products are used by customers to produce fine-gauge plate, sheet and strip products. The finished bar products manufactured by the Company are primarily used by OEMs and by service center customers for distribution to a variety of end users. The Company also produces customized shapes primarily for OEMs that are cold rolled from purchased coiled strip, flat bar or extruded bar at its Precision Rolled Products department (“PRP”), located at its Titusville facility.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

The specialty steel industry is a relatively small but distinct segment of the overall steel industry. Specialty steels include stainless steels, high-speed and tool steels, electrical steels, high-temperature alloys, magnetic alloys and electronic alloys. Specialty steels are made with a high alloy content, which enables their use in environments that demand exceptional hardness, toughness, strength and resistance to heat, corrosion or abrasion, or combinations thereof. Specialty steels generally must conform to more demanding customer specifications for consistency, straightness and surface finish than carbon steels. According to the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (“SSINA”), annual domestic consumption of specialty steels approximated 3.1 million tons in 2006. Of this amount, approximately 2.3 million tons of specialty steels consumed domestically represented stainless steel sheet and strip and electrical alloy products which the Company does not produce. Also, according to SSINA data through November 30, 2007, while U.S. consumption of total specialty steel products in 2007 decreased 14% from 2006 levels, those in the Company’s addressable market decreased more moderately, with consumption of stainless steel bar down 1.5%, stainless steel rod down 8.6% and stainless steel wire down 2.3%.

The Company primarily manufactures its products within the following product lines and, generally, in response to customer orders:

Stainless Steel. Stainless steel, which represents the largest part of the specialty steel market, contains elements such as nickel, chrome and molybdenum that give it the unique qualities of high strength, good wear characteristics, natural attractiveness, ease of maintenance and resistance to rust, corrosion and heat. Stainless steel is used, among other applications, in the automotive, aerospace and power generation industries, as well as in the manufacture of food handling, health and medical, chemical processing and pollution control equipment. The increased number of applications for stainless steel has resulted in the development of a greater variety of stainless steel metallurgical grades than carbon steel.

Tool Steel. Tool steels contain elements of manganese, silicon, chrome and molybdenum to produce specific hardness characteristics that enable tool steels to form, cut, shape and shear other materials in the manufacturing process. Heating and cooling at precise rates in the heat-treating process bring out these hardness characteristics. Tool steels are utilized in the manufacturing of metals, plastics, paper and aluminum extrusions, pharmaceuticals, electronics and optics.

High-Temperature Alloy Steel. These steels are designed to meet critical requirements of heat resistance and structural integrity. They generally have very high nickel content relative to other types of specialty steels. High-temperature alloy steels are manufactured for use generally in the aerospace industry.

High-Strength Low Alloy Steel. High-strength low alloy steel is a relative term that refers to those steels that maintain alloying elements that range in versatility. The alloy element of nickel, chrome and molybdenum in such steels typically exceeds the alloy element of carbon steels but not that of high-temperature alloy steel. High-strength low alloy steels are manufactured for use generally in the aerospace industry.

 

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Net sales by principal product line were as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007    2006    2005
(dollars in thousands)               

Stainless steel

   $ 164,228    $ 151,633    $ 135,588

Tool steel

     28,119      23,389      20,737

High-strength low alloy steel

     25,892      16,467      6,606

High-temperature alloy steel

     9,317      9,837      3,694

Conversion service

     2,011      2,137      3,030

Other

     369      410      367
                    

Total net sales

   $ 229,936    $ 203,873    $ 170,022
                    

RAW MATERIALS

The Company’s Bridgeville facility depends on the delivery of key raw materials for its day-to-day operations. These key raw materials are ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal and alloys, primarily consisting of nickel, chrome, molybdenum and copper. Scrap metal is primarily generated by industrial sources and is purchased through a number of scrap brokers and dealers. Alloys are generally purchased from domestic agents and originate in Australia, Canada, China, Russia and South Africa. Political disruptions in countries such as these could cause supply interruptions and affect the availability and price of the raw materials purchased by the Company.

The Bridgeville facility supplies semi-finished specialty steel products as starting materials to the Company’s Titusville and Dunkirk facilities. Semi-finished specialty steel starting materials, not capable of being produced by the Company at a competitive cost, are purchased from other suppliers. The Company generally purchases these starting materials from steel strip coil suppliers, extruders, flat rolled producers and service centers. The Company believes that adequate supplies of starting material will continue to be available.

The cost of raw materials represents more than 50% of the Company’s total cost of products sold in 2007 and 2006 due to significant increases in transaction prices for raw materials purchased. Raw material prices vary based on numerous factors, including quality, and are subject to frequent market fluctuations. Future raw material prices can not be predicted with any degree of certainty. Therefore, the Company does not maintain any long-term written agreements with any of its raw material suppliers.

The Company has implemented a sales price surcharge mechanism on its products to help offset the impact of raw material price fluctuations. For substantially all semi-finished products, the surcharge is calculated at the time of order entry, based on average raw material prices reported for the previous 20-day period. For substantially all finished products, the surcharge is calculated based on average raw material prices reported for the previous 20-day period from the promised ship date. While the material surcharge mechanism is designed to offset modest fluctuations in raw material prices, it can not immediately absorb significant spikes in raw material prices. A material change in raw material prices within a short period of time could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the Company, and there can be no assurance that the raw material surcharge mechanism will completely offset immediate changes in the Company’s raw material costs.

ENERGY AGREEMENTS

The production of specialty steel requires the ready availability of substantial amounts of electricity and natural gas for which the Company negotiates competitive agreements for the supply of electricity and natural gas. While the Company believes that its energy agreements allow it to compete effectively within the specialty steel industry, the potential of curtailments exists as a result of decreased supplies during periods of increased demand for electricity and natural gas. These interruptions not only can adversely affect the operating performance of the Company, but also can lead to increased costs. In 2005, the Company implemented a sales price surcharge mechanism on its products to help offset the impact of natural gas price fluctuations.

CUSTOMERS

The Company’s customer base increased from 504 customers at December 31, 2006 to 515 customers at December 31, 2007. The Company’s five largest customers in the aggregate accounted for approximately 49% and 43% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Sales to Fry Steel, Carpenter Technology Corporation (“CRS”) and Reliance Steel & Aluminum accounted for 13.8%, 13.2% and 10.5% of the Company’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007, respectively, and accounted for 10.4%, 12.5% and 10.5% of the Company’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2006, respectively. The accounts receivable balances from these customers comprised approximately 21% and 23% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net sales for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

 

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The Company maintains a supply contract agreement with Talley Metals Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of CRS (“Talley Metals”), which continues to automatically renew with the placement of new orders each month and requires a 90-day written notice to terminate by either party. Talley Metals is required under the agreement to purchase a minimum of 1,000 tons of stainless reroll billet products each calendar month and average at least 1,250 tons per month during the last 12-month period. The value of the contract on a monthly basis will depend on product mix and key raw material prices. During 2006 and 2007, Talley Metals did not comply with the monthly minimum purchase requirement due to market conditions. The Company has granted a waiver and expects to continue granting a waiver from this requirement until market conditions improve.

BACKLOG

The Company primarily manufactures products to meet specific customer orders. The Company’s backlog of orders on hand as of December 31, 2007 was approximately $85 million as compared to approximately $120 million at the same time in 2006. The decrease in the backlog is primarily due to the impact of lower raw materials costs on the selling prices for semi-finished products and reduced product demand from the service center industry, allowing them to consume excess inventory during the second half of 2007. Customer orders are generally subject to cancellation with the payment of a penalty charge prior to delivery. The Company’s backlog may not be indicative of actual sales and therefore should not be used as a direct measure of future revenue.

COMPETITION

Competition in the Company’s markets is based upon product quality, delivery capability, customer service and price. Maintaining high standards of product quality, while responding quickly to customer needs and keeping production costs at competitive levels, is essential to the Company’s ability to compete in its markets.

Annual domestic U.S. consumption of specialty steel products of the type manufactured by the Company approximates one million tons. The Company chooses to restrict its participation in this market by limiting the volume of commodity stainless steel products it markets because of the highly competitive nature of the commodity business.

The Company believes that nine domestic companies that manufacture one or more similar specialty steel products are significant competitors, including Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (“ATI”) and CRS. There are many smaller producing companies and material converters in the United States that are also considered to be competitors of the Company.

High import penetration of specialty steel products, especially stainless and tool steels, also impacts the competitive nature within the United States. Unfair pricing practices by foreign producers have resulted in high import penetration into the U.S. markets in which the Company participates. According to SSINA, import penetration for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 52% and 53%, respectively, for stainless bar, and 44% and 63%, respectively, for stainless rod. Import penetration was higher than these levels during the first eleven months of 2007, with stainless bar at 54% and stainless rod 49% import penetration.

The Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (the “CDSOA”) provides for payment of import duties collected by the U.S. Treasury to domestic companies injured by unfair foreign trade practices. The assets purchased for the operations of Dunkirk Specialty Steel were previously owned and operated by AL Tech Specialty Steel, Inc. and Empire Specialty Steel, Inc. During their ownership, both organizations participated in several anti-dumping lawsuits with other domestic specialty steel producers. The Company has joined other domestic producers in the filing of trade actions against foreign producers.

In December 2006, the Company received a net payment of $463,000 as its 2006 award, and, in November 2007, the Company received a net payment of $586,000 as its 2007 award. Benefits awarded from the CDSOA expired on September 30, 2007. Future benefits are dependent on the amount of undistributed import duties collected as of September 30, 2007 and the relationship of Dunkirk Specialty Steel’s claim in relation to claims filed by other domestic specialty steel producers.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

The Company considers the maintenance of good relations with its employees to be important to the successful conduct of its business. The Company has profit-sharing plans for certain salaried employees and for all of its employees represented by United Steelworkers (the “USW”) and has equity ownership programs for all of its eligible employees, in an effort to forge an alliance between its employees’ interests and those of the Company’s stockholders. At December 31, 2007, the Company had 308 employees at its Bridgeville facility, 49 employees at its Titusville facility and 176 employees at its Dunkirk facility, of which 246, 42 and 151 were USW members, respectively.

 

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Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Company recognizes the USW as the exclusive representative for the Company’s hourly employees with respect to the terms and conditions of their employment. The Company has entered into the following collective bargaining agreements:

 

Facility

  

Commencement Date

  

Expiration Date

Bridgeville

   December 2002    August 2008

Titusville

   October 2005    September 2010

Dunkirk

   November 2007    October 2012

The Company believes a critical component of its collective bargaining agreements is the inclusion of a profit sharing plan. Under the plans, the hourly employees are entitled to receive 8.5% of their respective facilities’ annual pretax profits in excess of $1.0 million at Bridgeville and Dunkirk, and in excess of $500,000 at Titusville.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company provides group life and health insurance plans for its hourly and salaried employees. The Company also maintains separate 401(k) retirement plans for its hourly and salaried employees. Pursuant to each 401(k) plan, participants may elect to make pre-tax and after-tax contributions, subject to certain limitations imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, the Company makes periodic contributions to the 401(k) plans based on service, except as described below.

The Company also participates in the Steelworkers Pension Trust (the “Trust”), a multi-employer defined-benefit pension plan that is open to all hourly and salaried employees associated with the Bridgeville facility. The Company makes periodic contributions to the Trust based on hours worked at a fixed rate for each hourly employee and a fixed monthly contribution on behalf of each salaried employee. The hourly employees may continue their contributions to the 401(k) retirement plan even if the Company contributions cease. The amount of the contribution for salaried employees will be dependent upon their contribution to the 401(k) retirement plan.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 150,000 shares of Common Stock to its full-time employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate. Under the terms of the Plan, employees can choose as of January 1 and July 1 of each year to have up to 10% of their total earnings withheld to purchase up to 100 shares of the Company’s Common Stock each six-month period. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of its beginning-of-the-period or end-of-the-period market prices. At December 31, 2007, the Company had issued 96,312 shares of Common Stock since the plan’s inception.

Safety

The Company has established and seeks to maintain appropriate safety standards and policies for its employees. To encourage plant safety, the USW agreements provide that employees will be entitled to receive 50% of the savings, if any, of reduced workers’ compensation insurance premiums obtained due to reductions in the state experience modifier issued to the Company.

