UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

x

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006.

 

 

 

o

 

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Commission File Number:  0-20289

KEMET CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE

 

57-0923789

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(IRS Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

2835 KEMET WAY, SIMPSONVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29681

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

(864) 963-6300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report:  N/A

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  o

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

 

Large accelerated filer  x

Accelerated filer  o

Non-accelerated filer  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o  Yes  x  No

Common Stock Outstanding at: September 30, 2006

Title of Each Class

 

Number of Shares Outstanding

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

 

87,029,826

 

 




PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - Financial Statements

KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

63,013

 

$

163,778

 

Short-term investments

 

 

4,889

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

114,374

 

68,457

 

Inventories:

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

48,758

 

45,681

 

Work in process

 

45,642

 

42,960

 

Finished goods

 

42,994

 

36,429

 

Total inventories

 

137,394

 

125,070

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

8,155

 

7,822

 

Deferred income taxes

 

5,156

 

4,647

 

Total current assets

 

328,092

 

374,663

 

Noncurrent assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $705.7 million and $641.0 million as of September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, respectively.

 

338,358

 

253,303

 

Property held for sale

 

4,813

 

4,502

 

Investments in U.S. government marketable securities

 

62,689

 

67,195

 

Investments in affiliates

 

1,055

 

972

 

Goodwill

 

39,339

 

30,471

 

Intangible assets, net

 

14,894

 

12,506

 

Other assets

 

3,994

 

4,706

 

Total noncurrent assets

 

465,142

 

373,655

 

Total assets

 

$

793,234

 

$

748,318

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

20,000

 

$

20,000

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

94,986

 

47,251

 

Accrued expenses

 

29,756

 

32,303

 

Income taxes payable

 

7,309

 

5,770

 

Total current liabilities

 

152,051

 

105,324

 

Noncurrent liabilitites:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

63,665

 

80,000

 

Postretirement benefits and other noncurrent obligations

 

49,164

 

44,139

 

Deferred income taxes

 

6,364

 

6,152

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

 

119,193

 

130,291

 

Total liabilities

 

271,244

 

235,615

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.01, authorized 300,000,000 shares issued 88,136,436 and 88,102,919 shares at September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006 respectively

 

881

 

881

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

318,953

 

315,500

 

Retained earnings

 

222,657

 

221,221

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

(102

)

(2,343

)

Treasury stock, at cost (1,106,610 and 1,223,635 shares at September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, respectively)

 

(20,399

)

(22,556

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

521,990

 

512,703

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

793,234

 

$

748,318

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2




KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

166,548

 

$

116,608

 

$

336,117

 

$

230,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

132,443

 

97,463

 

265,157

 

192,453

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

21,245

 

12,067

 

45,165

 

24,293

 

Research and development

 

7,429

 

6,008

 

15,222

 

12,225

 

Restructuring charges

 

3,415

 

3,154

 

8,090

 

11,327

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

164,532

 

118,692

 

333,634

 

240,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

2,016

 

(2,084

)

2,483

 

(9,586

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income)/expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

1,283

 

1,639

 

2,731

 

3,307

 

Interest income

 

(702

)

(1,402

)

(1,563

)

(2,727

)

Other (income)/expense

 

194

 

(57

)

(1,005

)

1,007

 

Total other (income)/expense

 

775

 

180

 

163

 

1,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income/(loss) before income taxes

 

1,241

 

(2,264

)

2,320

 

(11,173

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (benefit)/expense

 

401

 

(354

)

884

 

(12,298

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

840

 

$

(1,910

)

$

1,436

 

$

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

Diluted

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

87,018,384

 

86,653,831

 

87,007,111

 

86,633,143

 

Diluted

 

87,132,296

 

86,653,831

 

87,463,308

 

86,696,023

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3




KEMET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

1,436

 

$

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

20,421

 

20,367

 

Gain/(loss) on disposal

 

8

 

217

 

Stock based compensation

 

4,336

 

 

Change in operating assets

 

(22,095

)

(3,706

)

Change in operating liabilities

 

3,616

 

(11,561

)

Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities

 

7,722

 

6,442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from maturity of short-term investments

 

 

5,000

 

Proceeds from maturity of long-term investments

 

 

10,000

 

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

 

4,902

 

 

Proceeds from sale of long-term investments

 

4,656

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

(12,598

)

(13,701

)

Tantalum business unit acquisition

 

(87,159

)

 

Cash acquired in purchase of the tantalum business unit

 

365

 

 

Other

 

74

 

637

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

 

(89,760

)

1,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Payment on long-term debt

 

(20,000

)

 

Proceeds from sale of common stock to Employee Savings Plan

 

327

 

450

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

946

 

409

 

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

 

(18,727

)

859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(100,765

)

9,237

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

163,778

 

26,898

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

63,013

 

$

36,135

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4




Note 1. Basis of Financial Statement Preparation

The consolidated financial statements contained herein are unaudited and have been prepared from the books and records of KEMET Corporation and its Subsidiaries (“KEMET” or the “Company”). In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, Form 10-K. Net sales and operating results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. In consolidation, all significant intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”. SFAS No. 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would be required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. FIN 48 supplements SFAS No. 109 by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. The interpretation requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. At adoption, the necessary adjustment to remove tax effects of positions which are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained should be recorded directly to the beginning balance of retained earnings and reported as a change in accounting principle. Retroactive application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy of three levels that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157 requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Generally, the provisions of this statement are to be applied prospectively. Certain situations, however, require retrospective application as of the beginning of the year of adoption through the recognition of a cumulative effect of accounting change. Such retrospective application is required for financial instruments, including derivatives and certain hybrid instruments with limitations on initial gains or losses under EITF Issue 02-3, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities”. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its results of operations and financial condition.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of their benefit plans as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur as a component of other comprehensive income. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and its benefit obligation. In addition, SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to measure benefit plan assets and obligations that determine the funded status of a plan as of the end of its fiscal year. The prospective requirements to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan and to provide the required disclosures are effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 158 will have on its results of operations and financial condition.

5




In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements”. SAB No. 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. The provisions of SAB No. 108 are effective for the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of SAB No. 108 on its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue only when all of the following criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.

A portion of sales is related to products designed to meet customer specific requirements. These products typically have stricter tolerances making them useful to the specific customer requesting the product and to customers with similar or less stringent requirements. Products with customer specific requirements are tested and approved by the customer before the Company mass produces and ships the product. The Company recognizes revenue at shipment as the sales terms for products produced with customer specific requirements do not contain a final customer acceptance provision or other provisions that are unique and would otherwise allow the customer different acceptance rights. A portion of sales is made to distributors under agreements allowing certain rights of return and price protection on unsold merchandise held by distributors. The Company’s distributor policy includes inventory price protection and “ship-from-stock and debit” (“SFSD”) programs common in the industry.

The price protection policy protects the value of the distributors’ inventory in the event the Company reduces its published selling price to distributors. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for specific parts. The Company establishes price protection reserves on specific parts residing in distributors’ inventories in the period that the price protection is formally authorized by management. Domestic distributors have the right to return to KEMET a certain portion of the purchased inventory, which, in general, will not exceed 5% of their rolling three month purchases. Foreign distributors have the right to return to KEMET a certain portion of the purchased inventory, which, in general, will not exceed 5% of their rolling twelve month purchases. KEMET estimates future returns based on historical patterns of the distributors and records an allowance on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The SFSD program provides a mechanism for the distributor to meet a competitive price after obtaining authorization from the local Company sales office. This program allows the distributor to ship its higher-priced inventory and debit the Company for the difference between KEMET’s list price and the lower authorized price for that specific transaction. The Company establishes reserves for its SFSD program based primarily on actual inventory levels of certain distributor customers. The actual inventory levels at these distributors comprise 91% - 95% of the total global distributor inventory. The remaining 5% to 9% is estimated based on actual distributor inventory and current sales trends. Management analyzes historical SFSD activity to determine the SFSD exposure on the global distributor inventory at the balance sheet date. Should the distributors increase inventory levels, the estimate of the inventory at the distributors for the remaining 5% to 9% could be estimated at an incorrect amount. However, the Company believes that the difference between the estimate and the ultimate actual amount would be immaterial.

The establishment of these reserves is recognized as a component of the line item Net sales on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, while the associated reserves are included in the line item Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company provides a limited warranty to its customers that the products meet certain specifications. The warranty period is generally limited to one year, and the Company’s liability under the warranty is generally limited to a replacement of the product or refund of the purchase price of the product. Warranty costs as a percentage of net sales were less than 1% for the year ended March 31, 2006, and for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005. The Company recognizes warranty costs when identified.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical data and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions affect the

6




reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

The Company’s judgments are based on management’s assessment as to the effect certain estimates, assumptions, or future trends or events may have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in KEMET’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. It is important that readers of these unaudited financial statements understand that actual results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

Note 2. Reconciliation of basic income/(loss) per common share

In accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share”, the Company has included the following table presenting a reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS fully displaying the effect of dilutive securities.

Computation of Basic and Diluted Income/(Loss) Per Share
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Six months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

840

 

$

(1,910

)

$

1,436

 

$

1,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

87,018,384

 

86,653,831

 

87,007,111

 

86,633,143

 

Assumed conversion of employee stock options

 

113,912

 

 

456,197

 

62,880

 

Diluted

 

87,132,296

 

86,653,831

 

87,463,308

 

86,696,023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

Diluted

 

$

0.01

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.02

 

$

0.01

 

 

The three months ended September 30, 2005, excluded potentially dilutive securities of approximately 3.4 million shares in the computations of diluted net income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Note 3. Derivatives and Hedging

The Company uses certain derivative financial instruments to reduce exposures to volatility of foreign currencies and commodities impacting the costs of its products.

