-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, IEtHs/Us4JqQm00oL/h7+P8hrPXdhWc8JA1Zs79etTSkwBtQh15t6Q5E/MYQg6xl bxGJnfV/l/DuOIK0nFepHQ== 0001193125-05-099044.txt : 20050506 0001193125-05-099044.hdr.sgml : 20050506 20050506142835 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-099044 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050506 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050506 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: OLIN CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000074303 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350] IRS NUMBER: 131872319 STATE OF INCORPORATION: VA FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-01070 FILM NUMBER: 05807213 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: OLIN CORP STREET 2: 190 CARONDELET PLAZA SUITE 1530 CITY: CLAYTON STATE: MO ZIP: 63105 BUSINESS PHONE: 3144801400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: OLIN CORP STREET 2: 190 CARONDELET PLAZA SUITE 1530 CITY: CLAYTON STATE: MO ZIP: 63105 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: OLIN MATHIESON CHEMICAL CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19691008 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2005 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005

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 March 31, 2005

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission file number 1-1070

 


 

Olin Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Virginia   13-1872319

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

190 Carondelet Plaza, Suite 1530, Clayton, MO   63105-3443
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(314) 480-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

(Former name, address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

As of April 30, 2005, there were outstanding 71,172,822 shares of the registrant’s common stock.

 



Part I — Financial Information

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


    March 31,
2004


 

ASSETS

                        

Current Assets:

                        

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 156.8     $ 147.3     $ 185.8  

Accounts Receivable, Net

     307.5       242.9       257.8  

Inventories, Net

     263.6       256.5       246.1  

Current Deferred Income Taxes

     31.2       47.1       33.2  

Other Current Assets

     13.0       18.8       14.1  
    


 


 


Total Current Assets

     772.1       712.6       737.0  

Property, Plant and Equipment (less Accumulated Depreciation of $1,362.5, $1,348.1 and $1,317.2)

     468.4       478.0       483.8  

Prepaid Pension Costs

     257.8       257.8       224.7  

Deferred Income Taxes

     65.0       67.4       97.0  

Other Assets

     32.1       23.8       29.8  

Goodwill

     74.6       78.3       79.5  

Net Assets of Discontinued Operations

     —         —         10.9  
    


 


 


Total Assets

   $ 1,670.0     $ 1,617.9     $ 1,662.7  
    


 


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                        

Current Liabilities:

                        

Current Installments of Long-Term Debt

   $ 51.9     $ 52.0     $ 9.7  

Accounts Payable

     130.6       117.7       140.7  

Income Taxes Payable

     0.4       0.3       48.4  

Accrued Liabilities

     155.7       151.5       143.4  
    


 


 


Total Current Liabilities

     338.6       321.5       342.2  

Long-Term Debt

     257.5       260.7       318.8  

Accrued Pension Liability

     508.6       505.2       472.6  

Other Liabilities

     176.9       174.6       177.5  
    


 


 


Total Liabilities

     1,281.6       1,262.0       1,311.1  
    


 


 


Commitments and Contingencies

                        

Shareholders’ Equity:

                        

Common Stock, Par Value $1 Per Share:

                        

Authorized, 120.0 Shares; Issued and Outstanding of 71.1, 70.6 and 69.3 Shares

     71.1       70.6       69.3  

Additional Paid-In Capital

     668.4       659.5       637.6  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

     (273.2 )     (273.3 )     (244.4 )

Accumulated Deficit

     (77.9 )     (100.9 )     (110.9 )
    


 


 


Total Shareholders’ Equity

     388.4       355.9       351.6  
    


 


 


Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 1,670.0     $ 1,617.9     $ 1,662.7  
    


 


 


 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

2


OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Income

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Sales

   $ 560.9    $ 482.9

Operating Expenses:

             

Cost of Goods Sold

     473.9      432.1

Selling and Administration

     38.8      32.3

Research and Development

     1.2      1.0

Restructuring Charges

     0.3      8.9

Other Operating Income

     8.2      —  
    

  

Operating Income

     54.9      8.6

Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates

     8.6      0.5

Interest Expense

     5.4      5.0

Interest Income

     1.2      0.5

Other Income

     0.1      0.5
    

  

Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

     59.4      5.1

Income Tax Provision

     22.2      2.3
    

  

Income from Continuing Operations

     37.2      2.8

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net

     —        0.1
    

  

Net Income

   $ 37.2    $ 2.9
    

  

Basic and Diluted Income per Common Share:

             

Income from Continuing Operations

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net

     —        —  
    

  

Net Income

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04
    

  

Dividends per Common Share

   $ 0.20    $ 0.20

Average Common Shares Outstanding:

             

Basic

     70.8      64.1

Diluted

     71.4      64.4

 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

3


OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock

   Additional
Paid-In
Capital


   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss


    Accumulated
Deficit


    Total
Shareholders’
Equity


 
     Shares
Issued


   Par
Value


         

Balance at January 1, 2004

   59.0    $ 59.0    $ 464.3    $ (246.8 )   $ (100.0 )   $ 176.5  

Comprehensive Income:

                                           

Net Income

   —        —        —        —         2.9       2.9  

Translation Adjustment

   —        —        —        0.9       —         0.9  

Net Unrealized Gains

   —        —        —        1.5       —         1.5  
                                       


Comprehensive Income

   —        —        —        —         —         5.3  

Dividends Paid:

                                           

Common Stock ($0.20 per share)

   —        —        —        —         (13.8 )     (13.8 )

Common Stock Issued for:

                                           

Stock Options Exercised

   0.1      0.1      1.5      —         —         1.6  

Employee Benefit Plans

   0.2      0.2      3.6      —         —         3.8  

Cash

   10.0      10.0      168.0      —         —         178.0  

Other Transactions

   —        —        0.2      —         —         0.2  
    
  

  

  


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2004

   69.3    $ 69.3    $ 637.6    $ (244.4 )   $ (110.9 )   $ 351.6  
    
  

  

  


 


 


Balance at January 1, 2005

   70.6    $ 70.6    $ 659.5    $ (273.3 )   $ (100.9 )   $ 355.9  

Comprehensive Income:

                                           

Net Income

   —        —        —        —         37.2       37.2  

Translation Adjustment

   —        —        —        (1.3 )     —         (1.3 )

Net Unrealized Gains

   —        —        —        1.4       —         1.4  
                                       


Comprehensive Income

   —        —        —        —         —         37.3  

Dividends Paid:

                                           

Common Stock ($0.20 per share)

   —        —        —        —         (14.2 )     (14.2 )

Common Stock Issued for:

                                           

Stock Options Exercised

   0.3      0.3      5.0      —         —         5.3  

Employee Benefit Plans

   0.2      0.2      3.6      —         —         3.8  

Other Transactions

   —        —        0.3      —         —         0.3  
    
  

  

  


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2005

   71.1    $ 71.1    $ 668.4    $ (273.2 )   $ (77.9 )   $ 388.4  
    
  

  

  


 


 


 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

4


OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Operating Activities

                

Income from Continuing Operations

   $ 37.2     $ 2.8  

Adjustments to Reconcile Income from Continuing Operations to Net Cash and Cash Equivalents Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities:

                

Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates

     (8.6 )     (0.5 )

Other Operating Income – Gain on Disposition of Property, Plant & Equipment

     (8.2 )     —    

Depreciation and Amortization

     17.5       18.1  

Deferred Income Taxes

     22.0       (35.0 )

Qualified Pension Plan Contribution

     —         (125.0 )

Qualified Pension Plan Expense

     5.6       1.8  

Common Stock Issued under Employee Benefit Plans

     0.7       0.7  

Change in:

                

Receivables

     (64.6 )     (75.6 )

Inventories

     (7.1 )     (7.3 )

Other Current Assets

     5.8       (4.6 )

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

     17.1       33.5  

Income Taxes Payable

     0.1       37.3  

Other Assets

     (0.3 )     —    

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

     0.4       2.7  

Other Operating Activities

     1.7       0.9  
    


 


Cash Provided by (Used for) Continuing Operations, Net

     19.3       (150.2 )

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net

     —         0.1  
    


 


Net Operating Activities

     19.3       (150.1 )
    


 


Investing Activities

                

Capital Expenditures

     (12.1 )     (7.2 )

Investments and Advances—Affiliated Companies at Equity

     (2.6 )     0.9  

Disposition of Property, Plant and Equipment

     12.6       0.6  

Other Investing Activities

     (1.3 )     0.9  
    


 


Net Investing Activities

     (3.4 )     (4.8 )
    


 


Financing Activities

                

Long-Term Debt Repayments

     (0.6 )     (18.0 )

Issuance of Common Stock

     3.1       181.1  

Stock Options Exercised

     5.3       1.6  

Dividends Paid

     (14.2 )     (13.8 )
    


 


Net Financing Activities

     (6.4 )     150.9  
    


 


Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     9.5       (4.0 )

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

     147.3       189.8  
    


 


Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

   $ 156.8     $ 185.8  
    


 


 

The accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of the condensed financial statements.

 

5


OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

(Tabular amounts in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

1. Olin Corporation is a Virginia corporation, incorporated in 1892. We are a manufacturer concentrated in three business segments: Metals, Chlor Alkali Products, and Winchester. Metals, with its principal manufacturing facilities in East Alton, IL and Montpelier, OH, produces and distributes copper and copper alloy sheet, strip, foil, rod, welded tube, fabricated parts, and stainless steel and aluminum strip. Chlor Alkali Products, with four U.S. manufacturing facilities, produces chlorine and caustic soda, sodium hydrosulfite, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products, and potassium hydroxide. Winchester, with its principal manufacturing facility in East Alton, IL, produces sporting ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition, and industrial cartridges.

 

We have prepared the condensed financial statements included herein, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. In our opinion, these financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal accruals), which are necessary to present fairly the results for interim periods. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations; however, we believe that the disclosures are appropriate. We recommend that you read these condensed financial statements in conjunction with the financial statements, accounting policies, and the notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Certain reclassifications were made to prior year amounts to conform to the 2005 presentation.

 

2. Accounts receivable, net includes allowance for doubtful accounts of $9.0 million, $8.6 million and $8.7 million at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively. Provisions charged to operations were $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

3. Inventory consists of the following:

 

     March 31,
2005


    December 31,
2004


    March 31,
2004


 

Supplies

   $ 33.6     $ 34.2     $ 34.9  

Raw materials

     135.1       133.3       92.2  

Work in process

     129.0       118.8       141.4  

Finished goods

     107.2       89.9       80.6  
    


 


 


       404.9       376.2       349.1  

LIFO reserve

     (141.3 )     (119.7 )     (103.0 )
    


 


 


Inventory, net

   $ 263.6     $ 256.5     $ 246.1  
    


 


 


 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined principally by the dollar value last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of inventory accounting. Cost for other inventories has been determined principally by the average cost (primarily operating supplies, spare parts, and maintenance parts) and first-in, first-out (FIFO) (primarily inventory of foreign subsidiaries) methods. Elements of costs in inventories include raw materials, direct labor, and manufacturing overhead. Inventories under the LIFO method are based on annual estimates of quantities and costs as of year-end; therefore, the condensed financial statements at March 31, 2005, reflect certain estimates relating to inventory quantities and costs at December 31, 2005. If the FIFO method of inventory accounting had been used, inventories would have been approximately $141.3 million, $119.7 million and $103.0 million higher than that reported at March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004, respectively.