ENVIRONMENTAL

The Company is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), including those governing discharges of pollutants into the air and water, and the generation, handling and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous substances. The Company monitors its compliance with Environmental Laws applicable to it and, accordingly, believes that it is currently in compliance with all laws and regulations in all material respects. The Company is subject periodically to environmental compliance reviews by various regulatory offices. The Company may be liable for the remediation of contamination associated with generation, handling and disposal activities. Environmental costs could be incurred, which may be significant, related to environmental compliance, at any time or from time to time in the future.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth, as of February 29, 2008, certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company:

 

NAME (AGE)

  

EXECUTIVE OFFICER SINCE

  

POSITION

Dennis M. Oates (55)

   2008    President and Chief Executive Officer

Paul McGrath (56)

   1996   

Vice President of Administration,

General Counsel and Secretary

Richard M. Ubinger (48)

   1994   

Vice President of Finance,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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On December 26, 2007, the Company announced the appointment of Dennis M. Oates as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective January 2, 2008. Mr. Oates was named to the Company’s Board of Directors on October 19, 2007. Mr. Oates previously served as Senior Vice President of the Specialty Alloys Operations of Carpenter Technology Corporation from 2003 to July 2007. Mr. Oates also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of TW Metals from 1998 to 2003.

Paul A. McGrath has been Vice President of Administration of the Company since January 2007, General Counsel since January 1995 and was appointed Secretary in May 1996. Mr. McGrath served as Vice President of Operations from March 2001 to December 2006. Prior thereto, he was employed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation for approximately 24 years in various management positions.

Richard M. Ubinger has been Vice President of Finance of the Company since March 2001, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer since August 1994 and was appointed Assistant Secretary in November 1995 and Treasurer in May 1996. From 1981 to 1994, Mr. Ubinger was employed by Price Waterhouse LLP. Mr. Ubinger is a Certified Public Accountant.

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

The Company does not consider its business to be materially dependent on patent or trademark protection, and believes it owns or maintains effective licenses covering all the intellectual property used in its business. The Company seeks to protect its proprietary information by use of confidentiality and non-competition agreements with certain employees.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Copies of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as well as proxy and information statements that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), are available free of charge on the Company’s website at www.univstainless.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the SEC. The contents of our website are not part of this Form 10-K. You also may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, like the Company, that file electronically with the SEC.

 

ITEM  1A. RISK FACTORS

The Company’s business and results of operations are subject to a wide range of substantial business and economic factors including, but not limited to, the factors discussed below, many of which are not within the Company’s control. See the information under the heading “Forward-Looking Information Safe Harbor” in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND CONCENTRATED CUSTOMER BASE

Net sales to the Company’s three largest customers and their affiliates approximated 38% and 34% of total 2007 and 2006 sales, respectively. The accounts receivable balances from these three customers comprised approximately 21% and 23% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. An adverse change in, or termination of, the Company’s relationship with one or more of its major customers or one or more of its market segments could have a material adverse effect upon the Company. See the information under the heading “Customers” in Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

COMPETITION

The Company competes with domestic and foreign sources of specialty steel products. In addition, many of the finished products sold by the Company’s customers are in direct competition with finished products manufactured by foreign sources, which may affect the demand for those customers’ products. Any competitive factors that adversely affect the market for finished products manufactured by the Company or its customers could indirectly adversely affect the demand for the Company’s semi-finished products. Additionally, the Company’s products compete with products fashioned from alternative materials such as aluminum, composites and plastics, the production of which includes domestic and foreign enterprises. Competition in the Company’s field is intense and is expected to continue to be so in the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully in the future. See the information under the heading “Competition” in Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

AEROSPACE MARKET

Approximately 45% of the Company’s sales represent products sold to customers in the aerospace market. The aerospace market is historically cyclical due to both external and internal market factors. These factors include general economic conditions, airline profitability, demand for air travel, age of fleets, varying fuel and labor costs, price competition, and international and domestic political conditions such as military conflict and the threat of terrorism. The length and degree of cyclical fluctuation can be influenced by any one or a combination of these factors and therefore are difficult to predict with certainty. A downturn in the aerospace industry would adversely affect the demand for products and/or the prices at which the Company is able to sell its products, and its results of operations, business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

 

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SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIALS AND COST OF RAW MATERIALS

The Company relies on a limited number of suppliers, some of which are foreign owned, for its raw material needs. Raw material prices are affected by cyclical, seasonal and other market factors. Alloys consumed by the Company are primarily available from foreign sources, some of which are located in countries that may be subject to unstable political and economic conditions. Those conditions might disrupt supplies or affect the prices of the raw materials used by the Company. The Company does not maintain long-term supply agreements with any of its independent suppliers. If its supply of raw materials were interrupted, the Company might not be able to obtain sufficient quantities of raw materials, or obtain sufficient quantities of such materials at satisfactory prices, which, in either case, could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. In addition, significant volatility in the price of the Company’s principal raw materials could adversely affect the Company’s financial results. See the information under the headings “Raw Materials” in Item 1, Business, and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RELIANCE ON ENERGY AGREEMENTS

The manufacturing of specialty steels is an energy-intensive industry. While the Company believes that its energy agreements allow it to compete effectively within the specialty steel industry, the Company is subjected to curtailments as a result of decreased supplies and increased demand for electricity and natural gas. These interruptions not only can adversely affect the operating performance of the Company, but also can lead to increased costs for energy. See the information under the heading “Energy Agreements” in Item 1, Business, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

LABOR MATTERS

The Company has 439 employees out of a total of 533 who are covered under collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreement for the 246 Bridgeville facility employees will expire in August 2008. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in concluding a collective bargaining agreement with the union to replace the one that expires.

RELIANCE ON CRITICAL MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT

The Company’s manufacturing processes are dependent upon certain critical pieces of specialty steel making equipment, such as the Company’s 50-ton electric-arc furnace and AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) vessel, its ESR (Electro Slag Remelt) and VAR furnaces, and its universal rolling mill. In the event a critical piece of equipment should become inoperative as a result of unexpected equipment failure, there can be no assurance that the Company’s operations would not be substantially curtailed, which may have a negative effect on the Company’s financial results. See Item 2, Properties.

 

ITEM  1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM  2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns its Bridgeville facility, which consists of approximately 600,000 square feet of floor space and the Company’s executive offices on approximately 74 acres. The Bridgeville facility contains melting, remelting, conditioning, rolling, annealing and various other processing equipment. Substantially all products shipped from the Bridgeville facility are processed through its melt shop and universal rolling mill operations.

The Company owns its Titusville facility, which consists of seven buildings on approximately 10 acres, including two principal buildings of approximately 265,000 square feet in total area. The Titusville facility contains five VAR furnaces and various rolling and finishing equipment.

The Company owns its Dunkirk facility, which consists of approximately 800,000 square feet of floor space on approximately 81 acres. The Dunkirk facility processes semi-finished billet and bar stock through one or more of its four rolling mills. The products are then finished and shipped as finished bar, rod and wire products.

Specialty steel production is a capital-intensive industry. The Company believes that its facilities and equipment are suitable for its present needs. The Company believes, however, that it will continue to require capital from time to time to add new equipment and to repair or replace existing equipment to remain competitive and to enable it to manufacture quality products and provide delivery and other support service assurances to its customers.

 

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ITEM  3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (“Teledyne”). The suit alleged that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and that the Company was or should have been aware of the defects.

On May 31, 2007, the Company and Teledyne agreed to a complete settlement of this suit. Under the terms of the settlement, which contains a confidentiality provision, both parties released all claims against the other party in exchange for cash and other consideration. The net impact of this settlement, including professional fees, on the Company’s net income after tax was $517,000.

In addition, from time to time, various lawsuits and claims have been or may be asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of its business, including routine litigation relating to commercial and employment matters. The outcome of any litigation can not be predicted with certainty, and some lawsuits may be determined adversely to the Company. Management does not believe, based on information presently available, that the ultimate outcome of any pending matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or liquidity, although the resolution in any quarter of one or more matters may have a material adverse effect on results of operations for that period.

 

ITEM  4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2007.

PART II

 

ITEM  5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

At December 31, 2007, a total of 6,930,294 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, were issued and held by approximately 147 holders of record. There were 270,795 shares of the issued Common Stock of the Company held in treasury at December 31, 2007.

Certain holders of Common Stock and the Company are party to a stockholder agreement. That agreement maintains in effect certain registration rights granted to non-management stockholders, which provides to them two demand registration rights exercisable at any time upon written request for the registration of Restricted Shares of Common Stock having an aggregate net offering price of at least $5,000,000.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

The Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “USAP.” The following table sets forth the range of high and low sale prices per share of Common Stock, for the periods indicated below:

 

     2007    2006
     High    Low    High    Low

First quarter

   $ 51.80    $ 31.79    $ 26.25    $ 14.94

Second quarter

   $ 54.17    $ 34.98    $ 37.05    $ 22.52

Third quarter

   $ 42.66    $ 28.48    $ 30.47    $ 21.62

Fourth quarter

   $ 41.71    $ 29.88    $ 37.90    $ 21.56

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans at December 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

Plan Category

   Number of shares
to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options
   Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options
   Number of shares remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans A

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   403,650    $ 18.14    447,356
                

 

A

Includes 393,668 shares of Common Stock on stock options not issued under the Stock Incentive Plan and 53,688 available under the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The performance graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s stock with the cumulative total return on the equity securities of NASDAQ Market Index and a peer group selected by the Company consisting of public companies ATI and CRS. The graph assumes an investment of $100 on December 31, 2002 and reinvestment of dividends, if any, on the date of dividend payment. The performance graph represents past performance and should not be considered to be an indication of future performance.

 

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COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

AMONG UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.,

NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX

LOGO

 

     FISCAL YEAR ENDING

COMPANY/PEER/MARKET

   12/31/2002    12/31/2003    12/31/2004    12/31/2005    12/30/2006    12/29/2007

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

   $ 100.00    $ 178.51    $ 245.49    $ 247.93    $ 553.39    $ 587.93

Company Selected Peer Group

     100.00      229.61      410.78      610.62      1,321.29      1,426.42

NASDAQ Market Index

     100.00      150.36      163.00      166.58      183.68      201.91

PREFERRED STOCK

The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company may, by vote of its Board of Directors, issue up to 1,980,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock may have rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereon, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series or designation of such series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common Stock, including the loss of voting control to others.

The Company has no outstanding Preferred Stock and has no plans to issue any of the authorized Preferred Stock.

DIVIDENDS

The Company has never paid a cash dividend on its Common Stock. The Company’s Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association (“PNC Bank”) currently limits the payment of cash dividends payable on its Common Stock to 50% of the Company’s excess cash flow per fiscal year. Excess cash flow represents the amount of the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that is greater than the sum of the Company’s payments for interest, income taxes, the principal portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, and capital expenditures.

 

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ITEM  6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007    2006    2005    2004    2003  
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                           

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

              

Net sales

   $ 229,936    $ 203,873    $ 170,022    $ 120,642    $ 68,989  

Operating income (loss)

     33,407      32,359      20,145      10,955      (2,394 )

Net income (loss)

     22,504      20,590      12,758      7,553      (1,425 )

FINANCIAL POSITION AT YEAR-END

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,648    $ 2,909    $ 620    $ 241    $ 4,735  

Total assets

     164,296      155,287      129,239      108,536      84,935  

Long-term debt

     1,453      17,228      17,317      12,190      5,599  

Stockholders’ equity

     129,602      104,654      81,134      67,365      59,442  

COMMON SHARE DATA

              

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 3.39    $ 3.19    $ 2.00    $ 1.20    $ (0.23 )

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

     3.32      3.11      1.97      1.18      (0.23 )

The restatement of maintenance expenses for the four years ended December 31, 2006 changed previously reported financial data by the following amounts:

 

     Increase (Decrease) in Previously Reported Amounts  
     2006     2005     2004     2003  
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                         

Change in cost of products sold

   $ 40     $ 484     $ (686 )   $ 12  

Change in net income

     (24 )     (298 )     421       (8 )

Change in earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.00 )

Diluted

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.05 )   $ 0.06     $ (0.00 )

 

ITEM  7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., headquartered in Bridgeville, Pa., manufactures and markets a broad line of semi-finished and finished specialty steels, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company’s products are sold to rerollers, forgers, service centers, OEMs and wire redrawers.

