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Restructuring and Other Charges
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Other Charges

D. Restructuring and Other Charges

Restructuring and other charges for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 were comprised of the following:

 

      2013     2012     2011  

Resolution of a legal matter (N)

   $ 391      $ 85      $ -   

Layoff costs

     201        47        93   

Asset impairments

     116        40        150   

Other

     82        21        61   

Reversals of previously recorded layoff and other exit costs

     (8     (21     (23

Restructuring and other charges

   $ 782      $ 172      $ 281   

Layoff costs were recorded based on approved detailed action plans submitted by the operating locations that specified positions to be eliminated, benefits to be paid under existing severance plans, union contracts or statutory requirements, and the expected timetable for completion of the plans.

2013 Actions. In 2013, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $782 ($585 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $391 ($305 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) related to a legal matter (see Government Investigations under Litigation in Note N); $245 ($183 after-tax) for exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and demolition of certain structures at three smelter locations (see below); $87 ($61 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for layoff costs, including the separation of approximately 1,110 employees (340 in the Primary Metals segment, 260 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, 250 in the Global Rolled Products segment, 85 in the Alumina segment, and 175 in Corporate), of which 590 relates to a global overhead reduction program, and $9 in pension plan settlement charges related to previously separated employees; $25 ($17 after-tax) in net charges, including $12 ($8 after-tax) for asset impairments, related to retirements and/or the sale of previously idled structures; $25 ($13 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for asset impairments related to the write-off of capitalized costs for projects no longer being pursued due to the market environment; a net charge of $17 ($12 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for other miscellaneous items, including $3 ($2 after-tax) for asset impairments; and $8 ($6 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the reversal of a number of small layoff reserves related to prior periods.

In May 2013, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of (i) two potlines (capacity of 105,000 metric-tons-per-year) that utilize Soderberg technology at the smelter located in Baie Comeau, Québec, Canada (remaining capacity of 280,000 metric-tons-per-year composed of two prebake potlines) and (ii) the smelter located in Fusina, Italy (capacity of 44,000 metric-tons-per-year). Additionally, in August 2013, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of one potline (capacity of 41,000 metric-tons-per-year) that utilizes Soderberg technology at the Massena East, N.Y. smelter (remaining capacity of 84,000 metric-tons-per-year composed of two Soderberg potlines). The aforementioned Soderberg lines at Baie Comeau and Massena East were fully shut down by the end of September 2013 while the Fusina smelter was previously temporarily idled in 2010. Demolition and remediation activities related to all three facilities began in late 2013 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2014 (Massena East), 2015 (Baie Comeau), and 2017 (Fusina).

 

The decisions on the Soderberg lines for Baie Comeau and Massena East are part of a 15-month review of 460,000 metric tons of smelting capacity initiated by management in May 2013 for possible curtailment, while the decision on the Fusina smelter is in addition to the capacity being reviewed. Factors leading to all three decisions were in general focused on achieving sustained competitiveness and included, among others: lack of an economically viable, long-term power solution (Italy); changed market fundamentals; other existing idle capacity; and restart costs. The remaining 183,000 metric tons of smelting capacity subject to this review is expected to be completed during the first half of 2014. As such, future restructuring charges may be recognized if the decision to shut down more capacity is made in 2014 (see Note Y).

In 2013, exit costs related to these actions included $114 for the layoff of approximately 550 employees (Primary Metals segment), including $83 in pension costs (see Note W); accelerated depreciation of $58 (Baie Comeau) and asset impairments of $18 (Fusina and Massena East) representing the write-off of the remaining book value of all related properties, plants, and equipment; and $55 in other exit costs. Additionally in 2013, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies and raw materials, were written down to their net realizable value resulting in a charge of $9 ($6 after-tax), which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. The other exit costs of $55 represent $48 in asset retirement obligations and $5 in environmental remediation, both triggered by the decisions to permanently shut down and demolish these structures, and $2 in other related costs.

As of December 31, 2013, approximately 1,020 of the 1,660 employees were separated. The remaining separations for the 2013 restructuring programs are expected to be completed by the end of 2014. In 2013, cash payments of $33 were made against layoff reserves related to the 2013 restructuring programs.

2012 Actions. In 2012, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $172 ($106 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $85 ($33 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) related to the civil portion of a legal matter (see Civil Suit under Litigation in Note N); $47 ($29 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the layoff of approximately 800 employees (390 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, 250 in the Primary Metals segment, 85 in the Alumina segment, and 75 in Corporate), including $10 ($7 after-tax) for the layoff of an additional 170 employees related to the previously reported smelter curtailments in Spain (see 2011 Actions below); $30 ($30 after-tax) in asset impairments and $6 ($6 after-tax) for lease and contract termination costs due to a decision to exit the lithographic sheet business in Bohai, China; $11 ($11 after-tax) in costs to idle the Portovesme smelter (see 2011 Actions below); $10 ($8 after-tax) in other asset impairments; a net charge of $4 ($4 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for other miscellaneous items; and $21 ($15 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the reversal of a number of layoff reserves related to prior periods, including $10 ($7 after-tax) related to the smelters in Spain. The reversal related to the smelters in Spain is due to lower than expected costs based on agreements with employee representatives and the government, as well as a reduction of 55 in the number of layoffs due to the anticipation of the restart of a portion of the previously curtailed capacity based on an agreement with the Spanish government that will provide interruptibility rights (i.e. compensation for power interruptions when grids are overloaded) to the smelters during 2013. A portion of this reversal relates to layoff costs recorded at the end of 2011 (see 2011 Actions below) and a portion of this reversal relates to layoff costs recorded during 2012 (see above).

