-----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, DyHssFNj9z6JYNmZ1TrnOG6y4bNEKc2RbHWpJr4upY3k3i+PZ/GNe/9TDGQkWrlR LqDiuxTNsUDW4veGFaJ2xQ== 0000899296-05-000006.txt : 20050630 0000899296-05-000006.hdr.sgml : 20050630 20050629204847 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000899296-05-000006 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 20-F PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 7 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050629 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050630 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050629 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MADECO SA CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000899296 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: F3 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 20-F SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11870 FILM NUMBER: 05926523 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: URETA COX 930 STREET 2: SAN MIGUEL CITY: SANTIAGO CHILE STATE: F3 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: 0116525201000 20-F 1 madeco.htm UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

  • REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  • ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004

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

Commission file number: 1-11870

MADECO S.A.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

MADECO INC.

(Translation of Registrant's name into English)

Republic of Chile

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Ureta Cox 930, Santiago, Chile

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12 (b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary Shares representing Common Stock

New York Stock Exchange

Common Stock, without par value

New York Stock Exchange*

___________

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares which are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

Not applicable

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

Not applicable

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

Common Stock, without par value.................... 4,441,192,887

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 T No £

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17 £ Item 18 T

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION *

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS *

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION *

PART I *

ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers *

ITEM 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable *

ITEM 3. Key Information *

ITEM 4. Information on the Company *

ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects *

ITEM 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees *

ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions *

ITEM 8. Financial Information *

ITEM 9. The Offer and Listing *

ITEM 10. Additional Information *

ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk *

ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities *

PART II *

ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies *

ITEM 14. Material Modifications of the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds *

ITEM 15. *

ITEM 16. *

PART III *

ITEM 17. Financial Statements *

ITEM 18. Financial Statements *

ITEM 19. Exhibits *

 

 

 

PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION

Madeco S.A. is a sociedad anónima abierta (open stock corporation) organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile ("Chile"). In this Annual Report on Form 20-F (the "Annual Report"), unless otherwise specified, all references to "Madeco" or the "Company" are to Madeco S.A. together with its consolidated subsidiaries and references to "Madeco Chile" include only Madeco S.A. The fiscal year for the Company ends on December 31 of each year. Madeco prepares its financial statements in Chilean pesos and in conformity with Chilean generally accepted accounting principles, or "Chilean GAAP". Chilean GAAP as applied to Madeco differs in certain important respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). See Note 32 to Madeco's audited consolidated financial statements (together with the notes thereto, the "Consolidated Financial Statements") for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (with the exception of the Balance Sheet, which is included only as of December 31, 2003 and 2004), contained elsewhere in this Annual Report, for a description of the principal differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to the Company and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income or loss and total shareholders' equity for the periods and as of the dates therein indicated. Unless otherwise specified, financial data for all periods included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and elsewhere throughout this Annual Report have been restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2004 (which is further explained in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). For clarity of presentation, certain amounts represented in U.S. dollars and Chilean pesos, as well as percentages, have been rounded. As a result, certain totals may not directly reflect the sum of their components.

Madeco's operations are organized into four business units: Wire & Cable, Brass Mills, Flexible Packaging and Aluminum Profiles. The following table sets forth the divisions within each business unit as well as the countries where Madeco maintains operations for each respective business:

Business Unit

Divisions

Countries of Operations

Wire & Cable

Metallic Cable

Copper Rod

Optical Fiber (2)

Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina (1)

Chile and Peru

Brazil and Argentina

Brass Mills

Pipes, Bars and Sheets ("PBS")

Coins and Sheets

Chile and Argentina (1)

Chile

Flexible Packaging

N/A

Chile and Argentina

Aluminum Profiles(3)

N/A

Chile

(1) Certain facilities in the Wire & Cable business unit located in Argentina have been, on a non-continuous basis, partially reopened and the Brass Mills business unit facilities located in Argentina are operating at limited capacity.

(2) See "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - History, and - Business Overview - Wire & Cable" and "Item 8. Financial Information - Legal Proceedings".

(3) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

To facilitate an understanding of the Company's activities and performance, information for a business unit may be presented by division. In each division, exports are defined as sales to customers in countries where the Company does not maintain operations for the corresponding business.

The Company uses the metric system of weights and measures in calculating its operating and financial data. A conversion table of the most common metric units used by the Company and their U.S. equivalent units is set forth below:

 

1 kilometer = 0.6214 miles

1 mile = 1.6093 kilometers

1 meter = 3.2808 feet

1 foot = 0.3048 meters

1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds

1 pound = 0.4536 kilograms

1 ton = 2,204.6 pounds

This Annual Report contains various estimates by the Company of industry size, market share data and related sales volume information. These estimates are based principally on the Company's analysis of available information, which includes: (i) the Company's internal production and sales data; (ii) import and export reports made available by customs authorities; (iii) copper sales reports from Corporación Chilena del Cobre (the Chilean Copper Corporation, or "Cochilco"); (iv) import and export reports from central banks of the countries where the Company has operations; (v) production reports from the Company's suppliers of copper rods; (vi) sales information filed publicly by some of the Company's competitors; and (vii) information informally obtained from market participants and the Company's suppliers. No third parties or other independent companies have provided estimates or confirmed the Company's market share calculations and estimates. Sources that use methodologies, which are not identical to the Company's, may produce different results.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. The statements also relate to the Company's future prospects, development and business strategies.

These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as "anticipates", "believes", "could", "designed to", "estimates", "expects", "goal", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "should", "thinks", "will" and similar terms and phrases. Actual results could differ materially from those expected by the Company, depending on the outcome of certain factors, including, without limitation:

Estimates Relating to the Company's Capital Expenditures Plan. The Company reviews its capital investment program periodically and changes to the program are made as it believes is appropriate. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will fully implement its capital expenditures plan and the actual amount of future capital expenditures will depend on a variety of factors. See "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Capital Expenditures" for a discussion of the Company's expected future capital expenditures;

"Cost-plus" Pricing Policy. Although the Company intends to continue its cost-plus pricing policy, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase its selling prices in response to increases in the cost of raw materials in the future. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors", "Item 4. Information on the Company - Raw Materials" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Fluctuations in LME Metal Prices and Exchange Rates between Currencies" for a discussion of the effects of fluctuations in the price of raw materials;

Competition. Although the Company believes it will continue to compete effectively in its markets and industries, no assurance can be given in this regard. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" and "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview" for a discussion of factors that could affect the Company's ability to compete;

Dividends. The Company's current dividend policy is subject to various factors, including those described under "Item 8. Financial Information - Dividend Policy";

Economic Developments in Argentina and other Latin America Countries. The economic deterioration in Argentina, which occurred in prior years, had materially adversely affected the Company. Adverse changes in any of the Latin American economies where the Company operates with respect to economic growth, currency devaluation, rates of inflation and other factors could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. See "Item 3. Key Information - Selected Financial Data, and - Risk Factors" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Economic Overview";

Political Developments in Latin America. Adverse changes in the political situations in countries where the Company operates, including, without limitation, political instability and reversal of market-oriented reforms or the failure of such reforms to achieve their goals, could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors";

Developments in Local and International Markets. Adverse changes in the international markets for the Company's products, including local markets where the Company maintain operations as well as other Latin American countries, Asia, the United States or Europe could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations; and

Additional Factors. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors", for a discussion of some of the additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected by the Company.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, including, without limitation, changes in the Company's business strategy or planned capital expenditures, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

Written requests for copies of this Annual Report should be directed to Madeco S.A., Ureta Cox 930, San Miguel, Santiago, Chile, Attention: Investor Relations. Facsimile requests may be directed to (56-2) 520-1545. Telephone requests may be directed to (56-2) 520-1000. E-mail requests may be directed to ir@madeco.cl. Additional information about the Company and its products can be found at www.madeco.cl. The contents of this website are not incorporated into this Annual Report.

PART I

ITEM 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable

 

ITEM 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable

 

ITEM 3. Key Information

Selected Financial Data

The following table presents selected consolidated financial information for the Company as of the dates and for each of the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere herein. The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 32 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to the Company and includes a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income or loss for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2003 and 2004.

For clarity of presentation, certain amounts represented in U.S. dollars and Chilean pesos, as well as percentages, have been rounded. As a result, certain totals may not directly reflect the sum of their components.

Financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 is presented below in constant pesos of December 31, 2004.

 

Year ended December 31,

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2004)

Income Statement Data (Chilean GAAP)

Net sales

332,587

353,486

265,252

243,608

324,035

Operating income

10,967

11,359

4,144

7,643

25,177

Non-operating income

5,734

6,285

2,353

1,929

2,417

Non-operating expense

(30,502)

(57,865)

(42,855)

(26,341)

(16,467)

Price-level restatement and currency translation

(6,125)

(14,073)

(8,738)

1,783

(251)

Income tax

1,599

(446)

1,451

(1,632)

(1,542)

Net income (loss)

(18,431)

(53,352)

(41,572)

(17,153)

8,512

Per share (Chilean GAAP)

Number of shares

386,000,000

386,000,000

405,511,028

4,120,088,408

4,441,192,887

Net income (loss)

(47.8)

(138.2)

(102.5)

(4.2)

1.9

Dividend per share in Ch$ (1)

0

0

0

0

0

Dividend per ADS in US$ (1)

0

0

0

0

0

Income Statement Data (U.S. GAAP)

Net sales

345,321

366,968

265,335

243,608

324,035

Operating income (loss)

11,330

(23,686)

(24,189)

(3,501)

21,471

Net income (loss)

(28,100)

(58,553)

(45,180)

(20,152)

9,579

Balance Sheet Data (Chilean GAAP)

Current assets

196,443

159,004

125,023

148,733

151,197

Fixed assets

221,933

212,975

208,276

166,828

150,267

Total assets

480,529

431,005

391,387

362,518

342,910

Current liabilities

193,739

154,475

185,719

80,482

63,614

Long-term liabilities

102,292

129,534

89,110

120,590

110,452

Total liabilities

296,031

284,009

274,829

201,072

174,066

Interest bearing debt

225,556

237,122

231,781

165,321

133,756

Minority interest

13,887

15,636

13,854

10,188

10,332

Total shareholders' equity

170,612

131,360

102,705

151,258

158,513

Balance Sheet Data (U.S. GAAP)

Total assets

493,863

445,012

378,625

347,944

331,531

Long-term liabilities

100,305

115,322

167,822

127,249

114,213

Total shareholders' equity

169,609

125,656

88,546

134,097

143,918

 

(1) The Company has not distributed dividends since May 10, 1999. At year-end 2002, 1 ADS = 10 shares, as reflected in this table. On May 12, 2003, this ratio was changed to 1 ADS = 100 shares, as described in "Item 9. The Offer and Listing - Offer and Listing Details".

 

Exchange Rate Information

Exchange Rates

Prior to 1989, Chilean law permitted the purchase and sale of foreign currency only in those cases explicitly authorized by the Central Bank of Chile (the "Central Bank"). The Central Bank Act, which was enacted in 1989, liberalized the rules that govern the ability to buy and sell foreign currency. The Central Bank Act now empowers the Central Bank to determine that certain purchases and sales of foreign currency specified by law must be carried out in the Formal Exchange Market. The Formal Exchange Market is formed by banks and other entities so authorized by the Central Bank. All payments and distributions with respect to the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") referred to in this Annual Report must be transacted in the Formal Exchange Market.

For purposes of the operation of the Formal Exchange Market, the Central Bank sets a reference exchange rate (dólar acuerdo) (the "Reference Exchange Rate"). The Reference Exchange Rate is reset monthly by the Central Bank, taking internal and external inflation into account, and is adjusted daily to reflect variations in parities between the Chilean peso and each of the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen and the Euro. Authorized transactions by banks were generally conducted within a certain band above or below the Reference Exchange Rate. In January 1992, the Central Bank reduced the Reference Exchange Rate by 5% and widened the band for transactions in the Formal Exchange Market from 5% to 10%. In November 1994, the Central Bank reduced the Reference Exchange Rate by approximately 10%. In November 1995, the Central Bank reduced the Reference Exchange Rate by approximately 2%. In January 1997, the Central Bank widened the band for transactions in the Formal Exchange Market to 12.5%. On June25, 1998, the Central Bank reduced the band for transactions in the Formal Exchange Market to 2% above and 3.5% below the Reference Exchange Rate. At that time, the Central Bank also announced the elimination of a fixed 2% (peso re-valuing) factor which had until such time been taken into account in the annual resetting of the Reference Exchange Rate. In September 1998, the Central Bank began a gradual widening of the exchange rate band from 3.5% to 5% above and below the Reference Exchange Rate. In December 1998, the Central Bank set the exchange band at 8% above and below the Reference Exchange Rate and provided for the gradual widening of the limits of the band at a daily rate of 0.01375%. In order to keep fluctuations in the average exchange rate within certain limits, the Central Bank intervened by buying or selling foreign currency on the Formal Exchange Market. In September 1999, the Central Bank decided to suspend its formal commitment to intervene in the exchange market to maintain the limits of the ba nd, and decided to intervene in the market only under extraordinary circumstances and with advance notification. The Central Bank also committed itself to provide periodic information about the levels of its international reserves. The Reference Exchange Rate was maintained as a medium-term reference for the market and to be used in contracts entered into using such rate. The Observed Exchange Rate is the average exchange rate at which commercial banks conduct authorized transactions on a given date in Chile, as determined by the Central Bank. The Central Bank generally carries out its transactions at the spot market rate. Before the suspension of the band, however, when commercial banks sought to buy U.S. dollars from the Central Bank, or sought to sell U.S. dollars to the Central Bank, the Central Bank made such sales up to 2% over the Reference Exchange Rate and carried out such purchases at 3.5% under the Reference Exchange Rate. Authorized transactions by banks are generally conducted at the spot market rate. Historically, such rate fluctuated within the band set by the Central Bank with respect to the Reference Exchange Rate. No assurances can be given that the Central Bank will not establish band limits again.

Purchases and sales of foreign currency effected outside the Formal Exchange Market are carried out in the Mercado Cambiario Informal (the "Informal Exchange Market"). The Informal Exchange Market reflects the supply and demand for foreign currency. There are no limits imposed on the extent to which the rate of exchange in the Informal Exchange Market can fluctuate above or below the Observed Exchange Rate. On June 10, 2005, the average exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market was Ch$592.70 per U.S. dollar and the U.S. dollar Observed Exchange Rate was Ch$592.24 per U.S. dollar.

The following table sets forth the low, high, average and period-end Observed Exchange Rates for U.S. dollars for each of the indicated periods starting in 2000 as reported by the Central Bank the following day. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for Chilean pesos.

Daily Observed Exchange Rate

(Ch$ per US$)

Period

Low (1)

High (1)

Average (2)

Period - end

2000

501.04

580.37

539.49

573.65

2001

557.13

716.62

634.94

654.79

2002

641.75

756.56

688.94

718.61

2003

593.10

758.21

691.40

593.80

2004

557.40

649.45

609.34

557.40

December 2004

597.27

557.40

574.91

557.40

January 2005

560.30

586.18

574.12

585.40

February 2005

563.22

583.84

573.58

573.55

March 2005

578.60

591.69

586.48

585.93

April 2005

572.75

588.95

580.46

582.73

May 2005

570.83

583.59

578.31

583.00

June 2005 (through June 10)

586.32

592.75

589.08

592.37

_____________________

Source: Central Bank of Chile

(1) Rates shown are the low and high observed exchange rates, on a day-by-day basis, for each period.

(2) The average of monthly average rates during the period reported.

Madeco's international activities include operations in Argentina, Brazil and Peru. Beginning in the 1990's, both Argentina and Brazil maintained fixed exchange rates. However, in 2002 and 1999, respectively, the Argentine and Brazilian central banks allowed their respective currencies to float freely against the U.S. dollar. In Peru, since the 1990s there have not been restrictions on companies' ability to convert Peruvian currency into U.S. dollars, nor any associated fixed exchange rates. There can be no assurance that the countries where the Company has operations or interests will maintain their current currency exchange policies.

References to "R$", "AR$" and to "S$" are to Brazilian reales, Argentine pesos and Peruvian soles, respectively. While results of the Company's foreign operations are converted to Chilean pesos on a periodic (daily, weekly or monthly) basis, low, high, average and year-end Brazilian real, Argentine peso and Peruvian sol exchange rates for 2004 have been included below for reference:

Brazilian Real

 

Argentine Pesos

 

Peruvian Sol

 

In Ch$

In US$

 

In Ch$

In US$

 

In Ch$

In US$

Low (1)

209.99

2.65

 

213.90

2.80

 

176.91

3.26

High (1)

200.71

3.21

 

208.75

3.06

 

164.99

3.51

Average (2)

208.42

2.93

 

207.43

2.94

 

178.63

3.41

Year-End

209.99

2.65

 

187.36

2.98

 

169.78

3.28

 

Source: Central Banks of Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Peru

(1) Rates shown are the low and high exchange rates for each period, based on all of the daily rates within the specified period.

(2) The average annual exchange rate is based on the monthly average rates as calculated by the Central Bank of Chile.

Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable

Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

Risk Factors

The Company is subject to various changing competitive, economic, political, social and other risks and conditions, some of which are described below:

Certain Considerations Relating to Chile. The Company is engaged in its four businesses in Chile: Wire & Cable, Brass Mills, Flexible Packaging and Aluminum Profiles. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company had Ch$73,537 million, or 48.9% of its property, plant and equipment in Chile, and derived 58.4% of its revenues, from its Chilean operations. Consequently, the Company's results of operations and financial condition are largely dependent on the overall level of economic activity in Chile. The Chilean economy has had GDP growth rates of 4.5%, 3.4%, 2.2%, 3.7% and 6.1% for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. There can be no assurance regarding future rates of growth relating to the Chilean economy. Some of the factors that would be likely to have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations include future downturns in the Chilean economy, a return to the high inflation experienced by Chile in the 1970s and a devaluation of the Chilean peso relative to the U.S. dollar.

Effects of Restrictions on Argentine Gas supply on Chilean Operations. Chile is dependent on foreign supply of energy sources such as oil, natural gas and fuel derivatives. Since 2003 the Argentine government has restricted gas exports to Chile due to supply problems in Argentina. This has affected the supply of energy to the Chilean industries. The reduction in gas supply may affect the Company's operations. While the Company has access to alternative energy sources, such as liquid gas, which reduce the impact of the restrictions imposed on the Company, the cost of such sources could be higher than the Company's current energy sources and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase its selling prices in response to this potential cost increase. Therefore, any cost increase from the use of alternative energy sources could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Developments in Emerging Markets May Affect the Company. Although the Company's principal businesses are in Chile, Madeco also maintains substantial assets and derives significant revenue from its operations in Brazil, Argentina and Peru. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company had Ch$40,957 million, or 27.3% of its property, plant and equipment in Brazil, and derived 22.2% of its revenues, from its Brazilian operations. In the case of Argentina, the Company had Ch$23,752 million, or 15.8% of its property, plant and equipment in Argentina, and derived 6.8% of its revenues from its Argentine operations. In the case of Peru, the Company had Ch$12,021 million, or 8.0% of its property, plant and equipment in Peru, and derived 12.6% of its revenues from its Peruvian operations.

In recent years, Argentina has suffered an economic recession which culminated in a political and economic crisis with a significant currency devaluation in early 2002. The Argentine economy has since stabilized as a result of measures adopted by the Argentine government, including restrictions on bank deposits and withdrawals, exchange controls, suspension of payments of external debt and the abrogation of Argentine peso convertibility. The economic recession and crises materially affected Madeco, requiring the Company to close the majority of its operations in Argentina. In 2003, economic activity recovered across all sectors of the Argentine economy, and as a result, Madeco reopened certain of its operations at limited capacity. Although Argentina's economy has improved, the country's economic environment and political stability remain fragile.

Brazil has also been affected by the general economical downturn that has affected Latin America in recent years. During 2002 the Brazilian Real devaluated 52.3% in relation to the U.S. dollar. Accordingly, in 2002 Madeco suffered a loss amounting to Ch$10,351 million as a result of this devaluation. Although consumption and investment remained low in 2003, in 2004, the Brazilian economy grew by 4.9%, due in large part, to growth of the exports and the favorable external economic scenario. However, there can be no assurance that such growth will continue in the future.

The Peruvian economy continues to develop at a steady pace. Although economic growth is likely to continue, as the country profits from increased demand for commodities in the wake of a stronger global economy, political instability has increased as evidenced by the low presidential approval ratings (estimated at 8.4% as of January 2005 and as per the Universidad de Lima), which could have a material adverse effect on the Peruvian economy.

The economies into which Madeco exports the products it manufactures are also affected by social and political changes. There can be no assurance that political changes or political instability in the countries in which the Company operates or into which it exports its products will not materially adversely affect the Company in the future. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the economic system in Chile and the new free trade agreements, which are expected to allow the Company to export its products more readily, will be maintained in the future.

Developments in Emerging Markets May Affect the Market Value of Chilean Securities. The market value of securities of Chilean companies is, to varying degrees, affected by economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries. Although economic conditions in such countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Chile, investors' reactions to developments in any of these other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Chilean issuers. For example, in the second half of 1998 and early 1999, prices of Chilean securities were materially adversely affected by the economic crises in Russia and Brazil. Although the negative condition of the Chilean securities market has improved since 2003, there can be no assurance that the Chilean stock market will continue to grow or even sustain its gains and that the market value of the Company's securities would not be adversely affected by events elsewhere, especially in emerging market countries.

Opportunities to Secure Financing Necessary to Operate the Company's Businesses May Be Limited. In the future, the Company may need to raise funds for various purposes. Madeco was notified on July 1, 2002 that the Comisión Clasificadora de Riesgo (the "Risk Classification Commission"), which regulates the investment activities of pension funds in Chile, had ruled that as a result of the downgrading of the credit ratings of the Company's securities and the deterioration of Madeco's financial situation, Chilean pension funds were further limited in the amount of debt securities or common shares of Madeco that they could hold. Although the rating agencies have since upgraded the Company's rating and Chilean pension funds are no longer limited in the amount of debt securities or common shares of Madeco that they can hold, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be downgraded, and the holding of Madeco's securities by Chilean pension funds limited, in the future. See " Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Changes in the Company's Risk Classification". Given that Chilean pension funds together constitute the most significant investor group in Chilean securities, any action taken by the Risk Classification Commission has in the past affected and could in the future affect the price and liquidity of Madeco's common shares and bonds. There can be no assurance that capital will be available in the future as needed on reasonable terms in Chile or otherwise. An inability to obtain capital could constrain the Company's ability to refinance debt, expand sales, improve productivity or take advantage of opportunities and could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

The Company is Controlled by One Majority Shareholder, whose Interests May Differ from Minority Shareholders. As of March 31, 2005, the Quiñenco Group owned 51.2% of the Company's shares. Accordingly, the Quiñenco Group has the power to control the election of the majority of members of the Company's Board of Directors and its interests may differ from the interests of other holders of the Company's shares. The Quiñenco Group has a significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval (and according to Rule 18.046 Ley de Sociedades Anónimas, Chilean Corporations Law), including the sale of substantial Madeco's assets and going-private transactions, and also the power to prevent or cause a change in control.