Hedging Foreign Currencies

Certain operating expenses at the Company’s Mexican facilities are paid in Mexican pesos. In order to hedge these forecasted cash flows, management purchases forward contracts to buy Mexican pesos for periods and amounts consistent with the related underlying cash flow exposures. These contracts are designated as hedges at inception and monitored for ineffectiveness on a routine basis. There were no peso contracts outstanding at March 31, 2006. At September 30, 2006, the Company had outstanding forward exchange contracts that mature within approximately nine months to purchase Mexican pesos with notional amounts of $109.2 million. The fair value of these contracts totaled $1.5 million at September 30, 2006 and are recorded as a derivative asset on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets under Prepaid expenses and other current assets. During the next nine months, it is estimated that approximately $1.5 million of the gain on these contracts will be recorded to cost of goods sold. The impact of the changes in fair values of these contracts resulted in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) (“AOCI/(L)”), net of taxes, of $2.1 million and $1.5 million for the three- and six-month periods ended September 30, 2006, respectively. The impact of the changes in fair values of these contracts resulted in AOCI/(L), net of taxes, of $(1.3) million and $0.5 million for the three- and six-month periods ended September 30, 2005, respectively.

Changes in the derivatives’ fair values are deferred and recorded as a component of AOCI/(L) until the underlying transaction is recorded. When the hedged item affects income, gains or losses are reclassified from AOCI/(L) to the Consolidated Statements of Operations as Cost of goods sold for forward contracts to purchase Mexican pesos. Any ineffectiveness, if material, in the Company’s hedging relationships is recognized immediately in the Consolidated

7




Statements of Operations.

The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.

Note 4. Restructuring charges

In July 2003, KEMET announced the manufacturing relocation plan which consisted of reorganizing its operations around the world, resulting in the location of virtually all of its production in low-cost regions to be completed in fiscal year 2007. This relocation allows KEMET access to key customers, access to key technical resources and knowledge, and access to available low-cost resources. As of September 30, 2006, cumulative restructuring costs incurred totaled approximately $47.5 million. Costs related to this movement of manufacturing operations are shown as manufacturing relocation costs in the table below.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances for restructuring charges included in the liabilities section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2006

 

Three months ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Asset

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Termination

 

 

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

Impairment

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

of a Contract

 

Beginning of period

 

$

1,994

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,513

 

$

 

$

839

 

Costs charged to expense

 

1,414

 

1,911

 

90

 

 

3,154

 

 

Costs paid or settled

 

(2,441

)

(1,911

)

(90

)

(2,722

)

(3,154

)

(16

)

End of period

 

$

967

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,791

 

$

 

$

823

 

 

 

 

Six months ended September 30, 2006

 

Six months ended September 30, 2005

 

 

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Asset

 

Personnel

 

Manufacturing

 

Termination

 

 

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

Impairment

 

Reductions

 

Relocations

 

of a Contract

 

Beginning of period

 

$

2,094

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,794

 

$

 

$

 

Costs charged to expense

 

1,515

 

6,485

 

90

 

4,851

 

5,637

 

839

 

Costs paid or settled

 

(2,642

)

(6,485

)

(90

)

(7,854

)

(5,637

)

(16

)

End of period

 

$

967

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,791

 

$

 

$

823

 

 

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred; therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs. Costs charged to expense are aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line, Restructuring charges.

Personnel reductions — During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $1.4 million for a reduction in force in Europe. During June 2005, the Company announced a reduction in force effecting 138 people in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. Accordingly, the Company recognized a charge of $5.2 million. In addition, the Company reversed $0.3 million related to unused restructuring accruals during the quarter ended June 30, 2005.

Manufacturing relocations — During the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred expenses of $6.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively. These costs are related to the plan. All costs are expensed as incurred.

Termination of a contract — The Company recognized a charge of $0.8 million for the early termination of a contract during the first fiscal quarter 2006 related to a plant closure.

8




Note 5. Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company provides health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees who reach retirement age while working for the Company. The components of the expense for postretirement medical and life insurance benefits are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Six months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Service cost

 

$

139

 

$

152

 

$

278

 

$

304

 

Interest cost

 

407

 

460

 

814

 

920

 

Amortization of actuarial (gain)/loss

 

(396

)

(404

)

(792

)

(808

)

Total net periodic benefits costs

 

$

150

 

$

208

 

$

300

 

$

416

 

 

The Company expects to make no contributions to fund plan assets in fiscal year 2007 as the Company’s policy is to pay benefits as costs are incurred. However, the Company estimates its benefits payments in fiscal year 2007 will be approximately $1.7 million. Management is responsible for determining the cost of benefits for this plan. Management considered a number of factors and consulted with an actuarial firm, when determining this cost.

Note 6. Investments

Investments consist of debt securities as well as equity securities of public and privately-held companies. The debt securities, which consist of U.S. government marketable securities, are classified as available-for-sale securities, mature in two to four years, and are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company’s equity investments in public companies are classified as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value with adjustments recorded net of income tax in stockholders’ equity. The available-for-sale securities are intended to be held for an indefinite period but may be sold in response to unexpected future events. The Company has an equity investment with less than 20% ownership interest in a privately-held company. The Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence and the investment is accounted for under the cost method.

On a periodic basis, the Company reviews the market values of its equity investment classified as available-for-sale securities and the carrying value of its equity investment carried at cost for the purpose of identifying “other-than-temporary” declines in market value and carrying value, respectively, as defined in EITF 03-1, and in the FASB issued FSP FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”. The Company’s management concluded this review and determined that an “other-than-temporary” decline in market value had occurred for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The Company considered the impairment “other-than-temporary” based on the duration of this market value decline and the lack of evidence that the market value would increase. The Company recognized a $0.8 million loss equal to the difference between the investment’s cost and its fair market value at June 30, 2005. This amount was included in Other (income)/expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Based on the Company’s review for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the Company determined that a further “other-than-temporary” decline did not exist. The Company will continue to monitor the available-for-sale equity investment for potential future impairments.

Prior to fiscal year 2006, the Company’s debt securities, which consisted of United States government marketable securities, were classified as held-to-maturity securities, had maturities in excess of three months, and were carried at amortized cost. Due to the need for cash in connection with the April 2006 purchase of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS AG (“EPCOS”), the Company liquidated certain long-term debt investments prior to the maturity date. These transactions required the Company to alter its treatment of accounting for the remaining short-term and long-term debt investments from “held-to-maturity” to “available-for-sale”. The difference in the classification is that available-for-sale investments must be recorded at their fair market value. At March 31, 2006, the Company, therefore adjusted the value of its short-term and long-term debt investments by $3.0 million with the offset to Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss). The unrealized gain/(loss), which was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, was $1.1 million and ($0.4) million, respectively.

At September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, the Company determined that the remaining investment balance in its equity investment in Lamina Ceramics, Inc., approximated fair value.

9




A summary of the components and carrying values of investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Fair Value

 

Gain/(Loss)

 

Fair Value

 

Gain/(Loss)

 

U.S. government marketable securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

$

 

$

 

$

4,889

 

$

(78

)

Long-term

 

62,689

 

1,090

 

67,195

 

(2,883

)

Equity investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale

 

936

 

 

853

 

 

Cost

 

119

 

 

119

 

 

 

 

$

63,744

 

$

1,090

 

$

73,056

 

$

(2,961

)

 

Non-equity investments at September 30, 2006 of $62.7 million mature within two to four years. Non-equity investments at March 31, 2006 of $4.9 million and $67.2 million mature within three months to one year and one to four years, respectively. Short-term investments consisted of U.S. government marketable securities. The recorded value on non-equity investments approximates fair value at September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006.

Note 7. Supply Contracts

The Company’s previous tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation expired in January 2006. The Company now has a new tantalum supply agreement with Cabot Corporation following the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS on April 13, 2006. This contract extends through September 2007. The Company recorded an unfavorable contract provision due to the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS on the opening balance sheet. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Inventory Supply Agreement

 

 

 

Six months ended
September 30, 2006

 

Twelve months ended
March 31, 2006

 

Beginning of period

 

$

 

$

5,483

 

Liability acquired

 

6,920

 

 

Costs paid or settled

 

(2,507

)

(5,483

)

End of period

 

$

4,413

 

$

 

 

As of September 30, 2006, the remaining purchase commitment under this contract was $4.5 million and $4.5 million for fiscal years 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Note 8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

Comprehensive income/(loss) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 include the following components (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

840

 

$

(1,910

)

$

1,436

 

$

1,125

 

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currency forward contract gain/(loss)

 

2,059

 

(1,336

)

1,459

 

484

 

Currency translation gain/(loss)

 

(243

)

565

 

75

 

581

 

Unrealized securities gain/(loss)

 

57

 

217

 

56

 

694

 

Unrealized investment income/(loss)

 

1,090

 

 

651

 

 

Total net income/(loss) and other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

$

3,803

 

$

(2,464

)

$

3,677

 

$

2,884

 

 

10




The components of Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

Currency forward contract income/(loss), net

 

$

1,459

 

$

 

Currency translation income/(loss)

 

67

 

(8

)

Unrealized securities income/(loss), net

 

683

 

627

 

Unrealized investment income/(loss)

 

(2,311

)

(2,962

)

Total accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)

 

$

(102

)

$

(2,343

)

 

Note 9. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company applies Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141), and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (SFAS No. 142). SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations. SFAS No. 141 also specifies criteria that intangible assets acquired in a purchase method business combination must meet in order to be recognized and reported apart from goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment.

For purposes of determining the fair value of its trademarks, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model which considers the costs of royalties in the absence of trademarks owned by the Company. Based upon the Company’s analysis of legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive and economic factors, the Company deemed that trademarks, which consist of the KEMET trade name and logo, have an indefinite useful life because they are expected to contribute to cash flows indefinitely.

The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment at least on an annual basis. The impairment test involves a comparison of the fair value of its reporting unit as defined under SFAS No. 142, with carrying amounts. If the reporting unit’s aggregated carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit being measured exceeds its fair value, up to the total amount of its assets. In the third fiscal quarter of 2006, the Company determined fair value based on the cash flow approach as discussed below.