 

4. Basic and diluted income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 reflect the dilutive effect of stock options.

 

6


     Three Months
Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Computation of Basic Income per Share

             

Income from continuing operations

   $ 37.2    $ 2.8

Income from discontinued operations, net

     —        0.1
    

  

Net income

   $ 37.2    $ 2.9
    

  

Basic shares

     70.8      64.1

Basic Income per Share:

             

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04

Income from discontinued operations, net

     —        —  
    

  

Net income

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04
    

  

Computation of Diluted Income per Share

             

Income from continuing operations

   $ 37.2    $ 2.8

Income from discontinued operations, net

     —        0.1
    

  

Net income

   $ 37.2    $ 2.9
    

  

Diluted shares:

             

Basic shares

     70.8      64.1

Stock options

     0.6      0.3
    

  

Diluted shares

     71.4      64.4
    

  

Diluted Income per Share:

             

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04

Income from discontinued operations, net

     —        —  
    

  

Net income

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04
    

  

 

5. We are party to various governmental and private environmental actions associated with past manufacturing operations and former waste disposal sites. Environmental provisions charged to income amounted to $4.4 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Charges to income for investigatory and remedial efforts were material to operating results in 2004 and are expected to be material to operating results in 2005. The consolidated balance sheets include reserves for future environmental expenditures to investigate and remediate known sites amounting to $100.8 million at March 31, 2005, $99.8 million at December 31, 2004 and $95.1 million at March 31, 2004 of which $72.8 million, $71.8 million, and $69.1 million were classified as other noncurrent liabilities, respectively.

 

Environmental exposures are difficult to assess for numerous reasons, including the identification of new sites, developments at sites resulting from investigatory studies, advances in technology, changes in environmental laws and regulations and their application, the scarcity of reliable data pertaining to identified sites, the difficulty in assessing the involvement and financial capability of other potentially responsible parties and our ability to obtain contributions from other parties and the lengthy time periods over which site remediation occurs. It is possible that some of these matters (the outcomes of which are subject to various uncertainties) may be resolved unfavorably to us, which could materially adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.

 

6. The Board of Directors in April, 1998, authorized a share repurchase program of up to 5 million shares of our common stock. We have repurchased 4,845,924 shares under the April 1998 program. There were no share repurchases during the first three months of 2005 and 2004. At March 31, 2005, 154,076 shares remain authorized to be purchased.

 

7. On February 3, 2004, we issued and sold 10 million shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $18.00 per share. Net proceeds from the sale were $178.0 million and were used to make a voluntary contribution of $125.0 million to our pension plan. In March 2004, we used $17.5 million from the proceeds of the stock offering to repay the Illinois Industrial Pollution Control Revenue Bond, which became due in March of 2004. The remaining balance ($35.5 million) of the proceeds was used in April 2004 to pay a portion of Federal income taxes related to prior periods.

 

We issued approximately 0.3 million and 0.1 million shares with a total value of $5.3 million and $1.6 million, representing stock options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we issued approximately 0.2 million shares with a total value of $4.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively, in connection with our Contributing Employee Ownership Plan and our deferred compensation programs.

 

7


8. Other operating income may include items such as gains (losses) on disposition of property, plant, equipment, insurance recoveries and other miscellaneous operating items. Other operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2005, included the gains on the disposition of two real estate properties. The first disposition represented the settlement of a contested condemnation award relating to land associated with a former warehousing facility. The other transaction represented the disposition of land associated with a former manufacturing plant. These dispositions generated net cash proceeds of $12.2 million, resulting in a pretax gain of $8.2 million. A portion of the gain on these dispositions is a capital gain, and the tax will be offset by capital loss carryforwards acquired with the Chase business. The utilization of these carryforwards resulted in a $3.7 million reduction in the goodwill recorded as part of the Chase acquisition and had no impact on the effective tax rate.

 

9. We define segment results as income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, other income, and income taxes, and include the operating results of non-consolidated affiliates. Intersegment sales of $15.2 million and $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing the sale of ammunition cartridge cups to Winchester from Metals, at prices that approximate market, have been eliminated from Metals segment sales.

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Sales:

                

Metals

   $ 333.9     $ 308.3  

Chlor Alkali Products

     143.7       99.9  

Winchester

     83.3       74.7  
    


 


Total Sales

   $ 560.9     $ 482.9  
    


 


Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes:

                

Metals(1)

   $ 13.7     $ 14.6  

Chlor Alkali Products (1)

     58.6       10.4  

Winchester

     3.4       6.1  

Corporate/Other:

                

Pension (Expense) Income(2)

     (1.0 )     2.0  

Environmental Provision

     (4.4 )     (6.3 )

Other Corporate and Unallocated Costs

     (14.7 )     (8.8 )

Restructuring Charges

     (0.3 )     (8.9 )

Other Operating Income

     8.2       —    

Interest Expense

     (5.4 )     (5.0 )

Interest Income

     1.2       0.5  

Other Income

     0.1       0.5  
    


 


Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

   $ 59.4     $ 5.1  
    


 



(1) Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates are included in the segment results consistent with management’s monitoring of the operating segments. The earnings from non-consolidated affiliates, by segment, are as follows:

 

    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Metals

   $ 0.2    $ 0.4

Chlor Alkali

     8.4      0.1
    

  

Earnings of Non-Consolidated Affiliates

   $ 8.6    $ 0.5
    

  


(2) The service cost and the amortization of prior service cost components of pension expense related to the employees of the operating segments are allocated to the operating segments based on their respective estimated census data. All other components of pension costs are included in Corporate/Other and include items such as the expected return on plan assets, interest cost, and recognized actuarial gains and losses.

 

10. Effective January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”, which addresses financial accounting requirements for retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets. On January 1, 2003, we recorded a liability of $41.5 million (of which $7.0 million and $34.5 million were in current liabilities and noncurrent liabilities, respectively). Certain asset retirement obligations associated with production technology and building materials have not been recorded because these retirement obligations have an indeterminate life, and accordingly, the retirement obligation cannot be reasonably estimated.

 

8


The balances of our asset retirement obligation are as follows:

 

     March 31,
2005


   December 31,
2004


   March 31,
2004


Current liability

   $ 3.2    $ 3.2    $ 6.3

Noncurrent liability

     35.5      35.2      34.9
    

  

  

     $ 38.7    $ 38.4    $ 41.2
    

  

  

 

In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No. 47 “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations.” This interpretation clarifies the definition of conditional asset retirement obligations used in SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” This interpretation also clarifies when a company would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. We are continuing to evaluate the effect of this interpretation on our financial statements; however, we currently believe that this interpretation will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

11. On January 29, 2004, we announced that our board of directors approved plans to relocate our corporate offices for organizational, strategic and economic reasons. By the end of 2004, we had completed the relocation of a portion of our corporate services personnel from Norwalk, CT to our Main Office Building in East Alton, IL. We also established our new corporate headquarters in nearby Clayton, which is in St. Louis County, MO, for logistical and other reasons. The relocation of the corporate offices was accompanied by a downsized corporate structure more appropriate for us in today’s competitive business environment. The headquarters relocation was completed by the end of 2004. We expect the efficiencies of being substantially co-located with the Brass and Winchester businesses will result in corporate personnel being reduced with total projected annual savings of approximately $6 million by 2006. Restructuring charges of $0.3 million and $8.9 million were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. An additional $1.2 million of restructuring charges were recorded during the balance of 2004. We expect to incur approximately $0.7 million of expense during the balance of 2005. The corporate restructuring charges included primarily employee severance and related benefit costs, relocation expense, pension curtailment expense and the incurred cost for outplacement services for all affected employees. At March 31, 2005, we have utilized $6.5 million of the total restructuring charge recorded of $10.4 million.

 

12. In 1996, we adopted SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and as permitted by SFAS No. 123, we continue to account for the costs of stock compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APBO) No. 25. In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” This statement provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure about the effects on reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. We adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148 on January 1, 2003.

 

Under SFAS No. 148, pro forma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share were calculated based on the following assumptions as if we had recorded compensation expense for the stock options granted during the year. We had no compensation expense for stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The fair value of each option granted during 2005 and 2004 was estimated on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used: dividend yield of 3.36% in 2005 and 4.32% in 2004, risk-free interest rate of 3.86% in 2005 and 3.18% in 2004, expected volatility of 27% in 2005 and 40% in 2004, and an expected life of 7 years. The fair value of options granted during 2005 and 2004 was $5.48 and $5.37, respectively. The following table shows the difference between reported and pro forma net income and income per share as if we had recorded compensation expense for the stock options granted during the year.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Net income

                

As reported

   $ 37.2     $ 2.9  

Stock-based employee compensation expense, net of tax

     (0.5 )     (0.5 )
    


 


Pro forma

   $ 36.7     $ 2.4  
    


 


Per Share Data:

                

Basic

                

As reported

   $ 0.52     $ 0.04  

Pro forma

   $ 0.51     $ 0.04  

Diluted

                

As reported

   $ 0.52     $ 0.04  

Pro forma

   $ 0.51     $ 0.04  

 

9


In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” This pronouncement revises the accounting treatment for stock-based compensation. It establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. This statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions.

 

This statement requires an entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award–the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). It requires that we will initially measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of liability instruments based on its current fair value; the aggregate value of that award will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period. Originally, this statement was effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. In April 2005, the SEC postponed the effective date of this statement to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005 (first quarter of 2006 for calendar year companies). Based upon the prospective adoption of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), the pretax impact for 2006 is expected to approximate $3 million to $4 million.

 

13. We guarantee debt and other obligations under agreements with our affiliated companies.

 

The following guarantee applies to our SunBelt joint venture. We, and our partner PolyOne Corporation (PolyOne), own equally the SunBelt Chlor Alkali Partnership (SunBelt joint venture). The construction of this plant and equipment was financed by the issuance of $195 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017. The SunBelt joint venture sold $97.5 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017, Series O, and $97.5 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017, Series G. We refer to these notes as the SunBelt Notes. We have guaranteed Series O of the Notes, and PolyOne has guaranteed Series G of the Notes, in both cases pursuant to customary guaranty agreements. Our guarantee and PolyOne’s guarantee are several, rather than joint. Therefore, we are not required to make any payments to satisfy the Series G Notes guaranteed by PolyOne. An insolvency or bankruptcy of PolyOne will not automatically trigger acceleration of the SunBelt Notes or cause us to be required to make payments under our guarantee, even if PolyOne is required to make payments under its guarantee. However, if the SunBelt joint venture does not make timely payments on the SunBelt Notes, whether as a result of a failure to pay on a guarantee or otherwise, the holders of the SunBelt Notes may proceed against the assets of the SunBelt joint venture for repayment. If we were to make debt service payments under our guarantee, we would have a right to recover such payments from the SunBelt joint venture.