The Quiñenco Group has a significant influence in determining the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to the shareholders for approval, including mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or substantially all of Madeco's assets and going-private transactions, and also the power to prevent or cause a change in control.

Following Madeco's Restructuring of its Indebtedness, the Company is Now More Susceptible to Interest Rate Risk. Most of Madeco's bank financial obligations have floating interest rates (based on LIBOR or TAB (the Chilean Inter-bank rate) following the Company's restructuring of its indebtedness in 2002. A substantial increase in interest rates would materially adversely affect Madeco's financial position. There can be no assurance that such a rate increase will not occur.

The Price of Madeco's ADSs and the U.S. Dollar Value of Any Dividends Will Be Affected by Fluctuations in Exchange Conditions. The Company's ADSs trade in U.S. dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between certain Latin American currencies and the U.S. dollar are likely to affect the market price of the ADSs. For example, since Madeco's financial statements are reported in Chilean pesos and any dividend paid will be denominated in Chilean pesos, a decline in the value of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar would reduce the Company's earnings as reported in U.S. dollars and would reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent of any dividend.

A devaluation of the Brazilian, Argentine or Peruvian currency versus the U.S. dollar would also reduce the Company's earnings in Chilean pesos and therefore the earnings reported in U.S. dollars. For example, given the relative importance of Brazilian operations to the Company's consolidated results, a devaluation in Brazil's currency could have a materially adverse impact on the Company's earnings.

For a further discussion regarding the Company's currency exchange rate risk, see "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk - Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk".

Holders of ADSs May be Subject to Certain Risks. Due to the fact that holders of ADSs do not hold their shares directly, they are subject to the following additional risks:

In the event of a dividend or other distribution, if exchange rates fluctuate during any period of time when the ADS depositary cannot convert a foreign currency into dollars, the ADS holders may lose some or all of the value of the distribution. There can be no assurance that the ADS depositary will be able to convert any currency at a specific exchange rate or sell any property, rights, shares or other securities at a specific price, or that any of such transactions can be completed within a specific time period.

In order to vote at shareholders' meetings, ADS holders not registered on the books of the ADS depositary are required to transfer their ADSs for a certain number of days before a shareholders' meeting into a blocked account established for that purpose by the ADS depositary. Any ADS transferred to this blocked account will not be available for transfer during that time. ADS holders who are registered on the books of the ADS depositary must give instructions to the ADS depositary not to transfer their ADSs during this period before the shareholders' meeting. ADS holders must therefore receive voting materials from the ADS depositary sufficiently in advance in order to make these transfers or give these instructions. There can be no guarantee that ADS holders will receive voting materials in time to instruct the ADS depositary how to vote. It is possible that ADS holders, or persons who hold their ADSs through brokers, dealers or other third parties, will not have the opportunity to exercise a right t o vote at all. Additionally, ADS holders may not receive copies of all reports from Madeco or the ADS depositary. Holders may have to go to the ADS depositary's offices to inspect any reports issued.

In the event the Company fails to meet any of the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or "NYSE", the Company's ADSs may become subject to delisting at the option of NYSE. In 2002 the Company was not in compliance with NYSE's minimum security price and minimum market capitalization continued listing requirements. On June 21, 2003 the Company regained compliance with both the minimum security price and the minimum market capitalization requirements. The Company has maintained its compliance status during 2004 and for the first quarter 2005. There can be no assurance that the Company will not fail to meet the NYSE continued listing requirements in the future. See "Item 9. The Offer and Listing - Offer and Listing Details".

Copper Supply and Price Levels. Copper is the primary raw material used by the Company, and the Company's results of operations are heavily dependent on its ability to buy an adequate supply of copper. Prices for copper are affected by numerous factors outside the Company's control and have historically fluctuated greatly.

Cochilco, a governmental entity, guarantees and regulates the supply of copper to all domestic copper manufacturers in Chile according to the Ley de Reserva del Cobre, or the Copper Reserve Law. On an annual basis, all Chilean copper purchasers must inform Cochilco of their estimated copper requirements for the upcoming year. Cochilco assigns the domestic copper demand to the various mining companies and establishes conditions for the sale of copper including price levels, which reflect London Metal Exchange ("LME") prices adjusted for reduced transportation and related insurance costs. Cochilco establishes the terms of the annual copper supply contracts between the copper producers and manufacturers such as the Company. Under this current system, copper purchases are made on a monthly basis, and payments are required prior to delivery. Over the past 10 years, the Company has not experienced any difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of copper at satisfactory prices under these arrangements. There can be no assurances, however, that the Company will continue to be able to obtain its required copper at satisfactory prices, if at all.

In Peru, the Company obtains the majority of its copper needs from local mining companies. The copper obtained is used by its investee (Cobrecón S.A.), which produces copper rod for the Company's requirements in Peru.

In Brazil, the Company purchases its copper rod requirements from both its Peruvian and Chilean copper rod production companies and from an unrelated third party (Caraiba Metais do Brasil). There can be no assurance that all the copper rod requirements in Brazil will be fullfilled, since a portion of the Company's requirements are obtained from a third party.

Copper Reserve Law. A long-standing project exists to study a possible modification or elimination of the Copper Reserve Law. While the Company is not able to predict when and how the law may be modified, if at all, a modification could provide a significant change in the relationship between Madeco and its copper suppliers. In the event that the Copper Reserve Law is abolished, Madeco could have the opportunity to negotiate the sales conditions of its copper purchases directly with the domestic copper producers, and the resulting contracts may be more or less favorable than under actual conditions in terms of volume commitment requirements, payment terms and/or penalties.

Fluctuations in London Metal Exchange Prices of Copper and Aluminum. Historically, international prices of both copper and aluminum have fluctuated greatly. The Company's price policy is to sell its copper and aluminum products based on the quantity of metal contained in each of them, and the metal is valued at the London Metals Exchange, or "LME", prices. The Company generally has been able to increase its selling prices in response to increases in costs of copper and/or aluminum. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to recover increases in the cost of copper and/or aluminum in the future.

Dependence on Several Raw Material Suppliers. The Company is dependent on a limited number of suppliers for the procurement of copper and aluminum. The Company believes that its contracts and other agreements with third-party suppliers contain standard and customary terms and conditions. During the past ten years, the Company has experienced no substantial difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of necessary raw materials at satisfactory prices, since these raw materials are commodities that can be acquired from various multinational suppliers. If the Company experiences difficulties in obtaining raw materials from suppliers in the future it would adversely affect the Company's ability to operate its business.

Concentration of Customer Base. Over the past decade, there has been consolidation within the various industries to which the Company sells its products. As a result, the Company's larger customers are now both fewer in number and more powerful in their ability to demand favorable sales conditions from Madeco such as prices and payment terms. This development could potentially put downward pressure on the Company's selling prices and margins. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview".

Demand for Telecommunications Cable has Significantly Decreased and is not Expected to Recover to Previous Levels. Despite significant demand in 2000 and 2001 by the telecommunications, or "telecom", industry for both copper and fiber optic cable, demand for these products which are manufactured by the Company have since significantly diminished. For a further discussion of this decrease in demand, see "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Wire & Cable - Summary of Sales." The Company does not expect the demand for these products by the telecom industry to recover in the foreseeable future and there can be no assurance that the demand for these products will increase to previous levels or at all.

Operations are Subject to Environmental Laws and Regulations. Madeco's operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, such as regulations regarding the release of copper, aluminum or plastics dust into the air. Stricter laws and regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws or regulations, may impose new liabilities on the Company or result in the need for additional investments in pollution control equipment, either of which could result in a material adverse effect on Madeco's profitability.

ITEM 4. Information on the Company

History and Development of the Company

General

Madeco S.A. (formerly known as Manufacturas de Cobre Madeco S.A.), was incorporated in the Republic of Chile in 1944 as a sociedad anónima abierta, or open stock corporation, and operates under the laws of Chile. The Company also has operations in Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

The Company's head office and principal business address is located at Ureta Cox 930, Santiago, Chile. The telephone number at the Company's head office is (56-2) 520-1000, and the facsimile number is (56-2) 520-1545. Our authorized representative in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011, U.S.A. CT Corporation's phone number is (212) 894-8500.

Madeco's operations are organized into four principal operating segments or business units based on production processes. The Company's current business segments are:

h Wire & Cable,

h Brass Mills,

h Flexible Packaging; and

h Aluminum Profiles.

Madeco's principal products include:

h in the Wire & Cable business: copper telecom cables, building wire, copper and aluminum power cables (thermo-plastic, thermo-stable and bare wire), magnetic wires, mining cables and copper rods;

h in the Brass Mills business: pipes, sheets, coils, busbars, bars and coin blanks made from copper, aluminum and related alloys;

h in the Flexible Packaging business: rotogravure and flexo laminated flexible packaging (plastics, foil, paper); and

h in the Aluminum Profiles business: extruded profiles used mainly in residential and no residential construction (windows and patio doors, curtain walls) and diverse industrial applications.

In 2004, the Company's consolidated net revenues amounted to Ch$324,035 million, of which 51.3% was derived from Madeco's Wire & Cable unit, 25.9% from the Brass Mills unit, 13.9% from the Flexible Packaging unit and 8.9% from the Aluminum Profiles unit.

 

History

Madeco S.A. was incorporated as an open stock corporation in Chile in 1944 and has expanded over the years into Brazil, Peru and Argentina. Today, the Company is a leading Latin American manufacturer of finished and semi-finished non-ferrous products based on copper, aluminum and related alloys as well as a manufacturer of flexible packaging products for use in the mass consumer market for food, snacks and cosmetics products.

Madeco was founded by Mademsa to manufacture copper and copper-alloy based products. The original principal shareholders were the Simonetti brothers and Corporación de Fomento de la Produccion (Corfo). In 1954, the Company initiated fabrication of aluminum based products (profiles, sheets and foil).

The company Alusa S.A. was created in 1961 in conjunction with the Zecchetto and Arduini family to manufacture flexible packaging for use in the mass consumer market for food, snacks and cosmetics products.

During the period of political turmoil (1971), Madeco was forcibly nationalized and remained under government control during the administration of President Salvador Allende Gossens.

In 1975 operating control of the Company was returned to the Board of Directors during the military government presided by General Augusto Pinochet Ugarte.

In 1980, through Quiñenco S.A., the Luksic Group (one of the largest diversified companies engaged in the industrial and service sectors in multiple countries within Latin America) made a substantial investment in the Company. In 1983, the Luksic Group acquired a majority share and control of the Company.

In 1987, Colada Continua Chilena S.A. was created in Chile in order to ensure the opportune production and delivery of its principal raw material, copper rod.

In 1988, the Company acquired Armat S.A., a Chilean manufacturer of coin blanks and minted coins made of copper and copper - based alloys.

In 1990, Madeco commenced its wire & cable operations in Argentina, through the acquisition of Indelqui S.A. (a producer of telecom and energy cables).

In 1991, the Company acquired Indalum S.A., a Chilean aluminum profiles manufacturer. In conjunction with this acquisition, Ingewall S.A., was created that same year to participate in the curtain wall fabrication and installation business.

In 1993, Madeco made a capital increase whereby 57,750,000 shares were placed on the Santiago Stock Exchange and on the NYSE in the form of ADRs, raising approximately Ch$35,538 million (historic value) or US$83 million. In addition, the Company acquired Triple - C (a cable producer) in Peru and continued its expansion in Argentina through the acquisition of a power cable plant in Llavallol. The Company also expanded its flexible packaging business into Argentina with the construction of a plant in San Luis (Aluflex S.A.).

In 1994, Madeco acquired the Argentine company Decker S.A., a copper and brass pipes and sheets manufacturer. In Peru, the Company's subsidiary (Triple -C) merged with another large Peruvian cable manufacturer (Indeco S.A.); the new combined operation kept the name Indeco S.A.

In 1996, the Company acquired, through its subsidiary Alusa, a 25% share in two flexible packaging firms in Peru (Peruplast and Tech Pak).

In 1997, Madeco acquired a 67% share of Ficap S.A., then the second largest cable company in Brazil. In July, the Company made a second international capital increase on the Santiago Stock Exchange and in the form of ADRs on the NYSE; a total of 33,167,661 shares were subscribed and paid, raising approximately Ch$33,168 million (historic value) or US$76 million.

In 1998, the Company acquired the remaining 33% of Ficap S.A.. In Argentina, the Company merged its two operating subsidiaries; the new entity, Decker-Indelqui S.A., incorporated both cable and brass mills operations.

In 1999, the Company and Corning International Corporation ("Corning") created Ficap Optel, a joint venture in which the Company initially had a 75% interest and Corning the remaining 25%. This joint venture was established to produce, sell and distribute optical fiber cables.

In 2000, Madeco successfully raised US$75 million in a local bond issuance. During April of that same year, the Company raised approximately Ch$6,485 million (historic value), or US$13 million, in the Chilean stock market through the issuance of 15,082,339 unsubscribed shares from a previous 1997 capital increase.

In 2001, the Company modified its Ficap Optel Joint Venture Agreement with Corning. Corning increased its interest in Ficap Optel from 25% to 50% by acquiring a 25% interest from the Company. As part of the new Joint Venture arrangement, Ficap Optel changed its name to Optel S.A. and purchased 99.9% of Corning Argentina S.A.

On December 31 , 2001, as a result of the economic crisis in Argentina, Madeco decided to temporarily suspend production for the Wire & Cable and Brass Mills operations of its Argentine subsidiary Decker-Indelqui.

In October 2002, a new team led by Mr. Tiberio Dall'Olio took over the management of the Company. The new administration has extensive experience in the cable manufacturing industry, with a collective average of 30 years experience.

In March 2003, Madeco completed its debt restructuring process, which involved:

    • a capital increase of approximately Ch$95,114 million (including a Ch$3,717 million bond equitization) through an offering of 3,714,577,380 shares,
    • the payment of 30% of the Company's outstanding bank debt (equal to US$38.3 million) and an additional payment of 10.3% of the outstanding debt (equal to US$9.9 million), and
    • a seven year extension on the remaining bank debt (equivalent to US$74.2 million) with a three year grace period.

During the third quarter of 2003 the Company publicly offered in the Chilean Stock Exchange a portion of the unsubscribed shares of the April 2003 capitalization process, of which 1,421,603,602 shares, (equivalent to approximately Ch$40,083 million) were sold.

In September 2003, as a result of increased demand in Argentina for the Company's products, Madeco reopened its Decker-Indelqui's copper pipes plant (Barracas) with a limited production capacity. In November 2003, the Company reopened, also at limited capacity, its brass mills foundry plant (Llavallol) in Argentina.

During the second half of 2003, the Joint Venture Agreement between Madeco and Corning was lawfully terminated in connection with the arbitration process requested by Madeco in 2002, after it refused a request by Corning for liquidation of the Joint Venture Agreement, was resolved in favor of Corning. As a result of the termination of the Joint Venture Agreement, i) the Company lost certain rights regarding the appointment of Optel's management and ii) the Company is required to initiate the liquidation of Optel at Corning's demand. See - "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber Cable".

In November 2004, Madeco reopened partially and, on a non-continuous basis, its wire & cable plants (Llavallol and Quilmes) located in Argentina. The Company is constantly evaluating the possibility of re-establishing, at normal capacity, its Wire & Cable operations in Argentina. This decision will depend on (but may not be limited to) the evolution of Argentina's economy, and the evolution of perspectives for the wire and cable market in Argentina.

 

Recent Developments

On March 31, 2005, Madeco purchased Corning's 50% share of Optel Ltda. (for the nominal value of R$1) thereby obtaining complete control of Optel Ltda. and avoiding Corning's ability to cause its liquidation pursuant to the 2003 arbitration resolution. See - "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber Cable".

Capital Expenditures and Divestitures

In recent years, capital expenditures have been primarily used to replace equipment, to expand Madeco's production capacity and to eliminate bottlenecks in the production process. The Company's capital expenditures for 2002, 2003 and 2004 totaled approximately Ch$16,628 million. Of this amount, Ch$2,876 million were invested in Madeco's Wire & Cable operations, Ch$1,309 million in the Company's Brass Mills operations, Ch$11,021 million in the Flexible Packaging operations and Ch$1,422 million in the Aluminum Profiles operations. Madeco's investment policy is focused on the acquisition of assets necessary for the Company to sustain its business and operations in the long term and to improve its operational efficiencies. See "Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Capital Expenditures".

Wire & Cable Unit. In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$1,530 million, which was equivalent to 27.7% of the unit's depreciation. In Brazil, investments included acquisitions of wire-related machinery and equipment, and Information Technology improvements, including the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, SAP. In Peru, the Company invested in the acquisition of machinery to increase production capacity and in Information Technology improvements. In Chile, investments primarily included the acquisition of a continuous copper casting line for the Lo Espejo facility. The Company expects this continuous copper casting line to be in operation by June, 2005. In Argentina, capital expenditures were not material.

In 2003, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$365 million, equivalent to 6.1% of the Wire & Cable Unit's depreciation expense. In Peru, investments were made to refurbish administrative offices, continue the development of internal Information Technology (IT) systems, purchase spare parts to improve the quality control systems and double the sulfate plant capacity (in October 2000 the Company purchased a copper sulfate plant which uses copper cable scrap as raw material; its sales within the Wire & Cable unit are not material). In Chile, Brazil and Argentina capital expenditures were not material.

Capital expenditures for 2002 totaled Ch$980 million. In Peru, investments included a new catenary line. In Chile, investments were made to increase productivity and to reduce delivery-time of products. In Brazil, capital expenditures for 2002 were not material.

Brass Mills Unit. In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$427 million, which was equivalent to 17.2% of the unit's depreciation. Most of the unit's investments were related to the acquisition of a new power generator in Chile. In Argentina capital expenditures were not material.

In 2003, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$415 million, which was equal to 16.1% of the unit's depreciation.

Capital expenditures for 2002 totaled Ch$468 million, which was equal to 18.8% of the unit's depreciation.

Flexible Packaging Unit. In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$3,910 million, which was equivalent to 184.5% of the unit's depreciation. Investments were primarily related to the acquisition of machinery and equipment for the production facility in Chile, including an extruding machine,a laminating machine, and a sealing machine.

In 2003, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$2,376 million, which were related to the repurchase of the Company's equipment through a capital lease contract.

Capital expenditures for 2002 totaled Ch$4,735 million, all of which were related to the repurchase the Company's equipment through a capital lease contract.

Aluminum Profiles Unit. In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$570 million, which was equivalent to 86.6% of the units depreciation. Investments were made to improve the manufacturing process and acquire machinery used in the profiles unit such as a color transformer.

In 2003, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$410 million, which was equal to 65.26% of the unit's depreciation.

Expenditures during the year 2002 amounted to Ch$441 million, which was equal to 69.68% of the unit's depreciation.

Business Overview

Strategy

On July 26, 2002, the Company's Board of Directors designated a new senior management team, which assumed its responsibilities on October 1, 2002. This team implemented an operational restructuring of the Company to optimize its resources and production abilities.

The Company's current Strategic Operational Business Plan ("Business Plan") is based on improvements in the marketing, production, and administrative areas of the Company, with special emphasis on the Wire & Cable business unit and its largest operation, Ficap S.A. in Brazil. The Company's management is focused on five main areas:

    • increasing revenues through: reorganizing commercial activities in order to recover market share, developing export markets and coordinating commercial activities among subsidiaries;
    • developing a specialty cable niche market in Brazil. The Company is focusing its efforts on the development of specialty cables, and obtained internationally recognized certification for these cables technical characteristics. A market for these specialty cables has developed in Brazil, Europe and parts of Asia;
    • the implementation of policies that improve operating efficiencies in the Company's production facilities by means of: efficient use of assets in each country, reductions in personnel and in overtime hours and reductions in manufacturing costs and scrap rates;
    • optimizing selling, general and administrative expenses by implementing austerity measures and taking advantage of synergies, primarily among the Company's Chilean subsidiaries; and
    • capitalizing on the Company's assets through maximizing capacity utilization, minimizing capital expenditures and selling off disposable assets.

 

Wire & Cable

Since Madeco's incorporation in 1944, its principal business has been the production, sale and distribution of wire and cable products. The Company's Wire & Cable business unit is composed of two divisions: metallic cable, which includes copper rod, and optical fiber.

The following table includes the names of the Company's subsidiaries dedicated to the production, sale and distribution of metallic as well as fiber optic wire and cable products:

Entity Name

Division

Country

Madeco Chile

Metallic Cable

Chile

Ficap S.A.

Metallic Cable

Brazil

Optel Ltda. (1)

Optical Fiber

Brazil

Indeco S.A.

Metallic Cable

Peru

Decker-Indelqui S.A.

Metallic Cable

Argentina

Optel Argentina S.A. (1)

Optical Fiber

Argentina

(1) See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber".

At year-end 2001, as a consequence of Argentina's tumultuous economic environment and political instability, the Company suspended its Argentine Wire & Cable production operations. Decker-Indelqui (its Llavallol and Quilmes plants) maintained a minimal staff in Argentina, primarily to sell products imported from Madeco's Brazilian facilities and to ensure the security and maintenance of its production facilities. In November 2004, Madeco reopened partially and, on a non-continuous basis, its wire & cable plants (Llavallol and Quilmes) located in Argentina. The Company is constantly evaluating the possibility of re-establishing, at normal capacity, its Wire & Cable operations in Argentina. This decision will depend on (but may not be limited to) the evolution of Argentina's economy, and the evolution of perspectives for the wire and cable market in Argentina.