KEMET performs its impairment test during the first quarter of each fiscal year and when otherwise warranted. KEMET performed this impairment test in the quarters ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 and concluded that no goodwill impairment existed.

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company organized into two distinct business units. Since these business units are considered reporting units, as defined by SFAS No. 142, the Company had to test for impairment based on the fair values of the business units. The Company estimated the fair value by calculating future discounted cash flows of each business unit and comparing those values to the underlying net assets as of December 31, 2005. At December 31, 2005, the Company’s goodwill was not impaired. The Company will utilize cash flows to determine fair value in its annual impairment tests in the future.

On April 13, 2006, the Company acquired the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS, for a purchase price of approximately $104.8 million. The acquisition included the EPCOS tantalum capacitor manufacturing operation in Evora, Portugal as well as certain research and development, marketing, and sales functions in various locations, primarily within Europe.

The following chart highlights the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets (dollars in thousands):

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Unamortized intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

39,339

 

$

 

$

30,471

 

$

 

Trademarks

 

7,181

 

 

7,181

 

 

Unamortized intangibles

 

46,520

 

 

37,652

 

 

Amortized intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents and technology — 5-25 Years

 

17,545

 

9,901

 

14,655

 

9,452

 

Other — 8-10 Years

 

914

 

845

 

914

 

792

 

Amortized intangibles

 

18,459

 

10,746

 

15,569

 

10,244

 

Total goodwill and intangibles

 

$

64,979

 

$

10,746

 

$

53,221

 

$

10,244

 

 

11




The expected amortization expense for the fiscal years ending March 31, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 is $1,587, $1,579, $1,076, $640, and $615, respectively.

Note 10. Income Taxes

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, the income tax expense is principally a result of profitable foreign subsidiaries.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the Mexican subsidiary received a ruling from the Hacienda (Mexican tax authority) related to an advance pricing agreement rate for fiscal years 2000 through 2002. This ruling resulted in the reversal of $0.7 million in tax contingencies not previously recognized.

During the six months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recognized a tax benefit based on the reversal of $12.1 million relating to the finalization of an Internal Revenue Service examination for the fiscal years 1997 through 2003.

Note 11. Segment and Geographic Information

Effective October 1, 2005, KEMET organized into two distinct business units: the Tantalum Business Unit (“Tantalum”) and the Ceramics Business Unit (“Ceramics”). Each business unit is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by the business units and are allocated to each business unit based on the business units’ respective manufacturing costs. In addition, all corporate costs are also allocated to the business units based on the business units’ respective manufacturing costs. On April 13, 2006, KEMET acquired the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS. Accordingly, the results from the acquisition date through the end of the quarter have been included in the Tantalum Business Unit results.

Tantalum Business Unit

The Tantalum Business Unit operates in six manufacturing sites in the United States, Mexico, China, and Portugal. This business unit produces tantalum and aluminum capacitors. The business unit also maintains a product innovation center in the United States, and a research and development center in Heidenheim, Germany.

Ceramics Business Unit

The Ceramics Business Unit operates in three manufacturing locations in Mexico and China. This business unit produces ceramic capacitors. In addition, the business unit also has a product innovation center in the United States.

12




The following tables summarize information about each segment’s net sales, operating income/(loss), depreciation and amortization and total assets (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

109,160

 

$

69,822

 

$

220,118

 

$

137,755

 

Ceramics

 

57,388

 

46,786

 

115,999

 

92,957

 

Total

 

$

166,548

 

$

116,608

 

$

336,117

 

$

230,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income/(loss): (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

1,462

 

$

674

 

$

3,572

 

$

(1,242

)

Ceramics

 

554

 

(2,758

)

(1,089

)

(8,344

)

Total

 

$

2,016

 

$

(2,084

)

$

2,483

 

$

(9,586

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation/amortization expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

6,763

 

$

4,592

 

$

12,499

 

$

11,057

 

Ceramics

 

3,308

 

3,633

 

7,195

 

8,750

 

Total

 

$

10,071

 

$

8,225

 

$

19,694

 

$

19,807

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

513,581

 

$

418,550

 

 

 

 

 

Ceramics

 

279,653

 

329,768

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

793,234

 

$

748,318

 

 

 

 

 


(1) - Restructuring charges included in Operating income/(loss) were as follows:

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

Total restructuring charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tantalum

 

$

2,358

 

$

2,179

 

$

5,163

 

$

5,825

 

Ceramics

 

1,057

 

975

 

2,927

 

5,502

 

Total

 

$

3,415

 

$

3,154

 

$

8,090

 

$

11,327

 

 

The Company manages its capital expenditures for long-lived assets on a consolidated basis; therefore, this information has been excluded on a reporting segment basis.

13




The following highlights the Company’s net sales by geographic location:

 

 

Three months ended September 30, (1)

 

Six months ended September 30, (1)

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

United States

 

$

47,220

 

$

45,519

 

$

99,011

 

$

90,330

 

Hong Kong

 

30,121

 

17,366

 

57,324

 

31,720

 

Asia Pacific (2)

 

16,616

 

9,230

 

34,493

 

17,889

 

China

 

16,121

 

9,515

 

27,369

 

18,703

 

Germany

 

15,925

 

7,642

 

32,276

 

16,072

 

Singapore

 

10,390

 

9,933

 

23,512

 

19,252

 

Mexico

 

4,524

 

4,346

 

9,107

 

8,678

 

Other countries (2)

 

25,631

 

13,057

 

53,025

 

28,068

 

 

 

$

166,548

 

$

116,608

 

$

336,117

 

$

230,712

 


(1) - Revenues are attributed to countries or regions based on the location of the customer. The Company sold $19,990 to one customer who accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006. The Company sold $17,681 and $12,412 to two customers, each of which accounted for more than 10% of net sales in the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2005.

(2) - No country included in this caption exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales for the No country included in this caption exceeded 5% of consolidated net sales for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Note 12. Concentrations of Risks

Sales and Credit Risk

The Company sells to customers located throughout the United States and the world. Credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition are performed periodically, and the Company generally does not require collateral from its customers. In October 2005, a customer of the Company filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. At the time of the filing, the Company had open trade receivables due from the customer of $0.9 million. Accordingly, the Company has provided an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.3 million to account for any potential write-off of the open trade receivables. The Company will continue to monitor the situation during subsequent quarters to determine if additional amounts will be deemed to be uncollectible.

Electronics distributors are an important distribution channel in the electronics industry and accounted for approximately 58%, 52% and 51% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2006, sales to electronics distributors accounted for approximately 50% of the Company’s net sales. For the three months ended September 30, 2005, sales to electronics distributors accounted for approximately 56% of the Company’s net sales. As a result of the Company’s concentration of sales to electronics distributors, the Company may experience fluctuations in its operating results as electronics distributors experience fluctuations in end-market demand or adjust their inventory stocking levels.

At September 30, 2006 and March 31, 2006, no customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable balance.

Performance Bond and Bank Guarantee

During April 2006 and in conjunction with a contractual provision in a commercial agreement, KEMET put in place a performance bond in the amount of EUR 2.5 million through a European bank. A corresponding interest-bearing deposit was placed with a European bank. The deposit is in KEMET’s name and KEMET receives all interest earned by this deposit. However, the deposit is pledged to the European bank, and the bank can use the money should a valid claim be made against the bond. The bond is valid until March 31, 2008.

A guarantee was issued by a European bank on behalf of the Company in August 2006 in conjunction with the establishment of a Valued-Added Tax (“VAT”) registration in The Netherlands. The bank guarantee is in the amount of EUR 1.5 million. A corresponding interest-bearing deposit was placed with a European bank. The deposit is in KEMET’s name and KEMET receives all interest earned by this deposit. However, this deposit is pledged to the European bank, and the bank can use the money should a valid claim be made. The term of the bank guarantee has no expiration date.

Employees

As of September 30, 2006, KEMET had approximately 9,600 employees, of whom approximately 1,000 were located in the United States, 6,700 were located in Mexico, 1,000 in China, 800 in Portugal and the remainder were located in the

14




Company’s foreign sales offices. The Company believes that its future success will depend in part on its ability to recruit, retain, and motivate qualified personnel at all levels of the Company. While none of its United States employees are unionized, the Company has approximately 5,500 hourly employees in Mexico represented by labor unions as required by Mexican law. The Company also has approximately 600 employees in Portugal represented by labor unions. The Company has not experienced any major work stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to be good. In addition, the Company’s labor costs in Mexico, China and Portugal are denominated in local currencies, and a significant depreciation of the United States dollar against the local currencies would increase the Company’s labor costs in these areas.

Note 13. Property Held for Sale

As a result of moving manufacturing operations from the United States to lower cost facilities in Mexico and China, certain manufacturing facilities located in the United States are no longer in use and are held for sale according to SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. The carrying value of these facilities at September 30, 2006, was $4.8 million and is separately presented in the Property held for sale line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At September 30, 2006, the fair value is believed to approximate carrying value based on external appraisals. The Company does not anticipate any remediation costs in selling the property. On a quarterly basis, management reviews this value for indications of impairment.

Note 14. Stock-based Compensation

Prior to April 2006, the Company applied the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related interpretations in accounting for stock options. Under APB No. 25, compensation expense for employee stock options was generally not recognized if the exercise price of the option equaled or exceeded the fair value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. The Company elected the “disclosure only” provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” which provided pro forma disclosure of earnings as if stock compensation were recognized on a fair-value basis. Since the exercise price of the Company’s stock options granted to employees and directors equaled the fair market value of the underlying stock at the grant date, under the intrinsic value method, no share-based compensation expense was recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations prior to fiscal year 2007. If compensation cost would have been determined based on the fair values at the date of grant under SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” pro forma net income/(loss) and earnings/(loss) per share would have been as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2005

 

September 30, 2005

 

Net income/(loss) as reported

 

$

(1,910

)

$

1,125

 

Deduct: Total compensation expense determined under fair value method, net of tax

 

1,529

 

2,679

 

Pro forma net income/(loss)

 

$

(3,439

)

$

(1,554

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings/(loss) per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic - as reported

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.01

 

Basic - pro forma

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.02

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted - as reported

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.01

 

Diluted - pro forma

 

$

(0.04

)

$

(0.02

)

 

On April 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense, based on estimated fair values, for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options and restricted stock.

In adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company elected the modified prospective application transition method as of April 1, 2006, the first day of the Company’s fiscal year 2007. The Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the first six months of fiscal 2007 reflect the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with the modified prospective application transition method, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for prior periods have not been restated to reflect, and do not include, the impact of SFAS No. 123(R). Share-based compensation expense recognized under SFAS No. 123(R) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006 were $0.5 million and $3.8 million, respectively.

15




Employee Stock Options

At September 30, 2006, the Company had three option plans that reserved shares of common stock for issuance to executives and key employees: the 1992 Key Employee Stock Option Plan, the 1995 Executive Stock Plan, and the 2004 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. All of these plans were approved by the Company’s shareholders. These plans authorized the grant of up to 8.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company has no plans to purchase additional shares in conjunction with its employee stock option program in fiscal year 2007. Options issued under these plans vest in one to two years and expire ten years from the grant date.

Employee stock option activity for the six months ended September 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

 

Shares
(in thousands)

 

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted-average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)

 

Outstanding at April 1, 2006

 

4,509

 

$

11.17

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

78

 

8.78

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(67

)

7.38

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(105

)

6.86

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(95

)

14.13

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

4,320

 

$

11.23

 

6.5

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

 

3,208

 

$

12.62

 

5.5

 

$

0.5

 

 

The Company measures the fair value of each employee stock option grant at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

Expected volatility

 

49.16

%

49.12

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.98

%

3.63

%

Expected option lives in years

 

6.0

 

5.0

 

 

The dividend yield is based on a set dividend rate of 0.0% as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends. The expected volatility is based on a six-year historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a maturity commensurate with the expected term, which was six years and five years for the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The six-year expected term is based on the safe harbor calculation which considers the weighted-average vesting, contractual term and two-year cliff vesting. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $3.21. The compensation expense associated with these three stock option plans was approximately $457 thousand and $905 thousand for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, and was recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No compensation expense was recorded in the three and six months ended September 30, 2005.

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $58 thousand and $162 thousand, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $158 thousand and $169 thousand , respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options was $1.8 million as of September 30, 2006. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1 year. During the six months ended September 30, 2006, approximately 29,500 shares vested with a total fair value of approximately $79 thousand.

16




Restricted Stock

At September 30, 2006, the Company had issued restricted stock to members of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer. Restricted stock granted to the Board of Directors vests in one year while restricted stock granted to the Chief Executive Officer vests immediately. The weighted-average contractual term on restricted stock is indefinite. Restricted stock activity for the six months ended September 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

 

Shares
(in thousands)

 

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)

 

Outstanding at April 1, 2006

 

10

 

$

7.26

 

 

 

Granted

 

67

 

10.19

 

 

 

Exercised or repurchased

 

(12

)

10.75

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

65

 

$

9.65

 

$

0.6

 

 

The compensation expense associated with the restricted stock issued to the members of the Board of Directors was approximately $28 thousand and to the Chief Executive Officer was zero for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and was recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The compensation expense associated with the restricted stock issued to the members of the Board of Directors was approximately $87 thousand and to the Chief Executive Officer was approximately $538 thousand for the six months ended September 30, 2006 and was recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No compensation expense was recorded in the three and six months ended September 30, 2005.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock was $118 thousand as of September 30, 2006. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of ten months.

In connection with the grant of restricted stock to the Chief Executive Officer, the election was made by the Chief Executive Officer to satisfy the applicable Federal income tax withholding obligation arising from the grant of the restricted stock by a net share settlement, pursuant to which the Company withheld 12,500 shares of the restricted stock grant (out of the 50,000 shares granted) and used the deemed proceeds from those shares to pay the Federal income tax withholding. The net share settlement is deemed to be a repurchase by the Company of its equity securities.

17




Performance Stock Awards

At September 30, 2006, the Company had issued 500,000 performance awards which will entitle the holder to receive shares of common stock if and when the stock price maintains certain thresholds as compared to a peer group index in May 2008. These options are open ended until they vest and will have a ten-year life after vesting or will expire on the third year following retirement, whichever comes first. At September 30, 2006, none of these awards have vested due to the stock price not having reached the first exercise threshold. The weighted-average contractual term on performance stock options is indefinite. Performance stock award activity for the six months ended September 30, 2006 is as follows:

 

 

Shares
(in thousands)

 

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in millions)

 

Outstanding at April 1, 2006

 

500,000

 

$

8.05

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

 

500,000

 

$

8.05

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

 

 

$

 

$

 

 

The Company measures the fair value of each performance stock option at the date of grant using the Monte Carlo option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Assumptions:

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend yield

 

0.0

%

0.00

%

Expected volatility

 

49.16

%

49.16

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

4.50

%

4.50

%

Expected option lives in years

 

6.0

 

6.0

 

 

The dividend yield is based on a set dividend rate of 0.0% as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends. The expected volatility is based on a six-year historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield with a maturity commensurate with the term, which was ten years and ten years for the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 was $0.68. The compensation expense associated with the performance stock was approximately $0.0 and $2.8 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006 and was recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. No compensation expense was recorded in the three and six months ended September 30, 2005.

There is no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options since performance awards vest immediately.

All options plans provide that options to purchase shares be supported by the Company’s authorized but unissued common stock or treasury stock. The prices of the options granted thus far pursuant to these plans are not less than 100% of the value of the shares on the date of the grant.

In the Operating Activities of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, stock-based compensation expense was treated as an adjustment to net income for the three and six months ended September 30, 2006. The Financing Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows include the amount of cash received and cash used as a result of the exercise of stock options during the period. No tax benefit was realized from stock options exercised during the three and six months ended September 30, 2006.

18




Note 15. Acquisitions

As previously reported, pursuant to the terms of an Asset and Share Purchase Agreement and an Asset Purchase Agreement between KEMET Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Company”) and EPCOS AG, a German corporation (“EPCOS”), the Company completed the purchase of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS on April 13, 2006 for a purchase price of EUR 80.9 million (approximately $97.9 million). The acquisition included all of the issued share capital of EPCOS-Pecas e Componentes Electronicos S.A. and certain other assets of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS, primarily in Germany. Of the EUR 80.9 million, KEMET paid in cash approximately EUR 68.3 million (approximately $82.7 million) and assumed certain liabilities and working capital adjustments of EUR 12.6 million. As previously announced, the acquisition did not include EPCOS’ tantalum capacitor manufacturing facility in Heidenheim, Germany. As a result, KEMET and EPCOS entered into a manufacturing and supply agreement under which EPCOS continued to produce product exclusively for KEMET at the Heidenheim facility to ensure a continued supply of product to customers during the transition period. In connection with the acquisition, the Company paid approximately $4.4 million in legal and professional fees which have been included as part of the purchase price. On September 29, 2006, the Company agreed upon the final purchase amount related to the April 13, 2006 closing date and accordingly received a favorable credit of EUR 3.0 million (approximately $3.8 million). This amount reduced the Company’s goodwill recorded in the transaction.

The transition period concluded on September 30, 2006, and consequently, KEMET purchased certain of the Heidenheim manufacturing assets and the research and development assets for a cost of EUR 8.2 million (approximately $10.4 million). The Company also purchased the finished goods inventory at the Heidenheim plant for EUR 1.2 million (approximately $1.6 million). In addition, the Company assumed a pension liability of EUR 1.1 million (approximately $1.3 million) for the Heidenheim, Germany employees. The net additional purchase price was EUR 8.4 million (approximately $10.7 million).

The Company is in the process of finalizing the purchase accounting, including the appraisal of the newly acquired assets, however, the Company does not believe that there will be a material difference in the amounts booked as of the date of this report.

Taking into account both the April 13, 2006 closing adjustment and the transaction agreement on September 30, 2006, the Company purchased the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS for a total purchase price of EUR 86.3 million (approximately $104.8 million). Of the EUR 86.3 million, KEMET paid in cash approximately EUR 72.6 million and assumed certain liabilities of EUR 13.7 million. The final cash settlement was made in Otober 2006.

The purchase price was determined through arms-length negotiations between representatives of the Company and EPCOS.

The acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS, included in operating results from the acquisition date and as of the end of the transition date, was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the assets purchased and liabilities assumed based upon their fair values at the date of the acquisition. The fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed were $138.1 million and $42.1 million, respectively. The allocation of the purchase price is based upon preliminary estimates of the fair value. The actual allocation of the purchase price may differ from the preliminary allocation due to refinements of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net asset acquired of $8.9 million was recorded as goodwill. Approximately $2.9 million has been allocated to intangible assets other than goodwill.

Pro Forma Information:

The following presents the pro forma (unaudited) results for the three and six months ended September 30, 2005 assuming the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS had occurred on April 1, 2005 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

Three months ended

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2005

 

September 30, 2005

 

Net sales

 

$

144,356

 

$

286,030

 

Net loss

 

$

(9,809

)

$

(12,662

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.15

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.15

)

 

19




The amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 are the consolidated amounts for KEMET as reported in this Form 10-Q. The Company did not present pro forma information for the three months ended June 30, 2006 due to the consummation of the acquisition near the beginning of the Company’s reporting period, and because the Company did not have access to the actual operating results for the thirteen day period beginning April 1, 2006.

