0000950128-01-500597.txt : 20011009 0000950128-01-500597.hdr.sgml : 20011009 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950128-01-500597 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20010921 ITEM INFORMATION: Bankruptcy or receivership ITEM INFORMATION: Other events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial statements and exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20011001 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CARBIDE GRAPHITE GROUP INC /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000888918 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS [3620] IRS NUMBER: 251575609 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0731 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-15055 FILM NUMBER: 1750000 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GATEWAY CTR STREET 2: 19TH FL CITY: PITTSBURGH STATE: PA ZIP: 15222 BUSINESS PHONE: 4125623700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: ONE GATEWAY CTR STREET 2: 19TH FL CITY: PITTSBURGH STATE: PA ZIP: 15222 8-K 1 j9054701e8-k.txt THE CARBIDE/GRAPHITE GROUP, INC. FORM 8-K 1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------------ FORM 8-K Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (date of earliest event reported) September 21, 2001 Commission file number: 0-20490 THE CARBIDE/GRAPHITE GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 57-1575609 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) One Gateway Center, 19th Floor Pittsburg, PA 15222 (Address of principal executive offices) (412) 562-3700 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (former name or former address, if changed since last year) 2 ITEMS 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 AND 9 Not applicable. ITEM 3. BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP On September 21, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release (the "September 21 Press Release") announcing that it had filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in order to allow for an orderly consummation of the Registrant's proposed comprehensive financial restructuring. The Registrant's subsidiaries, CG Specialty Products Management Corporation, Seadrift Coke, L.P., Carbon/Graphite International, Inc. and Carbide/Graphite Management Corporation, also filed petitions with such Court at such time. The Registrant and such subsidiaries will continue to manage their properties and operate their businesses as "debtors-in-possession" in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. A copy of the September 21 Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS The Registrant also announced in the September 21 Press Release that it had entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement (the "Asset Purchase Agreement") with Questor Management Company LLC and certain of its affiliates ("Questor") providing for the sale to Questor of substantially all of the operating assets of the Registrant and the assumption by Questor of substantially all the operating liabilities of the Registrant. On September 24, 2001, the Nasdaq Stock Market halted trading in the common stock of the Registrant for "additional information requested." On September 27, 2001, the Registrant issued a press release (the "September 27 Press Release") announcing that (i) the bank group under its $135 million revolving credit facility had agreed to continue to support the Registrant by entering into a cash collateral agreement giving the Registrant continuing access to funding under the revolving credit facility, (ii) the Registrant and the bank group were negotiating final terms for additional financing in the form of a debtor-in-possession line that is expected to be available in the near future and (iii) the Registrant had decided not to file a Section 363 asset sale motion under the Bankruptcy Code relating to the Asset Purchase Agreement as a result of the bank group, whose consent was required for the proposed transaction, advising the Registrant that it would not support the transaction. A copy of the September 27 Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this report and is incorporated herein by reference. On September 26, 2001, Questor advised the Registrant that it considered the failure to file the Section 363 asset sale motion to constitute a repudiation by the Registrant and its subsidiaries of the Asset Purchase Agreement and that such repudiation relieved Questor from any further obligations under the Asset Purchase Agreement. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS (a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESS ACQUIRED Not Applicable (b) PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION Not Applicable (c) EXHIBIT NO. 99.1 Press Release Dated September 21, 2001 99.2 Press Release Dated September 27, 2001 3 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, hereunto duly authorized. THE CARBIDE/GRAPHITE GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Walter B. Fowler ------------------------------------------ Walter B. Fowler - Chief Executive Officer Dated: October 1, 2001 4 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION -------- -------------------------------------- 99.1 Press Release Dated September 21, 2001 99.2 Press Release Dated September 27, 2001 EX-99.1 3 j9054701ex99-1.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 1 Exhibit 99.1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE CARBIDE/GRAPHITE GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES DEFINITIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH QUESTOR AFFILIATES PROTECTION UNDER CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY CODE SOUGHT TO ALLOW FOR ORDERLY CONSUMMATION OF COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL RESTRUCTURING Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - September 21, 2001 - The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. ("C/G" or the "Company") (NASDAQ NNM: CGGI) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement with Questor Management Company and certain of its affiliates ("Questor") on a transaction whereby an affiliate of Questor will purchase substantially all of C/G's operating assets and assume substantially all of C/G's operating liabilities under a Section 363 asset sale pursuant to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. C/G filed a petition in Pittsburgh today for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to allow for the orderly consummation of the comprehensive financial restructuring and the Questor transaction. C/G is also continuing discussions with the Lenders under the Company's revolving credit facility (the "Bank Group") to finance the Chapter 11 in contemplation of the transaction with Questor. However, currently anticipated arrangements would not result in any residual value for C/G equity interests. Walter B. Fowler, C/G's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The execution of the definitive purchase agreement with Questor and the associated Chapter 11 filing are key components of a necessary financial restructuring program for C/G. Teamed with Questor, we believe we can accelerate a number of process and cost improvement initiatives that have already been started. At this time we believe that the Questor transaction represents the best solution available and we are hopeful that the creditors will support the transaction. Production and product shipments are expected to continue on a business-as-usual basis." Michael D. Madden, a Questor principal, said, "Industry conditions and many other uncontrollable factors have continued to plague C/G. However, the employees of C/G have displayed a significant amount of creativity and perseverance during these