Wire & Cable - Summary of Sales

The Wire & Cable unit is Madeco's largest business unit, with revenues representing 51.3% of the Company's consolidated sales for the year 2004. The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales generated by the Wire & Cable business unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Wire & Cable Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million)

Year

Metallic Cable Division Revenues (1)

Optical Fiber Cable Division Revenues

Total Revenues

% Consolidated Revenues

2002

133,395

2,284

135,679

51.2%

2003

113,288

0

113,288

46.5%

2004

166,271

0

166,271

51.3%

Wire & Cable Unit - Volume Sales (3)

Year

Metallic Cable (in tons)

Optical Fiber Cable

(in kms (2))

Total Volume

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2002

60,415

65,452

61,903

53.8%

2003

53,923

0

53,923

49.3%

2004

62,866

0

62,866

51.0%

 

(1) Revenues of the Wire & Cable business unit include copper rod sales. They also includecopper sulfate sales from Indeco.

(2) Total volume sales presented in tons include the conversion of optical fiber volume sales using the conversion rate 1 ton = 44 kms. The Company did not consolidate with Optel during 2003 and 2004. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber".

(3) The Company's volume sales estimates for the Wire & Cable unit include only metal. Figures presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in the process of measuring volume sales. Prior to 2003, calculations of sales included metal and insulating materials.

The Company's Wire & Cable business unit generated revenues of Ch$166,271 million for the year 2004, an increase of 46.8% compared to the previous year (Ch$113,288 million). This increase is mostly due to higher sales from copper rod and copper and aluminum cables products of 49.9% and 46.2%, respectively. Overall, the Company experienced growth in its cable products in all markets in which it operates due to improved economic conditions, which increased private sector investments for the Company's Wire & Cable products.

Madeco sells its wire and cable products mainly in the markets where it maintains its operations. Export sales for the Wire & Cable unit represented 14.0% of the unit's revenues for the year 2004 (76.7% of which represented copper rod). The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales generated by the Wire & Cable business unit by destination for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

Wire & Cable Unit - Revenues by Destination (in Ch$ million)

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina (1)

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

2002

21,112

73,213

18,813

2,177

20,364

135,679

2003

19,548

56,039

20,929

2,201

14,571

113,288

2004

31,222

77,614

29,454

4,646

23,335

166,271

Wire & Cable Unit - Volume Sales of Metallic Cable by Destination (in tons)(3)

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

2002

7,269

32,722

6,123

1,325

12,976

60,415

2003

6,253

28,135

7,799

1,138

10,598

53,923

2004

8,993

31,394

8,663

2,011

11,805

62,866

Wire & Cable Unit - Volume Sales of Optical Fiber Cable by Destination (in kms) (4)

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

2002

3,174

2,128

72

3,525

56,553

65,452

2003

0

0

0

0

0

0

2004

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

(1) The Company's revenues in Argentina in 2002 and 2003 are the result of the marketing and selling of imported products from Brazil. In 2004, the Company's revenues in Argentina are the result of the marketing and selling of both imported products from Ficap S.A. and manufactured products from Decker-Indelqui.

(2) Exports for the Wire & Cable unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina.

(3)The Company's volume sales estimates for the Wire & Cable unit include only metal. Figures presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in the process of measuring volume sales. Prior to 2003, calculations of sales included metal and insulating materials.

(4) Madeco did not consolidate with Optel during 2003 and 2004. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber".

The following table shows the Company's total revenues generated by the Wire & Cable unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, broken down by the subsidiary generating the revenues:

 

Wire & Cable Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million)

Year

Madeco Chile (metallic cable)

Ficap

(metallic cable)

Indeco

(metallic cable)

Decker-Indelqui

(metallic cable) (1)

Optel (2)

(optical fiber)

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

2002

41,238

71,897

33,510

1,216

2,284

(14,466)

135,679

2003

42,429

55,390

33,764

2,237

0

(20,532)

113,288

2004

59,956

76,948

53,766

4,680

0

(29,079)

166,271

 

(1) The Company's revenues in Argentina in 2002 and 2003 are the result of marketing and selling of imported products. In 2004, the Company's revenues in Argentina are the result of marketing and selling of both imported products from Ficap and manufactured products from Decker-Indelqui.

(2) Madeco did not consolidate with Optel during 2003 and 2004. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Optical Fiber".

The following discussions of the Company's Wire & Cable business unit (production, raw materials, sales and distribution, market demand and industry size estimates, and market share and description of competition) have each been separated into two sections, cable and optical fiber cable.

Cable - Production

The Company has a total of six facilities for the production of metallic wire and cable products. In Chile, the Company maintains one cable production facility located in the community of San Miguel. The Company has two modern facilities operating in Brazil, located in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. In Argentina, production facilities are located in Quilmes and Llavallol, both on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. The Argentine facilities are operating on a partial and non-continuous basis. The Company is constantly evaluating the possibility of re-establishing, at normal capacity, its Wire & Cable operations in Argentina. This decision will depend on (but may not be limited to) the evolution of Argentina's economy, and the evolution of perspectives for the wire and cable market in Argentina. The Company's Peruvian production facility is located in Lima.

Since 2003, the Company has ceased producing magnetic cables in Chile and has commenced the production of flexible cables and anti-theft cables. Madeco's wire and cable products are sold primarily in the countries where the Company maintains its production facilities and commercial offices.

The following table includes information regarding each wire and cable production facility: plant location, principal products manufactured and International Organization of Standardization, or "ISO", certification:

Country

Location

Principal Products

ISO Certification (1)

Chile

San Miguel, Santiago

Cu: all wire and cable products

9001: 1998, 2003

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Cu and Al:thermo-plastic, thermo-stable, bare wire cable; Cu: telecom

9001: 2001, 2005

 

Sao Paulo

Cu and Al: thermo-plastic, thermo-stable, building wire; Cu: magnetic

9001: 2001, 2005

Argentina

Quilmes, BA

Cu and Al: bare wire, thermo-plastic, thermo-stable;

Cu: telecom

9001: 1999

 

Llavallol, BA

Cu and Al: bare wire

N/A

Peru

Lima

Cu and Al: all wire and cable products

9001: 1998, 2002

 

(1) In cases where two dates are included, the first date indicates the original certification and the second date indicates the most recent certification.

The Company has created joint ventures in both Chile and Peru with other wire and cable manufacturers to produce 8.0 mm copper rod, one of the principal raw materials used in the production of copper wire and cable products. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview - Wire & Cable - Raw Materials".

The Company manufactures bare wire as well as wires and cables sheathed with insulating materials such as plastic or rubber. Production of copper and aluminum wire and/or cable products begins with 8.0 mm copper and 9.5 mm aluminum rods, respectively. The rod is drawn to the diameter necessary to meet the properties and flexibility of the corresponding finished products. Madeco produces many different types of wires and cables, and each product can be classified based on certain characteristics: number and style of strands: wire (singular strand) or cable (multiple, joined or bundled strands); and type of insulation: bare, thermo-plastic insulated, thermo-stable insulated or magnetic. In addition cables have different types of international classification standards: ASTM, IEC, VDE and other standards.

The Company's metallic wire and cable products include both standard products as well as customized special order products that satisfy the telecom, energy, mining, and construction sectors' requirements, as well as the durable goods manufacturers' requirements. While standardized or on-the-shelf products are manufactured according to the highest international standards, customized wire and cable products are made to satisfy customer specifications.

The three principal types of copper telecom cables produced by the Company are high capacity multi-pair transmission cable, distribution cable and internal cable. Classification of the cables is based on their transmission capacity (i.e., the quantity of channels that can be carried simultaneously). The largest telecom cables are the high capacity multi-pair transmission cables (between 600 and 2,400 pairs); these cables are insulated with polyethylene and used as underground trunk lines between major switching facilities. These trunk lines are being replaced over time by optical fiber cables, which carry high amounts of data with superior transmission performance. Distribution cables are polyethylene insulated telecom cables including between 10 to 400 pairs. They are used to interconnect trunk lines to individual homes and buildings. Internal cables (less than 25 pairs) are insulated with polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") and used to link individual buildings to their respective external connection point s which are located in close vicinity ("drop lines"). Internal cables are also used within commercial and residential buildings.

The following diagram depicts the production process for copper telecom cables:

Copper rod à drawing à drawing and insulating à pairing à cabling à coating

Madeco produces all types of power transmission and distribution cables, including bare, rubber insulated or plastic insulated cables. Bare copper and aluminum cables are mainly used for high voltage transmission (69 kilovolts ("kV") or more) and are usually installed outside urban areas. Copper or aluminum insulated cables, both with rubber and plastic, are most often used for electricity distribution within an urbanized area; rubber and plastic insulated cables are used for low and medium voltage distribution (0.3 kV - 69 kV). In all three cases - high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage - the diameter of the cable is a function of the current which is to be transmitted.

Mining cables are copper cables insulated with rubber, a thermally stable material. These cables are usually low and medium voltage transmission cables (between 1 kV and 15 kV) and are used for heavy machinery like bulldozers, drilling machines, and mechanical excavators and loaders.

The Company produces two basic types of wires and cables for the manufacturers of durable goods and other industrial companies: plastic insulated wires and cables and magnetic wires. Plastic insulated wires and cables are copper conductors insulated with plastic materials such as polyethylene, PVC or polyester. These products are sold primarily to manufacturers of home appliances and to industrial companies for their internal energy distribution. All plastic insulated wires and cables are used for low voltage applications. Magnetic wires, which are made of drawn enameled copper wire, are sold to manufacturers of motors and generators, and are used for ignition or electronic coil applications and refrigeration units. The Company also produces round, square or rectangular magnetic wires insulated with cotton and/or paper, used by manufacturers of transformers.

The following diagram depicts the production process for bare, thermo-plastic and/or thermo-stable cables used in the mining, energy and industrial sectors:

Copper rod à drawing à cabling à insulating à protective sheathing à cabling à coating à cutting

The following diagram depicts the production process for magnetic wires:

Copper rod à drawing à enameling à cutting à packing

The construction industry uses building wire, which is PVC insulated copper wire produced in a wide range of sizes (from 1.5 mm2 to 25 mm2). Building wire is used for multiple applications of internal low voltage distribution within a construction project, including electromotive applications and transmission of power and lighting, and is appropriate for both wet and dry applications. This kind of wire is most commonly sold to distributors and retail operations.

The following diagram depicts the production process for building wire:

Copper rod à drawing à cabling à insulating and/or coating à cutting à packing

Cables - Raw Materials

The principal raw materials used in the production of wires and cables are copper and aluminum as conductive materials and plastic and rubber for insulation. Historically, prices of copper, aluminum and metals in general have fluctuated greatly. The Company attempts to modify the selling prices of its products to respond to these fluctuations. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Fluctuations in LME Metal Prices and Exchange Rates between Currencies".

Copper is the principal raw material used by the Company in the production of wire and cable products, and represented approximately 81.4% of the total raw material costs for the Company's Wire & Cable unit in 2004. The Company's Brazilian unit purchases the majority of its copper from a domestic supplier: Caraiba Metais S.A. which represented approximately 57.5% of total copper costs in 2004 and from the Company's cable subsidiaries Indeco and Madeco which represented approximately 42.5% of total copper costs in 2004. Southern Peru Copper Corporation, BHP Billiton Tintaya S.A. and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A. combined are the three large Peruvian mining companies which together supply almost 100% of the Peruvian operation's total copper requirements.

The Company purchases copper supplies for its Chilean units from the two large Chilean mining companies, Corporación Nacional de Cobre ("Codelco") and Empresa Nacional de Minería ("Enami"). In the case of Chile and Peru, the Company purchases its copper requirements from various mines as cathodes and then has them transformed into 8.0 mm copper rods, the raw material form used in the fabrication of all wire and cable products. The Company has created joint ventures with other wire and cable manufacturers in both Chile and Peru in order to guarantee the procurement of high quality copper rod at the lowest possible cost. In Chile, Colada Continua was a joint venture created in 1987 and is a 41% owned affiliate of Madeco; the entity is also owned by the Company's two largest Chilean competitors, Cobre Cerrillos S.A. ("Cocesa") and Elaboradora de Cobre Viña del Mar S.A. ("Covisa"), with a 41% interest and an 18% interest, respectively. In Peru, Cobrecón S.A. was a joint venture created in 1996; the Company, the Peruvian cable manufacturer Conductores Eléctricos Peruanos ("Ceper") and the Colombian cable manufacturer Cables de Energía y Telecomunicaciones S.A. ("Centelsa") each own a 33.3% equity participation in Cobrecón. During the last quarter of 2004, Ceper closed-down its facilities due to financial difficulties and its future prospects and ownership participation have not yet been determined. While in the past the Brazilian unit purchased the bulk of its copper in copper rod form directly from its domestic supplier, the Company has recently provided the Brazilian business unit with most of its copper rod requirements from the Chilean and Peruvian copper rod production entities.

In Chile, the government entity Corporación Chilena del Cobre (the Chilean Copper Corporation, or "Cochilco") guarantees and regulates the supply of copper to all domestic manufacturers according to the Copper Reserve Law. On an annual basis, all Chilean copper customers must inform Cochilco of their estimated copper requirements for the upcoming year. Cochilco assigns the domestic copper demand to the various mining companies and establishes conditions for the sale of copper including price levels, which reflect London Metal Exchange, or "LME", prices adjusted for a premium, less non-incurred expenses (freight and taxes) and related insurance costs. Cochilco establishes copper supply contracts and decides which terms are subject to annual renewal. Whether or not a Chilean copper customer was able to obtain its estimated annual copper requirements will be taken into consideration by Cochilco when renewing contracts. Copper purchases are made on a monthly basis, and payments are made pri or to delivery. A long-standing project exists however, to study a possible modification or elimination of the Copper Reserve Law by changing the copper reserves that local copper producers must maintain in order to sell to Chilean manufacturers. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" for further explanation of the copper price risk and the possible modification of the Copper Reserve Law. Chile is the only country in which the Company operates wherein copper purchases are organized and controlled by a government entity; such an arrangement does not exist in Peru, Brazil or Argentina.

Aluminum, another principal raw material of the Company, is currently purchased separately by the respective operations in each country. In Peru and Argentina, the Company purchases its aluminum rod supplies from ALUAR (Argentina). In addition, in Peru, the Company also purchases its aluminum rod supplies from Siderurgica del Norte (Colombia). In Brazil, the Company purchases aluminum rod supplies from Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio.

On October 2003, the Company signed an agreement for the supply of PVC for Chilean and Peruvian operations with Petroquimica Colombiana S.A. The contract provides greater flexibility to the Company. In Brazil, the Company mainly purchases on a monthly basis its PVC requirements from two different suppliers, Karina Ind. Com. Plasticos and Dacarto Benvic S/A. There are no signed contracts with these suppliers.

Madeco signed a supply agreement with Borealis Compounds LLC. USA ("Borealis") for the supply of polyethylene for its operations in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. This supply agreement became effective starting January 2005 and will terminate on December 31, 2005. Pursuant to the supply agreement, the Company agreed to purchase 100% of its polyethylene needs from Borealis, who on the other hand agreed to supply 100% of the Company's polyethylene requirements. In accordance with the supply agreement, Borealis provides products to Madeco at competitive prices, and offers a price reduction based on the total volume purchased in each twelve-month period.

The Company has a choice of suppliers for other plastic and rubber materials and believes it is currently not dependent on any one supplier. In order to obtain more favorable price and payment terms for other insulation materials, the Company is evaluating the possibility of region-wide supply agreements for various types of raw materials.

Madeco believes that its contracts and other agreements with third-party suppliers for the supply of raw materials for wire and cable products contain standard and customary terms and conditions. During the past ten years, the Company has not experienced any substantial difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of necessary raw materials at satisfactory prices, nor does it expect to do so in the future.

Cables - The Company's Sales and Distribution

The Company maintains direct relationships with each of its major customers and devotes substantial efforts toward developing strong, long-term relationships. In order to best serve the specific needs of the Company's client groups, each sales representative is assigned to clients on an exclusive basis and clients are grouped based on industry and/or geographic region. Customer groupings include: distributors, durable goods manufacturers, mining, telecom and energy (utilities and industries) companies.

The Company's Chilean sales force shares its sales staff with Madeco Chile's Brass Mills unit. This combined sales force includes a commercial manager, three supervisors, 13 sales representatives (two of them located in the southern region and one located in the northern region of the country to attend the mining industry), seven sales assistants, one project engineer and one person in charge of marketing.

In Brazil, the Company has a total of 51 employees dedicated to sales, marketing and customer service; these individuals are geographically located across nine branch offices in the country's primary cities (Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Americana, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Brasilia, Recife, Porto Alegre and Salvador). The Brazilian sales efforts are divided into two sectors: infrastructure; and distribution and industry. These sectors serve the Company's customer groupings through all of the Company's nine branch offices. In addition to its proprietary sales force, Madeco retains sales representatives (who are not Company employees) on a contract basis, to serve those regions that are located far from the branch offices. Over the last couple of years Madeco has reduced the number of its sales representatives in Brazil as part of its Business Plan. The Company's sales force in Peru has 16 sales representatives and 9 sales assistants. Additionally, the Company maintains four proprietary retail outlets, loc ated in the cities of Lima and Arequipa. Sales made through the retail stores represented approximately 5% of the total revenues generated in Peru.

The Company continued increasing its sales force in the Argentine wire and cable business unit by increasing the number of sales representatives from three in 2003 to six in 2004. These sales representatives, including a commercial manager are located in Buenos Aires. This increase in personnel has resulted in a 71% increase in tons sold in 2004 compared with 2003.

The Company's wire and cable client base includes approximately 385 customers in Chile, 2,758 in Brazil, 1,124 in Peru, 234 in Argentina and 77 in its export markets (all countries other than Chile, Brazil, Peru or Argentina). The Company's largest customer for the year 2004 was a Brazilian manufacturer, and sales to this customer accounted for 8.9% of the Wire & Cable unit's total sales revenues.

Given the unique tendencies that occur in each of the four countries in terms of demand levels among the various client sectors served by the Company's wire and cable sales, information regarding sales by sector has been included on a country-by-country basis. The following charts show the Company's sales breakdown by client grouping for each country for wire and cable products during the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

The Company's Chilean Customer Groupings

 

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Distributors

22%

16%

16%

Durable goods manufacturers

42%

55%

50%

Mining

14%

8%

11%

Energy

9%

12%

14%

Telecom

12%

6%

8%

Others

1%

3%

1%

 

The Company's Brazilian Customer Groupings

 

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Distributors

14%

36%

24%

Telecom companies

3%

1%

5%

Energy

34%

4%

13%

Durable goods manufacturers

48%

50%

40%

Others

1%

9%

18%

Figures presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in Brazilian customer grouping distribution, to make it consistent with other countries' distribution.

The Company's Peruvian Customer Groupings

 

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Distributors

24%

25%

21%

Mining

4%

4%

4%

Energy

10%

11%

9%

Telecom

4%

11%

10%

Durable goods manufacturers

4%

4%

6%

Retail

8%

7%

5%

Exports and others

46%

38%

45%

The Company's Argentine Customer Groupings

 

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Distributors

37%

66%

50%

Durable goods manufacturers

7%

1%

9%

Energy

21%

25%

36%

Telecom

18%

0%

0%

Exports and others

17%

8%

5%

While a small portion of the customers make cash payments for their purchase orders, the majority of sales were made with credit. The average payment period for the Company's Wire & Cable business unit amounted to 66 days in 2004 versus 61 days in 2003.

Delivery or shipping of standard products that are in stock is made within a 48-hour period. In the case of customized products, the production time ranges between 30 and 90 days, depending upon the complexity of the cable being produced and the plant workload.

When products are completed and available for delivery, the Company either hires third-party transportation companies to deliver the finished goods to a customer's plant or warehouse, or the customer picks up the products at the Company's plant. The mode of transportation for exported products depends on the destination country; while ground transportation is used within the Southern Cone countries, sea transportation is used for exports to all other countries.

Cable - Market Demand and Industry Size Estimates

The principal users of the Company's wire and cable products are the telecom, energy, mining and construction sectors as well as durable goods manufacturers. Additionally, some products are sold to the general public through retail operations.

The Company's management believes that investments within the telecom sector are largely dependent on gross domestic product, or "GDP", growth. However, investment activity by telecom companies also depends on price regulations in each country and special situations such as privatization, among other factors. The Company's management believes that demand within the telecom industry is affected by, among other things, a total lack of investment and is also undergoing changes as copper telecom cables are being substituted with optical fiber cables and a growing use of wireless telephone communications. The current global downturn in the demand for telecom cables has affected the Company's operations by decreasing demand for both optical fiber and copper cable. The Energy sector demand is typically dependent on new infrastructure projects, the energy regulation system, and energy deficits or surpluses that would promote interconnection systems between countries or regions. In the mining sector, market pr ices of metals are a major determinant for new investment projects. While demand from durable goods manufacturers seems to depend primarily on GDP growth, demand from the construction sector appears to depend both on GDP growth as well as interest rates and unemployment levels.

There are no formal third-party estimates on industry size for any of the countries in which the Company has wire and cable operations. The Company bases its estimates on published information from its competitors, import and export reports, the Company's proprietary production and sales data, Chilean copper sales reports from Cochilco and production reports from the Company's Chilean and Peruvian wire rod manufacturers. See "Presentation of Information".

Given the unique evolution of the wire and cable industry within each individual country, discussion regarding the industry growth/shrinkage over the 2002-2004 period is included separately for each country. The following chart summarizes management's estimates for the wire and cable industries (excluding copper wire rod) for the region in which the Company participates for the years 2002 through 2004:

Industry Size (in metallic tons(1))

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Total Region

2002

25,500(2)

182,500

10,900

14,100

233,000

2003

23,863

149,644

12,200

31,700

217,407

2004

25,801

192,000

13,386

37,409

268,596

 

(1) Measurement estimates for industry size only include metal (copper and/or aluminum); excludes insulation materials.

(2) Industry size in Chile for the year 2002 changed due to different calculation methodology. The value informed in the 20-F of 2002 amounted to 26,000 tons.

Chilean Wire & Cable Market. The following chart shows the Company's estimates for the Chilean wire and cable industry (excluding copper wire rod) as well as the country's GDP growth rates for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2002 (3)

25,500

2.2%

2003

23,863

3.7%(2)

2004

25,801

6.1%

 

(1) Measurement estimates for industry size only include metal (copper and/or aluminum); excludes insulation materials.

(2)The 2003 GDP rate for Chile presented above differs from that presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2003 as a result of a change in the Chilean Central Bank calculation formula and methodology.