The above amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 reflect adjustments for depreciation for the revalued properties, amortization of the intangibles acquired, a reduction in interest income for the cash used to purchase the business and related tax effects for the aforementioned adjustments. The pro forma amounts do not include anticipated synergies from the acquisition.

The pro forma information, as presented above, is not indicative of the results which would have been obtained had the transaction occurred on April 1, 2005, nor is it indicative of the Company’s future results.

In connection with the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS, the Company became party to an agreement between EPCOS — Pecas e Componentes Electronicos, S.A. (whose name was changed post-acquisition to KEMET Electronics Portugal, S.A. (“KEP”)) and the Government of Portugal relating to certain investment contracts aimed to expand the manufacturing capacities of KEP. As a consequence, KEP has received non-interest bearing loans, two of which are outstanding as of September 30, 2006. Repayments are made in various installments, as noted below. Repayment of these loans is guaranteed by a bank. One of the loans matures on December 28, 2007 and the other loan matures on December 28, 2010. If KEP fulfills its obligations for the entire period under the investment contracts, the loans will be forgiven up to 60% of the outstanding amounts. The two obligations to be fulfilled by KEP include the hiring of a specified number of employees and the achievement of agreed-upon production levels.

Item 16. Subsequent Events

Convertible Debt Offering

On October 25, 2006, the Company announced its intention to offer approximately $160 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2026 to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, KEMET granted the initial purchasers a 30 day option to purchase up to an additional $15 million principal amount of the notes (the “overallotment provision”). The notes will pay interest at a rate of 2.25% per year and will be convertible into (1) cash in an amount equal to the lesser of the principal amount of such notes and the conversion value of such notes on the conversion date and (2) cash or shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s option, to the extent such conversion value exceeds the principal amount of such notes at an initial price of $9.70 per share. The holders of the notes may require the Company to repurchase the notes on each of November 15, 2011, 2016, and 2021 and upon the occurrence of certain events including a change of control of KEMET.

KEMET announced that it intends to use the proceeds of the offering to repurchase up to $25 million of its common stock, to fund future acquisitions, if any, and for general corporate purposes.

On November 1, 2006, the sale of the notes settled and the Company received $155.5 million of net proceeds. The Company immediately repurchased approximately $24.9 million of its common stock which was put into treasury stock. At the time of this filing, the overallotment provision has not been exercised..

Cost-Reduction Initiative

On October 16, 2006, the Company announced a cost-reduction initiative in its Monterrey, Mexico facility that will reduce headcount by approximately 400 people. This will be accomplished through a combination of normal attrition, release of temporary employees, and a reduction-in-force. This action was the result of KEMET’s ongoing productivity improvement programs that will allow the Company to run at current production levels at lower costs. The estimated savings from this initiative is over $4 million per year. The Company will take a restructuring charge of $0.8 million in the December 2006 quarter to account for this initiative.

20




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

From time to time, information provided by the Company, including but not limited to statements in this report or other statements made by or on behalf of the Company, may contain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements set forth in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report under the heading Safe Harbor Statement identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in KEMET’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006. The Company’s critical accounting policies are described under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7 of KEMET’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical data and other assumptions that management believes are reasonable in the circumstances. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, they affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

The Company’s judgments are based on management’s assessment as to the effect certain estimates, assumptions, or future trends or events may have on the financial condition and results of operations reported in KEMET’s unaudited consolidated financial statements. It is important that readers of these unaudited financial statements understand that actual results could differ from these estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

Overview

KEMET is a leading manufacturer of tantalum, multilayer ceramic, and solid aluminum capacitors. Capacitors are electronic components that store, filter, and regulate electrical energy and current flow and are one of the essential passive components used on circuit boards. Virtually all electronic applications and products contain capacitors, including communication systems, data processing equipment, personal computers, cellular phones, automotive electronic systems, military and aerospace systems, and consumer electronics.

The Company’s business strategy is to generate revenues by being the preferred capacitor supplier to the world’s most successful electronics original equipment manufacturers, electronics manufacturing services providers, and electronics distributors. The Company reaches these customers through a direct sales force, as well as a limited number of manufacturing representatives, that call on customer locations around the world.

The Company manufactures capacitors in the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and China. Substantially all of the manufacturing in the United States has been relocated (see “Manufacturing Relocation Plan”) to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Production that remains in the U.S. will focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers are predominantly located in North America.

The market for tantalum, ceramic, and aluminum capacitors is highly competitive. The capacitor industry is characterized by, among other factors, a long-term trend toward lower prices for capacitors, low transportation costs, and few import barriers. Competitive factors that influence the market for the Company’s products include product quality, customer service, technical innovation, pricing, and timely delivery. The Company believes that it competes favorably on the basis of each of these factors.

21




Organization

Effective October 1, 2005, KEMET organized into two distinct business units: the Tantalum Business Unit (“Tantalum”) and the Ceramics Business Unit (“Ceramics”). Each business unit is responsible for the operations of certain manufacturing sites as well as all related research and development efforts. The sales and marketing functions are shared by each of the business units and are allocated to the business units. In addition, all corporate costs are also allocated to the business units.

Tantalum Business Unit

The Tantalum Business Unit operates in six manufacturing sites in the United States, Mexico, Portugal, and China. This business unit produces tantalum and aluminum capacitors. The business unit also maintains a product innovation center in the United States, and a research and development center in Heidenheim, Germany. Sales of Tantalum’s products are made in all regions in the world.

Ceramics Business Unit

The Ceramics Business Unit operates in three manufacturing sites in Mexico and China. This business unit produces ceramic capacitors. In addition, the business unit also has a product innovation center in the United States. Sales of Ceramics’ products are made in all regions of the world.

Business Strategy

Our strategy is to use our position as a leading, high-quality manufacturer of capacitors to capitalize on the increasingly demanding requirements of our customers. Key elements of our strategy include:

Ground all of our strategies and business decisions with a focus on both the short-term and long-term financial impact of a particular decision or strategy — a profitable company is best able to effectively serve its customers and, in turn, its shareholders, partners and employees.
Continue to be responsive to customers’ needs and requirements and show them that their satisfaction is our number one priority by focusing on building products around their needs, giving decision making authority to customer facing personnel and providing purpose built systems and processes such as our Easy-To-Buy-From (“ETBF”) order entry system to make order entry and fulfillment easier, faster, more flexible and more reliable for our customers.
Leverage our technological competence to introduce new products in a timely and cost efficient manner and generate an increasing portion of our sales from new products to improve financial performance as well as to meet our customers’ varied and evolving capacitor needs. In fiscal year 2006 we released over 1,000 new products, 114 of which were first to market (which is a product not currently supplied by any competitor).
Continue to become the “Capacitance Company” - the supplier of choice for all capacitance needs including tantalum, ceramic, and solid aluminum capacitors so our customers can reap the benefits of being able to satisfy their varied capacitor product needs through one supplier. While we believe we have the most complete line of capacitor technologies across these primary capacitor types, we intend to continue to research other capacitance technologies and solutions in order to remain at the forefront of this area.
Pursue activities to maintain our position as a low-cost producer of capacitors with facilities close to our customers. These activities include shifting production to low-cost locations; reducing material and labor costs; developing cost-efficient manufacturing equipment and processes; designing manufacturing plants for efficient production; and reducing work-in-process (WIP) inventory by building products from start to finish in one factory.
Promote the KEMET brand globally by highlighting the high quality and high reliability of our products and our superior customer service. We intend to continue to implement Lean and Six Sigma methods to drive towards zero product defects so that quality remains a given in the minds of our customers.

Manufacturing Relocation Plan (formerly known as Enhanced Strategic Plan of 2003)

In July 2003, KEMET announced its manufacturing relocation plan to enhance the Company’s position as a global leader in

22




passive electronic technologies. KEMET believed that there have been profound changes in the competitive landscape of the electronics industry over the past several years. The Company listened closely to its customers’ description of their future directions, and aligned KEMET’s future plans closely with their plans. Building on the Company’s foundation of success in being the preferred supplier to the world’s most successful electronics manufacturers and distributors, KEMET began adapting so as to continue to succeed in the new global environment.

To execute the plan, KEMET substantially reorganized its operations around the world. Several KEMET facilities were relocated based on access to key customers, access to key technical resources and knowledge, and availability of low-cost resources.

KEMET’s Global Presence

KEMET in the United States

KEMET’s corporate headquarters are expected to remain in Greenville, South Carolina, though individual functions will continue to evolve to support global activities in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, either from Greenville, South Carolina or through locations in appropriate parts of the world. Substantially all manufacturing currently in the United States will continue to be relocated to the Company’s lower-cost manufacturing facilities in Mexico and China. Production that remains in the U.S. is expected to focus primarily on early-stage manufacturing of new products and other specialty products for which customers are predominantly located in North America.

To accelerate the pace of innovations, the KEMET Innovation Center was created. The primary objectives of the Innovation Center are to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that are expected to keep the Company at the forefront of its customers’ product designs, while enabling these products to be transferred rapidly to the most appropriate KEMET manufacturing location in the world for low-cost, high-volume production. The main campus of the KEMET Innovation Center is located in Greenville, South Carolina.

KEMET in Mexico

KEMET believes its Mexican operations are among the most cost efficient in the world, and they will continue to be the Company’s primary production facilities supporting North American and European customers. One of the strengths of KEMET Mexico is that it is truly a Mexican operation, including Mexican management and workers. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining KEMET’s traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while driving costs down. The facilities in Victoria and Matamoros will remain focused primarily on tantalum capacitors, and the facilities in Monterrey will continue to focus on ceramic capacitors.

KEMET in China

In recent years, low production costs and proximity to large, growing markets have caused many of KEMET’s key customers to relocate production facilities to Asia, particularly China. KEMET has a well-established sales and logistics network in Asia to support its customers’ Asian operations. The Company’s initial China production facilities in Suzhou near Shanghai commenced shipments in 2003. Like KEMET Mexico, the vision for KEMET China is to be a Chinese operation, with Chinese management and workers, to help achieve KEMET’s objective of being a global company. These facilities will be responsible for maintaining KEMET’s traditional excellence in quality, service, and delivery, while accelerating cost-reduction efforts and supporting efforts to grow the Company’s customer base in Asia.