An analysis of the Company’s operations is as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

For the years ended December 31,

   Amount    %     Amount    %     Amount    %  
(dollars in thousands)                                  

NET SALES

               

Stainless steel

   $ 164,228    71.4  %   $ 151,633    74.4  %   $ 135,588    79.7  %

Tool steel

     28,119    12.2       23,389    11.5       20,737    12.2  

High-strength low alloy steel

     25,892    11.3       16,467    8.1       6,606    3.9  

High-temperature alloy steel

     9,317    4.0       9,837    4.8       3,694    2.2  

Conversion services

     2,011    0.9       2,137    1.0       3,030    1.8  

Other

     369    0.2       410    0.2       367    0.2  
                                       

Total net sales

     229,936    100.0       203,873    100.0       170,022    100.0  

Total cost of products sold

     184,491    80.3       160,722    78.8       141,436    83.2  

Selling and administrative expenses

     12,038    5.2       10,792    5.3       8,441    5.0  
                                       

Operating income

   $ 33,407    14.5  %   $ 32,359    15.9  %   $ 20,145    11.8  %
                                       

 

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Net sales by market segment are as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

For the years ended December 31,

   Amount    %     Amount    %     Amount    %  
(dollars in thousands)                                  

Service centers

   $ 119,736    52.1  %   $ 101,510    49.8  %   $ 73,213    43.1  %

Forgers

     47,711    20.7       38,539    18.9       29,914    17.6  

Rerollers

     35,006    15.2       33,273    16.3       39,254    23.1  

Original equipment manufacturers

     18,287    8.0       18,368    9.0       13,992    8.2  

Wire redrawers

     6,843    3.0       9,660    4.8       10,263    6.0  

Conversion services

     2,011    0.9       2,137    1.0       3,030    1.8  

Miscellaneous

     342    0.1       386    0.2       356    0.2  
                                       

Net sales

   $ 229,936    100.0  %   $ 203,873    100.0  %   $ 170,022    100.0  %
                                       

Tons shipped

     43,644        50,485        51,233   
                           

2007 Results as Compared to 2006: The increase in net sales in 2007 reflects increased selling prices, primarily a result from the impact of higher raw material surcharges assessed and an increase in higher value-added products, partially offset by lower shipments overall. Raw material surcharges continued to escalate during 2007, led by an increase in the monthly average nickel prices from $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. Since May 2007 the monthly average nickel prices declined to $11.79 in December 2007. This decrease will reduce raw material surcharges assessed on future shipments if the average nickel price remains at lower levels.

Cost of products sold, as a percentage of net sales, increased in 2007 as compared to 2006. This increase is primarily due to higher raw material costs, which are generally reimbursed by the customer through raw material surcharges, and operation cost increases.

Selling and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employment costs and the settlement of a lawsuit between the Company and Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (“Teledyne”). The higher employments costs were primarily due to the addition of a corporate officer in 2007 and an increase in stock compensation expense from $273,000 in 2006 to $427,000 in 2007. This increase was partially offset by a $367,000 expense related to a software project the Company terminated, the establishment of a $193,000 reserve for an EPA violation which was settled in 2007 and $200,000 for certain commercial product-claim issues during 2006.

Interest expense and other financing costs decreased from $1.1 million in 2006 to $731,000 in 2007. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in the average balance of the revolving line of credit over the prior year, as well as recognizing lower interest expense associated with the funding of scheduled payments on the existing term debt of the Company. In December 2007, the Company retired the $7.5 million outstanding balance on its PNC Term Loan which was not scheduled to mature until June 30, 2011.

Other income, net increased from $522,000 in 2006 to $776,000 in 2007. This increase is primarily attributed to the receipt of funds under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000 (“CDSOA”) of $586,000 in 2007 in comparison to $463,000 in 2006. In addition, the Company recognized $178,000 of interest income from excess cash invested during the second half of 2007.

The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 were 32.7% and 35.2%, respectively. The reduction in the effective income tax rate in 2007 reflects an increase in the Company’s permanent tax deductions, related to an increase in the manufacturer’s production activities deduction and the recognition of additional permanent tax deductions as a result of reconciling its 2006 federal and state tax returns filed during the period to the tax provision recognized for the year ended December 31, 2006. The 2007 rate also reflects a favorable shift in the apportionment of taxable income for state income tax purposes.

2006 Results as Compared to 2005: The increase in net sales in 2006 reflects increased shipments of higher value-added products, primarily those that require vacuum-arc or electro-slag remelted steels, as well as higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. A substantial percentage of the net sales increase was derived from shipments of product to serve the increased demands of the aerospace market. Raw material costs, especially nickel, increased significantly during 2006 as a result of an increase in the global demand for stainless steel and supply volatility.

Cost of products sold, as a percent of net sales, decreased in 2006 as compared to 2005. This decrease is primarily due to the Company’s shift in product mix as well as the impact of rising raw material costs throughout 2006. The duration of the production cycle permitted the Company’s Dunkirk Specialty Steel facility to assess surcharges based on raw material costs that were higher than those costs incurred at the time the raw materials were purchased.

Selling and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher employment costs resulting from continued growth of the business, and included $273,000 related to the January 1, 2006 adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), using the modified prospective method. Compensation related to stock-based compensation

 

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plans was not previously recognized as expense under the former accounting guidance, Accounting Principles Board Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards totaled $570,000 at December 31, 2006. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense was expected to be recognized was 25 months.

The Company also expensed $367,000 related to a software project the Company terminated during the year and $413,000 related to fees paid for outside consultants to assist the Company in evaluating its current system of internal accounting controls for purposes of future compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In addition, the Company established a reserve of $193,000 for the probable settlement of an EPA violation and $200,000 for certain commercial product-claim issues that were more than offset by a $104,000 write-off of software development costs, the $184,000 write-off of an office building at the Dunkirk Specialty Steel facility and the receipt of an additional property tax invoice from AK Steel related to the Bridgeville facility that required the Company to record an additional expense of $174,000 in 2005.

Interest expense and other financing costs increased from $851,000 in 2005 to $1.1 million in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the Company funding the increase in working capital to support higher raw material costs with a revolving line of credit and higher interest rates. This increase was partially offset by lower interest expense associated with existing term debt as the Company continued to fund its scheduled payments.

Other income, net increased from $437,000 in 2005 to $522,000 in 2006. The increase was primarily due to the receipt of $463,000, net of expenses, under the CDSOA in 2006 in comparison to $414,000 received in 2005.

The 2006 effective income tax rate was 35.2% compared to a 35.4% tax rate in 2005. The change in the effective income tax rate is primarily attributable to a favorable shift of apportioned income for state income tax purposes as well as the impact of recognizing a $180,000 tax credit in Pennsylvania as a result of participating in the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit in 2006.

BUSINESS SEGMENT RESULTS

The Company comprises three operating locations and one corporate headquarters. For segment reporting, the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities have been aggregated into one reportable segment, Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, because of the management reporting structure in place. The Universal Stainless & Alloy Products manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, treating and hot and cold rolling of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. Dunkirk Specialty Steel’s manufacturing process involves hot rolling and finishing specialty steel bar, rod and wire products.

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS SEGMENT

An analysis of the segment’s operations is as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

For the years ended December 31,

   Amount    %     Amount    %     Amount    %  
(dollars in thousands)                                  

NET SALES

               

Stainless steel

   $ 108,535    53.6  %   $ 102,372    57.1  %   $ 90,530    59.1  %

Tool steel

     25,638    12.7       21,747    12.1       20,047    13.1  

High-strength low alloy steel

     12,764    6.3       8,177    4.6       3,199    2.1  

High-temperature alloy steel

     4,067    2.0       3,787    2.1       3,254    2.1  

Conversion service

     1,405    0.7       1,530    0.9       2,534    1.6  

Other

     295    0.1       325    0.2       295    0.2  
                                       
     152,704    75.4       137,938    77.0       119,859    78.2  

Intersegment

     49,858    24.6       41,232    23.0       33,399    21.8  
                                       

Total net sales

     202,562    100.0       179,170    100.0       153,258    100.0  

Material cost of sales

     106,456    52.6       85,298    47.6       75,568    49.3  

Operation cost of sales

     67,286    33.2       66,806    37.3       57,393    37.4  

Selling and administrative expenses

     8,345    4.1       7,392    4.1       5,791    3.8  
                                       

Operating income

   $ 20,475    10.1  %   $ 19,674    11.0  %   $ 14,506    9.5  %
                                       

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $23.4 million, or 13.1%, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to raw material surcharge increases, which offset increased material cost of sales of $21.2 million for the period. The remaining increase is primarily due to increased shipments of higher value-added niche products partially offset by lower shipments overall. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased by $801,000 primarily due to improved mix of products shipped and higher selling prices, partially offset by higher raw material, labor, utilities and other manufacturing supply costs.

 

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Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased $25.9 million, or 17%, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2005 primarily due to increased shipments of higher value-added products to the forger, service center and OEM markets, offset by decreased shipments to the reroller market and a reduction in conversion services rendered, as well as the impact of price increases implemented since January 1, 2005 and higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased $5.2 million primarily due to the impact of the favorable product mix, higher surcharges assessed and base price increases implemented, more than offsetting higher raw material, labor, energy and other manufacturing costs.

DUNKIRK SPECIALTY STEEL SEGMENT

An analysis of the segment’s operations is as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

For the years ended December 31,

   Amount    %     Amount    %     Amount    %  
(dollars in thousands)                                  

NET SALES

               

Stainless steel

   $ 55,693    68.2  %   $ 49,261    70.1  %   $ 45,058    85.0  %

High-strength low alloy steel

     13,128    16.1       8,290    11.8       3,407    6.4  

High-temperature alloy steel

     5,250    6.4       6,050    8.6       440    0.8  

Tool steel

     2,481    3.0       1,642    2.3       690    1.3  

Conversion services

     606    0.7       607    0.9       496    1.0  

Other

     74    0.1       85    0.1       72    0.1  
                                       
     77,232    94.5       65,935    93.8       50,163    94.6  

Intersegment

     4,493    5.5       4,320    6.2       2,848    5.4  
                                       

Total net sales

     81,725    100.0       70,255    100.0       53,011    100.0  

Material cost of sales

     47,905    58.6       38,705    55.1       29,496    55.6  

Operation cost of sales

     17,404    21.3       16,678    23.8       14,117    26.7  

Selling and administrative expense

     3,693    4.5       3,400    4.8       2,650    5.0  
                                       

Operating income

   $ 12,723    15.6  %   $ 11,472    16.3  %   $ 6,748    12.7  %
                                       

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007 for this segment increased by $11.5 million, or 16.3%, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to raw material surcharge increases, which more than offset increased material cost of sales of $9.2 and lower shipments for the period. Operating income increased by $1.3 million primarily due to the impact from rising nickel prices, partially offset by higher labor, utility and other manufacturing supply costs. For this segment, raw material surcharges are primarily assessed at the time of shipment while the material cost of those shipments is determined at the time of order entry. Based upon the timing of surcharges, the Company estimates Dunkirk generated an operating income benefit of $3.9 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased $17.2 million, or 33%, in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2005 primarily due to increased shipments of higher value-added products requiring vacuum-arc remelting, as well as the impact of price increases implemented since January 1, 2005 and higher surcharges assessed due to increased raw material costs. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2006 increased $4.8 million primarily due to the impact of the favorable product mix, higher surcharges assessed and base price increases implemented, more than offsetting higher raw material, labor, energy and other manufacturing costs.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company generated cash from operations of $33.6 million, $6.3 million and $3.3 million in the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Cash received from sales of $235.9 million, $198.7 million and $167.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, represent the primary source of cash from operations. An analysis of the primary uses of cash is as follows:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

For the years ended December 31,

   Amount    %     Amount    %     Amount    %  
(dollars in thousands)                                  

Raw material purchases

   $ 100,504    49.7  %   $ 92,117    47.9  %   $ 88,772    54.1  %

Employment costs

     36,103    17.8       36,094    18.8       30,931    18.9  

Utilities

     18,657    9.2       18,528    9.6       17,812    10.9  

Other

     47,057    23.3       45,700    23.7       26,419    16.1  
                                       

Total uses of cash

   $ 202,321    100.0  %   $ 192,439    100.0  %   $ 163,934    100.0  %
                                       

 

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Cash used for raw material purchases increased in 2007 in comparison to 2006 and 2005 primarily due to higher transaction prices. The Company continuously monitors market price fluctuations of its key raw materials. The following table reflects the average market values per pound for key raw materials for selected months during the last three-year period.

