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Restructuring and Other Charges
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Other Charges

D. Restructuring and Other Charges – In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2014, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $209 ($175 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) and $780 ($503 after-tax and noncontrolling interest), respectively.

Restructuring and other charges in the 2014 third quarter included $220 ($186 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for exit costs related to decisions to permanently shut down and demolish two smelters and two rolling mills (see below); $5 ($4 after-tax) for a gain on the sale of assets related to a previously shutdown location; a charge of $4 ($2 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for other miscellaneous items; and $10 ($9 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for the reversal of a number of layoff reserves related to prior periods, including those associated with a smelter in Italy due to changes in facts and circumstances (see below).

In the 2014 nine-month period, Restructuring and other charges included $663 ($426 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for exit costs related to decisions to permanently shut down and demolish three smelters and two rolling mills (see below); $67 ($44 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for the temporary curtailment of two smelters and a related production slowdown at one refinery (see below); $33 ($26 after-tax) for asset impairments related to prior capitalized costs for a modernization project at a smelter in Canada that is no longer being pursued; $18 ($11 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for layoff costs, including the separation of approximately 245 employees (115 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, 30 in the Global Rolled Products segment,10 in the Alumina and Primary Metals segments combined, and 90 in Corporate); a charge of $16 ($9 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for other miscellaneous items; and $17 ($13 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for the reversal of a number of layoff reserves related to prior periods, including those associated with a smelter in Italy due to changes in facts and circumstances (see below).

In the 2014 first quarter, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of the remaining capacity (84,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the Massena East smelter in New York and the full capacity (190,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the Point Henry smelter in Australia. The capacity at Massena East was fully shut down by the end of the first quarter of 2014 and the Point Henry smelter was fully shut down in August 2014. Demolition and remediation activities related to both the Massena East and Point Henry smelters will begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2020 and 2018, respectively.

The decisions on the Massena East and Point Henry smelters were part of a 15-month review of 460,000 metric tons of smelting capacity initiated by management in the 2013 second quarter for possible curtailment. Through this review, management determined that the remaining capacity of the Massena East smelter was no longer competitive and the Point Henry smelter had no prospect of becoming financially viable. Management also initiated the temporary curtailment of the remaining capacity (62,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the Poços de Caldas smelter and additional capacity (85,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the São Luís smelter, both in Brazil. These curtailments were completed by the end of May 2014. As a result of these curtailments, production at the Poços de Caldas refinery was reduced (200,000 metric-tons-per-year), which was completed by the end of the 2014 second quarter.

Also in the 2014 first quarter, management approved the permanent shutdown of Alcoa’s two rolling mills in Australia, Point Henry and Yennora. This decision was made due to the significant impact of excess can sheet capacity in both Australia and Asia. The two rolling mills have a combined can sheet capacity of 200,000 metric-tons-per-year and will be closed by the end of 2014. Demolition and remediation activities related to the two rolling mills will begin in 2015 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

In the 2014 third quarter, management approved the permanent shutdown and demolition of the capacity (150,000 metric-tons-per-year) at the Portovesme smelter in Italy, which has been idle since November 2012. This decision was made because the fundamental reasons that made the Portovesme smelter uncompetitive remain unchanged, including the lack of a viable long-term power solution. Demolition and remediation activities related to the Portovesme smelter will begin in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2014, costs related to the shutdown and curtailment actions included $60 and $197, respectively, for the layoff of approximately 1,780 employees (1,200 in the Primary Metals segment, 470 in the Global Rolled Products segment, 80 in the Alumina segment, and 30 in Corporate), including $18 in pension costs (see Note O); accelerated depreciation of $40 and $190, respectively, related to the three facilities in Australia as they continue to operate during 2014 (the smelter operated for one month in the 2014 third quarter); asset impairments of $74 and $165, respectively, representing the write-off of the remaining book value of all related properties, plants, and equipment; and $45 and $178, respectively, in other exit costs (see below). Additionally in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2014, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies and raw materials, were written down to their net realizable value, resulting in a charge of $33 ($27 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) and $67 ($47 after-tax and noncontrolling interest), respectively, which was recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. The other exit costs in the 2014 third quarter and nine-month period represent $40 and $95, respectively, in asset retirement obligations and $4 and $42, respectively, in environmental remediation, both of which were triggered by the decisions to permanently shut down and demolish the aforementioned structures in the U.S., Australia, and Italy, and $1 and $41, respectively, in other related costs, including supplier and customer contract-related costs. Additional charges of approximately $25 are expected to be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014 related to these shutdown actions in Australia.