KEMET in Europe

On April 13, 2006, the Company purchased the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS for a price of approximately $94.1 million. The acquisition included the tantalum capacitor manufacturing operation in Evora, Portugal as well as certain research and development, marketing, and sales functions in various locations, primarily within Europe. Of the total purchase price, KEMET paid cash of approximately $82.7 million and assumed certain liabilities and working capital adjustments of approximately $11.4 million. On September 30, 2006, the Company completed the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS which included the purchase of the inventories and fixed assets of the tantalum business in Heidenheim, Germany for a net price of $10.7 million. The Company intends to maintain the research and development activities in Heidenheim, Germany to support its European customer base. The Company anticipates that this acquisition will further strengthen its global leadership position in the tantalum capacitor business and provide greater access to the European market and customers.

23




KEMET will maintain and enhance its strong European sales and customer service infrastructure, allowing KEMET to continue to meet the local preferences of European customers who remain an important focus for KEMET going forward.

Global Sales and Logistics

In recent years, it has become more complex to do business in the electronics industry. Market-leading electronics manufacturers have spread their facilities more globally. The growth of the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry has resulted in a more challenging supply chain. New Asian electronics manufacturers are emerging rapidly. The most successful business models in the electronics industry are based on tightly integrated supply chain logistics to drive down costs. KEMET’s well-developed global logistics infrastructure distinguishes it in the marketplace and will remain a hallmark of KEMET in meeting the needs of its global customers.

Employees

As of September 30, 2006, KEMET had approximately 9,600 employees, of whom approximately 1,000 were located in the United States, 6,700 were located in Mexico, 1,000 in China, 800 in Portugal and the remainder were located in the Company’s foreign sales offices. The Company believes that its future success will depend in part on its ability to recruit, retain, and motivate qualified personnel at all levels of the Company. While none of its United States employees are unionized, the Company has approximately 5,500 hourly employees in Mexico represented by labor unions as required by Mexican law. The Company also has approximately 600 employees in Portugal represented by labor unions. The Company has not experienced any major work stoppages and considers its relations with its employees to be good. In addition, the Company’s labor costs in Mexico, China and Portugal are denominated in local currencies, and a significant depreciation of the United States dollar against the local currencies would increase the Company’s labor costs in these areas.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Recent Trend in Average Selling Prices

Average selling prices for the September 2006 quarter adjusted for changes in product mix, remained relatively flat as compared to average selling prices for the June 2006 quarter.

Comparison of the Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2006, with the Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2005

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006, increased 42.8% to $166.5 million as compared to the same period last year, with 14.3% or $23.8 million being contributed by the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS. The increase in net sales was attributable to higher volumes. Unit volumes excluding those from the Tantalum Business Unit acquired from EPCOS in the three-month period ended September 30, 2006 increased 1.0% as compared to the same period last year. Mix-adjusted average selling prices for the September 2006 quarter remained flat as compared to mix-adjusted average selling prices for the September 2005 quarter.

By region, 32% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006, were to customers in North America and South America (“Americas”), 44% were to Asia and Pacific Rim (“APAC”), and 24% were to Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”). By region, 43% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2005 were to customers in the Americas, 41% were to APAC, and 16% were to EMEA.

By channel, 50% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006, were to distribution customers, 25% were to Electronic Manufacturing Services customers, and 25% were to Original Equipment Manufacturing customers. By channel, 56% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2005, were to distribution customers, 23% were to Electronic Manufacturing Services customers, and 21% were to Original Equipment Manufacturing customers.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006, was $132.4 million, or 79.5% of net sales, as compared to $97.5 million, or 83.6% of net sales, for the same period last year. The decline in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was due to primarily more sales volume, allowing for better utilization of fixed costs. The Company has, however, experienced higher costs in two of its raw materials: palladium and silver.

24




Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006, were $21.2 million, or 12.8% of net sales, as compared to $12.1 million, or 10.3% of net sales for the same period last year. The SG&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006 include $5.2 million related to the integration of the Tantalum Business Unit acquired from EPCOS and $0.5 million relating to the stock option expenses.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2006, were $7.4 million, or 4.5% of net sales, as compared to $6.0 million, or 5.2% of net sales for the same period last year. The Company continues to be committed in the development of new products and technologies, such as organic polymer tantalum and high capacitance ceramic capacitor technologies.

Special Charges

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges. These charges are considered items outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide an alternative depiction of its operating results. Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles restructuring charges and those other charges and adjustments separately.

A summary of the special charges recognized in the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Manufacturing relocations, personnel reductions and asset impairment

 

$

3.4

 

$

3.2

 

Restructuring charges (1)

 

3.4

 

3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPCOS tantalum business unit integration

 

5.2

 

 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment”

 

0.5

 

 

Write-off related to the acquisition

 

0.1

 

 

Special after-tax charges

 

$

9.2

 

$

3.2

 

 

(1)             Restructuring charges — These costs are included as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred; therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs. Costs charged to expense are aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line, Restructuring charges.

Personnel reductions — During the three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $1.4 million for a reduction in force in Europe.

Manufacturing relocations During the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred expenses of $1.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. These costs are related to the manufacturing relocation plan. All costs are expensed as incurred.

EPCOS integration KEMET completed the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS on April 13, 2006. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, the Company recorded charges of $5.2 million related to the acquisition which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R)”Share-Based Payment” — In fiscal year 2007, the Company implemented SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment.” During the three month period ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $0.5 million relating to the cost recognition of issued stock options. In fiscal year 2006, there were no charges for stock option expense.

25




Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2006, was $2.0 million, compared to an operating loss of $(2.1) million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. The improvement in the operating income was primarily due to higher sales volumes, partially offset by higher research and development costs, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The impacts of the cost reduction efforts of the Company have favorably affected cost of goods sold.

Other Income and Expense

Interest income was lower in the three months ended September 30, 2006 versus the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the Company’s lower investments following the acquisition of the EPCOS Tantalum Business Unit in the first fiscal quarter 2007. Interest expense was lower in the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the prior year due to lower indebtedness in fiscal year 2007. Other (income)/expense was less favorable in the three months ended September 30, 2006 versus the comparable period of the preceding year due to the write-off of a prepaid insurance balance of $160 thousand related to the former EPCOS tantalum business unit and lower foreign currency translation gains in the three-month period ended September 30, 2006.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense totaled $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The income tax expense is comprised of $0.4 million foreign income tax expense and minimal state income tax expense.

Management evaluates its tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis and adjusts these balances on a timely basis as appropriate, based on certain estimates and assumptions of sufficient future taxable income to utilize its deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to increase the value of the deferred tax liability, resulting in additional income tax expense.

Comparison of the Six-Month Period Ended September 30, 2006, with the Six-Month Period Ended September 30, 2005

Net Sales

Net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2006, increased 45.7% to $336.1 million as compared to the same period last year, with 14.5% or $48.7 million being contributed by the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS. The increase in net sales was attributable to higher volumes. Unit volumes excluding those from the Tantalum Business Unit acquired from EPCOS in the six-month period ended September 30, 2006 increased 12.2% as compared to the same period last year. Mix-adjusted average selling prices for the September 2006 quarter remained flat as compared to mix-adjusted average selling prices for the September 2005 quarter.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the six months ended September 30, 2006, was $265.2 million, or 78.9% of net sales, as compared to $192.5 million, or 83.4% of net sales, for the same period last year. The continued decline in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was due to improved productivity and greater volumes allowing for better utilization of fixed costs. The Company has, however, experienced higher costs in two of its raw materials: palladium and silver.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, were $45.2 million, or 13.4% of net sales, as compared to $24.3 million, or 10.5% of net sales for the same period last year. The SG&A expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006 include $8.0 million or 2.4% of net sales related to the integration of the Tantalum Business Unit acquired from EPCOS; as well as, $4.3 million related to stock compensation expense due to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2006, were $15.2 million, or 4.5% of net sales, as compared to $12.2 million, or 5.3% of net sales for the same period last year. The Company continues to be committed in the development of new products and technologies, such as organic polymer tantalum and high capacitance ceramic capacitor technologies.

26




Special Charges

The Company reports a measure entitled Special Charges. These charges are considered items outside of normal operations, and it is the intent of KEMET to provide an alternative depiction of its operating results. Since some of the items are not considered restructuring charges as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company has provided the breakout of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles restructuring charges and those other charges and adjustments separately.

A summary of the special charges recognized in the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 is as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Manufacturing relocations, personnel reductions and asset impairment

 

$

8.1

 

$

10.8

 

Termination of contract

 

 

0.8

 

Reversal of previously recorded restructuring accrual

 

 

(0.3

)

Restructuring charges (1)

 

8.1

 

11.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPCOS tantalum business unit integration

 

8.0

 

 

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment”

 

4.3

 

 

Write-off related to the acquisition

 

0.2

 

 

Writedown of an investment in unconsolidated subsidiary (2)

 

 

0.6

 

Tax benefit not previously recognized (3)

 

 

(12.1

)

Special after-tax charges

 

$

20.6

 

$

(0.2

)

 

(1)             Restructuring charges — These costs are included as a separate line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(2)             Writedown of an investment in unconsolidated subsidiary — These costs are included in Other (income)/expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

(3)             Tax benefit not previously recognized — This benefit is included in Income tax (benefit)/expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Manufacturing relocation costs are expensed as actually incurred; therefore no liability is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these costs. Costs charged to expense are aggregated in the Consolidated Statements of Operations line, Restructuring charges.