 

     December
2007
   June
2007
   December
2006
   June
2006
   December
2005
   June
2005

Nickel

   $ 11.79    $ 18.92    $ 15.68    $ 9.41    $ 6.09    $ 7.33

Chrome

   $ 1.66    $ 1.27    $ 0.64    $ 0.64    $ 0.51    $ 0.73

Molybdenum

   $ 32.54    $ 32.65    $ 24.87    $ 25.28    $ 27.11    $ 37.47

Carbon Scrap

   $ 0.14    $ 0.13    $ 0.10    $ 0.15    $ 0.12    $ 0.07

The monthly average price of nickel increased from $9.41 in June 2006 to $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. The significant rise is believed to be due to increased demand from foreign (primarily China) and domestic sources coupled with supply volatility which caused raw material market values to rise significantly between June 2006 and May 2007. The sharp increase had a material negative impact on the operating margins of the Universal Stainless & Alloy Product Segment and a material positive impact on the operating margins of the Dunkirk Specialty Steel Segment. The monthly average nickel prices declined from its record level in May 2007 to $12.54 in August 2007 and to $11.79 in December 2007. The sharp decline resulted from decreased demand for nickel while supplies continued to increase during the second half of 2007. The sharp decline also had a material negative impact on the operating margins of both business segments through the recognition of increased Lower-of-Cost-or-Market inventory reserves. The reserve increased from 2.3% of the consolidated inventory balance at December 31, 2006 to 3.3% at December 31, 2007. While the material surcharge mechanism is designed to offset modest fluctuations in raw material prices, it can not immediately absorb significant spikes in raw material prices. A material decline in raw material prices within a short period of time could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the Company, and there can be no assurance that the raw material surcharge mechanism will completely offset immediate changes in the Company’s raw material costs.

Increases in both employment and utility costs are primarily due to higher rates substantially offset by lower production volumes. The increased employment costs primarily relate to increased payouts under the Company’s profit-sharing plans and higher employee-related insurance costs. Increased utility costs are primarily related to an electrical distribution rate increase at the Bridgeville facility that became effective January 6, 2007.

The increase in other uses of cash between 2006 and 2007 is primarily attributable to the payments made to settle the Teledyne lawsuit and EPA violation as well as incurring increased maintenance expenses. The increase between 2005 and 2006 is primarily attributable to increased income tax payments as well as purchases of operating supplies and services to support higher production volumes. Payments for federal and state income taxes, net of refunds received, increased from $6.7 million in 2005 to $11.8 million and $11.3 million in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

At December 31, 2007, working capital approximated $85.9 million, as compared to $80.4 million at December 31, 2006. The increase is attributable to a $7.7 million increase in the cash balance primarily resulting from a $5.8 million decrease in accounts receivable and a $784,000 decrease in inventory, net of non-debt current liabilities. These decreases are primarily attributable to lower shipment and production volumes experienced during the last three-month period of 2007 in comparison to the similar period in 2006.

Capital Expenditures and Investments. The Company’s capital expenditures were approximately $8.8 million and $7.7 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The 2007 expenditures were primarily made to upgrade the Bridgeville melt shop cranes, purchase and install a new high-temperature annealing furnace in Dunkirk scheduled for completion in 2008, purchase additional testing equipment to meet more stringent specifications for higher value-added products, as well as infrastructure improvements. Most of the 2006 expenditures were used to purchase additional equipment in response to increased demand, including a plate flattener, milling machines and a seventh VAR furnace installed at the Bridgeville facility. Capital expenditures are expected to approximate $10.0 million in 2008, based on current market conditions. The expenditures will be used principally for the purchase of new equipment and infrastructure improvements, and will be funded from operating cash flows. Commitments of additional capital expenditures may occur if market conditions continue to improve.

Capital Resources Including Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. The Company does not maintain off-balance sheet arrangements nor does it participate in non-exchange traded contracts requiring fair value accounting treatment or material related-party transaction arrangements.

PNC Credit Agreement. The Company is party to a credit agreement with PNC Bank (the “PNC Credit Agreement”), which establishes a $15.0 million revolving credit facility (“PNC Line”) with a term expiring on June 30, 2009. This credit agreement also provided for a $10.0 million term loan (“PNC Term Loan”) scheduled to mature on June 30, 2011. The $7.5 million outstanding principal balance under the PNC Term Loan was retired in December 2007 using excess cash flows from operations generated during the second half of the year. The PNC Line is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

 

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Interest on borrowings under the PNC Line is based on short-term market rates, which may be further adjusted, based upon the Company maintaining certain financial ratios. The Company pays a commitment fee on the unused portion of the PNC Line of 0.25%, provided it maintains certain financial ratios.

At December 31, 2007, the Company had its $15.0 million revolving line of credit with PNC Bank available for borrowings. The Company is in compliance with all financial ratios and restrictive covenants it is required to maintain under the credit agreement as of December 31, 2007. The Company believes it will maintain compliance with the financial covenants in effect throughout 2008.

Government Financing Programs. The Company maintains two loan agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Commerce, aggregating $600,000. A $200,000 15-year loan bears interest at 5% per annum with the term ending in 2011, and a $400,000 20-year loan bears interest at 6% per annum with the term ending in 2016. In 1996, the Company entered into a ten-year, 6% interest-bearing loan with the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County Economic Development Fund in the amount of $1,514,000, and was fully amortized in 2007. In 2002, Dunkirk Specialty Steel issued two ten-year, 5% interest-bearing notes payable to the New York Job Development Authority for the combined amount of $3.0 million. As of December 31, 2007, the total principal balance of these government-financed debt instruments is $1.8 million.

Stock-Based Financing Activity. The Company issued 90,751 and 152,760 shares of its Common Stock for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, through its two stock-based compensation plans. In 2007, certain employees, officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors exercised 84,750 stock options issued under the Stock Incentive Plan for $898,000 plus related tax benefits of $958,000. In 2006, certain employees, officers and members of the Company’s Board of Directors exercised 144,125 stock options issued under the Stock Incentive Plan for $1,444,000 plus related tax benefits of $1,073,000. The remaining shares were issued to employees participating in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

On October 19, 1998, the Company initiated a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 315,000 shares of its outstanding Common Stock in open market transactions at market prices. The Company repurchased 326 shares in 2007, 412 shares in 2006 and 157 shares in 2005. The Company is authorized to repurchase 44,205 remaining shares of Common Stock under this program as of December 31, 2007.

Short- and Long-Term Liquidity. The Company expects to meet substantially all of its short-term liquidity requirements resulting from operations and current capital investment plans with internally generated funds and borrowings under the PNC Credit Agreement. At December 31, 2007, the Company had $10.6 million in cash and $15.0 million available under the PNC Line. In addition, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities at December 31, 2007 was 4.7:1 compared with 4.2:1 at December 31, 2006, and the debt to total capitalization ratio was 1.4% compared with 15.8%, respectively.

The Company’s long-term liquidity depends upon its ability to obtain additional orders from its existing customers, attract new customers and control costs. Additional sources of financing may be required to fund growth initiatives identified by the Company.

Contractual Obligations. At December 31, 2007, the Company had the following contractual obligations:

 

          Payments Due by Period
(dollars in thousands)    Total    Less than 1 Year    1–3 Years    3–5 Years    More than 5 Years

Long-term debt

   $ 2,072    $ 468    $ 936    $ 593    $ 75

Operating lease obligations

     38      29      9      —        —  

Purchase obligations

     10,255      10,255      —        —        —  
                                  

Total contractual obligations

   $ 12,365    $ 10,752    $ 945    $ 593    $ 75
                                  

Long-term debt does not include any outstanding balance on the PNC Line, currently due to expire on June 30, 2009, since there was no outstanding balance on December 31, 2007. Purchase obligations include the value of all open purchase orders with established quantities and purchase prices as well as minimum purchase commitments.

Supply Contract. The Company maintains a supply contract agreement with Talley Metals that continues to automatically renew with the placement of new orders each month and requires a 90-day written notice to terminate by either party. In addition, Talley Metals is required under the agreement to purchase a minimum of 1,000 tons of stainless reroll billet products each calendar month and average at least 1,250 tons per month during the last 12-month period. The value of the contract on a monthly basis will depend on product mix and key raw material prices. During 2006 and 2007, Talley Metals did not comply with the monthly minimum purchase requirement due to market conditions. The Company has granted a waiver and expects to continue granting a waiver from this requirement until market conditions improve.

 

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Import Protections. The CDSOA provides for payment of import duties collected by the U.S. Treasury Department to domestic companies injured by unfair foreign trade practices. The assets purchased by Dunkirk Specialty Steel were previously owned and operated by AL Tech Specialty Steel, Inc. and Empire Specialty Steel, Inc. During their ownership, both organizations participated in several anti-dumping lawsuits with other domestic specialty steel producers. In accordance with the CDSOA, the Company filed claims to receive their appropriate share of the import duties collected and received a net payment of $586,000 in 2007. The Company expects to benefit somewhat from the CDSOA after its scheduled expiration on September 30, 2007. The amount of future benefit is dependent on the amount of import duties collected through the expiration date and the relationship of Dunkirk Specialty Steel’s claim in relation to claims filed by other domestic specialty steel producers

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Despite modest inflation in recent years, rising costs, in particular the cost of certain raw materials and energy, continue to affect operations. The Company strives to mitigate the effects of inflation through cost containment, productivity improvements, sales price increases and surcharges.

CONTINGENT ITEMS

Product Claims. The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the normal course of conducting business. At December 31, 2007, the Company has established a reserve of $200,000 for commercial product-claims related to three sales by Dunkirk Specialty Steel.

Environmental Matters. The Company, as well as other steel companies, is subject to demanding environmental standards imposed by federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Company is not aware of any environmental condition that currently exists at any of its facilities that would cause a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

Legal Matters. On June 29, 2001, suit was filed against the Company in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Teledyne. The suit alleged that steel product manufactured by the Company was defective and that the Company was or should have been aware of the defects. Teledyne alleged that the steel supplied by the Company caused certain crankshafts sold by Teledyne to be defective.

On May 31, 2007, the Company and Teledyne agreed to a complete settlement of this suit. Under the terms of the settlement, which contains a confidentiality provision, both parties released all claims against the other party in exchange for cash and other consideration. The net impact of this settlement, including professional fees, on the Company’s net income after tax was $517,000.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Critical Accounting Policies. Revenue recognition is the most critical accounting policy of the Company. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when both risk of loss and title have transferred to the customer, which in most cases coincides with shipment of the related products, and collection is reasonably assured. The Company manufactures specialty steel product to customer purchase order specifications and in recognition of requirements for product acceptance. Material certification forms are executed, indicating compliance with the customer purchase orders, before the specialty steel products are packed and shipped to the customer. Occasionally customers request that the packed products be held at the Company’s facility beyond the stated shipment date. In these situations, the Company receives written confirmation of the request, and acknowledgement that title has passed to the customer and that normal payment terms apply. Such amounts included in revenue for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were less than 1% of net sales.

Revenue from conversion services is recognized when the performance of the service is complete. Invoiced shipping and handling costs are also accounted for as revenue. Customer claims are accounted for primarily as a reduction to gross sales after the matter has been researched and an acceptable resolution has been reached.

In addition, management constantly monitors the ability to collect its unpaid sales invoices and the valuation of its inventory. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes specific reserves for the value of outstanding invoices issued to customers currently operating under the protection of the federal bankruptcy law and other amounts that are deemed potentially not collectible with a reserve equal to 15% of 90-day or older balances. However, the total reserve will not be less than 1% of total accounts receivable.