 

Beginning on December 22, 2002 and each year through 2017, our SunBelt joint venture is required to repay approximately $12.2 million of the SunBelt Notes, of which approximately $6.1 million is attributable to the Series O Notes. After the payment of approximately $6.1 million on the Series O Notes in December 2004 our guarantee of the SunBelt Notes was approximately $79.2 million at March 31, 2005. In the event our SunBelt joint venture cannot make any of these payments, we would be required to fund our half of such payment. In certain other circumstances, we may also be required to repay the SunBelt Notes prior to their maturity. We and PolyOne have agreed that, if we or PolyOne intend to transfer our respective interests in the SunBelt joint venture and the transferring party is unable to obtain consent from holders of 80% of the aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness related to the guarantee being transferred after good faith negotiations, then we and PolyOne will be required to repay our respective portions of the SunBelt Notes. In such event, any make whole, or similar, penalties or costs will be paid by the transferring party.

 

In the normal course of business, we guarantee the principal and interest under a $0.3 million line of credit of one of our wholly-owned foreign affiliates. At March 31, 2005, our wholly-owned foreign affiliate had no borrowings outstanding under this line of credit, which would be utilized for working capital purposes.

 

14. Almost all of our domestic pension plans are non-contributory final-average-pay or flat-benefit plans and all domestic employees are covered by a pension plan. Our funding policy is consistent with the requirements of federal laws and regulations. Our foreign subsidiaries maintain pension and other benefit plans, which are consistent with statutory practices and are not significant. We also provide certain postretirement health care (medical) and life insurance benefits for eligible active and retired domestic employees. The health care plans are contributory.

 

In February and September 2004, we made voluntary pension plan contributions of $125.0 million and $43.0 million, respectively.

 

10


Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost:

 

     Pension Benefits

    Other
Postretirement
Benefits


 
     Three Months
Ended March 31,


    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Service cost

   $ 5.3     $ 4.8     $ 0.6     $ 0.5  

Interest cost

     23.2       23.1       1.3       1.3  

Expected return on plans’ assets

     (28.8 )     (29.1 )     —         —    

Amortization of prior service cost

     1.2       1.2       (0.2 )     (0.2 )

Recognized actuarial loss

     6.0       3.3       0.9       0.7  
    


 


 


 


Subtotal

     6.9       3.3       2.6       2.3  

Curtailment

     —         1.2       —         —    
    


 


 


 


Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 6.9     $ 4.5     $ 2.6     $ 2.3  
    


 


 


 


 

In the first quarter of 2004, we recorded a pension curtailment charge of $1.2 million in connection with the corporate restructuring. The restructuring charge is described under footnote 11.

 

15. On June 11, 2004, we sold our Olin Aegis business to HCC Industries, Inc. The operations of Olin Aegis represented the disposal of a component of an entity within our Metals business segment. Consequently, the financial data related to Olin Aegis is classified in the condensed financial statements as a discontinued operation for the March 31, 2004 period presented.

 

The operating results of discontinued operations were as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31, 2004


Net sales

   $ 6.1

Income before taxes

     0.1

Income tax provision

     —  
    

Net income

   $ 0.1
    

The major classes of assets and liabilities classified as net assets of discontinued operations of our Olin Aegis business at March 31, 2004 were as follows:

Accounts receivable, net

   $ 3.6

Inventory

     3.6

Other current assets

     0.1

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5.3

Other assets

     0.2
    

Total assets associated with assets held for sale

     12.8

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1.9
    

Net assets of discontinued operations

   $ 10.9
    

 

11


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

 

Business Background

 

Our manufacturing operations are concentrated in three business segments: Chlor Alkali Products, Metals and Winchester. All three are capital intensive manufacturing businesses with growth rates closely tied to the general economy. Each segment has a commodity element to it, and therefore, our ability to influence pricing is quite limited on the portion of the segment’s business that is strictly commodity. Our Chlor Alkali Products business is a commodity business where all supplier products are similar and price is the major supplier selection criterion. We have little or no ability to influence prices in this large, global commodity market. Cyclical price swings, driven by changes in supply/demand, can be abrupt and significant and, given capacity in our Chlor Alkali Products business, can lead to very significant changes in our overall profitability. While a majority of Metals sales are of a commodity nature, this business has a significant volume of specialty, engineered products targeted for specific end-uses. In these applications, technical capability and performance differentiate the product and play a significant role in product selection, and thus price is not the only selection criterion. Winchester also has a commodity element to its business, but a majority of Winchester ammunition is sold as a branded consumer product where there are opportunities to differentiate certain offerings through innovative new product development and enhanced product performance. While competitive pricing versus other branded ammunition products is important, it is not the only factor in product selection.

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

($ in millions, except per share data)    Three Months
Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Sales

   $ 560.9    $ 482.9

Costs of Goods Sold

     473.9      432.1
    

  

Gross Margin

     87.0      50.8

Selling and Administration

     38.8      32.3

Research and Development

     1.2      1.0

Restructuring Charges

     0.3      8.9

Other Operating Income

     8.2      —  
    

  

Operating Income

     54.9      8.6

Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates

     8.6      0.5

Interest Expense

     5.4      5.0

Interest Income

     1.2      0.5

Other Income

     0.1      0.5
    

  

Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

     59.4      5.1

Income Tax Provision

     22.2      2.3
    

  

Income from Continuing Operations

     37.2      2.8

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net

     —        0.1
    

  

Net Income

   $ 37.2    $ 2.9
    

  

Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share:

             

Income from Continuing Operations

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04

Discontinued Operations, Net

     —        —  
    

  

Net Income

   $ 0.52    $ 0.04
    

  

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $560.9 million compared with $482.9 million last year, an increase of $78.0 million, or 16%. Chlor Alkali Products sales were ahead of last year by $43.8 million primarily due to higher Electrochemical Unit (ECU) prices, which increased approximately 62% from the first three months of 2004. In the Metals segment, sales increased $25.6 million. The increase in Metals segment sales was primarily the result of increased metal prices partially offset by lower shipment volumes. Winchester sales were $8.6 million higher than last year, primarily due to increased demand from the U.S. military and law enforcement customers.

 

Gross margin increased $36.2 million over the prior year primarily as a result of higher ECU prices. The gross margin percentage increased to 16% for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from 11% for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The gross margin dollar increase of $36.2 million reflects higher ECU prices and was offset in part by the higher Metals sales resulting from increased metals values.

 

Selling and administration expenses as a percentage of sales were 7% in 2005 and 2004. Selling and administration expenses in 2005 were $6.5 million higher than in 2004 primarily due to higher legal expenses related to increased litigation activity ($5.5 million), pension expenses ($1.5 million), and higher incentive compensation expenses ($1.1 million) offset in part by lower consulting expenses ($1.2 million) and cost savings resulting from the corporate headquarters relocation ($1.0 million).

 

12


Restructuring charges of $0.3 million and $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, were the result of the 2004 relocation of our corporate offices. On January 29, 2004, we announced that our board of directors approved plans to relocate our corporate offices for organizational, strategic, and economic reasons. By the end of 2004, we had completed the relocation of a portion of our corporate services personnel from Norwalk, CT to our Main Office Building in East Alton, IL. We also established our new corporate headquarters in nearby Clayton, which is in St. Louis County, MO, for logistical and other reasons. The headquarters relocation was completed by the end of 2004. We expect to incur approximately $0.7 million of expense during the balance of 2005. The corporate restructuring charges included primarily employee severance and related benefit costs, relocation expense, pension curtailment expense, and the incurred cost for outplacement services for all affected employees.

 

Other operating income may include items such as gains (losses) on disposition of property, plant and equipment, insurance recoveries, and other miscellaneous operating items. Other operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 included the gains on the disposition of two real estate properties. The first disposition represented the settlement of a contested condemnation award relating to land associated with a former warehousing facility. The other transaction represented the disposition of land associated with a former manufacturing plant. These dispositions generated net proceeds of $12.2 million, resulting in a pretax gain of $8.2 million.

 

The earnings of non-consolidated affiliates were $8.6 million for the first quarter of 2005, an increase of $8.1 million from 2004, primarily due to higher ECU selling prices at the SunBelt joint venture.

 

Interest expense, net of interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 decreased from 2004 due to an increase in interest income in 2005 and a lower level of outstanding net debt, offset in part by the effect of higher short-term interest rates on debt. The higher interest income was due to interest income received on the disposition of real estate ($0.3 million) and increased interest income due to higher short-term interest rates on investments.

 

The 2005 first quarter effective tax rate of 37.4% is higher than the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes and income in certain foreign jurisdictions being taxed at higher rates. In the first quarter of 2005, the income tax provision includes a $0.8 million reduction in income tax expense resulting from a refund of interest paid in connection with the 2004 settlement of certain tax issues related to prior years. Excluding this $0.8 million reduction, the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2005 was 38.7%. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2004 of 45% was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to our inability to utilize state and foreign net operating losses in certain jurisdictions and income in other foreign jurisdictions being taxed at higher rates.

 

Segment Results

 

We define segment results as income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, other income, and income taxes, and include the operating results of non-consolidated affiliates. Intersegment sales of $15.2 million and $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively, representing the sale of ammunition cartridge cups to Winchester from Metals, at prices that approximate market, have been eliminated from Metals segment sales.

 

($ in millions)    Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Sales:

                

Metals

   $ 333.9     $ 308.3  

Chlor Alkali Products

     143.7       99.9  

Winchester

     83.3       74.7  
    


 


Total Sales

   $ 560.9     $ 482.9  
    


 


Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes:

                

Metals(1)

   $ 13.7     $ 14.6  

Chlor Alkali Products(1)

     58.6       10.4  

Winchester

     3.4       6.1  

Corporate/Other:

                

Pension (Expense) Income(2)

     (1.0 )     2.0  

Environmental Provision

     (4.4 )     (6.3 )

Other Corporate and Unallocated Costs

     (14.7 )     (8.8 )

Restructuring Charges

     (0.3 )     (8.9 )

Other Operating Income

     8.2       —    

Interest Expense

     (5.4 )     (5.0 )

Interest Income

     1.2       0.5  

Other Income

     0.1       0.5  
    


 


Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

   $ 59.4     $ 5.1  
    


 


 

13



(1) Earnings of non-consolidated affiliates are included in the segment results consistent with management’s monitoring of the operating segments. The earnings from non-consolidated affiliates, by segment, are as follows:

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


     2005

   2004

Metals

   $ 0.2    $ 0.4

Chlor Alkali

     8.4      0.1
    

  

Earnings of Non-consolidated Affiliates

   $ 8.6    $ 0.5
    

  


(2) The service cost and the amortization of prior service cost components of pension expense related to the employees of the operating segments are allocated to the operating segments based on their respective estimated census data. All other components of pension costs are included in Corporate/Other and include items such as the expected return on plan assets, interest cost, and recognized actuarial gains and losses.