(3) Industry size in Chile for the year 2002 changed due to different calculation methodology. The value informed in the 20-F of 2002 amounted to 26,000 tons.

In 2002, the electrical conductor market amounted to 25,500 tons (not including copper rod), which represents an increase of 9.0% with respect to 2001, reflecting a rise in projects in the forest and energy sectors. Within the forest sector, the Company had three projects, two of which expanded existing cellulose plants in the VIII Region of Chile and the third of which constructed a new plant of cellulose in the X Region. Within the energy sector, the "Central Ralco" project, a large hydroelectric project located in the VIII Region was initiated.

In 2003, industry size decreased 6.4% mainly due to fewer investments in the energy sector and to the termination of certain projects in the forest sector.

In 2004, the electrical conductor market amounted to 25,801 tons (not including copper rod), which represents an increase of 8.1% with respect to 2003, due to a rise in one-time projects such as the subway expansion, infrastructure improvement projects such as Costanera Norte and other one-time projects such as Proyecto Itata. Additionally, the electrical conductor market was also positively impacted by reoccurring projects such as the Telefónica and Chilectra.

Brazilian Wire & Cable Market. The following chart shows the Company's estimates for the Brazilian wire and cable industry (excluding copper wire rod) as well as the country's GDP growth rates for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate (2)

2002

182,500

1.9%

2003

149,644

-0.2%

2004

192,000

4.9%

 

(1) Measurement estimates for industry size only include metal (copper and/or aluminum); excludes insulation materials.

(2) The GDP rates for Brazil presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in Brazil's calculation formula and methodology.

The Brazilian cable volume production decreased in 2002 mainly due to a reduction of investment activity from durable goods manufacturers and postponed high voltage transmission lines concessions. Intense rains and a reduction in the country's power consumption resulted in investment postponement. Additionally the uncertainty caused by the Brazilian presidential elections, which took place by the end of 2002, also contributed to this investment postponement.

In 2003, the Brazilian wire and cable market decreased in size by 18.0% mainly due to fewer investments from the electric sector compared to those investments in 2002.

In 2004, the Brazilian economy expanded significantly with GDP growth of 4.9%, which led to a 28.3% increase in the Brazilian wire and cable market size.

Peruvian Wire & Cable Market. The following chart shows the Company's estimates for the Peruvian wire and cable industry (excluding copper wire rods) as well as the country's GDP growth rates for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2002

10,900

4.9%

2003

12,200

4.0%

2004

13,386

4.8%

 

(1) Includes metal (copper and/or aluminum); excludes insulation materials.

In 2002, the size of the Peruvian cable market decreased by 8.4% compared to 2001 and the market was negatively impacted by lower demand from electricity distributor companies in Lima due to uncertainties provoked by expected changes in the regulation and the low investment levels of the manufacturing sector, which were partially offset by a slight recovery of the construction sector.

In 2003, the size of the Peruvian wire and cable market increased by 11.9% compared to the previous year mainly due to higher investment levels from the telecom sector which started its investment program after six years of almost no expansion. In addition, aluminum thermo-stable cable demand increased due to the rural electrification program, performed by the Peruvian government in the first half of 2003. In 2003, the construction sector experienced a significant increase due to government incentives to promote the construction of low-income housing.

In 2004, the size of the Peruvian wire and cable market increased by 9.7% compared to the prior year due to higher investments generated from the telecom sector. The Peruvian telecom sector is regulated by a governmental agency, called Osiptel. In 2004, Osiptel dictated a gradual reduction in the overall tariffs charged for telephone related services, such as long distance, local calls and installation of telephone services. This tariff reduction began in 2004 and ended at 10% in May 2005. This reduction along with the stable economic outlook of the country have had a positive effect on the size of wire and cable industry. To a lesser extent, the mining, energy and construction sectors have all contributed to the increase in the industry size.

Argentina Wire & Cable Market. The following chart shows the Company's breakdown for the Argentine wire and cable industry (excluding copper wire rods) as well as the country's GDP growth rates for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2002

14,100

-10.9%

2003

31,700

8.7%

2004

37,409

9.0%

 

(1) Measurement estimates for industry size only include metal (copper and/or aluminum); excludes insulation materials.

The Argentine cable industry has been severely impacted over the past years by the overall economic condition of the country and the lack of investment activity among the industry's principal client sectors. The Company estimates that industry size declined 62.8% in 2002. Given the poor outlook for the country's recovery during 2002, the Company ceased production activity of its Argentine wire and cable operations. In 2002, small domestic manufacturers had a greater ability to compete in this industry as a result of a decrease in imports from foreign cable participants.

In 2003, the Argentine cable industry increased 124.8% compared with the previous year. This increase was driven mostly by the growth in the construction sector and, to a lesser extent, growth in demand for durable goods.

In 2004, the Argentine cable industry increased 18% compared with the previous year mainly due to growth in the service sector, growth in demand for durable goods and, to a lesser extent, growth in the construction sector. Despite the aforementioned increase in volume demand, industry size is still below historic levels (with an average of 50,000 tons between 1998 and 2000). The Llavallol and Quilmes facilities are operating on a partial and a non-continuous basis. The Company is constantly evaluating the possibility of re-establishing, at normal capacity, its Wire & Cable operations in Argentina. This decision will depend on (but may not be limited to) the evolution of Argentina's economy, and the evolution of perspectives for the wire and cable market in Argentina.

Wire & Cable - Market Share and Description of Competition

The Company strives to continue to be a preferred supplier of wire and cable products in all the markets where it participates based on its product portfolio as well as its high quality standards both in terms of products and customer service. The Company is implementing measures to strengthen its alliances with its key customer groups and to be the most reliable and competitive supplier for the distributors of its products. Madeco's principal competitive advantages currently include the high quality of its products, competitive prices, a large commercial network, a diverse product portfolio and a recognized brand name.

There are no formal third-party estimates on market share and the Company bases its estimates on published information from its competitors, import and export reports, the Company's own production and sales data, production reports from the Company's wire rod manufacturing entities in Chile and Peru and reports from Cochilco. See "Presentation of Information". Given the fact that the Company competes against different competitors in each of the four countries in which it has operations, market share and information regarding competitors has been separated by country.

Market Share and Competitors in the Chilean Cable Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share statistics for the Chilean copper wire and cable industry for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

The Company

29%

30%

37%

Cocesa

31%

29%

27%

Covisa

14%

16%

16%

Other Domestic

6%

7%

8%

Imports into Chile

20%

18%

12%

The Company's market share calculation methodology includes products sold in Chile and sales from marketing and selling of imported products (mainly magnetic wire). Such imported products are not reflected in the Chilean volume sales because the Company's definition of volume sales excludes sales from marketing and selling of imported products.

Madeco currently has two principal Chilean competitors in the wire and cable industry. Cocesa, which is owned by the international cable manufacturer Phelps Dodge Corporation, has been in business since 1950. This competitor produces many of the same wire and cable products as those manufactured by the Company, except for magnetic wires and telecom cables, which are imported from other of Phelps Dodge's facilities. Cocesa maintains its production facilities and headquarters in Santiago, and has a branch office in Antofagasta. The Company's other principal competitor is Covisa, a company that has been in business for 20 years and is owned by local investors. Covisa produces a variety of wires and cables, but does not manufacture magnetic wires or telecom cables. The headquarters and production facility are located in the city of Viña del Mar, and branch offices are located in Santiago and Concepcion. International wire and cable producers such as Pirelli Energia, Cabos e Sistemas do Brasil S.A. ("Pirelli" of Brazil, subsidiary of the Italian multinational firm), Grupo Condumex S.A. de C.V. ("Condumex", of Mexico), Conductores Monterrey S.A. de C.V. (Mexico) and Top Cable Sociedad Anonima (Spain) have been importing products to Chile since 1997 and compete in the bidding processes in the Chilean mining, energy and telecom sectors.

In 2003, the Company's market share increased by 1 percentage point, due mainly to higher sales of aluminum and magnetic cables, which was partially offset by the loss of one telecom contract with one of the largest telecom companies in Chile.

In 2004, local Chilean wire and cable manufacturers sold an estimated 22,834 tons of wire and cable products for sale in Chile. Import products amounted to 2,967 tons, or approximately 11.5% of the industry. For the years 2003 and 2002, imports represented 18%, or 4,295 tons, and 20%, or 5,100 tons, of the industry, respectively.

Market Share and Competition in the Brazilian Cable Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share statistics for the Brazilian wire and cable industry for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

Pirelli

21%

21%

18%

The Company

18%

18%

16%

Phelps Dodge

11%

11%

11%

Other Domestic

48%

48%

54%

Imports into Brazil

2%

2%

1%

Pirelli Energia, Cabos e Sistemas do Brasil S.A. ("Pirelli") is the global industry leader, with several operations throughout the world. The Company believes that Pirelli is the market leader in Brazil in various copper cable product segments, including copper and aluminum thermo-plastic cables, copper and aluminum thermo-stable cables, building wire and copper telecom cable. In October 2004 Pirelli sold the magnet wire production facilities to PPE Invex. Phelps Dodge ("PD"), a subsidiary of Phelps Dodge Corporation, has its Brazilian headquarters and a production facility located in Sao Paulo and has been in operation since 1965, (formerly as Alcoa). PD produces bare aluminum wire and cable, building wire and copper and aluminum thermo-plastic and thermo-stable cables. The Company believes that PD is one of the leading producers in Brazil of aluminum wire and cable products. Furukawa (Japan) sold its aluminum facilities to Nexans, and only competes in the telecom industry. Other competitors includ e the multinational Nexans (French), General Cables (USA) and Sao Marco (Mexico). In addition, CBA-Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio S.A. and Wirex are local producers.

In 2002, the local cable industry supplied almost all the needs in industrial investments, general market and enameled wire. For the high voltage transmission lines only a small part was imported, primarily from Venezuela (about 5,000 tons) about 7% of the aluminum cable consumption in Brazil in the year 2002. Due to the Argentine currency devaluation, a portion of insulated and bare aluminum cables for state owned power distribution companies were imported from Argentina.

In 2003, local Brazilian wire and cable manufacturers produced an estimated 146,651 tons of wire and cable products for sale in Brazil, whereas imported products amounted to 2,993 tons, or approximately 2% of the industry. In 2002, imports represented 2% (3,650 tons) of the industry. Import sales reductions since 2002 reflect the return of demand for telecom cables to normal levels, after a surge in demand upturn for such products at the end of 2001 and beginning of 2002.

In 2004, local Brazilian wire and cable manufacturers produced an estimated 190,080 tons of wire and cable products for sale in Brazil. Imported products amounted to 1,920 tons, or approximately 1% of the industry.

In the latter part of 2002 and during 2003, the Company focused its efforts on the development of specialty cables, and obtained internationally recognized certification for the technical characteristics of these cables. In 2004, a market for these cables developed in Brazil and in Europe and the Company was able to improve its market share position domestically and is working to exploit the European market during 2005.

Market Share and Competition in the Peruvian Cable Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share statistics for the Peruvian copper wire and cable industry for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

The Company

56%

64%

65%

Celsa

9%

10%

9%

Ceper

18%

11%

7%

Other Domestic

9%

9%

7%

Imports into Peru

8%

6%

12%

The Company estimates that it is the market leader in most of the product segments within the Peruvian cable industry: bare copper wire, copper and aluminum thermo-plastic and thermo-stable cables, building wire, magnetic wire and copper telecom cables. The Company's principal Peruvian competitor is Conductores Electricos Peruanos ("Ceper"), founded in 1968; this company filed for bankruptcy at the end of 2001 and closed-down its facilities in 2004 due to financial difficulties. Conductores Electricos Lima ("Celsa") produces only building wire, copper thermo-plastic cables, copper thermo-stable cables and aluminum thermo-stable cables. The Company's principal competitors in Peru often encounter financial difficulties in sustaining their operations and small competitors that produce basic wire and cables, often have difficulties procuring an adequate supply of copper wire rod, the principal raw material required for production.

In 2003, local manufacturers sold an estimated 11,468 tons of wire and cable products for sale in Peru. Imported products amounted to 732 tons, or approximately 6% of the industry. For 2002, imports into Peru represented 872 tons, or approximately 8%. Imported products lost market share due to lower local demand of thermo-stable cables, which previously were imported from the United States, Canada, Venezuela and Korea.

In 2004, the Company increased its market participation by one percentage point compared to the previous year, selling a total of 8,663 tons. This increase was accomplished despite strong competitive pressures from foreign competitors and Ceper's withdrawal from the market during the last quarter of 2004 due to financial difficulties.

The Company increased its market share over the last three years. This trend has been maintained due to its permanent commitment to improve customer service, both in terms of product quality and service. Moreover, the Company is considered a more reliable supplier of wire and cables in Peru due to its permanent and dedicated efforts to supply all its orders just in time.

Market Share and Competition in the Argentine Cable Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share statistics for the Argentine copper wire and cable industry for the past three years:

 

2002(1) (2)

2003

2004

Pirelli Argentina

25%

25%

26%

Imsa

15%

18%

19%

Cimet

11%

10%

12%

The Company

4%

4%

5%

Other Domestic

38%

40%

35%

Imports into Argentina

7%

3%

3%

 

(1) The market share rates for Argentina presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of access to more detailed information from competitors and copper rod suppliers.

(2) The calculation of the Company's market share for the year 2002 results in market share of 9%, which differs from the 4% reported here, because sales in 2002 included copper rod sales.

The Company currently has three principal Argentine competitors in the wire and cable industry. Pirelli Cables S.A.I.C. ("Pirelli Argentina", a subsidiary of Pirelli, the Italian multinational firm) is the industry leader, with offices and production facilities in Buenos Aires. The Company believes it is the leading supplier in Argentina of bare wire/cable, copper thermo-plastic and thermo-stable cables and building wire. Industria Metalúrgica Sudamericana S.A. ("Imsa") is a local company which produces building wire and energy cable, and is the only manufacturer of magnetic wire in Argentina. Imsa's offices and production facilities are located in Buenos Aires. Cimet S.A. is another local competitor and was originally a Phelps Dodge subsidiary which was subsequently acquired by Siemens and then by the Rasmuss Group of Chile. Cimet's operations are located in Buenos Aires, producing a full range of copper and aluminum wire and cable products. The Company estimates that Cimet is the country's leading supplier of copper telecom cables.

In the year 2002, Decker-Indelqui lost five market share percentage points. This drop in the Company's market share was mainly due to the closure of the plants and reduction of the sales force, as a consequence of the prolonged crisis in the country and the sustained low investment levels.

In the year 2003, local Argentine wire and cable manufacturers produced an estimated 33,079 tons of wire and cable products for sale in Argentina. Import products amounted to 1,010 tons, or approximately 3% of the industry.

In 2003, the Company's market share remained flat, at 4%. In addition, the Company was in the process of obtaining governmental approval for the commercialization of wire and cable products in Argentina, which by the end of 2003 the Company had a complete mix of products imported from the Company's Brazilian subsidiary (Ficap).

The Company's market share increased a percentage point to 5% in 2004 from 4% in the previous year. This increase is mainly due to higher demand in the energy sector and to the overall improvement in the country's economic indicators.

Optical Fiber Cable

Madeco has participated in the optical fiber industry since 1997 with the acquisition of the Brazilian cable operation Ficap S.A. In June 1999 the Company created a joint venture, Ficap Optel Ltda., between its subsidiary Ficap and Corning. Ficap Optel Ltda. produces, sells and distributes optical fiber telecom cables. In April 2001, Corning increased its interest in Ficap Optel from 25% to 50% by acquiring a 25% interest from the Company such that both parties owned an equal 50% participation in the joint venture. As part of the joint venture agreement, Ficap Optel changed its name to Optel and acquired 99.9% of Optel Argentina S.A. (previously Corning Cable Systems Argentina S.A.), thereby expanding its optical fiber business into Argentina.

On June 27, 2002, Corning notified Madeco of its desire to liquidate the joint venture. The Company refused to liquidate the joint venture and requested an arbitration. On November 9, 2003, the arbitration suit was resolved against Madeco and the Joint Venture Agreement was declared lawfully terminated. As a result of the termination of the Joint Venture Agreement among others, i) the Company lost certain rights regarding the appointment of Optel's management (consequently, the subsidiary was not consolidated into the December 31, 2003 financial statements) and ii) the Company was required to initiate the liquidation of Optel at Corning's demand.

Until 2002, the Company produced optical fiber telecom cables, for which it had 2 production plants, one located in Brazil and the other in Argentina, with a combined installed capacity of 1,300,000 km. Due to the economic crisis in Brazil and Argentina, demand for Optel's products, especially from the telecommunication industry, was negatively affected. As a result, during 2003 and 2004 Optel's plants operated at reduced levels. The Company's optical fiber cable subsidiary in Brazil sold telecom cables in stock but did not produce telecom cables. In Argentina, Madeco's optical cable subsidiary Optel Argentina S.A. continued its operations, serving the local market and some neighboring countries.

On March 31, 2005, the Company and Corning reached an agreement whereby Corning sold its 50% interest in Optel Ltda. to the Company for the nominal amount of R$1. With the consummation of this transaction, the Company expects to recover a leading position in the optical fiber industry, especially in those areas of South America where the Company has an industrial and commercial presence. In accordance with the purchase agreement, Corning has executed a binding 2-year non-competition clause not to compete in the markets where Optel currently operates. In addition, on March 31, 2005, the Company reached an agreement with two of Optel's principal creditors to forgive US$5.3 million of US$7.3 million indebtedness, and the difference was paid to the creditors.

Brass Mills

Since Madeco's incorporation in 1944, the Company has been manufacturing pipe, bar and sheet products in Chile; the Company initiated the fabrication of aluminum based products (profiles, sheets and foil) in 1954.

In 1988, the Company acquired Armat, the sole private coin blanks producer in Chile dedicated to the production of coin blanks and minted coins made of copper and copper-based alloys for central banks. Madeco sends its coins to the Chilean Mint for minting and then exports the coins to the various central banks around the world.

The Argentine company, Decker S.A.I.C.A.F. e I. ("Decker") was originally a Brass Mills operation founded in 1900 by Mr. Guillermo Decker. The Company acquired Decker in 1994. Decker-Indelqui S.A. was created in 1998 as a result of the merger of the Company's two subsidiaries in Argentina; the merged entity is currently owned 99.33% by the Company and participates in both the Wire & Cable and Brass Mills businesses.

The following table includes the names of the Company's subsidiaries dedicated to the production, sales and distribution of Brass Mills products:

 

Country

Entity Name

Division

Chile

Madeco Chile

Armat S.A.

PBS(1)

Coins and sheets

Argentina

Decker-Indelqui S.A.

PBS(1)

 

(1) PBS = Pipes, Bars and Sheets

At the end of 2002, to minimize costs and improve efficiency, the Company merged Armat's and its administrative tasks. As a result, since 2003 Armat's administrative activities such as finance, accounting, human resources, information systems, and supply are conducted from the head office in Santiago.

In the second half of 2003, as a result of the gradual recovery in the Argentine market, the Company decided to reopen its copper tubes and foundry operations at a limited capacity, and additionally decided to boost its commercial department, for which the Company maintains 10 employees focused on the sale of local production to over 500 active clients including imports from Madeco Chile.

The following table shows the Company's annual net sales generated by the Brass Mills business unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Brass Mills Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million)

Year

PBS-

Revenues

Coins-

Revenues

Total Revenues

% Consolidated Revenues

2002

48,150

10,391

58,541

22.1%

2003

50,612

6,970

57,582

23.6%

2004

76,456

7,570

84,026

25.9%

Brass Mills Unit - Volume Sales (in tons)

Year

PBS-

Volume Sales

Coins-

Volume Sales

Total

Volume Sales

% Consolidated Volume

2002

25,771

3,582

29,353

25.5%

2003

27,375

2,985

30,360

27.8%

2004

30,871

2,448

33,319

27.0%

The Brass Mills unit is Madeco's second largest segment in terms of revenues, representing 25.9% of consolidated revenues in 2004. Of the four businesses, the Company's Brass Mills unit is the most internationally diverse, with customers in over 27 countries. Export sales in 2004 amounted to approximately 55.9% of total revenues and 62.9% of total volume sales for the Company's Brass Mills unit.

The following table shows the Company's total revenues generated by the Brass Mills unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, broken down by the subsidiary generating the sale:

Brass Mills Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million)

Year

Madeco Chile

Decker-Indelqui

Armat

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

2002

47,354

3,194

10,457

(2,464)

58,541

2003

52,358

4,149

7,342

(6,267)

57,582

2004

79,178

6,594

8,439

(10,185)

84,026

 

 

Brass Mills - Production

The Company's pipe, bar and sheet, or "PBS", operation in Chile has two production facilities located in the southern part of Santiago, a smelting furnace and a manufacturing plant for pipes, bars and sheets. Moreover, the Company has its coin blank manufacturing plant in Quilpué, approximately 120 kilometers from Santiago. The Company's Argentine Brass Mills facilities are located near Buenos Aires, in Llavallol and Barracas. The following table includes information regarding each Brass Mills production facility:

Country

Location

Principal Products

ISO Certification (1)

Chile

San Miguel, Santiago

Pipes and Bars

9002: 1998, 2001

9001: 2003

San Bernardo, Santiago

Smelting Furnace, Sheets

9002: 1998, 2001

9001 : 2003

Quilpue

Coin Blanks and Sheets

9002: 1997

9001: 2003

Argentina

Llavallol, BA

Sheets and Foundry

N/A

Barracas, BA

Pipes

N/A

San Luis (2)

Foundry, brass products

N/A

 

(1) In cases where two dates are included, the first date indicates the original certification and the second date indicates the most recent certification.

(2) The Company's plant located in San Luis remains closed since December 2001.

The Company's Brass Mills operation produces pipe, bar and sheet products in a variety of copper, aluminum and brass alloys. Copper and brass pipes are used principally by the construction industry and its other bar and sheet products are used as raw material in the fabrication of electrical components, mechanical units and hardware fixtures. The Company also produces coin blanks and minted coins, made principally from copper-based alloys.

Production of pipes and/or sheet products begins by melting in a furnace the proper combination of metals and elements to obtain the desired alloy. The Company has two different types of foundry processes: electric and natural gas. The electric foundry is used to melt virgin raw material and to produce special alloys such as brass. The natural gas furnace, which can also operate with alternative energy sources such as diesel fuel or liquid gas, enables the Company to melt secondhand metals mixed with virgin metals and produce alloys which meet standard international requirements. The smelted material is then cast in vertical semi-continuous machines that produce different shapes depending on the final product; for example, cylinders are produced for pipes and rectangular bars are created for sheets, bars and busbars.