The cost of inventory is principally determined by the first in, first-out (FIFO) method for material costs as well as the average cost method for operation costs. An inventory reserve is provided for material on hand for which management believes cost exceeds fair market value and for material on hand for more than one year not assigned to a specific customer order.

The monthly average price of nickel increased from $9.41 in June 2006 to $15.68 in December 2006 to a high of $23.67 in May 2007. Since May 2007, the monthly average nickel prices declined to $12.54 in August 2007 and to $11.79 in December 2007. The sharp decline resulted from decreased demand for nickel while supplies continued to increase during the second half of 2007. This event also

 

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had a material negative impact on the operating margins of both business segments through the recognition of higher Lower-of-Cost-or-Market inventory reserves. The reserve increased from 2.3% of the consolidated inventory balance at December 31, 2006 to 3.3% at December 31, 2007.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment annually by each operating facility. An impairment write-down will be recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable through estimated future undiscounted cash flows. Based on management’s assessment of the carrying values of such long-lived assets, no impairment reserve had been deemed necessary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006. Attempts to sell the Dunkirk office building since February 2002 have not been successful, and the Company had no prospective buyers. The change in circumstances caused the Company’s management to write off the $184,000 carrying value of the Dunkirk office building during first quarter 2006. Retirements and disposals are removed from cost and accumulated depreciation accounts, with the gain or loss reflected in operating income.

In addition, management assesses the need to record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company believes it will generate sufficient income in addition to taxable income generated from the reversal of its temporary differences to utilize the deferred tax assets recorded at December 31, 2007.

New Accounting Pronouncements. See information under the heading “Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies” within “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details of recently issued accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company’s financial statements.

FUTURE OUTLOOK

The Company entered 2008 with a total backlog of approximately $85 million, which is down from the $120 million backlog at the beginning of 2007. The decline is primarily due to the impact of lower raw materials costs on the selling prices for semi-finished product orders and a reduction in orders placed by forging and service center customers, resulting from an excess supply of inventory in the supply chain at December 31, 2007. End-market demand remains strong and the company expects orders for its products will improve throughout the year as customer inventory is consumed.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION SAFE HARBOR

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements looking forward in time, including statements regarding future growth, cost savings, expanded production capacity, broader product lines, greater capacity to meet customer quality reliability, price and delivery needs, enhanced competitive posture, effect of new accounting pronouncements and no material financial impact from litigation or contingencies are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to the “safe harbor” provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The Company’s actual results will be affected by a wide range of factors, including those items described in Item 1A, Risk Factors. Many of these factors are not within the Company’s control and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company’s actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance suggested herein. Any unfavorable change in the foregoing or other factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the Company operates in an industry sector where securities values may be volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond the Company’s control.

 

ITEM  7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments to reduce its financial risk. The Company’s customers and suppliers absorb fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In addition, the Company maintains some long-term, fixed cost supply agreements for its major purchase requirements. Prices for the Company’s raw materials and natural gas requirements are subject to frequent market fluctuations, and profit margins may decline in the event market values increase. Selling price increases and surcharges are implemented to offset raw material and natural gas market price increases.

The cost of raw materials represents more than 50% of the Company’s total cost of products sold in 2007 and 2006 due to significant increases in transaction prices for raw materials purchased. Raw material prices vary based on numerous factors, including quality, and are subject to frequent market fluctuations. Future raw material prices can not be predicted with any degree of certainty. Therefore, the Company does not maintain any long-term written agreements with any of its raw material suppliers.

The Company has implemented a sales price surcharge mechanism on its products to help offset the impact of raw material price fluctuations. For substantially all semi-finished products, the surcharge is calculated at the time of order entry, based on average raw material prices reported for the previous 20-day period. For substantially all finished products, the surcharge is calculated based on average raw material prices reported for the previous 20-day period from the promised ship date. While the material surcharge mechanism is designed to offset modest fluctuations in raw material prices, it can not immediately absorb significant spikes in raw material prices. A material change in raw material prices within a short period of time could have a material adverse effect on the financial results of the Company and there can be no assurance that the raw material surcharge mechanism will completely offset immediate changes in the Company’s raw material costs.

 

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The Company currently is not exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates related to its long-term debt. At December 31, 2007, all of the Company’s $1.8 million of total long-term debt has fixed interest rates.

 

ITEM  8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2007, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 has been audited by Schneider Downs & Co. Inc., an independent registered public accounting firm which also audited our consolidated financial statements. Schneider Downs’ attestation report on the consolidated financial statements and management’s maintenance of effective internal control over financial reporting is included under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

 

/s/ Dennis M. Oates

  

/s/ Richard M. Ubinger

Dennis M. Oates    Richard M. Ubinger
President and Chief Executive Officer    Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. In addition, our audit included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15 (2) (Schedule II). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

 

/s/ Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.

Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
March 6, 2008

 

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Performance Graph

The following performance graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common shares from December 31, 2002 until December 31, 2007, with the cumulative total return of (a) the NASDAQ Composite Index and (b) the Standard & Poor’s Homebuilders Select Industry Index. The performance graph assumes the investment, on December 31, 2002, of $100 in our common shares, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the Standard & Poor’s Homebuilders Select Industry Index, and that all dividends were reinvested.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007     2006     2005  
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)                   

Net sales

   $ 229,936     $ 203,873     $ 170,022  

Cost of products sold

     184,491       160,722       141,436  

Selling and administrative expenses

     12,038       10,792       8,441  
                        

Operating income

     33,407       32,359       20,145  

Interest expense and other financing costs

     (731 )     (1,106 )     (851 )

Other income, net

     776       522       437  
                        

Income before income tax expense

     33,452       31,775       19,731  

Provision for income taxes

     10,948       11,185       6,973  
                        

Net income

   $ 22,504     $ 20,590     $ 12,758  
                        

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

      

Basic

   $ 3.39     $ 3.19     $ 2.00  

Diluted

   $ 3.32     $ 3.11     $ 1.97  

WEIGHTED-AVERAGE COMMON SHARES USED TO COMPUTE EARNINGS PER SHARE

      

Basic

     6,644,374       6,451,037       6,375,257  

Diluted

     6,774,924       6,612,530       6,479,114  
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

December 31,

   2007     2006  
(dollars in thousands)             

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,648     $ 2,909  

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $311 and $338)

     27,501       33,308  

Inventory

     65,572       66,019  

Other current assets

     5,537       3,216  
                

Total current assets

     109,258       105,452  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     54,271       49,251  

Other assets

     767       584  
                

Total assets

   $ 164,296     $ 155,287  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Trade accounts payable

   $ 13,983     $ 13,123  

Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     2,064       3,427  

Accrued employment costs

     5,307       4,121  

Current portion of long-term debt

     383       2,364  

Other current liabilities

     1,600       1,968  
                

Total current liabilities

     23,337       25,003  

Long-term debt

     1,453       17,228  

Deferred taxes

     9,904       8,402  
                

Total liabilities

     34,694       50,633  
                

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Senior Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 1,980,000 shares authorized; 0 shares outstanding

     —         —    

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 6,930,294 and 6,839,543 shares issued

     7       7  

Additional paid-in capital

     35,112       32,654  

Retained earnings

     96,142       73,638  

Treasury Stock at cost; 270,795 and 270,469 common shares held

     (1,659 )     (1,645 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     129,602       104,654  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 164,296     $ 155,287  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007     2006     2005  
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)                   

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

      

Net income

   $ 22,504     $ 20,590     $ 12,758  

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     3,731       3,337       3,085  

Loss on retirement of fixed assets

     40       911       705  

Deferred taxes increase (decrease)

     253       (1,852 )     (276 )

Stock-based compensation expense

     427       273       —    

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —         —         207  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (958 )     (1,073 )     —    

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     5,807       (5,345 )     (3,401 )

Inventory

     447       (14,621 )     (13,080 )

Accounts payable

     860       544       913  

Accrued employment costs

     1,186       1,163       1,128  

Other, net

     (674 )     2,374       1,292  
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     33,623       6,301       3,331  
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

      

Acquisition of assets and real property through purchase agreements

     —         —         (344 )

Capital expenditures

     (8,782 )     (7,716 )     (8,464 )
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (8,782 )     (7,716 )     (8,808 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

      

Proceeds from long-term debt

     —         —         8,050  

Long-term debt repayment

     (9,364 )     (1,555 )     (894 )

(Repayment) borrowings under revolving line of credit, net

     (8,392 )     2,275       (2,518 )

(Decrease) increase in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance

     (1,363 )     326       463  

Deferred financing costs

     —         —         (48 )

Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock

     1,059       1,585       803  

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     958       1,073       —    
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (17,102 )     3,704       5,856  
                        

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     7,739       2,289       379  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     2,909       620       241  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 10,648     $ 2,909     $ 620  
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

      

Interest paid (net of amount capitalized)

   $ 793     $ 1,085     $ 779  

Income taxes paid

   $ 11,268     $ 11,779     $ 6,693  
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies

Description of the Company. Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc. (the “Company”) manufactures and markets semi-finished and finished specialty steel products, including stainless steel, tool steel and certain other alloyed steels. The Company’s manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, treating, and hot and cold rolling of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. The Company’s products are sold to rerollers, forgers, service centers, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), which primarily include the power generation and aerospace industries, and wire redrawers. The Company also performs conversion services on materials supplied by customers that lack certain of the Company’s production facilities or that are subject to their own capacity constraints.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. The estimates and assumptions used in these consolidated financial statements are based on known information available as of the balance sheet date. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Basis of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has no interests in any unconsolidated entity nor does it have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements other than operating leases.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value, and include cash and securities having a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company limits its credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents by placing its investments in high-grade short-term instruments. With respect to accounts receivable, the Company limits its credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requiring letters of credit, guarantees or cash collateral. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes specific reserves for the value of outstanding invoices issued to customers currently operating under the protection of the federal bankruptcy law and other amounts that are deemed potentially not collectible with a reserve equal to 15% of 90-day or older balances. However, the total reserve will not be less than 1% of total accounts receivable. Receivables are charged-off to the allowance when they are deemed to be uncollectible. Bad debt expense for fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $(29,000), 77,000 and $125,000, respectively.

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost principally determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The average cost method is also utilized. Such costs include the acquisition cost for raw materials and supplies, direct labor and applied manufacturing overhead within the guidelines of normal plant capacity. Provisions are made for slow-moving inventory based upon management’s expected method of disposition.

The Company purchases scrap metal and alloy additives, principally nickel, chrome and molybdenum, for its melting operation. A substantial portion of the alloy additives is available only from foreign sources, some of which are located in countries that may be subject to unstable political and economic conditions. Those conditions might disrupt supplies or affect the prices of the raw materials used by the Company. The Company maintains sales price surcharges to help offset the impact of raw material price fluctuations.

Included in inventory are operating materials consisting of production molds and rolls that will normally be consumed within one year.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Costs incurred in connection with the construction or major rebuild of facilities, including interest directly related to the project, are capitalized as construction in progress. No depreciation is recognized on these assets until placed in service. Retirements and disposals are removed from cost and accumulated depreciation accounts, with the gain or loss reflected in operating income. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, and costs of improvements and renewals are capitalized.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position entitled “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities” (“FSP”). The FSP amends an American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Industry Audit Guide and is applicable to all industries that accrue for planned major maintenance activities. The FSP prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance costs, which is the policy the Company presently uses to record planned plant outage costs on an interim basis within a fiscal year. The FSP became effective January 1, 2007, with retrospective application to all prior periods presented. Under the FSP, the Company will report results using the deferral method whereby material major equipment maintenance costs are capitalized as incurred and amortized into expense over the subsequent six-month period, while other maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The restatement of maintenance expenses for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 changed previously reported financial data by the following amounts:

 

     Increase (Decrease) in Previously Reported Amounts  
     2006     2005  
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)             

Change in cost of products sold

   $ 40     $ 484  

Change in net income

     (24 )     (298 )

Change in earnings per common share:

    

Basic

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.05 )

Diluted

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.05 )

 

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Maintenance expense for the fiscal year 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $13,857,000, $12,060,000 and $12,412,000, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The estimated useful lives of buildings and land improvements are between 5 and 25 years, and the estimated useful lives of machinery and equipment are between 5 and 20 years. Direct costs incurred in the development and implementation of internal-use software are capitalized and recorded within property, plant and equipment, and amortized on a straight-line basis over its anticipated useful life, which generally does not exceed three years. Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal year 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $3,722,000, $3,315,000 and $3,058,000, respectively.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment. Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in relation to the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets. Adjustments are made if the sum of expected future cash flows is less than book value. Based on management’s assessment of the carrying values of such long-lived assets, no impairment reserve had been deemed necessary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 except for the reserve attributed to the $184,000 carrying value of the Dunkirk office building which management has not sold since its acquisition in February 2002.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when both risk of loss and title have transferred to the customer, which in most cases coincides with shipment of the related products, and collection is reasonably assured. Revenue from conversion services is recognized when the performance of the service is complete. Invoiced shipping and handling costs are also accounted for as revenue. Customer claims are accounted for primarily as a reduction to gross sales after the matter has been researched and an acceptable resolution has been reached.