As of December 31, 2013, the separations associated with 2012 restructuring programs were essentially complete. In 2013 and 2012, cash payments of $17 and $16, respectively, were made against layoff reserves related to the 2012 restructuring programs.

2011 Actions. In 2011, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $281 ($181 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), which were comprised of the following components: $127 ($82 after-tax) in asset impairments and $36 ($23 after-tax) in other exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and planned demolition of certain idled structures at two U.S. locations (see below); $93 ($68 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the layoff of approximately 1,600 employees (820 in the Primary Metals segment, 470 in the Global Rolled Products segment, 160 in the Alumina segment, 20 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, and 130 in Corporate), including the effects of planned smelter curtailments (see below); $23 ($12 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for other asset impairments, including the write-off of the carrying value of an idled structure in Australia that processed spent pot lining and adjustments to the fair value of the one remaining foil location while it was classified as held for sale due to foreign currency movements; $20 ($8 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for a litigation matter related to the former St. Croix location (see Other Matters under Litigation in Note N); a net charge of $5 ($4 after-tax) for other miscellaneous items; and $23 ($16 after-tax) for the reversal of previously recorded layoff reserves due to normal attrition and changes in facts and circumstances, including a change in plans for Alcoa’s aluminum powder facility in Rockdale, TX.

In late 2011, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of certain facilities at two U.S. locations, each of which was previously temporarily idled for various reasons. The identified facilities are the smelter located in Alcoa, TN (capacity of 215,000 metric-tons-per-year) and two potlines (capacity of 76,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the smelter located in Rockdale, TX (remaining capacity of 191,000 metric-tons-per-year composed of four potlines). Demolition and remediation activities related to these actions began in 2012 and are expected to be completed in 2015 for the Tennessee smelter and in 2013 for the two potlines at the Rockdale smelter (essentially complete as of December 31, 2013). This decision was made after a comprehensive strategic analysis was performed to determine the best course of action for each facility. Factors leading to this decision were in general focused on achieving sustained competitiveness and included, among others: lack of an economically viable, long-term power solution; changed market fundamentals; cost competitiveness; required future capital investment; and restart costs. The asset impairments of $127 represent the write off of the remaining book value of properties, plants, and equipment related to these facilities. Additionally, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies, were written down to their net realizable value resulting in a charge of $6 ($4 after-tax), which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. The other exit costs of $36 represent $18 ($11 after-tax) in environmental remediation and $17 ($11 after-tax) in asset retirement obligations, both triggered by the decision to permanently shut down and demolish these structures, and $1 ($1 after-tax) in other related costs.

Also, at the end of 2011, management approved a partial or full curtailment of three European smelters as follows: Portovesme, Italy (150,000 metric-tons-per-year); Avilés, Spain (46,000 metric tons out of 93,000 metric-tons-per-year); and La Coruña, Spain (44,000 metric tons out of 87,000 metric-tons-per-year). These curtailments were completed by the end of 2012. The curtailment of the Portovesme smelter may lead to the permanent closure of the facility, which would result in future charges, while the curtailments at the two smelters in Spain are planned to be temporary. These actions were the result of uncompetitive energy positions, combined with rising material costs and falling aluminum prices (mid-2011 to late 2011). As a result of these decisions, Alcoa recorded costs of $33 ($31 after-tax) for the layoff of approximately 650 employees. As Alcoa engaged in discussions with the respective employee representatives and governments, additional charges were recognized in 2012 (see 2012 Actions above).

As of December 31, 2013, the separations associated with 2011 restructuring programs were essentially complete. In 2013 and 2012, cash payments of $11 and $23, respectively, were made against layoff reserves related to the 2011 restructuring programs.

Alcoa does not include Restructuring and other charges in the results of its reportable segments. The pretax impact of allocating such charges to segment results would have been as follows:

 

      2013      2012      2011  

Alumina

   $ 11       $ 3       $ 39   

Primary Metals

     295         20         212   

Global Rolled Products

     15         43         19   

Engineered Products and Solutions

     27         13         (3

Segment total

     348         79         267   

Corporate

     434         93         14   

Total restructuring and other charges

   $ 782       $ 172       $ 281   

 

Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges were as follows:

 

      Layoff
costs
    Other
exit costs
    Total  

Reserve balances at December 31, 2010

   $ 53      $ 63      $ 116   

2011:

      

Cash payments

     (45     (9     (54

Restructuring charges

     93        37        130   

Other*

     (24     (34     (58

Reserve balances at December 31, 2011

     77        57        134   

2012:

      

Cash payments

     (44     (13     (57

Restructuring charges

     47        13        60   

Other*

     (21     (5     (26

Reserve balances at December 31, 2012

     59        52        111   

2013:

      

Cash payments

     (63     (11     (74

Restructuring charges

     201        85        286   

Other*

     (101     (84     (185

Reserve balances at December 31, 2013

   $ 96      $ 42      $ 138   
* Other includes reversals of previously recorded restructuring charges and the effects of foreign currency translation. In 2013, Other for layoff costs also included a reclassification of $92 in pension costs, as this obligation was included in Alcoa’s separate liability for pension obligations (see Note W). Also in 2013, Other for other exit costs also included a reclassification of the following restructuring charges: $58 in asset retirement and $12 in environmental obligations, as these liabilities were included in Alcoa’s separate reserves for asset retirement obligations (see Note C) and environmental remediation (see Note N), respectively. In 2011, Other for other exit costs also included a reclassification of the following restructuring charges: $18 in environmental and $17 in asset retirement obligations, as these liabilities were included in Alcoa’s separate reserves for environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations, respectively.

The remaining reserves are expected to be paid in cash during 2014, with the exception of approximately $30 to $35, which is expected to be paid over the next several years for lease termination costs, ongoing site remediation work, and special separation benefit payments.