Copper and brass pipes are used primarily for heating and drinking water systems in the residential construction industry, the industrial sector, and the commercial construction industry. Copper pipes are also used for air conditioning, heating and refrigeration units, in the fabrication of various automobile parts and by other durable goods manufacturers. The Company's pipe products range in diameter from 2 mm to 5 inches; pipes over 1 inch in diameter are produced in strips measuring up to 6 meters in length while pipes under 1 inch in diameter can be produced in strip or rolled form.

The following diagram depicts the production process for pipe products:

Billets

Metals à smeltingà hot piercing à drawing à cutting à annealing à packing

Copper sheets are used mainly for roofing in the construction sector and for thermal isolation purposes (e.g., car radiators). Copper and brass sheets serve as raw material for decorative items such as picture frames and doors. Madeco also manufactures aluminum sheets, which are mainly used for packaging products for the mass consumer market as well as ducts. The vast array of products differ in terms of thickness, width and metal temper, depending on the application for which the final product will be used.

The following diagram depicts the production process for sheets:

Cakes

Metals à Smelting à hot rolling à surface milling à cold rolling à annealing à cutting à packing

Copper busbars are principally used as heavy bars for control panels and serve as electrical conductors for low voltage and high amperage energy transmission. In general, the bar height is a function of the amperage; the greater amount of amperage to be transmitted, the greater the height. The Company produces bars up to eight inches in height. Brass bars are manufactured with a special leaded brass, which is a free cutting alloy necessary for the fabrication of bolts, nut or valves.

The following diagram depicts the production process for busbars and brass bars:

Metals billets

à Smelting à drawing à cutting à packing

Recently launched products in the PBS division include copper water outlets, new copper roofing designs, plastic covered copper pipes for the energy sector and silver-plated busbars for the mining industry.

Coin blanks and minted coins can be made from more than 20 different alloys. The main types of coin blanks and minted coins are copper-based (Nordic Gold, brass, nickel silver, copper-nickel or copper-aluminum-nickel), steel-based (electroplated, cladding and stainless steel), bimetallic (different alloys for the outer and inner ring) and commemorative (gold or silver). Madeco's production specializes in four copper-based alloys: Nordic Gold (copper, aluminum, zinc and tin), brass (copper and zinc), nickel silver (copper, nickel and zinc) and bronze coins (copper plus nickel or copper, aluminum and nickel). The exact alloy mix in each case is determined by customer specifications.

The following diagram depicts the production process for coins:

Electric melting furnace à horizontal continues casting à cold rolling à annealing à blank cutting à annealing à polishing à sorting à inspecting, cutting, packing

Madeco has had a minted coin agreement with the Chilean Mint since March 2000. This agreement has a five-year term and is automatically renewable for an additional five years unless either of the two parties expressly decides not to renew the contract. Pursuant to this agreement, the Chilean Mint provides the minting process necessary for the Company to fill international customer orders for minted coins from any public or private bids. Each November, the Company and the Chilean Mint must reach an agreement on a reference price, which provides a framework for future bids. The final price for each minting order, however, will depend on the specifications of each particular bid, including alloy, coin size and mint design.

In the case of minted coins, the central bank of each country provides the dies to produce the samples. Once approved, the minted coins are delivered under special security procedures to the vaults of the central bank, where they are carefully reviewed. Once the contract is completed, the dies are returned and a certificate is emitted by the Chilean Mint certifying the amount of the coined currencies.

Brass Mills - Raw Materials

The primary raw materials used in the production of brass mills products are copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel and tin. Historically, prices of copper, aluminum and metals in general have fluctuated greatly. The Company attempts to modify the selling prices of its products to respond to these fluctuations. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" and "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Fluctuations in LME Metal Prices and Exchange Rates between Currencies".

The Company purchases its copper supplies for its Brass Mills operations mainly from two large Chilean mining companies, Codelco and Enami, and two international mining companies, Escondida and Soc. Contractual El Abra. The Company obtains most of its Brass Mills' aluminum requirements from Aluminios Argentinos S.A.I.C. ("Aluar", of Argentina). The Company's zinc requirements are purchased mainly from two Peruvian suppliers, Doe Run Peru S.R.L. ("Doe Run") and Cajamarquilla. On December 16, 2002, the Company signed an agreement with Doe Run in which Doe Run agreed to supply a total of 480 to 720 metric tons of zinc annually. The contract has been modified from previous agreements with Doe Run relating to the quantity of zinc required by the Company, in order to include both the supply needed by the subsidiary producer of coin blanks and coins, Armat, and the sales increase of brass-based products. Nickel is purchased mainly from Inco Limited (Canada) and Companhia Niquel Tocantins S.A. (Brazil), and t in is purchased mainly from Minsur S.A. (Peru).

Madeco believes that its contracts and other agreements with third-party suppliers for the supply of raw materials for its brass mills products contain standard and customary terms and conditions. During the past ten years, the Company has not experienced any substantial difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of necessary raw materials at satisfactory prices nor does it expect to do so in the future. A long-standing project exists, however, to study a possible modification or elimination of the Copper Reserve Law by changing the copper reserves that local copper producers must maintain in order to sell to Chilean manufacturers. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors".

While the pipes, bars and sheets, or "PBS", division and the coin division together constitute the Company's Brass Mills business unit, the following discussions below have been separated into two sub-sections, PBS and Coins.

PBS - Sales by Destination

Madeco sells a large portion of its Brass Mills products in Chile and Argentina, where the Company has its production installations. Additionally, the Company exports pipes, bars and sheets to multiple countries, including the United States as well as countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia. Export sales for the PBS division consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile or Argentina and represented 52.5% of the total division's revenues for the year 2004. The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales generated by the PBS division by destination for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

PBS Division - Revenues by Destination (in Ch$ million)

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

PBS Division

2002

18,797

2,750

26,603

48,150

2003

19,918

4,196

26,498

50,612

2004

30,373

5,930

40,153

76,456

PBS Division - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

PBS Division

2002

8,494

1,113

16,164

25,771

2003

9,134

2,318

15,923

27,375

2004

9,622

2,631

18,618

30,871

 

(1) Exports for the PBS division consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile or Argentina.

In 2004, PBS division revenues increased by Ch$25,844 million or 51.0% compared to the previous year. The increase in revenues was caused principally by a 34% increase in the average unit selling price and a 12.7% increase in the volume sold. Both Chile and Argentina experienced an increase in revenue due to market share gains in the copper pipes segment. Moreover, the increase in revenues in 2004 were also driven by a 44.8% increase in the average Chilean selling price due to price increases in raw material products such as copper that were passed along in higher selling prices.

PBS - The Company's Sales and Distribution

The Company attempts to maintain close relationships with each of its major customers and devotes substantial efforts toward developing strong long-term relationships. In order to best serve the specific needs of Madeco's client groups, each sales representative is assigned to clients on an exclusive basis and clients are grouped together based on industry and/or geographic region.

The Company's Chilean sales force shares its sales staff with Madeco Chile's Wire & Cable unit. This combined sales force includes a commercial manager, three supervisors, 13 sales representatives (two of them located in the southern region and one located in the northern region of the country to attend the mining industry), seven sales assistants, one project engineer and one person in charge of marketing. Customer groupings in the Chilean market include: retail companies, electronic and electric appliance manufacturers, aluminum foil and sheet buyers, durable goods manufacturers and Mining. The Company also utilizes the Chilean wire and cable commercial network to market and sell its Brass Mills products to other customer segments. In 2003, due to the Company's decision to boost the sales of the Brass Mills unit in Argentina after the closure of the plants at the end of 2001, a sales group was created including a sales head and 7 salesmen, 5 of which are located in Buenos Aires, 1 in Cordoba and another in Rosario.

The Company's PBS operations have 370 clients in Chile, 535 Argentine customers and 149 customers in its export markets. In 2004, the largest customer was a Brass Mills product distributor in Austria and sales to this customer accounted for 29.2% of the Company's total revenues generated from the sale of pipes, bars and sheets.

Given the unique tendencies that occur in each of the markets served by the Company's Brass Mills business unit, information regarding sales by sector have been included on a country-by-country basis. The following charts show the Company's sales breakdown by client grouping for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

The Company's Chilean Customer Groupings

 

% 2002 Revenues

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

Retail and Distributors

68%

68%

68%

Durable good manufacturers

18%

13%

12%

Mining

0%

0%

8%

       

Electric appliance manufacturers

7%

5%

4%

Aluminum

4%

4%

2%

Others

3%

10%

6%

The Company's Argentine Customer Groupings

 

% 2002 Revenues

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

Retail and Distributors

53%

59%

48%

Construction

15%

15%

17%

Durable good manufacturers

32%

26%

23%

Exports and others

0%

0%

12%

 

Delivery or shipping of standard products that are in stock is made within a 48-hour period. In the case of customized products, the production time ranges between 30 and 90 days, depending upon the complexity of the item being produced and the plant workload. The Company implemented an automated production programming system (Scheduler) in its Chilean operation in order to improve production flow and consequently shorten the time period between the ordering and delivery of customized products. When products are completed and available for delivery, the Company either hires third-party transportation companies to deliver the finished goods to a customer's plant or warehouse, or the customer picks up the products at the Company's plant. The mode of transportation for exported products depends on the destination country: while ground transportation is used within the Southern Cone countries, sea transportation is used for exports to all other countries.

PBS - Market Demand and Industry Size Estimates

The principal users of the Company's pipe, bar and sheet products are the mining, energy, and construction sectors, as well as durable goods manufacturers. The Company's management believes that overall demand for its Brass Mills products is largely dependent on GDP growth. Investments within the mining and energy sectors are also largely dependent on new infrastructure projects. Investment activity and/or demand for the Company's products from the construction sector, durable goods manufacturers and retail operations depend largely on the country's GDP growth. While demand from durable goods manufacturers seems to depend primarily on GDP growth, demand from the construction sector appears to depend both on GDP growth as well as interest rates and unemployment levels.

There are no formal third-party estimates on industry size for any of the countries in which Madeco has Brass Mills operations and the Company bases its estimates on published information from its competitors, import and export reports and the Company's proprietary production and sales data. See "Presentation of Information".

Given the unique evolution of the brass mills industry within each individual country or segment, discussions regarding the industry growth/shrinkage over the 2002-2004 period are included separately for Chile and Argentina.

Chilean PBS Market. The following chart shows the Company's estimates for the Chilean pipe, bar and sheet industry as well as the country's annual GDP growth rate for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Industry Size (in tons)

 

Year

Total

Industry Size

GDP Rate (1)

2002

15,822

2.2%

2003

16,734

3.7%

2004

17,407

6.1%

 

(1) The annual GDP rates for Chile presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2002 and 2003 as a result of a change in Chilean Central Bank calculation formula and methodology.

The Company estimates that the industry size for copper and brass products for 2004 increased 4.0% compared with the previous year. Such increase reflects a higher demand of copper pipe primarily from the construction sector.

Argentine PBS Market. The following chart shows the Company's estimates of the Argentine pipe, bar and sheet industry as well as the country's GDP growth rates for the years 2002 to 2004:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

GDP Rate

2002

9,700

-10.9%

2003

17,000

8.7%

2004

17,773

9.0%

In recent years, competition from the Argentine PVC pipes sector has been increasing. While copper pipes are used for both water and sewage systems in commercial buildings and high-income private housing, PVC pipes dominate the medium and lower-income housing construction segments. Although copper pipes outperform PVC pipes in terms of mechanic resistance and durability, PVC pipes are popular due to their discount prices.

In 2003, the industry size increased 75.3% compared with the previous year mainly due to greater activity in the construction sector and the recovery of durable goods manufacturers after the devaluation of the Argentine peso against the U.S. dollar.

In 2004, the industry size increased 4.5% compared with the previous year mainly due to greater activity in the service sector, higher demand for durable goods and, to a lesser extent, growth in the construction sector. Despite growth in 2004, the demand for pipes, bars and sheets in Argentina is still below historical levels (25,000 tons on average between 1989 and 2000), reflecting the fact that all client sectors of the Company's pipe, bar and sheet products are still recovering from the negative impact of the economic crisis in Argentina in 2001.

PBS - Market Share Estimates and Description of Competition

The Company strives to continue to be a preferred supplier domestically and globally, meeting international quality standards, delivering excellent customer service and continuously being innovative in terms of new product applications. Madeco's principal competitive advantages currently include the high quality of its products, competitive prices, a large commercial network, a diverse product portfolio and a recognized brand name.

There are no formal third-party estimates on market share and the Company bases its estimates on published information from its competitors, import and export reports and the Company's own production and sales data. See "Presentation of Information". Given the fact that the Company competes against different competitors in both of the countries in which it has operations, market share and information regarding competitors has been separated by country.

Market Share and Competition in the Chilean PBS Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share statistics for the Chilean pipe, bar and sheet industry for the past three years:

 

2002

2003(1)

2004

The Company

53%

60%

61%

Cembrass

10%

3%

4%

Tecob

7%

2%

0%

Conmetal

8%

10%

9%

Offermanns

3%

2%

2%

Other Domestic

3%

0%

0%

Imports into Chile

16%

23%

24%

 

(1) The Company's market share calculation methodology differs from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2003. The Company's market share calculation methodology has improved through the availability of additional information (excludes semi-foundry and brass rod sale estimations and includes sales from the Codelco Norte project, "Proyecto Codelco Norte" and sales from marketing and selling of imported products). Conversely, the Chilean volume sold includes semi-foundry and brass rod sale estimations but excludes sales from the Codelco Norte project and sales from marketing and selling of imported products. The Company believes that the figures presented above better reflect market share.

The Company is the largest local producer of pipes, bars and sheets in Chile, reaching an estimated market share of 61% for the year 2004. The Company believes that it is the leading producer in Chile for copper pipes, bars and sheets and brass sheets.

The Company's primary competitor in the copper pipe segment is Themco-Conformadores de Metales S.A. ("Conmetal"). Conmetal manufactures rigid copper pipes and small copper bars and was founded in 1995 by Themco, a large plastic pipe and fitting conglomerate. In order to increase its production capacity, Conmetal inaugurated a new plant facility in 2004. The Company estimates that the leader in the brass bars segment is Cembrass S.A. ("Cembrass"). Cembrass is a subsidiary of CEM (one of Chile's manufacturers of residential water heaters). The other significant brass bar producer is Manufacturas de Metales Offermanns Flood S.A.I.C. ("Offermanns"), a company that has been in the market for almost 60 years. Offermanns' products include brass bars as well as the well known Flood brand padlock. Other smaller competitors include Electro Copper Ltda. and Aceros y Metales S.A.

In the year 2003, domestic producers sold approximately 12,718 tons of pipe, bar and sheet products for sale in Chile. Imported products amounted to 4,016 tons, or approximately 24% of the industry. For the year 2002, imports represented 16% (2,580 tons) of the industry.

In 2003, the Company increased its market share by seven percentage points. Such increase was based on a rise in both the tube and copper bars market. In the second half of 2003, one of the Company's main local competitors stopped its production due to financial difficulties, and a foreign competitor of copper tubes entered into an agreement with the Company whereby this foreign competitor would acquire copper tubes directly from the Company as opposed to importing them. Within the copper bars market, Madeco also increased its market share after it was awarded the majority of a contract with one of the main mining companies in the country for the purchase of copper bars that conduct electricity.

In 2004, the Company increased its market participation by one percentage point, selling a total of 10,551 tons of brass mill related products. This increase is mostly due to an increase in the sale of copper pipe products. The principal reason for the market participation increase in 2004 compared to the previous year was the closure of the Tecob operations in 2003 and the low production levels of Conmetal as a result of the plant remodeling realized during the first semester of 2004. Consequently, the Company, Cembrass and foreign importers each increased sales by approximately 1%.

Market Share and Competition in the Argentine PBS Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate for market share statistics of pipe, bar and sheet products for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

The Company

11%

13%

14%

Pajarbol-Cembrass

13%

15%

15%

Sotyl

13%

12%

13%

Vaspia

7%

7%

7%

Quimetal

11%

7%

7%

Other Domestic

42%

34%

33%

Imports into Argentina

3%

12%

11%

(1) The Company's market share calculation methodology has improved through the availability of additional information (excludes semi-foundry and brass rod sale estimations). Conversely, the Argentine volume sold includes semi-foundry and brass rod sale estimations. The Company believes that the figures presented above better reflect market share.

Madeco estimates that it has been the leading brass mills manufacturer in Argentina over the past years. Its principal competitor is Pajarbol S.A.; this company was founded in 1957 and is the largest producer of high quality brass bars. Sotyl S.A. was founded in 1973 and principally produces brass sheets. Vaspia S.A.I.C. was founded in 1960 and is a producer of brass bars, profiles, valves and hardware fixtures. Industrias Quimetal S.A.I.C. was founded over 30 years ago and has a modern plant specializing in copper pipe production for refrigeration and heating units.

In 2002, the Company lost nine percentage points of market share after the closure of its production facilities, and, in that year, efforts were focused on the sale of stock.

In 2003, the Company's market share increased by two percentage points due to the partial recovery of historical sale levels. During 2003 Madeco reorganized its commercial department, re-opened (at limited capacity, in the second half) pipe and foundry productions , and imported brass bars from Brazil.

In the year 2003, local manufacturers produced approximately 14,960 tons of pipes, bars and sheet products for sale in Argentina. Import products amounted to 2,040 tons, or approximately 12% of the market. For the year 2002, import products represented 3%, or 291 tons, of the market.

In 2004, the Company increased its market share by one percentage point, mostly due to an increase in demand from the industrial sector. Pipes used in water related activities continue to be challenged by the presence of alternative products, such as plastic or PVC. Volume sales in the sheet sector decreased due to competitive pressures from local producers and high supplier turnover rates. The Company grew in terms of tons sold from 2,266 in 2003 to 2,520 in 2004, of which imports represented 382 tons, or a 31% increase compared to the previous year.

Coins - Sales by Destination

Madeco sells the bulk of its coin products to countries outside Chile; export sales represented 90.4% of the total coin revenues for the year 2004. The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales by destination for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Coins Division - Revenues by Destination (in Ch$ million)

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Coins Division

2002

1,286

9,105

10,391

2003

645

6,325

6,970

2004

729

6,841

7,570

Coins Division - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Coins Division

2002

92

3,490

3,582

2003

71

2,914

2,985

2004

97

2,351

2,448

 

(1) Exports for the Coins division consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile.

The Company's coins and coin blanks revenues in 2004 increased 8.6% compared with 2003 due to the higher average selling price on units sold. The increase in prices was caused by an increase in raw material metal costs that were passed along as price increases. In contrast, the Company had a reduction in the volume sold in 2004 due to excess capacity in the industry which was brought about by a significant reduction in demand after the introduction of the Euro currency in January 1, 2002.

Coins - The Company's Sales and Distribution

Manufacturing of coin blanks starts only when customers settle the orders and sign a formal contract. The commercial department is in charge of a commercial manager who participates in bid processes, opening new potential markets and maintaining good relationships between the Company and its customers. The Company also hires agents in many countries to act as representatives according to local legal requirements.

The Company's sales process begins with a bidding process, which can be either public or private, depending on the country. In the case of a public bid, any coin manufacturer has the right to make a sales quote. In contrast, manufacturers must be invited to participate in a private bid. In the case of bids made to Europe, Central and South America, the price determined by the Company usually has two components: a fixed price for the conversion of metal to coin blanks and a variable price for the metal used, based on prices quoted on the LME.

The Company's largest clients are central banks and coin mints. This business is dependent upon the replenishment of coin supplies by the respective country's central bank and/or mints, making for purchase patterns that are infrequent in nature but high in terms of volume sales. The Company's key customer in 2004 was The Thailand Treasury Department and this customer accounted for 34% of total coin sales. The Denmark National Bank accounted for 20% of total coin sales and the Argentine mint (Sociedad del Estado Casa de Moneda Argentina) accounted for 15% of total coin sales.

 

 

Flexible Packaging

In 1961, Alusa S.A. was founded jointly by the Company and the Zecchetto and Arduini family with the objective of producing, selling and distributing flexible packaging products printed by rotogravure method. Also sold foil wrapping for retail sale (consumer market) to attend industrial consumer. In order to strengthen its strategic position within the two segments in which it then participated, Alusa separated in 1994 its Flexible Packaging operations from its complementary business, the fabrication of aluminum foil and plastic wrap (both mass consumer products for home and commercial use).That same year, Alusa acquired Vigaflex (renamed as Alupack), a local company engaged in the flexographic packaging market.

Alufoil was established in 1995 as a subsidiary of Alusa to provide mass consumer products such as aluminum foil, trash bags and plastic wrap and industrial products such as ice cream cone wrapping, aluminum taps and other products. In November 2004, Alusa sold some of Alufoil's assets (trademark and some current assets) related to mass consumer products to Cambiaso Hermanos S.A. for Ch$1,385 million. The other industrial business lines were absorbed by Alusa. During 2004, Alufoil's revenues and production turnover represented 8% and 11% of Alusa's consolidated revenues and total production turnover, respectively.

The Company began the internationalization of its Flexible Packaging business in 1993 with the creation of Aluflex S.A. and the greenfield construction of a plant in San Luis, Argentina. The objective of the new operation was to supply the large mass consumer product companies in Argentina as well as access the immense Brazilian potential market. In addition, the plant's location is optimal to serve as a secondary production source to fulfill peaks in Chilean demand.

In 1996, Alusa S.A. entered into the Peruvian packaging market by acquiring a 25% interest in Peruplast S.A. and Tech Pak S.A., maintaining to date such stake in Peruplast and a 25.6% in Tech Pak. Both companies are leaders in the flexible packaging Peruvian market, with an estimated combined market share of 62% for 2004. Peruplast prints packaging products through a rotogravure technique and Tech Pak prints packaging products, only through a flexographic method. The two companies have one majority shareholder and the Company participates through a shareholders agreement.

The following table includes the names of the Company's subsidiaries dedicated to the production, sales and distribution of flexible packaging products:

Country

Entity Name

Chile

Alusa S.A.

 

Alufoil S.A.

Argentina

Aluflex S.A.