Revenue is also recognized in certain situations in which products available for shipment are held at the Company’s facility beyond the stated shipment date at the customer’s specific request. The Company manufactures specialty steel product to customer purchase order specifications and in recognition of requirements for product acceptance. Material certification forms are executed, indicating compliance with the customer purchase orders, before the specialty steel products are packed and shipped to the customer. Occasionally customers request that the packed products be held at the Company’s facility beyond the stated shipment date. In these situations, the Company receives written confirmation of the request, and acknowledgement that title has passed to the customer and that normal payment terms apply. Such amounts included in revenue for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 were less than 1% of net sales.

Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for unused tax credits earned and the tax effect of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. The Company uses the liability method to account for income taxes, which requires deferred taxes to be recorded at the statutory rate expected to be in effect when the taxes are paid. Valuation allowances are provided for a deferred tax asset when it is more likely than not that such asset will not be realized.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes recognition and measurement standards for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The evaluation of a tax position includes a determination of whether a tax position should be recognized in the financial statements, and such a position should only be recognized if the Company determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities, based upon the technical merits of the position. For those tax positions that should be recognized, the measurement of a tax position is determined as being the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 was effective at the beginning of the Company’s 2007 fiscal year. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company made an accounting policy election to classify interest and penalties on estimated liabilities for uncertain tax positions as components of the provision for income taxes. The Company believes there are no known uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2007.

Stock-Based Compensation Plans. Prior to January 1, 2006, employee compensation expense under stock option plans was reported only if options were granted below market price at grant date in accordance with the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Because the exercise price of the Company’s employee stock options always equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense was recognized on options granted. On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”). This Statement replaces FASB Statement No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25. SFAS 123R eliminates the ability to account for stock-based compensation using APB 25 and requires that such transactions be recognized as compensation expense in the income statement based on their fair values on the measurement date,

 

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which, for the Company, is the date of the grant. The Company transitioned to fair-value based accounting for stock-based compensation using a modified version of prospective application (“modified prospective application”). Under modified prospective application, as it is applicable to the Company, SFAS 123R applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after January 1, 2006. Additionally, compensation cost for the portion of awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered (generally referring to non-vested awards) that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006 will be recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered during the period of and/or the periods after the adoption of SFAS 123R. The attribution of compensation cost for those earlier awards is based on the same method and on the same grant-date fair values previously determined for the pro forma disclosures required for companies that did not previously adopt the fair value accounting method for stock-based employee compensation. Compensation expense for non-vested stock awards is based on the fair value of the awards, which is calculated on the measurement date, the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and is recognized ratably over the service period of the award. The tax effects of exercising stock options are added to additional paid-in capital at the exercise date.

Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive common shares are determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, exercise of options is assumed at the beginning of the period when the average stock price during the period exceeds the exercise price of outstanding options, and common shares are assumed issued. The assumed proceeds from the exercise of stock options are used to purchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The incremental shares to be issued are considered to be the dilutive potential common shares outstanding.

New Accounting Pronouncements. In September 2006, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin 108 “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements” (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 requires that public companies utilize a “dual approach” when assessing the quantitative effects of financial misstatements. This dual approach includes both an income statement-focused assessment and a balance sheet-focused assessment. The guidance in SAB 108 is effective for annual financial statements for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have an effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value. SFAS 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 157; however, the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and report unrealized gains and losses on these instruments in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 159. Adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141 (Revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R will significantly change the accounting for business combinations. Under SFAS 141R, an acquiring entity will be required to recognize all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a transaction at the acquisition-date fair value with limited exceptions. SFAS 141R will change the accounting treatment for certain specific items, including: acquisition costs will be generally expensed as incurred; noncontrolling interests will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date; acquired contingent liabilities will be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date and subsequently measured at either the higher of such amount or the amount determined under existing guidance for non-acquired contingencies; restructuring costs associated with a business combination will be generally expensed subsequent to the acquisition date; and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and income tax uncertainties after the acquisition date generally will affect income tax expense. SFAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited. Accordingly, the Company is required to record and disclose business combinations following existing GAAP until January 1, 2009.

On December 4, 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51” (SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. Specifically, this statement requires the recognition of a noncontrolling interest (minority interest) as equity in the consolidated financial statements and separate from the parent's equity. The amount of net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the income statement. SFAS 160 clarifies that changes in a parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are equity transactions if the parent retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, this statement requires that a parent recognize a gain or loss in net income when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. Such gain or loss will be measured using the fair value of the noncontrolling equity investment on

 

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the deconsolidation date. SFAS 160 also includes expanded disclosure requirements regarding the interests of the parent and its noncontrolling interest. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is prohibited.

Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2007 presentation.

Note 2: Inventory

The major classes of inventory are as follows:

 

December 31,

   2007     2006  
(dollars in thousands)             

Raw materials and supplies

   $ 8,309     $ 9,558  

Semi-finished and finished steel products

     55,404       54,891  

Operating materials

     1,859       1,570  
                

Total inventory

   $ 65,572     $ 66,019  
                

 

Note 3: Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

 

 

 

December 31,

   2007     2006  
(dollars in thousands)             

Land and land improvements

   $ 2,208     $ 1,573  

Buildings

     10,371       8,469  

Machinery and equipment

     66,432       63,484  

Construction in progress

     4,571       1,330  
                
     83,582       74,856  

Accumulated depreciation

     (29,311 )     (25,605 )
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

   $ 54,271     $ 49,251  
                

 

Note 4: Long-Term Debt and Other Financing

 

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

 

 

December 31,

   2007     2006  
(dollars in thousands)             

PNC Term Loan

   $ —       $ 9,000  

PNC Bank revolving credit facility

     —         8,392  

Government debt

     1,836       2,200  
                
     1,836       19,592  

Less amounts due within one year

     (383 )     (2,364 )
                

Total long-term debt

   $ 1,453     $ 17,228  
                

The Company maintains a credit agreement with PNC Bank for a $15.0 million revolving credit facility (“PNC Line”) with a term expiring on June 30, 2009. This credit agreement also included a term loan (“PNC Term Loan”) scheduled to mature on June 30, 2011. The Company retired the PNC Term Loan in December 2007. The credit agreement is collateralized by substantially all of the Company’s assets.

Interest on borrowings under the PNC Line and PNC Term Loan is based on short-term market rates, which may be further adjusted, based upon the Company maintaining certain financial ratios. PNC Bank reduced the commitment fee paid on the unused portion of the PNC Line from 0.5% to 0.25%, provided certain financial ratios are maintained. The Company is required to be in compliance with three financial covenants: a minimum leverage ratio, a minimum debt service ratio and a minimum tangible net worth. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at December 31, 2007.

The Company maintains two separate loan agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Commerce, aggregating $600,000. A $200,000 15-year loan bears interest at 5% per annum with the term ending in 2011 and a $400,000 20-year loan bears interest at 6% per annum with the term ending in 2016. In 1996, the Company entered into a ten-year, 6% interest-bearing loan agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County Economic Development Fund in the amount of $1,514,000, and was fully amortized in 2007. On February 14, 2002, Dunkirk Specialty Steel issued two ten-year, 5% interest-bearing notes payable to the New York Job Development Authority for the combined amount of $3.0 million.

 

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The Company leases certain office equipment and a vehicle. The aggregate annual principal payments due under the Company’s long-term debt and minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    Thereafter    Total
(dollars in thousands)                                   

Long-term debt principal payments

   $ 383    $ 403    $ 423    $ 432    $ 96    $ 99    $ 1,836

Operating lease minimum payments

     29      9      —        —        —        —        38

Note 5: Income Taxes

Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007     2006     2005  
(dollars in thousands)                   

CURRENT PROVISION

      

Federal

   $ 10,542     $ 11,957     $ 6,801  

State

     153       1,080       448  
                        
     10,695       13,037       7,249  
                        

DEFERRED PROVISION (BENEFIT)

      

Federal

     550       (1,623 )     (151 )

State

     (297 )     (229 )     (125 )
                        
     253       (1,852 )     (276 )
                        

Provision for income taxes

   $ 10,948     $ 11,185     $ 6,973  
                        

A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007     2006     2005  

Federal statutory tax

   35.0 %   35.0 %   35.0 %

Domestic manufacturing deduction

   (2.1 )   (1.2 )   (1.0 )

State income taxes, net of federal tax impact

   (0.2 )   2.3     1.9  

Government grants, net of federal tax impact

   (0.4 )   (0.8 )   (1.1 )

Other, net

   0.4     (0.1 )   (0.3 )
                  

Effective income tax rate

   32.7 %   35.2 %   34.5 %
                  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel operates in a New York State Empire Zone and is qualified to benefit from investments made and employees hired at the Dunkirk, New York facility for up to 15 years from its 2002 acquisition date. The Company recognized tax credit benefits of $591,000 and $378,000 for fiscal year 2007 and 2006, respectively, of which $252,000 and $339,000 was applied against the respective year’s current tax provision. The balance of the credits, which have no expiration date, will be applied against future tax liabilities for income apportioned to New York State. The Company believes it will generate sufficient income in addition to taxable income generated from the reversal of its temporary differences to utilize this tax credit.

The Company also recognized Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit benefits (“PAEIT”) of $180,000 for both 2007 and 2006, which were applied against each respective year’s current tax provision.

 

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Deferred taxes result from the following:

 

December 31,

   2007    2006
(dollars in thousands)          

DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

     

Receivables

   $ 166    $ 171

Inventory

     1,573      811

Accrued liabilities

     665      478

SFAS 123R compensation expense

     209      80

Dunkirk office building impairment

     70      71
             
     2,683      1,611

State tax carryforwards

     692      472
             
   $ 3,375    $ 2,083
             

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

     

Prepaid major maintenance

   $ 110    $ 66

Property, plant and equipment

     9,904      8,402
             
   $ 10,014    $ 8,468
             

State tax carryforwards represent New York Empire Zone tax credits with no expiration date and are included in other assets.

The Company is routinely under audit by federal or state authorities in the areas of income taxes and the remittance of sales and use taxes. These audits include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions and compliance with federal and state tax laws. The Company has settled all IRS examinations through December 31, 2004.

Note 6: Stockholders’ Equity

The Company has never paid a cash dividend on its Common Stock. The Company’s Credit Agreement with PNC Bank limits the payment of cash dividends payable on its Common Stock to 50% of the Company’s excess cash flow per fiscal year. Excess cash flow represents the amount of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization that is greater than the sum of the Company’s payments for interest, income taxes, the principal portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, and capital expenditures.