 

Chlor Alkali Products

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $143.7 million compared to $99.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, an increase of 44%. The sales increase was due to higher ECU pricing, which increased approximately 62% from the first three months of 2004 and was partially offset by 3% lower volumes. Chlor Alkali posted segment income of $58.6 million, compared to $10.4 million for the first three months ended March 31, 2004. These results were at a record level driven by strong demand for both chlorine and caustic. Pricing increased over the fourth quarter of 2004 as contract terms and price indexing continued to favorably impact our average netbacks (gross selling price less freight and discounts). The price increase announcements made during the year 2004 and the first quarter of 2005 are being implemented as contract terms allow. Industry demand in the first quarter of 2005 was strong as most producers reported operating rates at or near 100% of operating capacity. We operated at an average of 96% of capacity, which was negatively impacted by the lack of transportation equipment and poor railroad performance. Our ECU netbacks, excluding our SunBelt joint venture, were approximately $485 for the first three months ended March 31, 2005, compared with approximately $300 for the first three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Earnings were higher in 2005 by $48.2 million because higher selling prices more than offset lower selling volumes and higher expenses. SunBelt joint venture’s 2005 results improved by approximately $8.1 million, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2004, primarily due to higher ECU prices. The higher expenses were due to increased manufacturing costs resulting from higher electricity costs primarily driven by natural gas and coal prices. Expenses also increased primarily due to higher legal expenses and incentive compensation costs.

 

Metals

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $333.9 million compared to sales in the three months ended March 31, 2004 of $308.3 million, an increase of 8%. This increase reflects higher metal values offset by lower shipment volumes. The average Commodity Metals Exchange (COMEX) copper price was approximately $1.47 per pound in the first quarter of 2005 compared with $1.23 per pound in 2004, or an increase of 20%. Total shipment volumes decreased by 4% from the three months ended March 31, 2004.

 

Shipments to the automotive segment decreased in 2005 by 8% from 2004 due to lower domestic automotive builds. Coinage shipments were down 7% from last year primarily due to the U.S. Mint’s introduction in 2004 of two new nickels commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Continued strong construction industry demand resulted in increased shipments of 3% to the building products segment. Shipments to the ammunition segment in the first quarter of 2005 remained strong with continued demand for military ordnance. Shipments to our electronics customers were down 13% from last year, due to lower demand from leadframe and electronic connector manufacturers.

 

14


The Metals segment income of $13.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to $14.6 million in 2004, a decrease of $0.9 million. Lower earnings were a result of lower shipment volumes.

 

Winchester

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

Sales were $83.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to the sales of $74.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, an increase of $8.6 million or 11.5%. Shipments of ammunition to the U.S. military increased by $5.4 million and sales of small caliber rounds to law enforcement organizations increased by $2.6 million from the first quarter of 2004. Commercial sales were similar to the first quarter of 2004. Segment income for the three months ended March 31, 2005 of $3.4 million declined by $2.7 million from $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The benefits from the higher sales and increased prices to the commercial customers were more than offset by a $6.0 million increase in costs of commodity metals and other raw materials.

 

Corporate/Other

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, pension expense included in Corporate/Other was $1.0 million compared with pension income of $2.0 million in 2004. The increase in corporate pension expense was due to the impact of a lower discount rate and the higher amortization of plan losses, primarily market losses on plan assets from prior periods. On a total company basis, pension expense for the three months ended March 31, 2005 was $6.9 million compared to $3.3 million in 2004.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, charges to income for environmental investigatory and remedial activities were $4.4 million compared with $6.3 million in 2004. This provision relates primarily to expected future remedial and investigatory activities associated with past manufacturing operations and former waste disposal sites. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we currently estimate that these charges to income for the full year to be in the $20 million range compared to $23 million for 2004.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, other corporate and unallocated costs were $14.7 million compared with $8.8 million in 2004. This increase was primarily due to higher legal expenses related to increased litigation activity ($4.8 million), professional service fees ($0.5 million) and incentive compensation expense ($0.8 million) and was offset in part by cost savings resulting from the corporate headquarters relocation ($1.0 million).

 

Outlook

 

In the second quarter of 2005, we expect earnings per share to be in the $0.45 per diluted share range. Earnings in the Chlor Alkali business are expected to improve further with higher expected ECU prices partially offset by higher transportation and seasonally higher electricity costs. Winchester earnings are expected to decrease from the first quarter of 2005 due to normal seasonal factors and start-up costs at our new Oxford, Mississippi facility. Metals earnings are expected to be lower than the first quarter as we continue to experience soft demand across most market segments.

 

Environmental Matters

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, cash outlays for environmental matters were $3.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively for environmental investigatory and remediation activities associated with former waste disposal sites and past manufacturing operations. Spending for investigatory and remedial efforts for the full year 2005 is estimated to be in the $25 million to $30 million range. Cash outlays for remedial and investigatory activities associated with former waste disposal sites and past manufacturing operations were not charged to income, but instead, were charged to reserves established for such costs identified and expensed to income in prior periods. Associated costs of investigatory and remedial activities are provided for in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles governing probability and the ability to reasonably estimate future costs. Our ability to estimate future costs depends on whether our investigatory and remedial activities are in preliminary or advanced stages. With respect to unasserted claims, we accrue liabilities for costs that, in our experience, we may incur to protect our interest against those unasserted claims. Our accrued liabilities for unasserted claims amounted to $5.4 million at March 31, 2005. With respect to asserted claims, we accrue liabilities based on remedial investigation, feasibility study, remedial action and Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring (OM&M) expenses that, in our experience, we may incur in connection with the asserted claims. Required site OM&M expenses are estimated and accrued in their entirety for required periods not exceeding 30 years, which reasonably approximates the typical duration of long-term site OM&M. Charges to income for investigatory and remedial activities were $4.4 million and $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Charges to income for investigatory and remedial efforts were material to operating results in 2004 and are expected to be material to operating results in 2005 and may be material to operating results in future years.

 

15


Our consolidated balance sheets included liabilities for future environmental expenditures to investigate and remediate known sites amounting to $100.8 million at March 31, 2005, $99.8 million at December 31, 2004, and $95.1 million at March 31, 2004 of which $72.8 million, $71.8 million, and $69.1 million were classified as other non-current liabilities, respectively. Those amounts did not take into account any discounting of future expenditures or any consideration of insurance recoveries or advances in technology. Those liabilities are reassessed periodically to determine if environmental circumstances have changed and/or remediation efforts and our estimate of related costs have changed. As a result of these reassessments, future charges to income may be made for additional liabilities.

 

Annual environmental-related cash outlays for site investigation and remediation, capital projects, and normal plant operations are expected to range between approximately $40 million to $50 million over the next several years, $25 million to $30 million of which is for investigatory and remedial efforts, which are expected to be charged against reserves recorded on our balance sheet. While we do not anticipate a material increase in the projected annual level of our environmental-related costs, there is always the possibility that such increase may occur in the future in view of the uncertainties associated with environmental exposures. Environmental exposures are difficult to assess for numerous reasons, including the identification of new sites, developments at sites resulting from investigatory studies, advances in technology, changes in environmental laws and regulations and their application, the scarcity of reliable data pertaining to identified sites, the difficulty in assessing the involvement and financial capability of other potentially responsible parties, and our ability to obtain contributions from other parties, and the lengthy time periods over which site remediation occurs. It is possible that some of these matters (the outcomes of which are subject to various uncertainties) may be resolved unfavorably to us, which could materially adversely affect our financial position or results of operations.

 

Legal Matters and Contingencies

 

We, and our subsidiaries, are defendants in various legal actions incidental to our past and current business activities. While we believe that none of these legal actions will materially adversely affect our financial position, in light of the inherent uncertainties of the litigation concerning alleged exposures, we cannot at this time determine whether the financial impact, if any, of these matters will be material to our results of operations.

 

During the ordinary course of our business, contingencies arise resulting from an existing condition, situation, or set of circumstances involving an uncertainty as to the realization of a possible gain contingency. In certain instances such as environmental projects, we are responsible for managing the cleanup and remediation of an environmental site. There exists the possibility of recovering a portion of these costs from other parties. We account for gain contingencies in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” and therefore do not record a gain contingency and recognize revenue until it is earned and realizable. At March 31, 2005, December 31, 2004 and March 31, 2004, we have not recorded a gain contingency in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Liquidity, Investment Activity and Other Financial Data

 

Cash Flow Data

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 

Provided By (Used For) ($ in millions)


   2005

    2004

 

Qualified Pension Plan Contribution

   $ —       $ (125.0 )

Net Operating Activities

     19.3       (150.1 )

Capital Expenditures

     (12.1 )     (7.2 )

Net Investing Activities

     (3.4 )     (4.8 )

Issuance of Common Stock

     3.1       181.1  

Net Financing Activities

     (6.4 )     150.9  

 

In the first three months of 2005, income exclusive of non-cash charges, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and proceeds from sales of real estate were used to finance our working capital requirements, capital and investment projects, and dividends.

 

Operating Activities

 

In 2005, cash provided by operating activities increased over the prior year amount (after excluding the qualified pension plan contribution of $125.0 million) due to primarily higher profits from operations, offset in part by a higher investment in working capital. This increase in working capital was due to higher accounts receivable as a result of higher sales in Chlor Alkali (increased ECU prices) and Metals (increased copper prices). The increase in accounts payable was a result of the Metals increased copper prices. Inventories were higher primarily due to Winchester’s seasonal inventory build and increased military activity.

 

16


Investing Activities

 

Capital spending of $12.1 million in the first three months of 2005 was $4.9 million higher than in the corresponding period in 2004. The increase was due in part to relocation of a product line in Winchester and an increase in maintenance projects in the Chlor Alkali Products and Metals segments. For the total year, we expect our capital spending to be in line with our depreciation, which is expected to be in the $73 million range. Disposition of property, plant, and equipment consisted primarily of the proceeds from two real estate transactions.

 

The 2005 increase in investments and advances in affiliated companies at equity, represents primarily our share of the SunBelt joint venture’s improved operating results.