Flexible Packaging - Summary of Sales

The following table presents the Company's annual net sales generated by the Flexible Packaging business unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

 

Flexible Packaging Unit

Year

Revenues

(in Ch$ million)

% Consolidated Revenues

Volume Sales

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2002

41,953

15.8%

13,912

12.1%

2003

42,781

17.6%

14,821

13.6%

2004

45,117

13.9%

16,361

13.3%

In 2004, revenues increased by Ch$2,336 million or 5.5% with respect to the previous year. The rise in revenue was a consequence of increases in the volume of units sold in Chile (5.1%), Argentina (13.2%) and export sales (34.3%). Conversely, the average selling price of exports in U.S. dollar terms decreased by 3.4% in 2004 compared to the previous year. Additionally, the appreciation of the Chilean peso compared to the U.S. dollar in 2004 also offset the increase in revenue.

The Company principally sells its flexible packaging products in the same markets where it maintains its operations. Additionally, Madeco exports flexible packaging products to various countries, both within Latin America and abroad; export sales represented 14% of the total unit's revenues for the year 2004.

The following tables present the Company's annual net sales generated by the Flexible Packaging business unit by destination for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Flexible Packaging Unit - Revenues by Destination (in Ch$ million)

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

Flexible Packaging Unit

2002

27,268

10,158

4,527

41,953

2003

28,191

9,401

5,189

42,781

2004

28,786

10,014

6,317

45,117

Flexible Packaging Unit - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

Flexible Packaging Unit

2002

9,319

3,222

1,371

13,912

2003

9,674

3,417

1,730

14,821

2004

10,171

3,867

2,323

16,361

 

(1) Exports for the Flexible Packaging unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile or Argentina.

In 2004, volume sales for the Flexible Packaging unit amounted to 16,361 tons, a 10.4% increase compared to 14,821 tons sold the previous year.

The following table presents the Company's Flexible Packaging business unit total revenues for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, broken down by the subsidiary that generated the sale:

Flexible Packaging Unit - Revenues by Subsidiary (in Ch$ million)

Year

Alusa + Alufoil

Aluflex

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

2002

30,950

11,003

0

41,953

2003

32,248

10,537

-4

42,781

2004

33,391

11,726

0

45,117

 

 

Flexible Packaging - Production

The Company has a total of three modern facilities for the production of flexible packaging products. The Chilean operation has two plants and the Argentine subsidiary, Aluflex, operates one facility. The following table presents information regarding each flexible packaging production facility including plant location, principal products manufactured and ISO certification:

Country

Location

Principal Products

ISO Certification (1)

Chile

Quilicura, Santiago

Flexographic, Rotogravure

9001: 1997, 2003 (version 2000)

La Reina, Santiago(2)

Plastic and aluminum films

N/A

Argentina

San Luis

Flexographic, Rotogravure

9001: 1998, 2004 (version 2000)

 

(1) In cases where two dates are included, the first date indicates the original certification and the second date indicates the most recent certification.

(2) Alusa sold certain Alufoil's assets, including the trademark, related to its mass consumer products to Cambiaso Hermanos S.A. in November 2004.

Flexible packaging products include candy wrappers, bags for cookies, snack foods, fresh and frozen products, as well as diapers and personal hygiene products, envelopes for powdered soups and juices, flexible bags for ketchup and mayonnaise as well as for cleaning products such as laundry detergents, labels for beverage bottles, peel-off lids and labels for yogurt containers and wrappers for ice cream products. All of the Company's products are manufactured in accordance with international requirements and customized to meet individual customer specifications.

Production of flexible packaging products begins by combining the different layers of material(s) required for each particular packaging order; the combination of materials depends on the product's requirements, such as impermeability, desired shelf life and cost considerations. Flexible packaging products are made from any combination of the following: plastics (such as polypropylene, polyethylene and/or polyester), aluminum foil, resin, wax and adhesives. The most common packaging types are single-layer and multi-layer, coextruded barrier films, doy pack containers and metallized films. Many of the packaging component materials are purchased in ready-to-print rolls. Due to the high volume of polyethylene used in flexible packaging, this raw material is purchased in pellet form and extruded at the Company's facilities into rolls of the appropriate diameter, thickness, width and color for each particular order.

The principal pre-press process involves the digital design for packaging graphics, including color separation, text and layout. There are two forms of printing: rotogravure and flexographic. The rotogravure printing process involves diamond-etching a cylinder for each color, it is appropriate for high-volume orders. Flexographic priting process requires a polymer plate (one for each colour) with the design to be printed. The flexographic printing method requires a metal plate containing the design to be printed. The flexographic method is more appropriate for smaller orders as a result of its more efficient use of dye and energy, and is more oriented to lower price packaging.

Traditionally, machinery and equipment requirements for rotogravure printing have been greater than for flexographic printing, and as a result, flexographic printing has been more commonly used. While the flexographic printing method has traditionally been inferior to the rotogravure method in terms of printing clarity and quality, these differences have been disappearing over time as the quality and equipment investments in the flexographic printing method have increased. The following diagram depicts the flexible packaging production process:

Graphic designing à

Extrusion of polyethylene à laminating & layering à printing à laminating & layering (as required) à cutting (as required) à folding (as required) à packing

Subsequent to the printing process, additional laminates and any other necessary layers are attached using adhesives between layers. Finally, the rolls are cut, folded (if necessary) and packaged.

Flexible Packaging - Raw Materials

The principal raw materials used in the production of flexible packaging are plastics (i.e.: polypropylene, polyethylene, resin and polyester), paper, aluminum foil, ink, adhesives and solvents.

The principal film suppliers for Alusa in Argentina and Chile are Vitopel S.A., Terphane Ltda. and Sigdopack S.A. The main polyethylene resin suppliers in 2004 were Dow Chemical Company through PBB Polisur S.A., Petroquímica Dow S.A. and Dow Química Chilena S.A. These three suppliers provided approximately 39% of the raw materials used by the Company in 2004. However, the Company can access other sources when price and delivery terms are more favorable.

The Company obtains most of its aluminum requirements from Aluar (Argentina) and Hydro Aluminum Deutschland GMBH (Germany). However, the Company can access other sources when price and delivery terms are more favorable.

Paper is purchased from suppliers in Chile, Brazil, Italy, Finland and Sweden. The Company purchases its various adhesives from Henkel Chile S.A. and Rhom & Hass Chile Ltda. Dye is purchased from Sun Chemical Ink S.A. and Flint Ink.

Although the existence and competitiveness of diverse suppliers both within the region and internationally provide the Company with multiple alternatives in terms of attractive prices and payment terms, the increase in demand for raw material products on a global level during 2004 has caused a sharp increase in raw material prices. The petrochemical industry was unable to meet the demand levels due to significant shortfalls in its installed capacity. In any case, Madeco believes that all contracts or other agreements between it and third-party suppliers with respect to the supply of raw materials for flexible packaging contain standard and customary terms and conditions. The Company does not believe that it is dependent on any one supplier for a significant portion of its important raw materials for its Flexible Packaging production. During the past ten years, the Company has not experienced any material difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of necessary raw materials at satisfactory market pric es nor does it expect to do so in the future.

Flexible Packaging - The Company's Sales and Distribution

In both Chile and Argentina, Madeco dedicates substantial effort toward developing strong long-term relationships with each of its major customers. The Company recognizes the importance of packaging to the customer, both in terms of cost and as an important marketing tool. Moreover, strong client relationships foster the potential to jointly develop new packaging ideas.

In Chile, Alusa's sales force includes one commercial manager, 3 administrative employees and 8 salesmen. Among the salesmen mentioned, 5 are responsible for local customers and the remaining 3 for exports. Alusa also has a Customer Service Department composed of a supervisor and 5 customer service representatives.

In Argentina the commercial department includes one commercial manager, 3 sales executives, each responsible for a portfolio of customers, and 4 sales operators.

Additionally, in both countries the Company has a team of technical advisors specialized in flexible packaging structure, which work closely with the Company's main customers in the development of new products and the innovation of existing products.

The Company has a representative office in Brazil, and agents in Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Peru, the Dominican Republic and the United States.

The Company's Flexible Packaging unit has approximately 95 active customers in Chile, which include multinational companies, such as Nestlé, Unilever, Danone and Procter & Gamble, and local regional companies, such as Córpora and Carozzi. The Company also has approximately 30 clients in Argentina as well as approximately 45 clients in export markets. The Company's largest customers in 2004 are in the food and hygiene industries. The Company's largest customer accounted for 10% of the units' total consolidated revenues. Given the unique tendencies that occur in Chile and Argentina in terms of demand levels among the various client sectors served by the Company's Flexible Packaging business unit, information regarding sales by sector have been included on a country-by-country basis.

The following table presents Madeco's sales breakdown by client grouping for each country for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

The Company's

Chilean Customer Groupings

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Concentrated & dehydrated products

26%

21%

17%

Dressing & tomato sauces

19%

17%

16%

Candies and biscuits

18%

15%

18%

Personal Care & Pharmaceutical products

11%

9%

12%

Dairy Products

10%

12%

12%

Snacks

4%

10%

6%

Frozen products

3%

3%

3%

Meat products

2%

2%

2%

Cleaning products

2%

1%

1%

Others

5%

10%

13%

 

 

The Company's

Argentine Customer Groupings

% 2002

Revenues

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

Biscuits, candies and snacks

54%

46%

50%

Pastas

2%

3%

2%

Condiments

1%

1%

1%

Cleaning products

7%

11%

12%

Pet food

18%

25%

26%

Others

18%

14%

9%

In general, all of the Company's Flexible Packaging unit's customers can buy on credit.  While a very small portion of the customers make cash payments for their purchase orders, the majority of sales (over 99% in 2004) were made under credit conditions.

Within the Flexible Packaging unit, the average payment period remained stable at approximately 78 days.  Uncollectible accounts as a percentage of total unit revenues amounted to 0.86% for the year 2003 and 0.56% for the year 2004.

Delivery time of packaging products which require new graphics can be up to 30 days; for those products with repeat graphics, delivery time is approximately 20 days. Subsequent to production completion, the Company hires third-party distribution companies to deliver finished goods to the customer's plant or warehouse. The mode of transportation for exported products depends on the destination country, but the most prevalent mode of transportation is by ocean freight.

Flexible Packaging - Market Demand and Industry Size Estimates

The principal users of the Company's flexible packaging products are multinational and domestic mass consumer product companies within the food, snacks and personal care segments. The Company believes that demand for flexible packaging products depends largely on the level of supermarket sales, which has not been as negatively impacted by the economic slowdown over the past few years as other industries served by the Company's products.

There are no formal third-party estimates on industry sales volume and the Company bases its estimates on published information from its competitors, supermarket sales estimates, import reports of raw materials and the Company's own sales data. See "Presentation of Information".

Given the unique evolution of the flexible packaging industry within each country, information regarding the industry's evolution over the 2002-2004 period is included separately for Chile and Argentina.

Chilean Flexible Packaging Market. The following chart summarizes management's estimates for the Chilean flexible packaging industry and the supermarket sales index for the years 2002 through 2004:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

2002

36,050

2003

37,850

2004

39,931

From 2002 to 2004, the Chilean flexible industry increased due to the industry's ability to provide the global market with high quality and innovative products, despite the decreasing client base that has plagued the industry, which is due in large part to the mergers and acquisition process that has characterized the mass consumer market. Although, demand has been effectively concentrated in the hands of a few key players, the Chilean industry has, in many cases, been able to hold onto its market share or, in some cases, even increase it.

Argentine Flexible Packaging Market. The following chart summarizes management's estimates for the Argentine flexible packaging industry and the supermarket sales index for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

Supermarket Sales

(in million of historical AR$)

2002

N/A

15,102

2003

48,580

16,553

2004

56,813

17,675

During the first half of 2002, there was a decrease in the industry's economic activity as a consequence of the post-devaluation shock that had plagued Argentina. During 2002, the Company implemented substantial sales price adjustments (due to the implementation of a new currency exchange rate between the Argentine peso and the U.S. dollar) and new payment terms (due to economic uncertainty). In the second half of 2002, demand showed slight signs of recovery.

During the first half of 2003, supermarket volume sales were sluggish until the latter part of the year. Consequently, the Company was able to increase significantly its volume sales with respect to the previous year (8.7%). This increase was mostly caused by increased activity in certain sectors that were experiencing growth such as the pet food industry.

The Argentine economy grew 9.0% during 2004. This growth was accompanied by an increase in consumer spending (supermarket sales increased 6.8% in 2004 compared to 2003) and a stable exchange rate. These favorable economic conditions increased the commercial activity of all sectors.

Flexible Packaging - Market Share and Description of Competition

Madeco's primary competitive advantages are its market leadership and a recognized brand name. Moreover, given that the Company has two large flexible packaging plants, one in Chile and another in Argentina, it is considered to be one of the few companies capable of producing consolidated regional packaging requirements for large manufacturers.

Despite the existence of two distinct printing methods, the Company estimates market share based on the combined volume of both printing methods since the majority of packaging alternatives can be combined with either printing technique. There are no formal third-party estimates on market share and the Company bases its estimates on published information from its larger competitors, supermarket sales estimates, import reports of raw materials and the Company's own sales data. See "Presentation of Information".

Market Share and Competitors in the Chilean Flexible Packaging Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of market share for the two most relevant participants in the flexible packaging market in Chile for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

Edelpa

30%

30%

31%

The Company

26%

26%

26%

Others

44%

44%

43%

There is one other significant participant in the flexible packaging market with rotogravure printing capabilities: the Chilean company Envases del Pacífico S.A. ("Edelpa") Edelpa has two manufacturing facilities, one in Santiago and another in Viña del Mar.

The main companies within the Multilayer Flexible Packaging industry are Edelpa and Alusa, which in conjunction concentrate approximately 57% of total sales of such industry segment. Edelpa uses rotogravure and flexographic techniques. This company has had a constant growth rate during the past years mainly due to acquisitions (Italprint in 1997, Prepac in 2000 and Alvher in 2003). Other important companies within this industry segment are: BO Packaging (previously Carter-Holt Packaging), HyC and Envases Flexibles. BO Packaging uses the rotogravure technique and therefore competes with Alusa and Edelpa. The other two companies use the flexographic technique.

During 2004 the industry experienced a shift from companies that utilize flexographic techniques to those that produce laminated products and maintain superior production technology. Additionally, the larger companies have been expanding towards foreign markets. On the international level, particularly in Mexico, there are many more Latin American multinational competitors introducing products onto the market.

Market Share and Competitors in the Argentine Flexible Packaging Market. The following table sets forth the Company's estimate of the Company's market share in the Argentine flexible packaging industry for the past three years:

2002

2003

2004

The Company

7%

8%

8%

Others

93%

92%

92%

The flexible packaging industry in Argentina shows high levels of fragmentation. The four main companies have 40% of the market share. The low concentration level of the industry and the successful implementation of Aluflex's growth strategy have allowed the Company to position itself as one of the four main competitors within the Argentine industry with a market share of 8.0%.

In 2004 the main converter competitor, Converflex (a subsidiary of Arcor), increased its market share to 15% compared to its 13% market share in the prior year.

The main competitors of Aluflex, other than Converflex, are Edelpa, Alvher, Fleximat, Zaniello and Bolsapel. These companies concentrate their sales in high value added segments, and deliver their products to multinational clients. These companies are also certified by ISO-9000. The remaining market share is distributed among more than 90 companies.

Aluminum Profiles

Industrias de Aluminio S.A. (Indalum) was founded in 1954. Madeco began producing aluminum profiles in 1954 and in 1991, acquired 99.2% stake in Indalum. Today, the Company is the only aluminum profiles manufacturer in Chile. The aluminum profiles manufactured by the Company are used as window and door frames in residential construction. They are also in curtain walls and industrial applications in durable goods such as refrigerators and ovens. The Company is vertically integrated and owns the largest aluminum profiles distributor, Alumco S.A.

The Company owns a subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Bolibiana Indalum S.A. which operated as an aluminum profiles distributor until June 2004, when operations terminated. Distribuidora Bolibiana Indalum S.A. has sold nearly all of its assets and Madeco is exporting directly to its Bolivian customers from its Chilean operations.

The Company commenced its curtain wall installation business in 1991. This business entailed the engineering, fabrication and installation of curtain walls in non residential construction.. During 2002, Madeco made a strategic decision to concentrate solely on the production of aluminum profiles and to exit the curtain wall business. The Company sold its curtain wall operating assets in Chile, valued at approximately US$1.2 million, which primarily included product inventories, receivables, machinery and equipment, plus the Ingewall brand. This sale also included the transfer of accounts payable, and other liabilities with a net transaction price amounted to approximately US$0.6 million. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company sold its Argentine subsidiary, Ingewall Argentina S.A. The operating figures reported during 2002, 2003 and 2004, reflect the termination phase of the Torre Antel project in Uruguay, finished in December 2004.

The following table includes the names of the Company's subsidiaries engaged in the Aluminum Profiles businesses:

Country

Entity Name

Division

Chile

Indalum S.A.

Alumco S.A.

Aluminum Profiles - production

Aluminum Profiles - distribution

Uruguay (1)

Ingewall Uruguay S.A.

Curtain Walls

Bolivia (2)

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A.

Aluminum Profiles - distribution

(1) At the beginning of the year 2002, as a consequence of the strategic decision to focus solely on the fabrication of aluminum profiles, the Company exited the complementary curtain wall business segment.

(2) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

The following table shows the Company's annual net sales generated by the Aluminum unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Aluminum Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million) and Volume Sales (in tons)

Year

Aluminum Unit

Revenues

(in Ch$ million)

% Consolidated

Revenues

Total Volume

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2002

29,079

11.0%

9,978

8.7%

2003

29,957

12.3%

10,211

9.3%

2004

28,621

8.9%

10,653

8.6%

In 2004 revenues decreased 4.5% compared to the previous year due to the higher penetration of imported products.

The following table shows the Company's total revenues generated by the Aluminum unit for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, broken down by business division:

Aluminum Unit - Revenues by Subsidiary (in Ch$ million)

Year

Indalum + Alumco

Ingewall

Inter-company

Aluminum

Unit

2002

28,542

537

0

29,079

2003

29,546

411

0

29,957

2004

28,621

0

0

28,621

 

Aluminum - Production

Indalum owns a modern aluminum profiles extrusion plant located in San Bernardo, in the outskirts of Santiago. Indalum is technologically advanced both in terms of manufacturing processes and product and system designs. At the beginning of October 2003, the Company was certified under ISO 9001-2000.

Production of aluminum profiles begins with aluminum billets. The billets are heated and then extruded. The extrusion process entails using high pressure to force the heated aluminum through steel dies in order to form elongated profiles, in either standard or customized shapes. After extrusion, the profiles are cut according to specifications and then anodized, painted or left untreated.

Untreated profiles are most commonly used by durable goods manufacturers. The following diagram depicts the production process for untreated profiles:

Billet

à preheating à extruding à cutting à packing

Anodized profiles are used in the construction sector. Anodization is a chemical treatment and electrochemical coloration process which protects aluminum against corrosion. The following diagram depicts the production process for anodized profiles:

Billet

à preheating à extruding à cutting à polishing à anodizing à stabilizing à packing

Painted profiles are also used in the construction sector. Painted profiles are offered in a wide variety of colors but are limited in their application to those uses where there is less exposure to corrosion elements. The following diagram depicts the production process for painted profiles:

Billet

à preheating à extruding à cutting à removing grease and chroming à painting à heating à packing

Aluminum - Raw Materials

Aluminum is the principal raw material used in the production of aluminum profiles and represents more than 70% of the total production profile cost. The Company obtains most of its aluminum requirements from Aluar, located in Argentina.

Other raw materials used for aluminum profiles production include paint and chemical products. For the procurement of anodization chemical products, the Company establishes annual purchase agreements with four main suppliers, Chemal Katschmareck - GMBH (Germany), Química del Sur y Cía. Ltda. (Chile), Goldschmidt Química de Mexico (Mexico) and Brenntang Chile Comercial e Industrial.

The Company believes that all contracts and other agreements between the Company and third-party suppliers with respect to the supply of raw materials for its profiles business contain standard, customary terms and conditions. During the past ten years, the Company has not experienced any substantial difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of necessary raw materials at satisfactory prices nor does it expect to do so in the future.

Aluminum Profiles - Summary of Sales

The following table shows the Company's annual net sales from its Aluminum Profiles division for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Year

Aluminum Profiles

(in Ch$ million)

Aluminum Profiles

(in tons)

% Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

2002(1)

28,542

9,978

98.2%

2003(1)

29,546

10,211

98.6%

2004 (2)

28,621

10,653

100.0%

 

(1) Includes sales by the Company's proprietary distribution office in Bolivia (approximately 300 tons per month)

(2) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

For 2003, the Company's net sales were 3.5% higher compared to 2002 mainly due to an increase in volume sales of 2.3% and moderate increases in the unit selling price.

For 2004, the Company's net sales decreased 3.1% compared to the previous year, due mainly to a decrease in the unit selling price. This decrease was partially offset by a 4.3% increase in sales volume.

Aluminum Profiles - Marketing, Sales and Distribution

The Company devotes substantial efforts toward developing strong long-term relationships with each of its major customers. Madeco has approximately 50 active aluminum profile customers, twelve of which are its national distributors. Eight of these national distributors, sell the Company's aluminum profiles only. One sales supervisor manages the selling activity and maintains positive relations with the Company's distributors. In addition, the Company has a sales representative responsible for selling durable good manufacturers as well as to large end-user clients engaged in the curtain wall business and in window and patio door fabrication.

The Company's largest distributor is its subsidiary Alumco.Alumco has eight sales representatives servicing approximately 1,500 active clients. The other major distributors are Distribuidora Arquetipo Ltda., Distribuidora y Comercializadora Dialum Ltda., Inversiones El Círculo Ltda. (Metralum) and Vidrios Dell'Orto S.A. The Company also sells profiles to seven large accounts which participate in the curtain wall industry as well as in window and patio door fabrication.

The following chart shows the Company's sales breakdown by channel for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

The Company's Sales Channels

% 2002 Revenues

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

Retail

24%

22%

19%

Independent distributors

53%

52%

54%

Construction companies and durable goods manufacturers

19%

22%

24%

Distribution offices in Bolivia (1)

4%

4%

2%

Exports and others

0%

0%

1%

(1) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

Selling efforts are primarily focused in the Chilean market. Sales in the Bolivian market represent a small percentage of the Company's aluminum profiles sales.