Personnel reductions — During the six months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recognized a charge of $1.5 million, primarily for a reduction in force in Europe. During June 2005, the Company announced a reduction in force effecting 138 people in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. Accordingly, the Company recognized a charge of $5.2 million. In addition, the Company reversed $0.3 million related to unused restructuring accruals during the quarter ended June 30, 2005.

Manufacturing relocations During the six months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the Company incurred expenses of $6.5 million and $5.6 million, respectively. These costs are related to the manufacturing relocation plan. All costs are expensed as incurred.

Termination of a contract The Company recognized a charge of $0.8 million for the early termination of a contract during the first fiscal quarter 2006 related to a plant closure.

EPCOS integration KEMET completed the acquisition of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS on April 13, 2006. During the first half of fiscal year 2007, the Company recorded charges of $8.0 million related to the acquisition which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impact of SFAS No. 123(R) “Share-Based Payment” — During the six-month period ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded charges of $4.3 million in conjunction with SFAS No. 123(R).As discussed in Note 14, the Company did not implement SFAS No. 123(R) until April 1, 2006, and consequently, no charges were recorded in the six-month period ended September 30, 2005.

Write-down of investment in unconsolidated subsidiary During the first fiscal quarter 2006, the Company determined that the value of its investment in an unconsolidated subsidiary (ABM Resources NL) had decreased, and the decrease was deemed other-than-temporary. Therefore, the Company recorded a charge of $0.6 million, net of tax.

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Tax benefit not previously recognized — During the first fiscal quarter 2006, the Internal Revenue Service finalized the examination related to fiscal years 1997 through 2003. This finalization resulted in the receipt of $9.8 million during the June 2005 quarter, and the resultant release of a $12.1 million tax benefit not previously recognized.

Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income for the six months ended September 30, 2006, was $2.5 million, compared to an operating loss of $9.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2005. The improvement in the operating income was primarily due to higher sales volumes, and lower restructuring charges, partially offset by higher research and development costs, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The impacts of the cost reduction efforts of the Company have favorably affected cost of goods sold.

Other Income and Expense

Interest income was lower in the six months ended September 30, 2006 versus the comparable period in the prior year primarily due to the Company’s lower investments following the acquisition of the EPCOS Tantalum Business Unit in the first fiscal quarter 2007. Other (income)/expense was more favorable in the six months ended September 30, 2006 versus the comparable period of the preceding year due to a foreign currency translation gain and an other-than-temporary decline in the fair value of the available-for-sale investments in the three months ended June 30, 2005. Interest expense is lower for the six month period due to lower indebtedness.

Income Taxes

The income tax expense totaled $0.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2006, compared to an income tax benefit of $12.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2005. The income tax expense is comprised of $0.8 million foreign income tax expense and $0.1 million state income tax expense. During the six months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recognized a tax benefit based on the reversal of $12.1 million relating to the finalization of an Internal Revenue Service examination for the fiscal years 1997 through 2003.

Management evaluates its tax assets and liabilities on a periodic basis and adjusts these balances on a timely basis as appropriate, based on certain estimates and assumptions of sufficient future taxable income to utilize its deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to increase the value of the deferred tax liability, resulting in additional income tax expense.

Business Units Comparison of Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2006, with the Three-Month Period Ended September 30, 2005

Tantalum Business Unit

The following presents the summarized results of the Tantalum business unit (dollars in millions):

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

109.2

 

$

69.8

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

1.4

 

$

0.7

 

 

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2006 include $23.8 million of sales for the former EPCOS Tantalum Business Unit. Volumes excluding the EPCOS business were 11% higher than last year and average selling prices were flat on a product-mix basis. Volumes for tantalum products continue to be very strong in Asia.

Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income/(loss) was favorably impacted by the aforementioned increase in sales volumes. It was also favorably impacted by improvements in material costs, and lower technology costs in second fiscal quarter 2007 versus second fiscal quarter 2006. As previously stated, selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the business units. The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

28




Ceramics Business Unit

The following presents the summarized results of the Ceramics business unit (dollars in millions):

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

57.4

 

$

46.8

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

0.6

 

$

(2.8

)

 

Net Sales

Unit sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2006 remained flat as compared to the same period last year. The increase in revenue was primarily due to an average selling prices increase of 22.0% from the quarter ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same quarter last year.

Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income/(loss) was higher in the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 due to higher average selling prices, lower material costs, lower restructuring charges, and lower depreciation expense. As previously stated, selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the business units. The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

Business Units Comparison of Six-Month Period Ended September 30, 2006, with the Six-Month Period Ended September 30, 2005

Tantalum Business Unit

The following presents the summarized results of the Tantalum business unit (dollars in millions):

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

220.1

 

$

137.7

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

3.6

 

$

(1.3

)

 

Net Sales

Net sales for the six-month period ended September 30, 2006 includes $48.7 million of sales from the former EPCOS Tantalum Business Unit. Unit sales volumes excluding the former EPCOS business for the three months ended September 30, 2006 were up 24% as compared to the same period last year. The effect of this volume expansion was limited due to flat average selling prices when compared to same peiod last year.

Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income/(loss) was driven by the favorable impact by the increase in sales volumes. It was also favorably impacted by improvements in material costs, and lower technology costs, and slightly offset by higher restructuring charges compared to same period fiscal year 2006. As previously stated, selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the business units. The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

Ceramics Business Unit

The following presents the summarized results of the Ceramics business unit (dollars in millions):

 

 

Six months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Net sales

 

$

116.0

 

$

93.0

 

Operating income/(loss)

 

$

(1.1

)

$

(8.3

)

 

Net Sales

Unit sales volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased 11% as compared to the same period last year. Average selling prices increased 11% for the six-month period ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period last year.

29




Operating Income/(Loss)

Operating income/(loss) was higher in the six months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 due to higher sales volumes, higher ASPs, lower material costs, lower restructuring charges, and lower depreciation expense. As previously stated, selling, general and administrative costs are allocated to the business units. The explanations for changes in those costs can be found above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s liquidity needs arise from working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and principal and interest payments on its indebtedness. The Company intends to satisfy both its short-term and long-term liquidity requirements primarily with existing cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operations. The overall decrease in liquidity is primarily due to the aforementioned completion of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS. Additional information regarding the acquisition may be obtained from Note 15 of this document.

Cash from Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended September 30, 2006, provided $7.7 million and generated $6.4 million in the same period of the prior year. The current period increase in operating cash was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable of $27.6 million, non-cash depreciation of $20.4 million, non-cash charges relating to stock option expense of $4.3 million, a decrease in inventories of $2.0 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses $2.2 million. These positive amounts were offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $28.4 million and a decrease in accrued liabilities of $22.1 million. The increase in accounts receivable and accounts payable were primarily related to the acquisition of the former EPCOS Tantalum Business Unit.

Cash from Investing Activities

Cash flows from investing activities for the six months ended September 30, 2006, used $89.8 million compared to generating $1.9 million in the same period of the prior year. The Company used $87.2 million in cash to complete the purchase of the Tantalum Business Unit of EPCOS in April 2006. In addition, $9.6 million in proceeds due to the sale of short-term and long-term investments were offset by capital expenditures of $12.6 million.

Cash from Financing Activities

Cash flows from financing activities for the six months ended September 30, 2006, used $18.7 million and generated $0.9 million in the same period in the prior year. This decrease in cash is due to the annual payment of $20.0 million on long-term debt being offset by $0.9 million for the exercise of stock options.

Commitments

As of September 30, 2006, the Company had contractual obligations in the form of non-cancelable operating leases, long-term supply contracts for the purchase of tantalum powder and wire (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements), and debt, including interest payments, as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal years ended March 31,

 

 

 

Remainder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of 2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Operating leases

 

$

1,334

 

$

1,772

 

$

947

 

$

546

 

$

311

 

$

497

 

$

5,407

 

Tantalum supply agreement

 

4,477

 

4,477

 

 

 

 

 

8,954

 

Debt

 

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

20,000

 

 

80,000

 

Acquired debt

 

 

40

 

903

 

1,041

 

1,041

 

520

 

3,545

 

Interest payments

 

2,664

 

4,662

 

3,330

 

1,998

 

666

 

 

13,320

 

 

 

$

8,475

 

$

30,951

 

$

25,180

 

$

23,585

 

$

22,018

 

$

1,017

 

$

111,225

 

 

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155 (“SFAS 155”), “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140”. SFAS No. 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would be required to be bifurcated and accounted for separately under SFAS 133. SFAS No. 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”. FIN 48 supplements Statement 109 by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the

30




financial statements. The interpretation requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date. FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. At adoption, the necessary adjustment to remove tax effects of positions which are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained should be recorded directly to the beginning balance of retained earnings and reported as a change in accounting principle. Retroactive application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of FIN 48 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and establishes a fair value hierarchy of three levels that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. SFAS No. 157 requires fair value measurements to be separately disclosed by level within the fair value hierarchy. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Generally, the provisions of this statement are to be applied prospectively. Certain situations, however, require retrospective application as of the beginning of the year of adoption through the recognition of a cumulative effect of accounting change. Such retrospective application is required for financial instruments, including derivatives and certain hybrid instruments with limitations on initial gains or losses under EITF Issue 02-3, “Issues Involved in Accounting for Derivative Contracts Held for Trading Purposes and Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities”. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 157 will have on its results of operations and financial condition.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of their benefit plans as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur as a component of other comprehensive income. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan’s assets and its benefit obligation. In addition, SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to measure benefit plan assets and obligations that determine the funded status of a plan as of the end of its fiscal year. The prospective requirements to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan and to provide the required disclosures are effective as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 158 will have on its results of operations and financial condition.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements”. SAB No. 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be taken into consideration when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. The provisions of SAB No. 108 are effective for the first fiscal year ending after November 15, 2006. The Company does not expect the adoption of SAB No. 108 to impact its consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk disclosure included in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, Form 10-K, Part II, Item 7 A, is still applicable and updated through September 30, 2006.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

(a). The Company’s management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2006. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2006, which is the end of the period covered by this report.