In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2013, Alcoa recorded Restructuring and other charges of $151 ($108 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) and $402 ($283 after-tax and noncontrolling interests), respectively.

Restructuring and other charges in the 2013 third quarter included $152 ($109 after-tax) for exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and demolition of certain structures at two smelter locations (see below); a charge of $1 ($1 after-tax) for other miscellaneous items; and $2 ($2 after-tax and noncontrolling interest) for the reversal of a number of small layoff reserves related to prior periods.

In the 2013 nine-month period, Restructuring and other charges included $238 ($179 after-tax) for exit costs related to the permanent shutdown and demolition of certain structures at three smelter locations (see below); $103 ($62 after noncontrolling interest) related to a legal matter; $29 ($19 after-tax) for asset impairments and related costs for retirements of previously idled structures; $27 ($20 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for layoff costs, including the separation of approximately 510 employees (190 in the Global Rolled Products segment, 170 in the Engineered Products and Solutions segment, 120 in the Primary Metals segment, and 30 in Corporate) and a pension plan settlement charge related to previously separated employees; a charge of $9 ($6 after-tax) for other miscellaneous items; and $4 ($3 after-tax and noncontrolling interests) for the reversal of a number of small layoff reserves related to prior periods.

In the 2013 second quarter, 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 the 2013 third quarter, 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 the third quarter of 2013 while the Fusina smelter was previously temporarily idled in 2010. Demolition and remediation activities related to all three facilities began in the fourth quarter of 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 were part of a 15-month review of 460,000 metric tons of smelting capacity initiated by management earlier in the 2013 second quarter for possible curtailment (announced on May 1, 2013), while the decision on the Fusina smelter was 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.

In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2013, exit costs related to these actions included $107 for the layoff of approximately 520 employees (Primary Metals segment) in both periods, including $78 in pension costs (see Note O); accelerated depreciation of $35 and $58, respectively, (Baie Comeau) and asset impairments of $4 and $18, respectively, (Fusina and Massena East) representing the write off of the remaining book value of all related properties, plants, and equipment; and $6 and $55, respectively, in other exit costs. Additionally in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2013, remaining inventories, mostly operating supplies and raw materials, were written down to their net realizable value, resulting in a charge of $2 ($1 after-tax) and $9 ($6 after-tax), respectively, 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 of which were triggered by the decisions to permanently shut down and demolish these structures, and $2 in other related costs.

 

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:

 

     Third quarter ended
September 30,
     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Alumina

   $ 1       $ —         $ 8       $ —     

Primary Metals

     193         150         608         244   

Global Rolled Products

     13         —           126         10   

Engineered Products and Solutions

     —           —           4         22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment total

     207         150         746         276   

Corporate

     2         1         34         126   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total restructuring and other charges

   $ 209       $ 151       $ 780       $ 402   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2014, approximately 1,300 of the 2,025 employees associated with 2014 restructuring programs and approximately 1,390 of the 1,620 employees associated with 2013 restructuring programs were separated. The remaining separations for the 2014 and 2013 restructuring programs are expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

In the 2014 third quarter and nine-month period, cash payments of $66 and $89, respectively, were made against the layoff reserves related to the 2014 restructuring programs and $4 and $36, respectively, were made against the layoff reserves related to the 2013 restructuring programs.

Activity and reserve balances for restructuring charges were as follows:

 

     Layoff
costs
    Other
exit costs
    Total  

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   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2014:

      

Cash payments

     (136     (15     (151

Restructuring charges

     215        186        401   

Other*

     (40     (176     (216
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Reserve balances at September 30, 2014

   $ 135      $ 37      $ 172   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Other includes reversals of previously recorded restructuring charges and the effects of foreign currency translation. In the 2014 nine-month period, Other for layoff costs also included a reclassification of $18 in pension costs, as this obligation was included in Alcoa’s separate liability for pension obligations. Additionally in the 2014 nine-month period, Other for other exit costs also included a reclassification of the following restructuring charges: $95 in asset retirement and $47 in environmental obligations, as these liabilities are included in Alcoa’s separate reserves for asset retirement obligations and environmental remediation (see Note H), respectively. 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. Additionally 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 and environmental remediation, respectively.

The remaining reserves are expected to be paid in cash during 2014, with the exception of approximately $75 to $80, which is expected to be paid over the next several years for special separation benefit payments, lease termination costs, and ongoing site remediation work.