difficult times. Upon the consummation of the transaction with Questor, a new company will emerge with sufficient capital available to survive through the currently depressed steel cycle and begin certain key capital projects that will reduce operating costs and improve product quality. We believe the transaction contemplated is fair and the best alternative available to the Company at this time. It also helps ensure the survival of a strong competitor in the graphite and calcium carbide industries for years to come." The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. and its affiliates are a major U.S. manufacturer of graphite electrodes, needle coke and calcium carbide products. Graphite electrodes are used as conductors of electricity and are consumed in the Electric Arc Furnace ("EAF") steelmaking process common to all mini-mill steel producers. The Company is the only manufacturer of graphite electrodes that produces its own requirements of needle coke, the principal raw material of graphite electrodes. The Company manufactures needle coke through its affiliate, Seadrift Coke, LP. Calcium carbide and derivative products, primarily acetylene, are used in the manufacture of specialty chemicals, as a fuel in metal cutting and welding, and for metallurgical applications such as iron and steel desulfurization. While C/G management has aggressively worked to lower its cost structure and position it to capitalize on growth opportunities going forward, several of the key factors that has negatively impacted the Company's performance include: o WEAKNESS IN CERTAIN REGIONS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, WHICH CAUSED THE GLOBAL DEMAND FOR STEEL TO SOFTEN AND IMPACTED DEMAND FOR MANY OF THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS SINCE 1999. o THE RELATIVE STRENGTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY AND U.S. DOLLAR RESULTED IN A HIGH LEVEL OF STEEL IMPORTS INTO THE U.S. DURING 2000 AND 2001. THIS SITUATION RESULTED IN THE CURTAILMENT OF STEEL PRODUCTION IN THE U.S., THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S GRAPHITE ELECTRODES AND CALCIUM CARBIDE FOR METALLURGICAL APPLICATIONS. 2 o OIL PRICES INCREASED DRASTICALLY IN 2000 AND HAVE REMAINED AT RELATIVELY HIGH LEVELS THROUGHOUT 2001. DECANT OIL, A PETROLEUM PRODUCT, IS THE PRINCIPAL RAW MATERIAL IN THE PRODUCTION OF NEEDLE COKE. Despite the external factors that have negatively impacted C/G's financial results over the last two years, the Company is positioned to generate significant growth in financial performance, with improve market conditions, as a result of several cost reduction and production enhancement initiatives implemented by C/G's employees, including: o $100 MILLION IN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE FROM 1996 THROUGH 1999 THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED PRODUCT QUALITY, PRODUCTION YIELD AND COST PERFORMANCE. o MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN WORKING AGGRESSIVELY WITH ITS HOURLY WORK FORCE TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND REDUCE COSTS. IN FISCAL 2001, ALL OF THE COMPANY'S UNION CONTRACTS WERE RENEGOTIATED RESULTING IN ANNUAL SAVINGS OF $4 MILLION TO $5 MILLION. MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THERE ARE AN ADDITIONAL $5 MILLION TO $6 MILLION OF COST SAVINGS THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH JOINT PROJECTS BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND THE UNIONS. o MANAGEMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT A $25 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN A HYDRODESULFURIZATION (HDS) COMPLEX AT SEADRIFT COKE, L.P. THIS PROJECT IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH THE STRENGTH AND CAPITAL RESOURCES OF QUESTOR AND WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SEADRIFT'S NEEDLE COKE WHILE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING RAW MATERIAL AND LOGISTICAL COSTS. TOTAL ANNUAL SAVING ARE ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST $10 MILLION BASED ON CURRENT PRODUCTION RATES. Mr. Fowler concluded, "We are committed to consummating a restructuring of our finances and believe that with the resources of Questor, we will be successful in our efforts." The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of industrial graphite and calcium carbide products with manufacturing facilities in St. Marys, Pennsylvania; Niagara Falls, New York; Louisville and Calvert City, Kentucky; and Seadrift, Texas. Note: This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industries in which the Company operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. There can be no assurance that the Company will consummate a transaction with Questor or that the Bank Group will restructure their loans in connection with a transaction with Questor or that the Bank Group will continue to provide financial support to the Company. Other risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. EX-99.2 4 j9054701ex99-2.txt EXHIBIT 99.2 1 Exhibit 99.2 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THE CARBIDE/GRAPHITE GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH LENDERS FOR INTERIM FINANCING SECTION 363 ASSET SALE CONTEMPLATED UNDER PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH QUESTOR AFFILIATES NOT BEING PURSUED BY THE COMPANY Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - September 27, 2001 - The Carbide/Graphite Group, Inc. ("C/G" or the "Company") (NASDAQ NNM: CGGI) today announced that the lenders under its revolving credit facility (the "Bank Group") have agreed to continue to support C/G by entering into a cash collateral agreement giving C/G continuing access to funding under its $135 million revolving credit facility. C/G and certain banks within the Bank Group are also negotiating final terms for additional financing in the form of a debtor-in-possession line that is expected to be available in the very near future. C/G expects to operate its business in the ordinary course with the continuing support of the Bank Group. The Company also announced that it has decided not to file a Section 363 asset sale motion under U.S. bankruptcy law relating to the previously-announced asset purchase agreement between the Company and Questor Management Company and certain of its affiliates ("Questor"). This decision was made by the Company as a result of the Bank Group, whose consent for the proposed transaction with Questor was required, advising the Company that it would not support the transaction. Walter B. Fowler, C/G's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Obtaining the support of our Bank Group was a critical step in maintaining continuity of our operations during the initial stages of our bankruptcy process. The financing to be provided by the Bank Group is expected to be sufficient to allow us to complete a comprehensive financial restructuring of the Company. The Company will be evaluating potential alternatives from third parties, as well as a plan of reorganization with the support of all of our creditor constituencies. We are optimistic that a satisfactory resolution will be achieved." Note: This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industries in which the Company operates, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements are based on a number of assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. There can be no assurance that the Company will consummate a comprehensive financial restructuring or that the Bank Group will restructure their loans in connection with a comprehensive financial restructuring or that the Bank Group will continue to provide financial support to the Company in the future. Other risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.