The Company sells its aluminum profiles products with either cash or differed payment. Cash payments have a price discount. Payment terms offered by the Company range between 60 to 90 days; the exact period depending on each client, and is related to its financial standing and credit history. The average payment period decreased from 69 days in 2003 to 63 days in 2004 (these figures do not include non operating activity nor related party receivables). The Company's uncollectible accounts as a percentage of net sales decreased from 3.2% in 2003 to 2.9% in the year 2004.

At the end of 1998, the Brazilian aluminum profiles manufacturer Alcoa installed a distribution office in Chile. Subsequent to its arrival, the Company lost a few distributors and a significant portion of its market share. In 2001, the Company revamped its marketing strategy and launched the marketing and sales concept "Indalum Building Systems" (IBS). The primary objective of IBS involves strengthening relationships with each of the Company's key customer groups - real estate developers, architects, construction companies, producers, distributors and durable goods manufacturers - by providing adequate product solutions and optimal service quality.

During 2002 and 2003, the Company launched the Superba System and the Xelentia System, respectively. The strategy behind the introduction of these two systems was product differentiation through market segmentation. Based on the client's market segmentation, each system provides a superior quality/price relation. The Xelentia System is focused on the medium to lower medium market, primarily subsidized governmental housing, while the Superba System is focused on the higher-end value residential housing. The packaging of both systems included not only the quality of the aluminum profile product but also its installation process.

During 2004, commercial activities continued to focus on improvements in these two systems. A total of 20 and 100 installers had been certified by the Superba System and Xelenyia System, respectively. Although the Company does not provide installation guarantees to its clients, it does supervise the work performed by its certified installers and provides free technical assistance to all clients. The Company continued to focus on the IBS concept in 2004, achieving major improvements in service and technical assistance to clients.

Aluminum Profiles - Market Demand and Industry Size Estimates

The main consumer of the Company's aluminum profile products is the construction sector (residential and non residential). The level of construction activity in the Chilean market depends directly on GDP growth as well as interest rates. Given that the installation of window and door frames occurs toward the end of the construction process, there is a six to ten - month lag between an increase in construction activity and an increase in aluminum profile demand.

There are no formal third-party research estimates on industry sales volume, and the Company bases its estimates on import and export reports and the Company's own sales data. See "Presentation of Information". The following chart shows the Company's estimates for the Chilean aluminum profiles market industry and statistics for construction starts for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

Construction Starts Index

(Dec 1996 = 100)

2002

13,000

63.1

2003

12,820

74.0

2004

14,441

92.5

The sales volumes of the Company are closely related to the economy as a whole and growth in the residential sector. In 2004, GDP expanded to 6.1% while the overall construction sector (including infrastructure) expanded to 5.0%. The residential sector expanded 6.0% while non residential expanded 3.7%.

Aluminum Profiles - Market Share and Description of Competition

Being the only local producer of aluminum profiles in Chile enables the Company to supply profile products more efficiently than its foreign competitors. The Company has been able to consolidate its relationship with distributors by using a stock consignment system. In addition, the Company's IBS commercial concept previously outlined, continues to offer superior service and technical assistance to clients.

There are no formal third-party research estimates on market share, and the Company bases its estimates on import and export reports and the Company's own sales data. See "Presentation of Information". The following table show the Company's estimate for market share of aluminum profiles products for the past three years:

 

2002

2003

2004

The Company

73%

76%

71%

Alcoa

19%

14%

15%

Other Imports

8%

10%

14%

The Company's principal competitor is the Brazilian aluminum profiles manufacturer, Alcoa. Alcoa is a recognized brand in the Chilean market. Other imports come from Colombia and the Republic of China.

Although the Company has, in the past, lost distributors and market share due to the aggressiveness of Alcoa, it has been able to recover most of its market share through the successful implementation of commercial initiatives such as the "Indalum Building Systems" concept. During 2004, the Company was affected by the successful penetration of Chinese imported products, and as a result, lost 5 percentage points of market share.

Curtain Walls

In 2002, Madeco made the strategic decision to concentrate solely on the production of aluminum profiles and to exit the curtain wall business. Thus, during the first quarter of 2002, the Company sold its operating assets in Chile, valued at approximately US$1.2 million, which primarily included product inventories, receivables, machinery and equipment and the Ingewall brand. This transaction did not have a significant effect on the Company's earnings in 2002 because a provision for the transaction was recorded in 2001. During the first quarter of 2003, the Company sold its Argentine subsidiary, Ingewall Argentina S.A., which did not impact earnings for the year 2003, as it was sold at book value.

Government Regulations

The Company is subject to the full range of government regulations and supervision generally applicable to companies engaged in business in Chile, including labor laws, social security laws, public health laws, consumer protection laws, environmental laws, securities laws and anti-trust laws. These include regulations to ensure sanitary and safe conditions in manufacturing plants.

There are currently no legal or administrative proceedings pending against the Company with respect to any regulatory matter, and the Company believes that it is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable statutory and administrative regulations with respect to its business.

Organizational Structure

The following diagram shows Madeco's shareholders as well as its principal subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004:

ADRs (2.6%)

Quiñenco(1) (51.2%)

AFP (4.2%)

Others (42.0%)

MADECO

Wire & Cable

BrassMills

Flexible Packaging

Aluminum Profiles

Madeco Chile (100.00%)

Alusa (75.96%)

Indalum (99.16%)

Decker-Indelqui (99.33%)

Aluflex (75.96%)

 

Ficap (100.00%)

Armat (100.00%)

   

Indeco (93.00%)

     

 

(1) Madeco S.A. is controlled by the open stock corporation Quiñenco S.A (NYSE:LQ)., which is indirectly controlled by members of the Luksic family. Quiñenco S.A. directly owns 44.7601% (1,987,880,493 shares) of the Common Stock of Madeco S.A., and indirectly owns 6.4703% (287,359,836 shares) through Inversiones Rio Grande. In total, Quiñenco directly and indirectly owns 51.2304% (2,275,240,329 shares) of Madeco's Common Stock. Additionally, shares of Madeco's Common Stock are held by two related entities: 18,286 shares (0.0004%) are owned by Inversiones Consolidadas Ltda., which is related to Andronico Luksic Craig and his family, and 5,398 shares (0.0001%) are owned by Inversiones Carahue S.A, which is related to Paola Luksic Fontbona. Shares of Madeco's Common Stock are also held by individuals who are members of the Luksic family: 3,010 shares (0.0001%) are owned by Andronico Luksic Abaroa and 110 shares (0.0000002%) are owned by Nic olas Luksic Puga. The total ownership, combining Quiñenco's direct and indirect holdings as well as the holdings of related entities and Luksic family members, is 51.2310% (2,275,267,133 shares).

Madeco's majority shareholder is Quiñenco S.A., which, through its direct and indirect interests in the Company, beneficially owns an aggregate of 51.2304% of the outstanding shares (2,275,240,329 shares) of Common Stock.

Quiñenco S.A. is a Chilean holding company engaged in multiple businesses in Chile, Brazil and Argentina and Peru. Through its operating subsidiaries, Quiñenco is involved in the following industries: manufacturing, financial services, telecom and food and beverages.

The following table lists all of the Company's subsidiaries and affiliates as of December 31, 2004:

 

Business Unit

Name

Country of residence

Proportion of ownership interest

Proportion of voting power held

Wire & Cable

Soinmad S.A.

Chile

99.99%

99.99%

Wire & Cable

Cotelsa S.A.

Chile

99.99%

99.99%

Wire & Cable

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Chile

41.00%

41.00%

Wire & Cable

Ficap S.A.

Brazil

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Optel Ltda.(1)

Brazil

50.00%

50.00%

Wire & Cable

Madeco Brasil Ltda.

Brazil

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Indeco S.A.

Peru

93.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Cobrecon S.A.

Peru

33.33%

33.33%

Wire & Cable

Metalurgica e Industrial S.A.

Argentina

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Metacab S.A.

Argentina

99.34%

99.34%

Wire & Cable

H.B. San Luis S.A.

Argentina

99.33%

99.33%

Wire & Cable

Comercial Madeco S.A.

Argentina

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Optel Argentina S.A.

Argentina

50.00%

50.00%

Wire & Cable

Madeco Overseas S.A.

Cayman Islands

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Metal Overseas S.A.

Cayman Islands

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Madeco S.A. Agencia Islas Caiman

Cayman Islands

100.00%

100.00%

Brass Mills

Armat S.A.

Chile

99.99%

99.99%

Wire & Cable / Brass Mills

Decker Indelqui S.A.

Argentina

99.33%

99.33%

Flexible Packaging

Alusa S.A.

Chile

75.96%

75.96%

Flexible Packaging

Alufoil S.A.(2)

Chile

75.94%

75.94%

Flexible Packaging

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

Chile

69.27%

69.27%

Flexible Packaging

Peru Plast S.A.

Peru

18.99%

18.99%

Flexible Packaging

Tech Pak S.A.

Peru

19.45%

19.45%

Flexible Packaging

Aluflex S.A.

Argentina

75.96%

75.96%

Flexible Packaging

Alusa Overseas

Cayman Islands

75.91%

75.91%

Aluminum Profiles

Indalum S.A.

Chile

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Alumco S.A.

Chile

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Inversiones Alumco S.A.

Chile

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Ingewall S.A. (3)

Chile

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Systral Peru S.A.

Peru

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A. (4)

Bolivia

93.43%

93.43%

Aluminum Profiles

Ingewall Uruguay S.A. (3)

Uruguay

99.16%

99.16%

 

(1) On March 31, 2005, the company purchased Corning's 50% interest in Optel Ltda. See ITEM 4 - Recent Developments.

(2) Alusa sold certain Alufoil's assets, including the trademark, related to its mass consumer products to Cambiaso Hermanos S.A. in November 2004.

(3) At the beginning of the year 2002, as a consequence of the strategic decision to focus solely on the fabrication of aluminum profiles, the Company exited the complementary curtain wall business segment.

(4) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

The following chart depicts the location of each of the Company's production facilities within each business unit:

Country

Metallic Cables

Optical Fiber Cables

Brass Mills

Flexible Packaging

Aluminum

Chile

X

---

X

X

X

Argentina

X

X

X

X

---

Brazil

X

X

---

---

---

Peru

X

---

---

---

---

The Company's headquarters are located in Santiago, Chile at Ureta Cox 930. The corporate office building contains approximately 3,524 square meters of office space. The Company owns plants, warehouses and office space in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru, occupying approximately 423,219 square meters. Total production capacity for its Wire & Cable division, Optical Fiber division, Brass Mills unit, Flexible Packaging unit and Aluminum Profiles unit, including the production capacity of idle plants, amounts to 92.320 tons, 1,300,000 km., 165,420 tons, 21,100 tons and 16,800 tons, respectively.

The following table sets forth information concerning the production facilities of the Company as of December 31, 2004. All listed facilities are owned or leased and operated by the Company:

Production Facility

Principal Use/Products

Size of Building
(M2)

Installed Production Capacity
(tons/year)

2004 Average Capacity Utilization (1)

Wire & Cable (2)

       

San Miguel, Santiago, Chile

Copper cable

27,650

15,100

66%

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Copper cable

58,000

20,760

32%

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Copper cable

28,300

29,100

83%

Lima, Peru

Copper / aluminum cable

49,150

13,560

78%

Lima, Peru

Copper sulfates

770

6,600

49%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

Copper / aluminum cable

18,162

2,400

17%

Quilmes, B.A., Argentina (3)

Copper / aluminum cable

39,850

4,800

5%

Brass Mills

San Miguel, Santiago, Chile

Pipes, bars and sheets

32,400

36,900

83%

Lo Espejo, Santiago, Chile

Foundry

21,500

78,200

70%

Quilpue, Chile

Coin blanks and sheets

12,100

9,000

29%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

copper sheets

30,112

10,120

0%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

Foundry

1,775

22,000(4)

5%

Barracas, B.A., Argentina(3)

Copper pipes

15,800

7,200

21%

San Luis, Argentina (3)

Foundry, brass products

3,450

3,700

0%

Flexible Packaging

Santiago, Chile (2 plants)

Flexible packaging

16,600

15,200

79%

San Luis, Argentina

Flexible packaging

7,500

5,900

80%

Aluminum Profiles

Santiago, Chile

Aluminum profiles

33,200

16,800

66%

 

(1) Average Capacity Utilization represents total production output as a percentage of installed annual production capacity.

(2) The optical fiber operations in Buenos Aires has 300,000 kms of production capacity and in Rio de Janeiro 1,000,000 kms of production capacity. On March 31, 2005, the Company acquired all the rights to Optel Ltda. For additional information, see "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company -Recent Developments."

(3) As a consequence of Argentina's economic crisis, Madeco closed the production facilities of its Argentine Wire & Cable and Brass Mills operations in December 2001. The Company reopened, at limited capacity, the Barracas and Llavallol brass mills operations in the second half of 2003. Since November 2004 the Company has been partially operating, on a non-continuous basis, the Llavallol and Quilmes wire & cable facilities.

(4) There is a significant increase in installed production capacity in 2004 compared to 2003, due to the reopening of the plant during the end of 2003.

The Company's operations are subject to both national and local regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The fundamental environmental law in Chile is the Health Code, which establishes minimum health standards and provides for regulation of air and water quality and sanitary landfills.

Madeco's operations are subject to both national and local regulations relating to the protection of the environment. The fundamental environmental law in Chile is the Health Code, which establishes minimum health standards and provides for regulation of air and water quality and sanitary landfills. Since 1982, the Ministerio de Salud ("Chilean Health Ministry") and the Ministerio Secretaria General de la Presidencia ("Ministry of the General Secretary of the Presidency of Chile") have issued several regulations applicable to the control of pollution in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which provide that, in cases of emergency due to high levels of air pollution, the Secretaria Regional Ministerial de Salud ("Regional Health Ministry") has the authority to order the temporary reduction of the activities of companies in the region that produce particles and gas emissions. According to Decree No.16 (issued in 1998), which establishes a contamination prevention and atmospheric decontamination plan for the Santiago metropolitan region, in emergency situations, the Regional Health Ministry can order the reduction or even the suspension of activities of those companies classified as producing the highest level of particles and gas emissions. Since Decree No. 16 was issued, emissions from Madeco's principal plants have remained below those levels that require the Regional Health Ministry to suspend production activity. Consequently, since Decree No. 16 was issued, Madeco has not been required to reduce or halt its normal production activity.

The regulation of matters relating to the protection of the environment is not as well developed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru as in the United States and certain other countries. Accordingly, the Company anticipates that additional laws and regulations will be enacted over time with respect to environmental matters. While the Company believes that it will continue to be in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations of which it is now aware, there can be no assurance that future legislative or regulatory developments will not impose restrictions on the Company that would be material or that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

Madeco does not have any plans to expand the capacity of its plants.

 

ITEM 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Introduction

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included in "Item 18. Financial Statements". For clarity of presentation, certain amounts represented in U.S. dollars and Chilean pesos, as well as percentages, have been rounded. As a result, certain totals may not directly reflect the sum of their components.

As discussed below, the Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain important respects from U.S. GAAP. Note 32 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP as they relate to the Company's results, and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of shareholders' equity and net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In compliance with Chilean GAAP, financial data included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2004. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company's principal operating segment and its largest business unit is its Wire & Cable business, with production facilities in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. Madeco is a leading Latin American manufacturer of wire and cable products; designed to meet client needs in the telecom, energy, mining, construction and industrial sectors. The Company's second operating segment is its Brass Mills unit, which manufactures pipes, bars and sheets from copper, brass, aluminum and related alloys. Additionally, the Brass Mills unit manufactures coin blanks and minted coins from alloys comprising copper, nickel, aluminum and zinc. While the Company's Brass Mills facilities are located in Chile and Argentina, a significant portion of the Brass Mills unit's revenues are generated from export sales. The Company's third operating segment, Flexible Packaging, manufactures printed flexible packaging for use in the packaging of mass consumer products. The Company has flexible packaging facilities in Chile and Argentina, as well as equity investments in Peru. Finally, the Company is a leading Chilean manufacturer of aluminum profiles used in residential, non residential construction and in the fabrication of industrial durable goods. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - Business Overview".

The Company's lines of business and results of operations are, to a large extent, dependent on the overall level of economic activity and growth in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. The Company depends specifically on sectors which buy products from its Wire & Cable, Brass Mills, Flexible Packaging and Aluminum Profiles businesses, as well as on levels of economic activity in the Company's principal export markets.

Economic Overview

Economic and market conditions in other emerging market countries, especially those in Latin America, influence companies with significant operations in Chile and the other countries where the Company has facilities.

The Chilean economy grew by 6.1% in 2004 due to the higher world demand of commodity export products, such as copper, and the overall expansion of the world economy. Chile's GDP is expected to increase in 2005 by 5.5%. Investments in Chile grew by 12.7% in 2004 while consumer demand expanded by 5.6%. Economists expect that in 2005 internal demand will grow 6.5% despite the Argentine government's gas supply restrictions imposed as of 2003 and high oil prices that may adversely affect this growth. Although Chile's economy has improved in recent years, growth rates are still well below the 7.7% average the country experienced between 1990 and 1997. Chile has experienced economic stagnation in the past, including negative GDP growth (-0.8%) in the year 1999 and a moderate growth of 3.3% in 2003.

The Brazilian economy grew by 4.9% in 2004 due primarily to worldwide economic improvement. The appreciation of the Brazilian Real has dampened pressures on the country's U.S. dollar denominated debt payments. In 2005, GDP is expected to increase moderately by 3.7% due to a large extent to the persistent inflationary pressures that have caused the Central Bank, on repeated occasions, to raise interest rates. Although Brazil's economy grew in 2004 and is expected to have moderate growth of 5.2% in 2005, Brazil's economic growth has been low since the mid 1990s.

The Peruvian economy was also relatively stagnant over the 1998-2001 period. In 2003 and 2004, GDP growth in Peru amounted to 4.0% and 5.1%, respectively. Management expects the Peruvian economy to continue to grow by 4.7% in 2005 driven by favorable terms of trade that are expected to generate a trade surplus. The trade surplus will in turn generate, among other things, increased taxes for the federal government and lower the overall debt burden. Although the economic overview of Peru looks favorable for the coming year, the up-and-coming presidential elections and low presidential approval rating (estimated at 8.4% as of January 2005 according to the Universidad de Lima) may give rise to political instability.

In recent years, Argentina has suffered from a prolonged economic recession, driven by both economic and political instability, which culminated in an economic crisis in the fourth quarter of 2001. As a result of measures adopted by the Argentine government, the economy collapsed in 2002 but recovered in 2003 and 2004 with GDP growth of 8.7% and 9%, respectively. Argentina's GDP is expected to grow by 5% in 2005. Nevertheless, further recovery in Argentina will depend on deep structural reforms in many areas, including the relationship between the federal government and the business community, the federal governments ability to present an effective medium-term development strategy for the country, the ability of the federal government to control inflationary pressures as well as the federal government's ability to reestablish confidence in the country through a long-term agreement with the International Monetary Fund.

The economic deterioration in Argentina had materially adversely affected the Company. At year-end 2001, as a consequence of Argentina's economic environment and political instability, the Company suspended its Argentine Wire & Cable and Brass Mills production operations. In September 2003, Madeco reopened Decker-Indelqui's copper pipes plant (Barracas) with a limited production capacity. In November 2003, the Company reopened, also at limited capacity, its brass mills foundry plant (Llavallol) in Argentina. Since November 2004, Madeco has been partially and temporarily operating its wire and cable plants of Llavallol and Quilmes in Argentina. The Company is constantly evaluating the possibility of re-establishing, at normal capacity, its Wire & Cable operations in Argentina. This decision will depend on (but may not be limited to) the evolution of Argentina's economy, and the evolution of perspectives for the wire and cable market in Argentina.

While cyclical downturns in the Chilean or regional economy have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations, reduced domestic and regional sales can be partially offset by increases in exports outside the region, particularly with respect to the Company's brass mills products, which meet international standard specifications and can be produced and sold competitively in international markets. There can be no assurance, however, that profits on any export sales would fully offset lost profits resulting from reductions in domestic or regional sales. Export sales for each business unit consist of all sales made to customers in countries other than those countries where the Company maintains operations for that respective business unit. In 2004, 23.7% of the Company's consolidated net sales was attributable to exports.

Fluctuations in LME Metal Prices and Exchange Rates between Currencies

The Company's revenues fluctuate as a result of the appreciation or depreciation of the Chilean peso versus the U.S. dollar since substantially all of the Company's sales - whether for local or export markets - are linked to the world market price of copper, which is denominated in U.S. dollars and has historically fluctuated widely. In addition, the Company's export sales are generally invoiced in U.S. dollars. In order to reduce the effects of fluctuations in the price of copper and aluminum on its results of operations, the Company's pricing policy is to sell its copper and aluminum products based on the quantity of metal contained in the product valued at the prices of the London Metal Exchange. Generally, the Company has been able to increase its selling prices in response to increases in costs of copper and/or aluminum. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to recover increases in the cost of copper and/or aluminum in the future. Fluctuations in the market price of aluminum are of greater importance to the Company since its acquisition of Ficap in 1997. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors".

 

The Company's Summary of Operations

The following table provides certain information relating to the Company's results of operations in millions of Chilean pesos and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

Year ended December 31,

(in Ch$ million of Dec. 2004, except percentages)

2002

2003

2004

Net Sales

265,252

100.0%

243,608

100.0%

324,035

100.0%

Cost of Goods Sold

(232,448)

-87.6%

(213,648)

-87.7%

(276,621)

85.4%

Gross Income

32,804

12.4%

29.960

12.3%

47,414

14.6%

SG&A Expenses

(28,661)

-10.8%

(22,316)

-9.2%

(22,238)

-6.8%

Operating Income

4,143

1.6%

7,644

3.1%

25,176

7.8%

Non-Operating Income

2,353

0.9%

1,929

0.8%

2,417

0,7%

Non-Operating Expenses

(42,855)

-16.2%

(26,341)

-10.8%

(16,467)

-5,0%

Price-Level Restatement (1)

(8,738)

-3.3%

1,783

0.7%

(251)

-0,1%

Net Non-Operating Results

(49,240)

-18.6%

(22,629)

-9.3%

(14,301)

-4.4%

Income Taxes

1,451

0.5%

(1,632)

-0.7%

(1,542)

-0.5%

Minority Interest

2,068

0.8%

(593)

-0.2%

(821)

-0.3%

Amortization of Negative Goodwill

5

0.0%

57

0.0%

-

Net Income (Loss)

(41,573)

-15.7%

(17,153)

-7.0%

8,512

2.6%

(1) Includes the effect of Foreign exchange differences gain (losses).