 

Financing Activities

 

At March 31, 2005, we had $115.0 million available under our $160 million senior revolving credit facility with a group of banks because we issued $45.0 million of letters of credit under a subfacility for the purpose of supporting certain long-term debt, certain workers compensation insurance policies, and plant closure and post-closure obligations. Under the facility, we may select various floating rate borrowing options. It includes various customary restrictive covenants, including restrictions related to the ratio of debt to earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (leverage ratio) and the ratio of earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense (coverage ratio).

 

On February 3, 2004, we issued and sold 10 million shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $18.00 per share. Net proceeds from the sale were $178.0 million.

 

In March 2004, we used $17.5 million from the proceeds of the stock offering to repay the Illinois Industrial Pollution Control Revenue Bond, which became due in March of 2004.

 

During the first three months of 2005 and 2004, we issued 161,811 and 205,741 shares of common stock with a total value of $3.8 million and $3.8 million, respectively, to the Contributing Employee Ownership Plan. These shares were issued to satisfy the investment in our common stock resulting from employee contributions, our matching contributions and re-invested dividends.

 

There were no stock repurchases during the first three months of 2005 and 2004. Under programs previously approved by our board of directors, 154,076 shares remain authorized to be repurchased as of March 31, 2005.

 

The percent of total debt to total capitalization decreased to 44% at March 31, 2005, from 47% at year-end 2004. The decrease from year-end 2004 was due primarily to the higher shareholders’ equity resulting from the 2005 first quarter net income.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, we paid a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share. In April 2005, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.20 per share on our common stock, which is payable on June 10, 2005 to shareholders of record on May 10, 2005.

 

The payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including our earnings, our operations, our financial conditions, our capital requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In the future, our board of directors may change our dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.

 

Liquidity and Other Financing Arrangements

 

Our principal sources of liquidity are from cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, cash flow from operations and short-term borrowings under our senior revolving credit facility. We also have access to the debt and equity markets.

 

Cash flow from operations is variable as a result of the cyclical nature of our operating results, which have been affected recently by the economic cycles in many of the industries we serve, such as vinyl, urethanes, pulp and paper, automotive, electronics and the telecommunications sectors. In addition, cash flow from operations is affected by changes in ECU selling prices caused by the changes in the supply/demand balance of chlorine and caustic, resulting in the chlor alkali business having significant leverage on our earnings. For example, assuming all other costs remain constant and internal consumption remains approximately the same, a $10 per ECU selling price change equates to an approximate $11 million annual change in our revenues and pretax profit when we are operating at full capacity.

 

Our current debt structure is used to fund our business operations, and commitments from banks under our revolving credit facility are a source of liquidity. As of March 31, 2005, we had long-term borrowings, including the current installment, of $309.4 million of which $0.1 million was issued at variable rates. We have entered into interest rate swaps on approximately $131.6 million of our underlying fixed debt obligations, whereby we agree to pay variable rates to a counterparty who, in turn, pays us fixed rates.

 

17


On December 31, 1997, we entered into a long-term, sulfur dioxide supply agreement with Alliance Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (Alliance), formerly known as RFC S02, Inc. Alliance has the obligation to deliver annually 36,000 tons of sulfur dioxide. Alliance owns the sulfur dioxide plant, which is located at our Charleston, TN facility and is operated by us. The price for the sulfur dioxide is fixed over the life of the contract, and under the terms of the contract, we are obligated to make a monthly payment of approximately $0.2 million regardless of the amount of sulfur dioxide purchased. Commitments related to this agreement are approximately $2.4 million per year for 2005 through 2011 and $0.6 million in 2012. This supply agreement expires in 2012.

 

In December 2002, we registered $400 million of securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission whereby from time to time, we may issue debt securities, preferred stock and/or common stock and associated warrants. After the issuance of 10 million shares of our common stock in February 2004, approximately $220 million was available for issuance.

 

On February 3, 2004, we issued and sold 10 million shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $18.00 per share. Net proceeds from the sale were $178.0 million and were used to make a $125.0 million voluntary contribution to our pension plan. In March 2004, we used $17.5 million from the proceeds of the stock offering to repay the Illinois Pollution Control Revenue Bond, which became due in March of 2004. The remaining balance ($35.5 million) of the proceeds was used in April 2004 to pay a portion of Federal income taxes related to prior periods.

 

We, and our partner, PolyOne, own equally the SunBelt joint venture. Oxy Vinyls (a joint venture between OxyChem and PolyOne) is required to purchase 250,000 tons of chlorine based on a formula related to its market price. We market the excess chlorine and all of the caustic produced. The construction of this plant and equipment was financed by the issuance of $195.0 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017. The SunBelt joint venture sold $97.5 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017, Series O, and $97.5 million of Guaranteed Senior Secured Notes due 2017, Series G. We refer to these notes as the SunBelt Notes. The SunBelt Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.23% per annum payable semiannually in arrears on each June 22 and December 22.

 

We have guaranteed Series O of the SunBelt Notes, and PolyOne has guaranteed Series G of the SunBelt Notes, in both cases pursuant to customary guaranty agreements. Our guarantee and PolyOne’s guarantee are several, rather than joint. Therefore, we are not required to make any payments to satisfy the Series G Notes guaranteed by PolyOne. An insolvency or bankruptcy of PolyOne will not automatically trigger acceleration of the SunBelt Notes or cause us to be required to make payments under our guarantee, even if PolyOne is required to make payments under its guarantee. However, if the SunBelt joint venture does not make timely payments on the SunBelt Notes, whether as a result of a failure to pay on a guarantee or otherwise, the holders of the SunBelt Notes may proceed against the assets of the SunBelt joint venture for repayment. If we were to make debt service payments under our guarantee, we would have a right to recover such payments from the SunBelt joint venture.

 

Beginning on December 22, 2002 and each year through 2017, our SunBelt joint venture is required to repay approximately $12.2 million of the SunBelt Notes, of which approximately $6.1 million is attributable to the Series O Notes. After the payment of approximately $6.1 million on the Series O Notes in December 2004, our guarantee of the notes was approximately $79.2 million at March 31, 2005. In the event our SunBelt joint venture cannot make any of these payments, we would be required to fund our half of such payment. In certain other circumstances, we may also be required to repay the SunBelt Notes prior to their maturity. We and PolyOne have agreed that, if we or PolyOne intend to transfer our respective interests in the SunBelt joint venture and the transferring party is unable to obtain consent from holders of 80% of the aggregate principal amount of the indebtedness related to the guarantee being transferred after good faith negotiations, then we and PolyOne will be required to repay our respective portions of the SunBelt Notes. In such event, any make whole, or similar, penalties or costs will be paid by the transferring party.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151 “Inventory Costs – an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 43, Chapter 4”. This Statement amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing”, to clarify the accounting for normal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This statement becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. It is expected that this statement will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153 “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets – an amendment of APBO No. 29”. This Statement amends exceptions for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do not have commercial substance as previously allowed under APBO No. 29. This statement becomes effective for the fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. It is expected that this statement will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004) “Share-Based Payment,” which is a revision of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” This pronouncement revises the accounting treatment for stock-based compensation.

 

18


It establishes standards for accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments. This statement focuses primarily on accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions.

 

This statement requires an entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. This cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award—the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). It requires that we will initially measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of liability instruments based on its current fair value; the aggregate value of that award will be remeasured subsequently at each reporting date through the settlement date. Changes in fair value during the requisite service period will be recognized as compensation cost over that period. Originally, this statement was effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. In April 2005, the SEC postponed the effective date of this statement to fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005 (first quarter 2006 for calendar year companies). Based upon the prospective adoption of SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), the pretax impact for 2006 is expected to approximate $3 million to $4 million.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 47 “Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations”. This interpretation clarifies the definition of conditional asset retirement obligations used in FASB Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” This interpretation also clarifies when a company would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. We are continuing to evaluate the effect of this interpretation on our financial statements; however, we currently believe that this interpretation will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations due to our operations that use different foreign currencies, our purchases of certain commodities and our ongoing investing and financing activities. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies and procedures governing our management of market risks and the uses of financial instruments to manage exposure to such risks.

 

Energy costs including electricity used in our Chlor Alkali Products segment, and certain raw materials namely copper, lead, zinc and natural gas used primarily in our Metals and Winchester segments, are subject to price volatility. Depending on market conditions, we may enter into futures contracts and put and call option contracts in order to reduce the impact of metal price fluctuations. As of March 31, 2005, we maintained open positions on futures contracts totaling $32.6 million ($33.2 million at March 31, 2004). Assuming a hypothetical 10% increase in commodity prices which are currently hedged, we would experience a $3.3 million ($3.3 million at March 31, 2004) increase in our cost of related inventory purchased, which would be offset by a corresponding increase in the value of related hedging instruments.

 

We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our investing and financing activities. Investing activity is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flow. Our current debt structure is used to fund our business operations, and commitments from banks under our revolving credit facility are a source of liquidity. As of March 31, 2005, we had long-term borrowings of $309.4 million ($328.5 million at March 31, 2004) of which $0.1 million ($0.2 million at March 31, 2004) was issued at variable rates. As a result of our fixed-rate financings, we entered into floating interest rate swaps in order to manage interest expense and floating interest rate exposure to optimal levels. We have entered into approximately $131.6 million of such swaps, whereby we agree to pay variable rates to a counterparty who, in turn, pays us fixed rates. The underlying index for the variable rates is the six-month London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Accordingly, payments are settled every six months and the term of the swap is the same as the underlying debt instrument. Assuming no changes in the $131.6 million of variable-rate debt levels from year-end 2004 we estimate that a hypothetical change of 100 basis points in the LIBOR interest rates from year-end 2004 would impact interest expense by $1.3 million on an annualized pretax basis.

 

In December 2001, we swapped interest payments on $50 million principal amount of our 9.125% Senior Notes to a floating rate (6.155% at March 31, 2005). In February and March 2002, we swapped interest payments on $30 million and $25 million principal amount, respectively, of our 9.125% Senior Notes to floating rates. Terms of these swaps set the floating rate at the end of each six-month reset period. Therefore, the interest rates for the current period will be set on December 15, 2005. We estimate that the rates will be between 6.0% and 7.0%.

 

In March 2002, we refinanced four variable-rate tax-exempt debt issues totaling $34.7 million, of which $8.1 million was repaid in June 2004. The purpose of the refinancings was to eliminate the need for letter of credit support that used our liquidity. In order to manage interest expense and floating interest rate exposure to optimal levels, we swapped the fixed-rate debt of the newly refinanced bonds back to variable-rate debt through interest rate swaps. At March 31, 2005, the interest rates on the swaps of $21.1 million and $5.5 million were 2.43% and 2.57%, respectively.

 

19


These interest rate swaps reduced interest expense, resulting in an increase in pretax income of $1.0 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

If the actual change in interest rates or commodities pricing is substantially different than expected, the net impact of interest rate risk or commodity risk on our cash flow may be materially different than that disclosed above.