(b). During the second quarter of fiscal year 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.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

Other than as reported in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, Form 10-K under the caption “Item 3. Legal Proceedings,” the Company is not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to the business of the Company. The ultimate legal and financial liability of the Company with respect to such litigation cannot be estimated with any certainty. However, in the opinion of management, based on its examination of these

31




matters and its experience to date, the ultimate outcome of these legal proceedings, net of liabilities already accrued in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and expected insurance proceeds, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, although the resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters could have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for that period.

ITEM 1A. Risk Factors

The risk factors discussed in the Company’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A have been updated and are disclosed below.

Cyclical changes in the electronics industry could result in significant fluctuations in demand for our products, impacting our profitability.

Our products are used in the electronics industry, which is a highly cyclical industry. The demand for capacitors tends to reflect the demand for products in the electronics markets. Our customers’ requirements for our capacitors fluctuate as a result of changes in general economic activity or other general economic events beyond our control and other factors that affect the demand for their products. During periods of increasing demand for their products, they typically seek to increase their inventory of our products to avoid production bottlenecks. We may not be able to meet our customers’ requirements during periods of increases in demand which could cause them to use other suppliers for their needs which were previously met by us. When demand for their products peaks and begins to decline, they may rapidly decrease orders for our products while they use up accumulated inventory. Business cycles vary somewhat in different geographical regions, such as Asia, and within customer industries.

We must consistently reduce the total costs of manufacturing our products to combat the impact of downward price trends.

Our industry is intensely competitive and prices for existing products tend to decrease steadily over their life cycles. There is substantial and continuing pressure from customers to reduce the total cost of using our parts. To remain competitive, we must achieve continuous cost reductions through process and product improvements.

We must also be in a position to minimize our customers’ shipping and inventory financing costs and to meet their other goals for rationalization of supply and production. Our growth and the profit margins of our products will suffer if our competitors are more successful in reducing the total cost to customers of their products than we are. We must also continue to introduce new products that offer performance advantages over our existing products and can thereby achieve premium prices, offsetting the price declines in our older products.

An increase in the cost of our principal raw materials could adversely affect profitability.

The principal raw materials used in the manufacture of our products are tantalum powder, palladium and silver. These materials are considered commodities and are subject to price volatility. Tantalum powder is primarily purchased under annual contracts, while palladium and silver are primarily purchased on the spot and forward markets, depending on market conditions. For example, if we believe that palladium and silver prices are likely to rise, we may purchase a significant amount of our annual requirements on a forward delivery basis. While the financial impact of these decisions are short-term in nature given that we are not currently party to any long-term supply agreements, they could impact our financial performance from period to period given that we do not hedge any of our raw material exposure and we are not likely to be able to pass on to our customers any fluctuations in our raw material costs. Additionally, any delays in obtaining raw materials for our products could hinder our ability to manufacture our products, negatively impacting our competitive position and our relationships with our customers.

Presently three suppliers process tantalum ore into capacitor-grade tantalum powder. Our management believes that the tantalum we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities to meet our requirements and that there are a sufficient number of tantalum processors relative to foreseeable demand. However, the limited number of tantalum powder suppliers could lead to increases in tantalum prices that we may not be able to pass on to our customers. In fiscal year 2001, for instance, the increase in demand for tantalum capacitors led to tight supplies of tantalum raw material and some tantalum powders resulting in prices increasing from under $50 per pound early in calendar 2000 to over $300 per pound in calendar 2001.

Palladium is presently found primarily in South Africa and Russia. Although the palladium we require has generally been available in sufficient quantities, the limited number of palladium suppliers could lead to significant price fluctuations. For instance, in fiscal year 2001 the price of palladium fluctuated between $554 and $1,090 per troy ounce. Such price increases and our inability to pass such increases on to our customers could have an adverse effect on profitability.

32




Silver has generally been available in sufficient quantities, and we believe there are a sufficient number of suppliers from which we can purchase our silver requirements. An increase in the price of silver that we were not able to pass on to our customers, however, could have an adverse affect on our profitability.

We face intense competition in our business.

The capacitor business is highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation costs and few import barriers. Competition is based on factors such as product quality and reliability, availability, customer service, timely delivery and price. The industry has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years, and our primary U.S. and non-U.S. competitors, some of which are larger than we are, have significant financial resources. The greater financial resources or the lower amount of debt of such competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts of capital in response to changing market conditions. Some competitors may also have the ability to use profits from their other operations to subsidize losses sustained in their businesses with which we compete. Certain competitors may also develop product or service innovations that could put us at a disadvantage.

We manufacture many of our capacitors in Portugal, Mexico and China and future political or regulatory changes in any of these regions could adversely affect our profitability.

Although we have not experienced significant problems conducting operations in Portugal, Mexico or China, our international operations are subject to a number of special risks, in addition to the same risks as our domestic business, including currency exchange rate fluctuations, differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, domestic and foreign customs and tariffs, current and changing regulatory regimes, differences in the availability and terms of financing, political instability and potential increases in taxes. These factors could impact our production capability or adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

We may not be able to successfully integrate the EPCOS tantalum business unit or any future acquisitions with our operations or identify attractive acquisition opportunities in the future.

Because the markets and industries in which we operate are highly competitive, and due to the inherent uncertainties associated with the integration of acquired companies, we may not be able to integrate the EPCOS tantalum business unit without encountering difficulties including, without limitation, the loss of key employees and customers, the disruption of the ongoing businesses and possible inconsistencies in standards, controls and procedures. In addition, we may not be able to achieve the expected cost synergies from our purchase of the EPCOS tantalum business unit and we may incur higher than anticipated integration or restructuring costs associated with it. Our business strategy includes growth through select acquisitions of other businesses. However, acquisition opportunities may not be available and may not be attractively priced because of competition or other factors. In addition, we may be unable to fund an acquisition opportunity. Even if we are able to make acquisitions, we may be unable to successfully integrate such acquisitions into our existing operations and operational difficulties or diminisihed financial performance may result or a disproportionate amount of management’s attention may be diverted. Even if we are successful in integrating any future acquisitions, we may not derive the benefits, such as operational, costs or administrative synergies, that we expected.

Losing the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees or our inability to continue to attract and retain additional qualified personnel could harm our business.

Our success depends upon the continued contributions of our executive officers and certain other employees, many of whom have many years of experience with KEMET and would be extremely difficult to replace. We must also attract and retain experienced and highly skilled engineering, sales and marketing and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense in our industry, and we may not be successful in hiring and retaining these people. If we lose the services of our executive officers or our other highly qualified and experienced employees, or cannot attract and retain other qualified personnel, our business could suffer through less effective management due to loss of accumulated knowledge of our business or through less successful products due to a reduced ability to design, manufacture and market our products.

Environmental laws and regulations could limit our ability to operate as we are currently operating and could result in additional costs.

We are subject to a variety of U.S. federal, state and local, as well as foreign, environmental laws and regulations relating, among other things, to wastewater discharge, air emissions, handling of hazardous materials, disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and remediation of soil and groundwater contamination. We use a number of chemicals or similar substances, and generate wastes, that are classified as hazardous. We require environmental permits to conduct many of our operations. Violations of environmental laws and regulations could result in substantial fines, penalties, and other sanctions. Changes in environmental laws or regulations (or in their enforcement) affecting or limiting, for example, our chemical uses, certain of

33




our manufacturing processes, or our disposal practices, could restrict our ability to operate as we are currently operating, impose additional costs or otherwise cause delays in the delivery of our products to our customers, thereby damaging our relationships with them. In addition, we may experience releases of certain chemicals or discover existing contamination, which could cause us to incur material cleanup costs or other damages.

We must continue to develop innovative products to maintain our relationships with our customers and to offset potential price erosion in older products.

While most of the fundamental technologies used in the passive components industry have been available for a long time, the market is nonetheless typified by rapid changes in product designs and technological advances allowing for better performance, smaller size and/or lower cost. New applications are frequently found for existing technologies, and new technologies occasionally replace existing technologies for some applications or open up new business opportunities in other areas of application. We believe that successful innovation is critical for maintaining profitability in the face of potential erosion of selling prices for existing products and to ensure the flow of new products and robust manufacturing processes that will keep us at the forefront of our customers’ product designs. Non-customized commodity products are especially vulnerable to price pressure, but customized products have also experienced price pressure in recent years. Developing and marketing new products requires start-up costs that may not be recouped if these products or production techniques are not successful. There are numerous risks inherent in product development, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to develop and market new products and applications in a timely fashion to satisfy customer demands. If this occurs, we could lose customers and experience adverse effects on our results of operations.

We may not achieve the expected benefits of our manufacturing relocation plan or other restructuring plans we have or may adopt in the future.

In July 2003, we announced our manufacturing relocation plan to improve our position as a global leader in passive electronic technologies. Pursuant to the plan, we reorganized our operations around the world. Several of our facilities were relocated based on access to key customers, access to key technical resources and knowledge, and availability of low-cost resources. We have also undertaken several other restructuring actions over the last several years to reduce our costs and to make our operations more efficient. We anticipate two remaining moves associated with the manufacturing relocation plan, which are scheduled to be completed in fiscal year 2007, and also expect additional actions related to our acquisition of the EPCOS tantalum business unit. To the extent we are unsuccessful in realizing the goals of any or all of these initiatives, we will not be able to achieve our anticipated operating results. Additionally, to the extent we embark on additional restructuring or repositioning programs, such initiatives may be unsuccessful and we may not achieve the expected benefits therefrom, though it is likely we would incur additional costs.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

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

None.

ITEM 5. Other Information

None.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Executive Officer.

Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Principal Financial Officer.

Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certifications - Principal Executive Officer.

Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 Certifications - Principal Financial Officer.

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

Date: November 9, 2006

 

 

 

 

KEMET Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ DAVID E. GABLE

 

David E. Gable

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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