 

     Common
Shares
Outstanding
   Common
Stock
   Additional
Paid-
In Capital
   Retained
Earnings
   Treasury
Shares
   Treasury
Stock
 
(dollars in thousands)                                

Balance at December 31, 2004

   6,601,112    $ 7    $ 28,699    $ 40,290    269,900    $ (1,631 )

Common Stock issuance under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

   9,946         103         

Exercise of Stock Options

   75,725         703         

Tax benefit on share-based compensation

           207         

Net income

              12,758      

Purchase of Treasury Stock

               157      (3 )
                                       

Balance at December 31, 2005

   6,686,783    $ 7    $ 29,712    $ 53,048    270,057    $ (1,634 )

Common Stock issuance under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

   8,635         152         

Exercise of Stock Options

   144,125         1,444         

Share-based compensation

           273         

Tax benefit on share-based compensation

           1,073         

Net income

              20,590      

Purchase of Treasury Stock

               412      (11 )
                                       

Balance at December 31, 2006

   6,839,543    $ 7    $ 32,654    $ 73,638    270,469    $ (1,645 )

Common Stock issuance under Employee Stock Purchase Plan

   6,001         176         

Exercise of Stock Options

   84,750         897         

Share-based compensation

           427         

Tax benefit on share-based compensation

           958         

Net income

              22,504      

Purchase of Treasury Stock

               326      (14 )
                                       

Balance at December 31, 2007

   6,930,294    $ 7    $ 35,112    $ 96,142    270,795    $ (1,659 )
                                       

 

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On October 19, 1998, the Company initiated a stock repurchase program to repurchase up to 315,000 shares of its outstanding Common Stock in open market transactions at market prices. The Company is authorized to repurchase 44,205 remaining shares of Common Stock under this program as of December 31, 2007.

The Company has 1,980,000 authorized shares of Senior Preferred Stock. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, there were no shares issued or outstanding.

Note 7: Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is performed as follows:

 

     2007    2006    2005

For the years ended December 31,

   Income    Shares    Income    Shares    Income    Shares
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                              

Income available to common Stockholders

   $ 22,504    6,644,374    $ 20,590    6,451,037    $ 12,758    6,375,257

Effect of dilutive securities

     —      130,550      —      161,493      —      103,857
                                   

Income available to common Stockholders plus assumed conversion

   $ 22,504    6,774,924    $ 20,590    6,612,530    $ 12,758    6,479,114
                                   

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                 

Basic

   $ 3.39       $ 3.19       $ 2.00   

Diluted

   $ 3.32       $ 3.11       $ 1.97   
                             

Note 8: Stock-Based Compensation Plans

At December 31, 2007, the Company has three incentive compensation plans that are described below:

STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

The Company maintains the Stock Incentive Plan that has been adopted and amended from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors, and approved by its stockholders. The Stock Incentive Plan permits the issuance of stock options to non-employee directors, other than those directors owning more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock, officers and other key employees of the Company who are expected to contribute to the Company’s future growth and success. The Company may grant options up to a maximum of 950,000 shares of Common Stock, of which 393,668 are available for grant at December 31, 2007. The option price is equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock at the date of grant. Options granted to non-employee directors vest over a three-year period, and options granted to employees vest over a four-year period. All options under the Stock Incentive Plan will expire no later than ten years after the grant date. Forfeited options may be reissued and are included in the amount available for grants.

A summary of the Stock Incentive Plan activity as of and for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 is presented below:

 

           Non-Vested Stock Awards Outstanding    Stock Options Outstanding
     Shares Available for
Grant
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Grant-Fair Value
   Number
of Shares
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

Balance, January 1, 2005

   190,243     148,750     $ 4.80    511,675     $ 9.14

Granted

   (50,000 )   50,000       6.54    50,000       14.84

Stock options exercised

          (75,725 )     6.64

Stock awards vested

     (61,450 )     4.46     

Forfeited

   3,300          (3,300 )     11.25
                               

Balance, December 31, 2005

   143,543     137,300       5.57    482,650       9.69

Granted

   (60,000 )   60,000       9.23    60,000       21.36

Stock options exercised

          (144,125 )     10.02

Stock awards vested

     (63,500 )     5.15     

Forfeited

   19,625     (19,625 )     5.17    (19,625 )     10.15
                               

Balance, December 31, 2006

   103,168     114,175       7.80    378,900       11.77

Additional shares reserved

   400,000           

Granted

   (161,000 )   161,000       16.70    161,000       33.25

Stock options exercised

          (84,750 )     10.60

Stock awards vested

     (49,625 )     6.60     

Forfeited

   51,500     (51,500 )     13.13    (51,500 )     30.93
                               

Balance, December 31, 2007

   393,668     174,050     $ 14.80    403,650     $ 18.14
                               

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2007:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of Exercise Prices

   Number
of Shares
   Weighted-Average
Remaining Years
Contractual Life
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   Number
of Shares
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

$5.12 to $7.35

   101,300    3.9    $ 6.61    101,300    $ 6.61

$8.45 to $9.94

   54,000    2.6      9.73    54,000      9.73

$10.83 to $13.42

   45,450    6.4      11.49    33,650      11.55

$14.18 to $27.29

   70,900    7.7      17.57    38,175      16.49

$31.95 to $42.50

   132,000    9.6      33.03    2,475      32.20
                            

Outstanding at end of year

   403,650    6.5    $ 18.14    229,600    $ 9.98
                            

Exercisable at end of year

   229,600    2.6         
                  

Proceeds from stock option exercises totaled $898,000 in 2007, $1.4 million in 2006 and $703,000 in 2005. Shares issued in connection with stock option exercises are issued from available authorized shares. Tax benefits realized from stock options exercised totaled $958,000 in 2007, $1.1 million in 2006 and $207,000 in 2005.

Based upon the closing stock price of $35.57, the aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding stock options and outstanding exercisable stock options was $7.0 million and $5.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007. Intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the amount by which the market price of USAP common stock exceeds the exercise price of the options. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $2.6 million in 2007, $2.8 million in 2006 and $538,000 in 2005. The total fair value of share awards vested was $328,000 during 2007, $327,000 in 2006 and $274,000 in 2005.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires that stock-based compensation to employees and directors be recognized as compensation expense in the income statement based on their fair values on the measurement date, which, for the Company, is the date of the grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods. The compensation expense recognized and its related tax effects are included in additional paid-in capital. Additional paid-in capital is further adjusted for the difference between compensation expense recorded under SFAS 123R and compensation expense reported for tax purposes upon actual exercise of employee stock options.

Stock-based compensation expense totaled $427,000 in 2007 and $273,000 in 2006. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards. The tax benefit associated with the stock compensation expense recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations was $152,000 in 2007 and $95,000 in 2006. Such cash flows were previously reported as operating activities. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards totaled $1,548,000 at December 31, 2007. At such date, the weighted-average period over which this unrecognized expense was expected to be recognized was 33 months.

Valuation of Stock-Based Compensation. The fair value of the Company’s employee stock options granted is estimated on the measurement date, which, for the Company, is the date of grant. The Company elected to continue using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which was previously used for the Company’s pro forma information required under SFAS 123. The weighted-average fair value of stock options granted was $2,689,000 for 2007, $554,000 for 2006, and $327,000 for 2005. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.

The assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted are detailed in the table below:

 

     2007     2006     2005  

Risk-free interest rate

   3.53 to 4.87  %   3.19 to 5.04  %   3.76 to 4.50  %

Dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %   0.0 %

Expected market price volatility

   47 to 49 %   45 to 50 %   40 to 45 %

Weighted-average expected market price volatility

   47.9 %   47.6 %   43.5 %

Expected term

   5.8 to 8.2 years     5.0 years     5.0 years  

The risk-free interest rate was developed using the U.S. Treasury yield curve for periods equal to the expected life of the options at the grant date. No dividend yield was assumed because the Company does not pay cash dividends on Common Stock and currently has no

 

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plans to pay a dividend. Expected volatility is based on the long-term historical volatility (estimated over a period equal to the expected term of the options) of the Company’s stock. In estimating the fair value of stock options under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.

Pro Forma Net Income and Earnings Per Common Share. In accordance with SFAS 123R, the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS 123R. The following pro forma information presents net income and earnings per share for 2005 as if the fair value method of SFAS 123 had been used to measure compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans. For purposes of this pro forma disclosure, the estimated fair value of stock options and stock awards is amortized to expense over the related vesting periods.

 

For the year ended December 31,

   2005  
(dollars in thousands, except per share information)       

Net income, as reported

   $ 13,056  

Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair-value-based method, net of taxes

     (201 )
        

Pro forma net income

   $ 12,855  
        

EARNINGS PER SHARE

  

Basic – as reported

   $ 2.05  

Basic – pro forma

   $ 2.02  

Diluted – as reported

   $ 2.02  

Diluted – pro forma

   $ 1.98  
        

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

Under the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Stock Purchase Plan”), the Company is authorized to issue up to 90,000 shares of Common Stock to its full-time employees, nearly all of whom are eligible to participate. At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held May 17, 2006, shareholders approved an amendment to the Stock Purchase Plan to reserve an additional 60,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance under the plan. Under the terms of the plan, employees can choose as of January 1 and July 1 of each year to have up to 10% of their total earnings withheld to purchase up to 100 shares of the Company’s Common Stock each six-month period. The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the lower of its beginning-of-the-period or end-of-the-period market prices. At December 31, 2007, the Company has issued 96,312 shares of Common Stock since the plan’s inception.

CASH INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company has a management cash incentive plan covering certain key executives and employees and profit-sharing plans that cover the remaining employees. The profit-sharing plans provide for the sharing of pre-tax profits in excess of specified amounts. For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company expensed $5,823,000, $5,285,000 and $3,510,000, respectively, under these plans.

Note 9: Retirement Plans

The Company has defined contribution retirement plans that cover substantially all employees. The Company accrues its contributions to the hourly employee plan based on time worked while contributions to the salaried plan are accrued as a fixed amount per month. Company contributions to both plans are funded periodically.

Effective January 6, 2003, the Company began to participate in the Steelworkers Pension Trust (“Trust”), a multi-employer defined-benefit pension plan that is open to all hourly and salaried employees associated with the Bridgeville facility. The Company makes periodic contributions to the Trust based on hours worked at a fixed rate for each hourly employee and a fixed monthly contribution on behalf of each salaried employee. The hourly employees may continue their contributions to the defined contribution retirement plan even if the Company contributions cease. The Company also makes a contribution to the defined contribution retirement plan on behalf of each salaried employee participating in the Trust. The amount of the contribution for salaried employees will be dependent upon their contribution to the 401(k) retirement plan.

The total expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $873,000, $888,000 and $772,000, respectively, including $531,000, $572,000 and $449,000, respectively, for the multi-employer Trust. No other post-retirement benefit plans exist.

 

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Note 10: Commitments and Contingencies

The Company, as well as other steel companies, is subject to demanding environmental standards imposed by federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. The Company is not aware of any environmental condition that currently exists at any of its facilities that would cause a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

The Company is subject to various claims and legal actions that arise in the normal course of conducting business. At December 31, 2007, the Company has established a reserve of $200,000 for commercial product-claims related to three sales by Dunkirk Specialty Steel.

The Company maintains a supply contract agreement with Talley Metals. While the initial term of the agreement expired December 31, 2002, the agreement continues to automatically renew with the placement of new orders each month and requires a 90-day written notice to terminate by either party. In addition, Talley Metals is required under the agreement to purchase a minimum of 1,000 tons of stainless reroll billet products each calendar month and to average at least 1,250 tons per month during the last 12-month period. The value of the contract on a monthly basis will depend on product mix and key raw material prices. During 2006 and 2007, Talley Metals did not comply with the monthly minimum purchase requirement due to market conditions. The Company has granted a waiver and expects to continue granting a waiver from this requirement until market conditions improve.

The CDSOA provides for payment of import duties collected by the U.S. Treasury to domestic companies injured by unfair foreign trade practices. The assets purchased by Dunkirk Specialty Steel were previously owned and operated by AL Tech Specialty Steel, Inc. and Empire Specialty Steel, Inc. During their ownership, both organizations participated in several anti-dumping lawsuits with other domestic specialty steel producers. In accordance with the CDSOA, the Company filed claims to receive its appropriate share of the import duties collected. In January 2005, the Company received $59,000 from the U.S. Treasury, representing an increase in the total allocation of available funds awarded to the Company for 2004. The Company received a net payment of $358,000 in December 2005 as its 2005 award. In 2006 and 2007 the Company received $586,000 and $463,000, respectively, net of expenses incurred.

The Company’s purchase obligations include the value of all open purchase orders with established quantities and purchase prices, as well as minimum purchase commitments, all made in the normal course of business. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s total purchase obligations were $10,255,000, all of which will be due in year 2008.