 

We do not enter into any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2005. Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

There have been no significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on management’s beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, forecasts of future results, and current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets and economy in which we and our various segments operate. The statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

 

We have used the words “anticipate,” “intend,” “may,” “expect,” “believe,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” and variations of such words and similar expressions in this quarterly report to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward looking-statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.

 

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involved in our forward-looking statements many of which are discussed in more detail in our filings with the S.E.C., including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    sensitivity to economic, business and market conditions in the United States and overseas, including economic instability or a downturn in the sectors served by us such as automotive, electronics, coinage, telecommunications, ammunition, housing, vinyls and pulp and paper;

 

    extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks or war with one or more countries;

 

    economic and industry downturns that result in diminished product demand and excess manufacturing capacity in any of our segments and that, in many cases, result in lower selling prices and profits;

 

    the cyclical nature of our operating results, particularly declines in average selling prices in the chlor alkali industry and the supply/demand balance for our products, including the impact of excess industry capacity or an imbalance in demand for our chlor alkali products;

 

    an increase in our indebtedness or higher-than-expected interest rates, affecting our ability to generate sufficient cash flow for debt service;

 

    effects of competition, including the migration by United States customers to low-cost foreign locations;

 

    costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;

 

    unexpected litigation outcomes or the impact of changes in laws and regulations;

 

    higher-than-expected raw material and utility or transportation and/or logistics costs;

 

    the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of production hazards;

 

    unexpected additional taxes and related interest as the result of pending income tax audits and unresolved income tax issues; and

 

20


    the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates used to value the liabilities in our pension plan.

 

You should consider all of our forward-looking statements in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements.

 

Part II - Other Information

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

Not Applicable.

 

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

 

(a) Not applicable.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

(c)

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period


   (a) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased(1)(2)


   (b) Average Price
Paid per Share (or
Unit)


   (c) Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs


   (d) Maximum
Number of Shares
(or Units) that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs


 

January 1-31, 2005

   —      N/A    —         

February 1-28, 2005

   —      N/A    —         

March 1-31, 2005

   —      N/A    —         

Total

                  154,076 (1)

(1) On April 30, 1998, the issuer announced a share repurchase program approved by the board of directors for the purchase of up to 5 million shares of common stock. Through March 31, 2005, 4,845,924 shares had been repurchased, and 154,076 shares remain available for purchase under that program, which has no termination date.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

Not Applicable.

 

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

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

Not Applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

10(d)   Olin Supplemental Contributing Employee Ownership Plan as amended
12   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Unaudited)
31.1   Section 302 Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Section 302 Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer
32   Section 906 Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

21


SIGNATURES

 

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

 

OLIN CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:  

/s/ A. W. Ruggiero


   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized Officer)

 

Date: May 6, 2005

 

22


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description


10(d)   Olin Supplemental Contributing Employee Ownership Plan as amended
12   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Unaudited)
31.1   Section 302 Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Section 302 Certification Statement of Chief Financial Officer
32   Section 906 Certification Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

23

EX-10.(D) 2 dex10d.htm OLIN SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP PLAN Olin Supplemental Contributing Employee Ownership Plan

Exhibit 10(d)

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRIBUTING EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP PLAN

As amended and restated effective January 1, 2005

 

Olin Corporation (“Olin”) hereby restates the Supplemental Contributing Employee Ownership Plan (the “Plan” or “SCEOP”), generally effective January 1, 2005. The Plan was originally adopted as of January 1, 1990, and has been amended from time to time prior to its restatement herein. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain management and highly compensated employees, as described in Section 201(2) and 301(a)(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”).

 

The primary purpose of this Plan is to permit certain executive employees of Olin whose contributions to the CEOP are limited under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”), with certain supplemental benefits to make up for such Code-imposed limitations.

 

This restatement of the Plan set forth herein is intended to be in good faith compliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, as set out by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 and supplemented by the additional guidance provided by the Treasury Department.

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

1.1 Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms defined in the CEOP are used herein with the meanings ascribed to them in the CEOP. In addition, when used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a) “Arch Phantom Units” means phantom shares of the CEOP’s Arch Common Stock Fund credited under the SCEOP.

 

(b) “Change of Control” has the meaning set out in Section 7.3.

 

(c) “Company” or “Olin” means Olin Corporation and its affiliated companies.

 

(d) “Compensation” has the same meaning as under the CEOP, except that it is not subject to the maximum dollar limitation on compensation taken into account for purposes of the CEOP under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.

 

(e) “Distribution Date” has the same meaning as that specified in the Distribution Agreement by and between Olin Corporation and Arch Chemicals, Inc.

 

(f) “Dividend Equivalents” means (i) with respect to the Olin Phantom Units held in a SCEOP Account of a SCEOP Participant, the dollar amount of regular or special dividends actually paid in cash from time to time on the actual number of shares of Olin


Common Stock reflected in such Olin Phantom Units; and (ii) with respect to the Arch Phantom Units held in a SCEOP Account of a SCEOP Participant, the dollar amount of regular or special dividends actually paid in cash from time to time on the actual number of shares of Arch Common Stock reflected in such Arch Phantom Units.

 

(g) “Excess Company Matching Contribution” means, with respect to a SCEOP Participant for a Plan Year, an amount derived by multiplying (i) the percentage used in calculating the Company Matching Contribution (currently, the percentage is based on the Company’s reported annual earnings per share) under the CEOP for the applicable Plan Year, as such percentage changes from time to time, by (ii) the annual SCEOP Participant Contribution for that SCEOP Participant; provided that, if the Participant’s SCEOP Percentage exceeds six percent (6%), the SCEOP Participant Contribution will be calculated using six percent (6%) for the SCEOP Percentage when calculating the Excess Company Matching Contribution.

 

(h) “Excess Performance Contribution” means, with respect to a SCEOP Participant for a Plan Year, the amount derived by multiplying (i) the percentage used in calculating the Performance Matching Contribution under the formula contained in the CEOP that is applicable to a SCEOP Participant for that year, if any, by (ii) the SCEOP Participant Contribution of that SCEOP Participant for such year; provided that, if such SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Percentage exceeds six percent (6%), the SCEOP Participant Contribution will be calculated using six percent (6%) for the SCEOP Percentage when calculating the Excess Performance Contribution. No Excess Performance Contributions shall be made on or after January 1, 2005.

 

(i) “Gross Fair Market Value” means the value of Olin assets determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such Olin assets.

 

(j) “Group” means persons acting together for the purpose of acquiring Olin stock and includes owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with Olin. If a person owns stock in both Olin and another corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such person is considered to be part of a Group only with respect to ownership prior to the merger or other transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Persons will not be considered to be acting as a Group solely because they purchase assets of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

 

(k) “Interest Bearing Fund” means a phantom fund that pays interest at a rate, determined quarterly as of the end of the quarter for the following quarter, equal to (i) the Company’s before-tax cost of borrowing as determined from time to time by the Chief Financial Officer, Controller or Treasurer (or in the event there is no such borrowing, the Federal Reserve A1/P1 Composite rate for 90-day commercial paper plus 10 basis points as determined by such officer) or (ii) such other rate as the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board, or any delegate thereof, may select prospectively from time to time.


(l) “Maximum Eligible Compensation” means the annual maximum amount of Compensation under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code from which a SCEOP Participant is permitted to make contributions to the CEOP, as such maximum amount is adjusted from time to time under the Code.

 

(m) “Olin Phantom Units” means phantom shares of the CEOP’s Olin Common Stock Fund credited under the SCEOP.

 

(n) “Plan Year” means a twelve-month period from January 1 to December 31.

 

(o) “Primex Phantom Units” means phantom units of the CEOP’s Primex Stock Fund credited under the SCEOP, such units deemed to consist of both Primex Stock and cash.

 

(p) “SCEOP Participant” or “Olin Participant” means an Olin employee who has met the eligibility requirements of Article II and who has filed an election to participate in the SCEOP with the Plan Administrator.

 

(q) “SCEOP Account” means the account established under the SCEOP for a SCEOP Participant holding Arch Phantom Units, Olin Phantom Units, phantom investments in the Interest Bearing Fund, and/or any other phantom securities or units created herein.

 

(r) “SCEOP Participant Contribution” means, with respect to a SCEOP Participant, the annual amount by which the SCEOP Participant has elected to reduce his Compensation under this Plan, such amount being equal to the SCEOP Percentage multiplied by the difference between (i) such SCEOP Participant’s Compensation and (ii) his Maximum Eligible Compensation.

 

(s) “SCEOP Percentage” means the rate at which a SCEOP Participant elects to reduce his Compensation under this Plan pursuant to the salary reduction agreements described in Section 2.2.

 

ARTICLE II

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

2.1 Any employee of the Company who:

 

(a) is a management employee;

 

(b) is a “highly compensated employee” within the meaning of Code Section 414(q);

 

(c) is participating in the CEOP; and


(d) whose Compensation is in excess of the limitation contained in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code shall be eligible to participate in this Plan (an “Eligible Employee”).

 

2.2 Each Eligible Employee wishing to make SCEOP Participant Contributions under this Plan must execute and file a salary reduction agreement in a form acceptable to the Plan Administrator.

 

In the case of the first Plan Year in which an individual becomes an Eligible Employee, the salary reduction agreement must be filed within thirty (30) days following the date the individual became an Eligible Employee. If no salary reduction agreement is filed within such time, the Eligible Employee shall not be able to make SCEOP Participant Contributions for such Plan Year but will be able to do so (to the extent eligible) for subsequent Plan Years as provided in the following paragraph.

 

To the extent that an Eligible Employee does not have an effective salary reduction agreement filed and such Eligible Employee wishes to make SCEOP Participant Contributions under the Plan for a Plan Year, an Eligible Employee must file a salary reduction agreement to reduce Compensation by December 1 (or such other date set by the Plan Administrator) of the calendar year prior to the beginning of the Plan Year for which it will be effective and prior to the calendar year in which such Compensation would otherwise be earned. Once filed, agreements to reduce Compensation shall remain in effect for subsequent Plan Years unless revoked or changed by the SCEOP Participant in writing in a form acceptable to the Plan Administrator. Any revocation or change made with regard to the salary reduction agreement shall be effective only for subsequent Plan Years (and not the Plan Year in which such revocation or change is made). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in accordance with Code Section 409A, SCEOP Participants can make (in writing in a form acceptable to the Plan Administrator) such revocation or change for the 2005 Plan Year on or before March 15, 2005.

 

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Plan Administrator may (but is not required to) provide, in accordance with Code Section 409A, alternative salary reduction election procedures for performance-based compensation based on services performed over a period of at least 12 months, provided that such election may be made no later than six (6) months before the end of the period.

 

2.3 No salary reduction election shall be given effect under this Plan until the SCEOP Participant has received Compensation equal to the Maximum Eligible Compensation for the Plan Year to which such salary reduction election relates.

 

2.4 If a SCEOP Participant ceases to meet the Eligible Employee criteria under Section 2.1, SCEOP Participant Contributions and Excess Company Matching Contributions shall cease at such time as well.


ARTICLE III

CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOUNTS

 

3.1 Each SCEOP Participant who so elects (in accordance with Section 2.2 above) for a Plan Year shall make SCEOP Participant Contributions on a pre-tax basis.

 

For each SCEOP Participant, a SCEOP Account will be established. The SCEOP Account will contain sub-accounts for each type of contribution credited to the SCEOP Account and for each type of investment option available to and invested in under his SCEOP Account. For each Plan Year during which a person is a SCEOP Participant and making deferrals and/or receiving contributions, the Company (or other Participating Employer) will credit to the SCEOP Account of each SCEOP Participant Olin Phantom Units and/or phantom investments in the Interest Bearing Fund, in accordance with the SCEOP Participant’s investment allocation, equal in value to the sum of such SCEOP Participant’s (1) SCEOP Participant Contribution (if any) plus (2) the Excess Company Matching Contribution (if any). Such crediting shall occur periodically in accordance with the timing of similar deferrals and contributions to the CEOP.

 

Subject to administrative feasibility and rules set out by the Plan Administrator, the SCEOP Account balances of each SCEOP Participant may be transferred daily without limit to the Interest Bearing Fund and/or the Olin Phantom Units.

 

3.2 Effective December 31, 1996, Olin spun off Primex Technologies, Inc. (“Primex”). As a result of the spin-off of Primex, SCEOP Participants’ SCEOP Account balances deemed invested in Olin Phantom Units were credited with a dividend deemed invested in Primex Phantom Units. Primex was acquired by General Dynamics Corporation effective January 25, 2001. As a result of this acquisition, the value of SCEOP Participants’ SCEOP Account balances deemed invested in Primex Phantom Units were deemed liquidated at the per share purchase price and the proceeds were deemed reinvested in Olin Phantom Units. No further investment in Primex Phantom Units shall be permitted under the Plan.

 

3.3 A SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account will also be credited with Dividend Equivalents when the applicable cash dividends are paid and such Dividend Equivalents will be reinvested according to the SCEOP Participant’s investment allocation that is then in effect for the SCEOP Participant Contributions.

 

3.4 For purposes of calculating the number of Olin Phantom Units to be credited to an Olin Participant’s SCEOP Account as a result of crediting Dividend Equivalents or contributions, the SCEOP shall use the Current Market Value for valuing units in the Olin Common Stock Fund as defined under the CEOP. For purposes of valuing Arch Phantom Units under this Plan, the SCEOP shall use the Current Market Value for valuing shares in Arch Common Stock Fund as defined in the CEOP.

 

3.5 SCEOP Participants may either retain their Arch Phantom Units or may have their entire Arch Phantom Unit SCEOP Account balance(s) deemed transferred at the then Current Market Value and reinvested in Olin Phantom Units at the then Current Market Value, the Interest Bearing Fund, or any combination thereof (in whole dollar amounts). Once Arch Phantom Units are deemed transferred and reinvested, a SCEOP Participant may not re-direct investment back into Arch Phantom Units. No new investment shall be permitted in Arch Phantom Units.


3.6 A SCEOP Participant shall at all times be fully vested in his SCEOP Participant Contribution SCEOP Account balance, and shall vest in his Excess Company Matching Contribution, and Excess Performance Contribution SCEOP Account balances in accordance with the applicable vesting schedule contained in the CEOP for Company Matching Contributions and Performance Matching Contributions. A SCEOP Participant shall be fully vested in his SCEOP Account balance upon his death, upon his termination of service from the Company and all affiliates after reaching a retirement date under the CEOP, or upon his termination of service due to his Permanent Disability as defined in the CEOP.

 

3.7 In the event that the Compensation Committee of the Board (“the Committee”) determines that any dividend or other distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Arch Common Stock, Olin Common Stock, or any other securities of Arch or Olin, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Arch Common Stock, Olin Common Stock, or other securities of these companies, or other similar corporate transaction or event occurs that affects Arch or Olin Common Stock such that the Committee determines an adjustment in Phantom Units under the Plan is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits intended to be made available under this Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it deems equitable, adjust SCEOP Participants’ SCEOP Accounts. In the case of a spin-off, split-up, issuance of an extraordinary stock dividend, or similar transaction, such adjustment, in the Committee’s discretion, may result in creation of phantom shares in a separate phantom stock fund and reinvestment of such phantom shares in Olin Phantom Units or such other reinvestment as otherwise determined by the Committee. In the case of a merger for cash with respect to Arch Common Stock, the cash received as a result of such merger shall be deemed reinvested according to the SCEOP Participant’s investment allocation that is then in effect for the SCEOP Participant Contributions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a SCEOP Participant to whom Dividend Equivalents have been allocated shall not be entitled to receive a non-cash special or extraordinary dividend or distribution unless the Committee expressly authorizes such receipt.

 

3.8 Transfers between Arch and Olin. It is contemplated that SCEOP Participants may transfer their employment after the Distribution Date and on or before February 8, 2000, from Arch to Olin and vice versa and commence, or resume, participation in the SCEOP of the new employer.

 

(a) Transfer to Arch From Olin. In the event that a SCEOP Participant transfers employment to Arch after the Distribution Date and on or prior to February 8, 2000, benefit accrual under this Plan shall cease and Olin shall remain liable for payment of any benefits accrued under this Plan to the date of transfer. No reserves shall be transferred with respect to such SCEOP Participant. No separation from service shall be deemed to occur under this Plan permitting a distribution under this Plan and benefits hereunder shall not commence until the SCEOP Participant has terminated his employment with Arch (or any successor thereto) and has otherwise qualified for benefits hereunder. Olin shall continue to recognize a SCEOP Participant’s service with Arch and its affiliates subsequent to his transfer to Arch solely for purposes of determining the SCEOP Participant’s vesting under this Plan.

 

(b) Transfer from Arch to Olin. In the event that an Arch employee transfers employment to Olin from Arch after the Distribution Date and on or prior to February 8, 2000,


benefit accrual under the Arch SCEOP shall cease and Arch shall remain liable for payment of any benefits accrued under that Plan to the employee’s date of transfer to Olin. No reserves shall be transferred from Arch or the Arch SCEOP with respect to such Arch employee. Any benefits accrued under the Arch SCEOP shall not commence until the former Arch employee terminates service with Olin and its affiliates and has otherwise qualified for benefits under the Arch SCEOP. Following such transfer, Arch shall continue to credit such employee’s service with Olin and its affiliates subsequent to his transfer to Olin solely for purposes of determining his vesting under the Arch SCEOP. References to the Arch SCEOP in this Plan are descriptive only, and neither Olin nor this Plan guaranties any payments or rights under the Arch SCEOP.

 

3.9 Excess Performance Contributions. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, effective as of January 1, 2005, Excess Performance Contributions shall cease to be made under the Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV

DISTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1 No amounts credited to a SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account under this Plan may be withdrawn or distributed prior to the SCEOP Participant’s termination of employment with the Company and all affiliates thereof, including, but not limited to any other corporation in the same controlled group with Olin (within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c) and (m) of the Code). Amounts credited to a SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account under this Plan may not be loaned to such SCEOP Participant.

 

A SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account will be distributed in the form elected under Section 4.3 upon the earliest to occur of the SCEOP Participant’s death, termination of service due to Permanent Disability, retirement or termination of active service from the Company and all affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any SCEOP Participant who is a key employee (as defined in Code Section 409A), distributions resulting from termination or retirement shall commence as soon as practicable on or after the date which is six (6) months after the date of such SCEOP Participant’s retirement or termination. The preceding sentence shall not apply to distributions of amounts (including earnings thereon, and as determined under Code Section 409A) deferred prior to January 1, 2005 of key employees who terminate or retire prior to July 1, 2005.

 

In the event that an Olin Employee is employed by Arch on or prior to February 8, 2000, and participates in the Arch SCEOP, no termination from service shall be deemed to occur permitting a distribution of benefits from this Plan until such SCEOP Participant has terminated his employment with Arch (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.1 or Section 4.2, if a SCEOP Participant transfers employment from Arch (or any successor thereto) or Primex (or its successor, General Dynamics Corporation, or any successor thereafter) back to the Company, such SCEOP Participant will not be eligible for distribution until such SCEOP Participant has terminated his employment with the Company and its affiliates.

 

4.2 Each SCEOP Participant whose employment transferred from the Company to Primex, in connection with the spin-off of Primex, shall be fully vested in his SCEOP Account


balance. Such balance shall continue to be credited with Dividend Equivalents until it is distributed; however, no such balance may be distributed until such SCEOP Participant terminates active service with Primex or, after January 25, 2001, General Dynamics Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

4.3 Upon becoming a SCEOP Participant, such SCEOP Participant shall elect to receive the value of his SCEOP Account balance either (i) in a lump sum, or (ii) in annual installments for a period not to exceed fifteen (15) years, commencing at such time as provided under Section 4.1. A SCEOP Participant may change such election upon written notice in a form acceptable to the Plan Administrator, provided such change complies with the following: (i) the subsequent election does not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made, and (ii) the first payment with respect to which such election is made be deferred for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Code Section 409A requirements, SCEOP Participants can change their distribution form election on or prior to December 31, 2005 without regard to the requirements of the preceding sentence.

 

4.4 Installment payments shall commence to be paid as soon as administratively feasible and generally effective as of the first day of the month following the benefit commencement time provided under Section 4.1 (and as modified by Section 4.3 if applicable). The Company may delay the payment of any benefit owed hereunder in order to complete the orderly processing of such benefit.

 

4.5 Distributions to a SCEOP Participant of his SCEOP Account balance shall be made only in the form of cash. Except as provided in Section 7.3, upon distribution, the value of Olin Phantom Units shall be equal to the average of the daily closing prices of the Olin common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the month preceding the distribution. Except as provided in Section 7.3, upon distribution, the value of Arch Phantom Units shall be equal to the average of the daily closing prices of the Arch common stock on the New York Stock Exchange for the month preceding the distribution.

 

4.6 Any benefit payable under this Plan on account of the death of a SCEOP Participant shall be paid to the SCEOP Participant’s beneficiary as designated or determined under the terms of the CEOP; however, a SCEOP Participant may, by filing with the Plan Administrator prior to death on a form supplied by the Plan Administrator, designate a different individual or entity to be the designated Beneficiary of such SCEOP Participant for purposes of this Plan, in which case the subsequent designation will supersede any designation of a beneficiary under the CEOP for purposes of this Plan.