Note 11: Segment and Related Information

The Company comprises three operating locations and one corporate headquarters. For segment reporting, the Bridgeville and Titusville facilities have been aggregated into one reportable segment, Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, because of the management reporting structure in place. The Universal Stainless & Alloy Products manufacturing process involves melting, remelting, treating and hot and cold rolling of semi-finished and finished specialty steels. A second reportable segment, Dunkirk Specialty Steel, was created in 2002 with the acquisition of certain assets and real property formerly owned by Empire Specialty Steel, Inc. Dunkirk Specialty Steel’s manufacturing process involves hot rolling and finishing specialty steel bar, rod and wire products.

At December 31, 2007, 82% of the Company’s 533 employees are covered by USW collective bargaining agreements, and 46% of employees are covered by an agreement for the Bridgeville facility that expires in August 2008.

The accounting policies of both reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies. Sales between the segments are generally made at market-related prices. Corporate assets are primarily cash and cash equivalents, prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes, and property, plant and equipment.

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007     2006     2005  
(dollars in thousands)                   

NET SALES

      

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 202,562     $ 179,170     $ 153,258  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     81,725       70,255       53,011  

Intersegment

     (54,351 )     (45,552 )     (36,247 )
                        
   $ 229,936     $ 203,873     $ 170,022  
                        

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

      

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 20,475     $ 19,674     $ 14,506  

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     12,723       11,472       6,748  

Intersegment

     209       1,213       (1,109 )
                        
   $ 33,407     $ 32,359     $ 20,145  
                        

 

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INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER FINANCING COSTS A

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 614    $ 889    $ 608

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     117      217      243
                    
   $ 731    $ 1,106    $ 851
                    

OTHER INCOME, NET

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 126    $ 55    $ 19

Dunkirk Specialty Steel B

     650      467      418
                    
   $ 776    $ 522    $ 437
                    

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 3,382    $ 3,058    $ 2,858

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     280      214      167

Corporate

     69      65      60
                    
   $ 3,731    $ 3,337    $ 3,085
                    

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

        

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 4,419    $ 6,397    $ 7,585

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     3,197      41      1,150

Corporate

     1,166      1,278      73
                    
   $ 8,782    $ 7,716    $ 8,808
                    

 

A

Includes amortization of deferred financing costs of $9,000, $23,000 and $27,000 for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

B

Includes net receipt of import duties of $568,000 in 2007, $463,000 in 2006 and $414,000 in 2005.

 

December 31,

   2007    2006
(dollars in thousands)          

ASSETS

     

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products

   $ 110,669    $ 117,916

Dunkirk Specialty Steel

     35,983      31,473

Corporate

     17,644      5,898
             
   $ 164,296    $ 155,287
             

The following table presents net sales by product line:

 

For the years ended December 31,

   2007    2006    2005
(dollars in thousands)               

Stainless steel

   $ 164,228    $ 151,633    $ 135,588

Tool steel

     28,119      23,389      20,737

High-strength low alloy steel

     25,892      16,467      6,606

High-temperature alloy steel

     9,317      9,837      3,694

Conversion services

     2,011      2,137      3,030

Other

     369      410      367
                    

Total net sales

   $ 229,936    $ 203,873    $ 170,022
                    

Net sales to the Company’s three largest customers and their affiliates approximated 38%, 34% and 34% of total 2007, 2006 and 2005 sales, respectively. The accounts receivable balances from these customers comprised approximately 21% and 23% of total accounts receivable at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The Company derives less than 5% of its revenues from markets outside of the United States and the Company has no assets located outside the United States.

 

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Note 12: Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

 

     First Quarter    Second Quarter    Third Quarter    Fourth Quarter
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                    

2007 DATA

           

Net sales

   $ 56,239    $ 62,056    $ 62,008    $ 49,633

Gross profit margin

     13,219      12,614      11,133      8,479

Operating income

     10,665      9,207      8,143      5,392

Provision for income taxes

     3,655      3,156      2,521      1,616

Net income

     6,787      5,862      5,467      4,388
                           

Earnings per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 1.03    $ 0.88    $ 0.82    $ 0.66

Diluted

   $ 1.00    $ 0.87    $ 0.81    $ 0.65
                           

2006 DATA

           

Net sales

   $ 44,937    $ 48,019    $ 55,110    $ 55,807

Gross profit margin

     8,767      10,378      12,200      11,806

Operating income

     6,511      7,499      9,162      9,187

Provision for income taxes

     2,249      2,603      3,200      3,133

Net income

     3,998      4,629      5,689      6,274
                           

Earnings per common share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.62    $ 0.72    $ 0.88    $ 0.96

Diluted

   $ 0.61    $ 0.70    $ 0.86    $ 0.94
                           

The Company’s 2007 third quarter results include a charge of $1.4 million for a Lower-of-Cost-or-Market reserve due to the decline in nickel costs during the quarter, offset by the impact from increasing nickel costs in comparison to prior quarters on the Company’s Dunkirk segment. Based upon the timing of surcharges, nickel cost changes increased gross margin by $1.5 million. Earnings were positively impacted by a reduction in the annual income tax rate to 34.0% from 35.0%. The change in the effective income tax rate is primarily due to adjustments to state income provisions and New York Empire Zone tax credits.

Nickel costs declined from the third to fourth quarter of 2007. The impact from the change in nickel costs on the Company’s Dunkirk segment reduced gross margins by an estimated $53,000 compared with an increase of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. The impact from the change in nickel costs combined with lower total shipment volume reduced company-wide gross margin dollars in the fourth quarter 2007 compared with the same period of 2006. The Company’s 2007 fourth quarter earnings were positively impacted by the receipt of import duties of $586,000 and a reduction in the annual income tax rate to 32.7% from 34.2%. The change in the effective income tax rate is primarily due to adjustments to state income provisions and tax credits as well as the impact of recognizing a $180,000 tax credit in Pennsylvania as a result of participating in the state’s PAEIT in the fourth quarter 2007.

The Company’s 2006 fourth quarter earnings were positively impacted by the receipt of import duties of $463,000 and a reduction in the annual income tax rate to 35.4% from 36.0%. The change in the effective income tax rate is primarily attributable to a favorable shift of apportioned income for state income tax purposes as well as the impact of recognizing a $180,000 PAEIT tax credit.

Earnings per share amounts for each quarter are required to be computed independently. As a result, their sum may not equal the total year earnings per share amounts.

The restatement of maintenance expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006 changed previously reported financial data by the following amounts:

 

     First Quarter     Second Quarter     Third Quarter     Fourth Quarter  
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)                         

2006 DATA

        

Change in cost of products sold

   $ (150 )   $ (51 )   $ (2 )   $ 243  

Change in net income

     96       33       1       (154 )

Change in earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.01     $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ (0.03 )

Diluted

   $ 0.02     $ 0.01     $ 0.00     $ (0.03 )

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, including the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer concluded that, as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in the timely identification of material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings with the SEC. Management’s Report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued a report on management’s maintenance of effective internal control over financial reporting and is set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and is incorporated herein by reference.

During the last fiscal quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information concerning the directors of the Company is set forth in the Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Proxy Statement”) to be sent to stockholders in connection with the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 21, 2008, under the heading “Proposal No. 1—Election of Directors,” which information is incorporated by reference. With the exception of the information specifically incorporated herein by reference, the Company’s Proxy Statement is not to be deemed filed as part of this report for the purposes of this Item.

In addition to the information set forth under the caption “Executive Officers” in Part I of this report, the information concerning our directors required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Nominees for Election as Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement , which will be filed with the SEC, pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end of the 2007 fiscal year. Information concerning the Audit Committee and its “audit committee financial expert” required by this item is incorporated and made part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Committees of the Board of Directors” in the Proxy Statement. Information required by this item regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is incorporated and made a part hereof by reference to the material appearing under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement. Information concerning the executive officers of the Company is contained in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers.”

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors and employees, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer. A copy is available, free of charge, through the Company’s website at http://www.univstainless.com. Information on the Company’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company intends to timely disclose any amendment of or waiver under the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on its website and will retain such information on its website as required by applicable SEC rules.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information concerning executive compensation is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Executive Compensation,” which information is incorporated by reference. With the exception of the information specifically incorporated herein by reference, the Company’s Proxy Statement is not to be deemed filed as part of this report for the purposes of this Item.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management,” which information is incorporated by reference. With the exception of the information specifically incorporated herein by reference, the Company’s Proxy Statement is not to be deemed filed as part of this report for the purposes of this Item.

 

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information concerning certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “The Board of Directors,” which information is incorporated by reference. With the exception of the information specifically incorporated herein by reference, the Company’s Proxy Statement is not to be deemed filed as part of this report for the purposes of this Item.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information concerning principal accountant fees and services is set forth in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Principal Accountant Fees and Services,” which information is incorporated by reference. With the exception of the information specifically incorporated herein by reference, the Company’s Proxy Statement is not to be deemed filed as part of this report for the purposes of this Item.

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this Form 10-K:

1) Financial Statements

The list of financial statements required by this item is set forth in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is incorporated herein by reference.

2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

For the Years Ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

   Balance at
Beginning of Year
   Charged to Costs
and Expenses
   Deductions/
Net Charge-Offs
    Balance at
End of Year
(Dollars in thousands)                     

INVENTORY RESERVE:

          

Year ended December 31, 2005

   $ 833    $ 823    $ (1,019 )   $ 637

Year ended December 31, 2006

     637      1,295      (356 )     1,576

Year ended December 31, 2007

     1,576      3,390      (2,771 )     2,195

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:

          

Year ended December 31, 2005

   $ 557    $ 125    $ (410 )   $ 272

Year ended December 31, 2006

     272      78      (12 )     338

Year ended December 31, 2007

     338      2      (29 )     311

3) Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT

NUMBER

  

DESCRIPTION

  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration No. 33-85310.
  3.2    Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 on Form 8-K filed November 27, 2007.
  4.1    Specimen Copy of Stock Certificate for shares of Common Stock    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
10.1    Stockholders Agreement dated as of August 1, 1994, by and among the Company and its existing stockholders    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration No. 33-85310.
10.2    Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2006, between the Company and PNC Bank, National Association    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006.
10.3    Employment Agreement dated February 1, 2008 by and between the Company and Clarence M. McAninch    Filed herewith.

 

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10.4    Employment Agreement dated February 21, 2008 between the Company and Paul McGrath    Filed herewith.
10.5    Employment Agreement dated February 22, 2008 between the Company and Richard M. Ubinger    Filed herewith.
10.6    Employment Agreement dated December 28, 2007 between the Company and Kenneth W. Matz    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
10.7    Employment Agreement dated December 21, 2007 between the Company and Dennis M. Oates    Filed herewith
10.8    Stock Incentive Plan    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
10.9    Supply Contract Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2001, between the Company and Talley Metals Technology, Inc., a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corporation    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.
10.10    Promissory Note, dated as of February 13, 2002, between the Company and New York Job Development Authority    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.
10.11    Promissory Note, dated as of February 14, 2002, between the Company and New York Job Development Authority    Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.
21.1    Subsidiaries of Registrant    Filed herewith.
23.1    Consent of Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.    Filed herewith.
24.1    Powers of Attorney    Included on the signature page herein.
31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.
32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002    Filed herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 6, 2008.

 

UNIVERSAL STAINLESS & ALLOY PRODUCTS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Dennis M. Oates

  Dennis M. Oates
  President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each of the officers and directors of Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc., whose signature appears below in so signing also makes, constitutes and appoints Dennis M. Oates and Paul A. McGrath, and each of them acting alone, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the SEC any and all amendment or amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

  

DATE

/s/ Dennis M. Oates

   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)    March 6, 2008
Dennis M. Oates      

/s/ Richard M. Ubinger

   Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    March 6, 2008
Richard M. Ubinger      

/s/ C. M. McAninch

   Director and Chairman of the Board    March 6, 2008
Clarence M. McAninch      

/s/ Douglas M. Dunn

   Director    March 6, 2008
Douglas M. Dunn      

/s/ Udi Toledano

   Director    March 6, 2008
Udi Toledano      

 

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