 

ARTICLE V

LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT

 

5.1 The Company (and each other Participating Employer) shall pay the benefits provided hereunder with respect to SCEOP Participants who are employed or were formerly employed by it during their participation in the Plan. In the case of a SCEOP Participant who was employed by more than one Participating Employer, the Benefit Plan Review Committee shall allocate the cost of such benefits among such Participating Employers in such manner as it


deems equitable. The obligations of the Participating Employer hereunder shall not be funded in any manner. The rights of any person to receive benefits under this Plan are limited to those of a general creditor of the Participating Employer liable for such benefits hereunder.

 

ARTICLE VI

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

6.1 The Benefit Plan Review Committee shall be the named Plan Administrator of this Plan. The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan for the exclusive benefit of the SCEOP Participants (and their Beneficiaries), in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Plan Administrator shall have the absolute discretion and power to determine all questions arising in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan. Any such determination by the Plan Administrator shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. The Plan Administrator may correct any defect or reconcile any inconsistency in such manner and to such extent as shall be deemed necessary or advisable to carry out the purposes of the Plan; provided, however, that such interpretation or construction shall be done in a non-discriminatory manner and shall be consistent with the intent of the Plan, the Code and ERISA. Benefits will be paid only if the Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines that the SCEOP Participants or Beneficiaries are entitled to them.

 

The Plan Administrator shall:

 

(a) determine all questions relating to eligibility of Employees to participate or continue participation in the Plan;

 

(b) maintain all necessary records for the administration of the Plan;

 

(c) interpret the provisions of the Plan and make and publish such rules for regulation of the Plan as are consistent with the terms hereof;

 

(d) assist any SCEOP Participant regarding his rights, benefits or elections available under the Plan;

 

(e) communicate to Employees, SCEOP Participants and their Beneficiaries concerning the provisions of the Plan; and

 

(f) prescribe such rules and forms as it shall deem necessary or proper for the administration of the Plan.

 

The Plan Administrator shall keep a record of all actions taken and shall keep such other books of account, records and other information that may be necessary for proper administration of the Plan. The Plan Administrator shall file and distribute all reports that may be required by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor or others, as required by law. The Plan Administrator may appoint accountants, actuaries, counsel, advisors and other persons that it deems necessary or desirable in connection with the administration of the Plan.


The Plan Administrator has the authority to delegate any of its powers under this Plan to any other person, persons, or committee in the administration of this Plan. This person, persons, or committee may further delegate its reserved powers to another person, persons, or committee as they see fit. Any delegation or subsequent delegation shall include the same sole, discretionary, and final authority that the Plan Administrator has listed herein, and any decisions, actions, or interpretations made by any delegate shall have the same ultimate binding effect as if made by the Plan Administrator.

 

6.2 Except as otherwise provided herein, all provisions set forth in the CEOP with respect to the administration of that plan shall also be applicable with respect to this Plan. For purposes of this Plan, the Company shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or engaged by the Company or by Olin Corporation with respect to the CEOP.

 

6.3 It is also the intention of the Company that all income tax liability on payments made under the Plan be deferred until the participant actually receives such payment in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A for nonqualified deferred compensation plans, to the extent Code Section 409A applies to the Plan. Therefore, if any Plan provision is found not to be in compliance with any applicable requirements of Code Section 409A, that provision shall be deemed amended so that the Plan does so comply to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Company’s Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee from time to time designated by the Board, and in all events the Plan shall be construed in favor of its meeting the requirements for deferral of compensation under Code Section 409A.

 

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND CHANGE OF CONTROL

 

7.1 The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Plan at any time, by action of the Company’s Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other committee from time to time designated by the Board, and without the consent of any employee or other person.

 

7.2 Notwithstanding Section 7.1 above, no amendment or termination of the Plan shall directly or indirectly reduce the balance to the credit of any SCEOP Participant hereunder as of the effective date of such amendment or termination. Upon termination of the Plan, no additional amounts shall be credited under the terms of the Plan. Notwithstanding the termination of this Plan, amounts credited hereunder shall not be distributed to SCEOP Participants except as provided in Article IV, above.

 

7.3 Upon a Change of Control, the Plan shall terminate and the SCEOP Account balance of a SCEOP Participant shall be paid in cash to such SCEOP Participant as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than 30 days following the Change in Control. The spin-off of Arch from Olin Corporation shall not be deemed to be a change of control entitling any SCEOP Participant herein to benefits under this Plan.


“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a) any person or Group acquires ownership of Olin’s stock that, together with stock held by such person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of Olin’s stock, (including an increase in the percentage of stock owned by any person or Group as a result of a transaction in which Olin acquires its stock in exchange for property, provided that the acquisition of additional stock by any person or Group deemed to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of Olin’s stock on January 1, 2005, shall not constitute a Change of Control); or

 

(b) any person or Group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or Group) ownership of Olin stock possessing 35% or more of the total voting power of Olin stock; or

 

(c) a majority of the members of Olin’s board of directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of Olin’s board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election; or

 

(d) any person or Group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or Group) assets from Olin that have a total Gross Fair Market Value equal to 40% or more of the total Gross Fair Market Value of all Olin assets immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, provided that there is no Change of Control when Olin’s assets are transferred to:

 

(i) a shareholder of Olin (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to Olin stock;

 

(ii) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by Olin;

 

(iii) a person or Group that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all outstanding Olin stock; or

 

(iv) an entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in paragraph (iii).

 

For purposes of this paragraph (d) a person’s status is determined immediately after the transfer of the assets. For example, a transfer to a corporation in which Olin has no ownership interest before the transaction, but which is a majority-owned subsidiary of Olin after the transaction is not a Change of Control.


For purposes of computing the payout under this Section 7.3, the cash value of the SCEOP Account of a SCEOP Participant shall be determined by:

 

(i) multiplying the actual number of shares of Olin Common Stock reflected in a SCEOP Participant’s Olin Phantom Units by the greater of (a) the highest Current Market Value of the Common Stock (as defined in the CEOP Plan) on any date within the period commencing thirty (30) days prior to such Change in Control and ending on the date of the Change in Control, or (b) if the Change in Control occurs as a result of a tender or exchange offer or consummation of a corporate transaction, then the highest price paid per share of Common Stock pursuant thereto;

 

(ii) adding any cash portion attributable to a SCEOP Participant’s Olin Phantom Units held in his SCEOP Account; then

 

(iii) adding the then Current Market Value of that portion of a SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account which is deemed invested in Arch Phantom Units (and any other phantom units or stock fund established in the SCEOP); then

 

(iv) adding the then current value of that portion of a SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account which is deemed invested in the Interest Bearing Fund, with interest added through the day prior to payment.

 

ARTICLE VIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1 The Plan at all times shall be entirely unfunded and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating any assets of the Company for payment of any distribution hereunder. The right of a SCEOP Participant or his designated Beneficiary to receive a distribution hereunder shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, and neither the SCEOP Participant nor a designated Beneficiary shall have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Company. All amounts credited to the SCEOP Accounts of SCEOP Participants shall constitute general assets of the Company and may be disposed of by the Company at such time and for such purposes as it may deem appropriate.

 

8.2 Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guaranty by the Company or any other person or entity that the assets of the Company will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.

 

8.3 No SCEOP Participant shall have any right to receive a distribution of contributions made under the Plan except in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Establishment of the Plan shall not be construed to give any SCEOP Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Company.

 

8.4 No interest of any person or entity in, or right to receive a distribution under, the Plan shall be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind; nor may such interest or right to receive a distribution be taken, either voluntarily or involuntarily for the satisfaction of the debts of, or other obligations or claims against, such person or entity, including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance and claims in bankruptcy proceedings.


8.5 The Plan shall be construed and administered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, to the extent not preempted by federal law.

 

8.6 If any person entitled to a distribution under the Plan is deemed by the Company to be incapable of personally receiving and giving a valid receipt for such payment, then, unless and until claim therefor shall have been made by a duly appointed guardian or other legal representative of such person, the Company may provide for such payment or any part thereof to be made to any other person or institution then contributing toward or providing for the care and maintenance of such person. Any such payment shall be a payment for the account of such person and a complete discharge of any liability of the Company and the Plan therefor.

 

8.7 The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by a transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or by the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation or other entity, but the Plan shall be continued after such sale, merger or consolidation only if and to the extent that the transferee, purchaser or successor entity agrees to continue the Plan. In the event that the Plan is not continued by the transferee, purchaser or successor entity, then the Plan shall terminate, subject to the provisions of Section 7.2.

 

8.8 Each SCEOP Participant shall keep the Company informed of his current address and the current address of his designated Beneficiary. The Company shall not be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person. If the location of a SCEOP Participant is not made known to the Company within three (3) years after the date on which payment of any or all of the SCEOP Participant’s SCEOP Account may first be made, payment may be made as though the SCEOP Participant had died at the end of the three-year period. If, within one additional year after such three-year period has elapsed, or, within three years after the actual death of a SCEOP Participant, the Company is unable to locate any designated Beneficiary of the SCEOP Participant, then the Company shall have no further obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such SCEOP Participant or designated Beneficiary and such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited.

 

8.9 This Plan shall constitute the entire agreement between the Company and its executives concerning the provision of Plan benefits.

 

8.10 Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the Plan, neither the Company nor any individual acting as employee or agent of the Company shall be liable to any SCEOP Participant, former SCEOP Participant or other person for any claim, loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with the Plan.

EX-12 3 dex12.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12

 

OLIN CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(In millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Earnings:

                

Income from continuing operations before taxes

   $ 59.4     $ 5.1  

Add (deduct):

                

Equity in income of non-consolidated affiliates

     (8.6 )     (0.5 )

Amortization of capitalized interest

     —         0.1  

Fixed charges as described below

     7.8       7.4  
    


 


Total

   $ 58.6     $ 12.1  
    


 


Fixed Charges:

                

Interest expensed

   $ 5.4     $ 5.0  

Estimated interest factor in rent expense (1)

     2.4       2.4  
    


 


Total

   $ 7.8     $ 7.4  
    


 


Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     7.5       1.6  
    


 



(1) Amounts represent those portions of rent expense that are reasonable approximations of interest costs.
EX-31.1 4 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CEO Certification

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Joseph D. Rupp, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Olin Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 6, 2005   

/s/ Joseph D. Rupp


    

Joseph D. Rupp

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2 5 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION Section 302 CFO Certification

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Anthony W. Ruggiero, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Olin Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 6, 2005   

/s/ Anthony W. Ruggiero


    

Anthony W. Ruggiero

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32 6 dex32.htm SECTION 906 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATION Section 906 CEO and CFO Certification

Exhibit 32

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Olin Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Joseph D. Rupp, President and Chief Executive Officer and I, Anthony W. Ruggiero, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to our knowledge: (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its Staff upon request.

 

/s/ Joseph D. Rupp


Joseph D. Rupp
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 6, 2005

/s/ Anthony W. Ruggiero


Anthony W. Ruggiero
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: May 6, 2005
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