The following tables set forth, for each of the periods indicated, the volume sales, net sales and operating income of each of the Company's business units, as well as the percentage of the Company's total consolidated volume sales, net sales and operating income, respectively:

Volume Sales

(in tons, except percentages)

2002

2003

2004

Wire & Cable (1)

61,903

53.8%

53,923

49.3%

62,866

51.0%

Brass Mills

29,353

25.5%

30,360

27.8%

33,319

27.1%

Flexible Packaging

13,912

12.1%

14,821

13.6%

16,361

13.2%

Aluminum Profiles

9,978

8.7%

10,211

9.3%

10,653

8.7%

Total

115,146

100.0%

109,315

100.0%

123,199

100%

 

(1) Volume sales for the Wire & Cable unit include only metal. Figures presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in measuring volume sales. While volume sale calculations previously included metal and insulating materials, the Company is now including only metal used in the production of its wire and cable products.

Total volume sales presented in tons include the conversion of optical fiber volume sales using the conversion rate of 1 ton = 44 kms. As a consequence of the termination of the Joint Venture Agreement, Optel Ltda. has not been consolidated with Madeco during 2003 and 2004, being treated instead as an affiliate.

Year ended December 31,

(in Ch$ million, except percentages)

2002

2003

2004

Net Sales

Wire & Cable

135,679

51.2%

113,288

46.5%

166,271

51.3%

Brass Mills

58,541

22.1%

57,582

23.6%

84,026

25.9%

Flexible Packaging

41,953

15.7%

42,781

17.6%

45,117

13.9%

Aluminum Profiles

29,079

11.0%

29,957

12.3%

28,621

8.9%

Total

265,252

100.0%

243,608

100.0%

324,035

100.0%

Operating Income (Loss)

Wire & Cable

(3,032)

-73.2%

(1,049)

-13.7%

10,495

41.7%

Brass Mills

1,100

26.6%

1,486

19.4%

8,158

32.4%

Flexible Packaging

2,330

56.2%

3,339

43.7%

3,187

12.7%

Aluminum Profiles

3,745

90.4%

3,868

50.6%

3,336

13.2%

Total

4,143

100.0%

7,644

100.0%

25,176

100.0%

2004 versus 2003

Consolidated revenues for the year 2004 increased 33.0% or $80,427 million compared to the previous year due to higher unit selling prices for Wire & Cable and Brass Mill related products. These higher prices can be primarily attributed to increases in raw material costs - copper, aluminum, zinc and plastics. Additionally, the consolidated volume sold also increased 12.7% during 2004. The increase in consolidated revenue was partially offset by negative currency fluctuations. The appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar negatively impacted revenues generated by foreign subsidiaries in the Wire & Cable business unit and Chilean exports of Brass Mill related products.

The Company's gross margin increased 2.3 percentage points to 14.6% in 2004 from 12.3% in the previous year. This increase was primarily due to production efficiencies in both the Wire & Cable and Brass Mills business units as a result of the Company's successful implementation and consolidation of the Company's Business Plan. See "Item 4 - Information on the Company - Business Overview - Strategy." The increase in gross income to $47,414 million in 2004 from $29,960 million in the previous year is mostly due to a 33.0% increase in consolidated revenues as a result of increased prices, and gains from production efficiencies.

The Company's operating income increased 229% due to a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2004 compared to the previous year and improvements in gross income. The improvements in selling, general and administrative expenses were due to the implementation of cost efficiency measures as outlined in the Company's Business Plan. Consolidated operating margin increased to 7.8% in 2004 compared to 3.1% in the previous year.

Analysis of Operating Segment Performance 2004 versus 2003

The Company's operating results for each business unit are described in further detail below:

Wire & Cable

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

59,956

76,948

53,766

4,680

(29,079)

166,271

COGS

(53,943)

(67,584)

(46,865)

(4,201)

28,505

(144,088)

Gross Income

6,013

9,364

6,901

479

(574)

22,183

Gross Margin

10.0%

12.2%

12.8%

10.2%

2.0%

13.3%

SG&A

(1,948)

(5,979)

(2,153)

(323)

(1,285)

(11,688)

Operating Income

4,065

3,385

4,748

156

(1,859)

10,495

Operating Margin

6.8%

4.4%

8.8%

3.3%

6.4%

6.3%

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

42,428

55,390

33,763

2,237

(20,530)

113,288

COGS

(40,675)

(51,295)

(30,394)

(1,935)

20,131

(104,168)

Gross Income

1,753

4,095

3,369

302

(399)

9,120

Gross Margin

4.1%

7.4%

10.0%

13.5%

1.9%

8.1%

SG&A

(2,108)

(4,394)

(2,000)

(376)

(1,291)

(10,169)

Operating Income

(355)

(299)

1,369

(74)

(1,690)

(1,049)

Operating Margin

-0.9%

-0.5%

4.1%

-3.3%

8.2%

-0.9%

2004 versus 2003 % change

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

41.3%

38.9%

59.2%

109.2%

46.8%

COGS

32.6%

31.8%

54.2%

117.1%

38.3%

Gross Income

244.4%

128.7%

104.8%

58.6%

143.2%

SG&A

-7.6%

36.1%

7.7%

-14.1%

14.9%

Operating Income

n.a.

n.a.

246.8%

n.a.

n.a.

Revenues in the Wire & Cable business unit increased 46.8% in 2004 compared to the previous year. This increase is mostly attributable to a 16.6% increase in volume sold and a 25.9% increase in the units average selling price for wire and cable products due to increases in raw material costs. The increase in Wire & Cable revenues was partially offset by a 6.13% appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar.

The Company sold more metallic cable and copper rod units in each of the four countries where it maintains operations in 2004 compared to the previous year. The business units in both Peru and Brazil had exceptional sales volume increases of 22.0% and 10.7%, respectively. The increase in Peru is mostly due to Peru's favorable economic conditions which in turn resulted in increased private investments and demand. The increase in volume sold in Brazil was due to higher demand in the export market and in the telecommunication and energy sectors.

The Company's wire and cable cost of goods sold principally consists of the cost of copper, aluminum and other raw materials used by the Company in production, labor costs for production personnel, depreciation of assets related to the production and costs associated with operating and maintaining the Company's plants and equipment. Cost of goods sold increased by Ch$39,920 million, or 38.3%, compared to the previous year mostly due to increased net cables sales and the increase in the price of raw materials such as copper and aluminum. The average annual price in U.S. dollars of both copper and aluminum increased 43.6% and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the previous year. The increase in cost of goods sold was partially offset by a 6.13% appreciation of the Chilean peso compared to the U.S. dollar. The Company's wire and cable gross margins improved 5.2 percentage points from 8.1% in 2003 to 13.3% in 2004.

The Company's wire and cable selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries of sales and administrative personnel, administrative depreciation and maintenance expenses, general expenses and expenses related to transportation and external services provided by third parties. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased Ch$1,519 million, or 14.9%, in 2004 compared to the previous year due to the higher sales volume experienced in the Wire & Cable business unit and the 8.1% appreciation of the Brazilian Real compared to the U.S. dollar. The increase in the Company's wire and cable selling, general and administrative expenses was partially offset by a 6.13% appreciation of the Chilean peso compared to the U.S. dollar and the effect of this appreciation on translating the expenses of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company into Chilean pesos. As a percentage of sales, the wire and cable selling, general and administrative expenses changed to 7.0% in 2004 compared to 9.0% in the previous year. This improvement is mostly due to the successful implementation of cost efficiency measures as outlined in the Company's Business Plan.

Operating income increased in 2004 by Ch$11,544 million from an operating loss of Ch$1,049 million in 2003 to an operating income of Ch$10,495 million in 2004.

Brass Mills

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

79,178

6,594

8,439

(10,185)

84,026

COGS

(68,295)

(5,636)

(8,205)

9,951

(72,185)

Gross Income

10,883

958

234

(234)

11,841

Gross Margin

13.7%

14.5%

2.8%

2.3%

14.1%

SG&A

(2,155)

(551)

(593)

(384)

(3,683)

Operating Income

8,728

407

(359)

(618)

8,158

Operating Margin

11.0%

6.2%

-4.3%

6.1%

9.7%

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

52,357

4,149

7,342

(6,266)

57,582

COGS

(46,308)

(3,677)

(7,645)

6,146

(51,484)

Gross Income

6,049

473

(303)

(120)

6,098

Gross Margin

11.6%

11.4%

-4.1%

1.9%

10.6%

SG&A

(2,881)

(550)

(829)

(352)

(4,613)

Operating Income

3,168

(78)

(1,133)

(472)

1,485

Operating Margin

6.1%

-1.9%

-15.4%

7.5%

2.6%

2004 versus 2003 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

51.2%

58.9%

14.9%

45.9%

COGS

47.5%

53.3%

7.3%

40.2%

Gross Income

79.9%

102.7%

-177.1%

94.2%

SG&A

-25.2%

0.1%

-28.5%

-20.2%

Operating Income

175.5%

-622.5%

-68.3%

449.2%

In 2004, revenues increased by Ch$26,444 million, or 45.9%, compared to the previous year due primarily to a 33.0% increase in the sales price assessed on pipes, bars, sheets and coin products, and to a lesser extent, to a 12.8% increase in volume sold related to pipes, bars and sheets. This increase was partially offset by a 6.13% appreciation of the Chilean peso compared to the U.S. dollar and the negative effect of this appreciation on the Company's exports, which represents 55.9% of the business unit's revenue. Additionally, this business unit experienced an 18% reduction in volume sold in its coin products due to competitive pressures and excess capacity in the industry as a result of decreased demand. Most of the large coin manufacturing companies increased production capacity in the previous years to prepare for the introduction of the Euro coin, which began circulation in January 2002. Subsequent to the introduction of the Euro, demand for coin related products has remained flat.

The Company's Brass Mills cost of goods sold increased in 2004 to Ch$20,701 million, or 40.2%, compared to the previous year. This increase was primarily due to an increase in volume sold and an increase in the price of raw materials. For instance, both copper and aluminum prices increased in U.S. dollar terms by 43.6% and 7.0%, respectively, compared to the previous year. The Company's Brass Mills gross margins increased in 2004 to 14.1% compared to 10.6% in 2003.

The Company's Brass Mills selling, general and administrative expenses decreased Ch$930 million, or 20.2%, in 2004 compared to the previous year due to the successful implementation of cost efficiency measures as outlined in the Company's Business Plan.

Operating income improved Ch$6,672 million or 449.0%, in 2004 compared to the previous year. Similarly, operating margin improved in 2004 to 9.7% compared to 2.6% in the previous year.

Flexible Packaging

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

33,392

11,726

(1)

45,117

COGS

(28,327)

(10,113)

0

(38,440)

Gross Income

5,065

1,613

(1)

6,677

Gross Margin

15.20%

13.80%

0.00%

14.80%

SG&A

(2,395)

(674)

(421)

(3,490)

Operating Income

2,670

939

(422)

3,187

Operating Margin

8.00%

8.00%

0.00%

7.10%

 

 

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

32,248

10,537

(4)

42,781

COGS

(27,054)

(8,994)

4

(36,044)

Gross Income

5,194

1,543

0

6,737

Gross Margin

16.10%

14.60%

0.00%

15.70%

SG&A

(2,244)

(706)

(448)

(3,398)

Operating Income

2,950

837

(448)

3,339

Operating Margin

9.10%

7.90%

0.00%

7.80%

2004 versus 2003 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

3.5%

11.3%

5.5%

COGS

4.7%

12.4%

6.6%

Gross Income

-2.5%

4.5%

-0.9%

SG&A

6.7%

-4.5%

2.7%

Operating Income

-9.5%

12.2%

-4.6%

Flexible Packaging revenues increased in 2004 by Ch$2,336 million, or 5.5%, compared to the previous year. This improvement is explained by an increase in volume sold in Chile of 8.1% , as well as by an increase in export sales to the United States, Ecuador and Brazil in accordance with the Company's Business Plan. The export sales to Brazil were conducted through the Company's business unit in Argentina and resulted in a 16.9% increase in revenues. This increase was partially offset by a lower average sales price in both Chile and Argentina.

The Company's Flexible Packaging cost of goods sold increased in 2004 by Ch$2,396 million, or 6.6%, compared to the previous year. This increase is explained by the higher volume of units sold and increased prices for raw materials such as polyethylene, which increased 62.0% in U.S. dollar terms. The Company was unable to pass along increases in raw material prices to customers due to competitive pressures. Although the Flexible Packaging business unit was able to implement improvements in its production process, gross margins decreased to 14.8% in 2004 compared to 15.7% in the previous year.

The Company's Flexible Packaging selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2.7% from Ch$3,398 million in 2003 to Ch$3,490 million in 2004. This increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to higher sales commissions, professional consulting cost, marketing expenses associated with exports and external professional services. While selling, general and administrative expenses in Argentina decreased 4.5% in Chilean peso terms, expenses increased 3.1% and 1.7% in local currency and U.S. dollars terms, respectively, due to salary increases and increases in sales commissions.

The Company's Flexible Packaging operating income decreased Ch$152 million, or 4.6%, in 2004 compared to the previous year.

Aluminum Profiles

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Inter-company

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

28,621

0

0

28,621

COGS

(21,908)

0

0

(21,908)

Gross Income

6,713

0

0

6,713

Gross Margin

23.5%

 

0.0%

23.5%

SG&A

(3,124)

(1)

(252)

(3,377)

Operating Income

3,589

(1)

(252)

3,336

Operating Margin

12.5%

 

0.0%

11.7%

 

 

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Inter-company

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

29,546

410

1

29,957

COGS

(21,661)

(291)

0

(21,952)

Gross Income

7,885

119

1

8,005

Gross Margin

26.7%

29.0%

0.0%

26.7%

SG&A

(3,729)

(140)

(268)

(4,137)

Operating Income

4,156

(21)

(267)

3,868

Operating Margin

14.1%

-5.3%

0.0%

12.9%

2004 versus 2003 % change

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

-3.1%

-100.0%

-4.5%

COGS

1.1%

-100.0%

-0.2%

Gross Income

-14.9%

-100.0%

-16.1%

SG&A

-16.2%

-99.3%

-18.4%

Operating Income

-13.6%

-95.2%

-13.8%

Revenue in 2004 decreased by Ch$1,336 million, or 4.5%, compared to the previous year. This decrease is mostly due to a drop in the average selling price of aluminum and was partially offset by a 4.3% increase in volume sold. Although the aluminum profile market increased 12.6% in 2004 compared to the previous year, the Company's market share decreased from 76.5% in December 2003 to 71.0% in December 2004 as a result of competitive pressures from foreign competitors.

The Company's aluminum profiles cost of goods sold decreased slightly by 0.2% in 2004 compared to the previous year. This decrease is mostly due to the introduction of production efficiencies which resulted in lower transformation costs. To a lesser extent, the depreciation of the U.S. dollar compared to the Chilean peso also contributed to the aforementioned decrease. Although the Company had both an increase in volume sold and a 7.0% increase in the price of aluminum raw materials, the Company was able to decrease its overall cost of goods sold in 2004. Gross Margins, however, decreased in 2004 to 23.5% compared to 26.7% in the previous year.

The Company's aluminum profiles selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 18.4% in 2004 compared to the previous year. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 2.0 percentage points. The reduction in selling, general and administrative expense was due to the successful implementation of cost efficiency measures as outlined in the Company's Business Plan through personnel reductions enacted in July 2003, lower external professional services expenses, lower communication and information technology related expenses and lower marketing expenses. The 2004 selling, general and administrative expense balance included a one-time charge of Ch$84 million related to a restructuring provision for the closure of the Company's commercial operation, at Distribuidora Boliviana S.A., while in 2003 balance included one-time severance provisions related to a reduction in personnel, as previously mentioned, and uncollectable account provisions.

The Company's aluminum profiles operating income decreased in 2004 by Ch$532 million, or 13.8%, while operating margins also decreased to 11.7% from 12.9% in the previous year.

The Company's Non-Operating Results

Consolidated net non-operating results increased $8,328 million in 2004 compared to the previous year. For further detail regarding the Company's non-operating results, see Note 23 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

  • Non-Operating Income: The Company's non-operating income increased by Ch$488 million, to Ch$2,417 million in 2004 from Ch$1,929 million in 2003. The increase in non-operating income is mostly due to the sale of certain of Alufoil's assets, which accounted for Ch$628 million, and the reversal of a provision related to potential costs from Optel's liquidation, which accounted for Ch$ 591 million. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - Recent Develoments". The increase was partially offset by a Ch$457 million reduction in tax refunds from foreign subsidiaries and by a Ch$199 million reduction in interest income. The Company used most of its excess cash to pay down financial debt, and in light of the increases in raw material costs, the Company also invested heavily in its working capital. To a lesser extent, the Company had a reduction in proportional equity investment income of Ch$20 million compared to the previous year.
  • Non-Operating Expenses: The Company's non-operating expenses in 2004 decreased by Ch$9,874 million compared to the previous year due to a reduction in non-operating expenses and to a one-time charge, which together amounted to Ch$7,925 million. The one-time charge relates to the recognition of a valuation provision that amounted to Ch$5,040 million and was associated with Optel Ltda.'s potential liquidation, according to an arbitration rule. Pursuant to the arbitration, the Company was required to liquidate this subsidiary at Corning's request and as a result, the Company decided to recognize a one-time charge during 2003. In addition, non-operating expenses decreased in 2004 due to the recognition of an obsolescence charge, the write-off of long-term assets of Ch$1,348 million in 2003 that were not present in 2004, and an incremental valuation provision related to the closure of the Uruguayan subsidiary of Ch$419 million in 2003.

The Company decreased interest expense by Ch$1,772 million, or 13.5%, as a result of a reduction in the Company's debt portfolio and the Company's ability to refinance its indebtedness at lower rates. This reduction in interest expense was partially offset by incremental expenses, which amounted to Ch$1,172 million, associated with the prepayment of the Company's Series A bonds.

Other non-operating expenses in 2004 amounted to Ch$3,681 million mostly due to depreciation charges related to unused fixed assets in Argentina, which amounted to Ch$2,243 million, asset adjustments to net realizable value for the sale of certain assets, which amounted to Ch$394 million, an obsolescence provision and the write-off of long-term assets, which amounted to Ch$375 million.

  • Price-Level Restatement: Price level restatement, which is made up of inflationary adjustments and currency fluctuations decreased by Ch$2,034 million in 2004 compared to the previous year. The price level restatement balance in 2004 reflected a net loss position of Ch$251 million compared to the net gain position of Ch$1,783 million in 2003. Net gains related to inflationary adjustments decreased by Ch$2,748 million in 2004 compared to the previous year. Currency fluctuations increased from a net loss position of Ch$299 million to a net gain position of Ch$415 million due to the Company's reduced U.S. dollar denominated debt position in 2004, lower currency fluctuation generated in Brazil of Ch$969 million in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, a currency loss in 2004 of Ch$140 million generated by the Argentine subsidiaries.
  • Income Taxes: The Company had an income tax expense reduction of 5.5% in 2004 compared to the previous year. Income tax in 2004 and 2003 amounted to Ch$1,542 million and Ch$1,632 million, respectively. During 2004 there was a tax refund of Ch$1,766 million for Madeco and an increase of Ch$1,099 million in income tax from Indeco.
  • Minority Interest: The Company's minority interest balance increased 38.5% compared to the previous year. The subsidiaries that maintain minority shareholders are Alusa, Indeco and Indalum. The minority interest balance amounted to Ch$821 million in 2004 compared to the Ch$593 million in the previous year.

 

2003 versus 2002

Consolidated revenues for 2003 decreased 8.2% or Ch$21,644 million, compared to the previous year, primarily due to lower sales of the Wire & Cable business unit, which decreased Ch$22,391 million (-16.5%) compared to the previous year. The reduction in sales within the Wire & Cable business unit were due in part to the effect of the non-consolidation of Optel operations during 2003 as a consequence of the adverse ruling in the arbitration proceedings that the Company initiated against Corning (in 2002 Optel represented Ch$2,257 million in revenues). The decrease in net sales reflected an overall decrease of 12.9% in the consolidated volume sales of the Wire & Cable unit, due mainly to a decrease of 28.9% in net sales in Brazil as a result of lower sales of bare aluminum cables to electric industry clients. Additionally, the decrease in consolidated revenues are explained by the impact of the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar during the fiscal year on the sales of f oreign subsidiaries.  These effects were partially offset by a 12.3% increase in the average dollar price of products from the Wire & Cables business unit, which in turn were a reflection of the increase in copper price that occurred in 2003 compared to 2002.

The Company's gross income fell by Ch$2,846 million, or 8.7%, in 2003 compared to the previous year. This reduction can be explained principally by lower volume sales in the Wire & Cable business unit and difficulties in passing through the increase in the cost of copper to customers. In addition, gross income was reduced due to the negative impact of the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar on both the results of the foreign subsidiaries of the Wire & Cable Unit and on the Chilean exports of the Brass Mills business unit. This effect was partially offset by increases in productivity in the Flexible Packaging and Aluminum Profiles business units and by the exclusion of Optel in 2003, which incurred a gross loss of Ch$308 million in the previous year.

The Company's operating income for 2003 was Ch$7,644 million, an 84.4% increase compared to the previous year (Ch$4,144 million). This improvement was the result of the Company's efforts to reduce selling, general and administrative expenses (which declined 22.2% year over year) and the non-consolidation of Optel (operating loss from Optel amounted to Ch$1,365 million in 2003). The increase in operating income was partially offset by the negative effect of the exchange rate on translating the results of the foreign subsidiaries into pesos.

Analysis of Operating Segment Performance 2003 versus 2002

The Company's operating results for each business unit are described in further detail below:

Wire & Cable

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Optical Fiber

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

42,428

55,390

33,763

2,237

0

(20,530)

113,288

COGS

(40,675)

(51,295)

(30,394)

(1,935)

0

20,131

(104,168)

Gross Income

1,753

4,095

3,369

302

0

(399)

9,120

Gross Margin

4.1%

7.4%

10.0%

13.5%

0

1.9%

8.1%

SG&A

(2,108)

(4,394)

(2,000)

(376)

0

(1,291)

(10,169)

Operating Income

(355)

(299)

1,369

(74)

0

(1,690)

(1,049)

Operating Margin

-0.9%

-0.5%

4.1%

-3.3%

0

8.2%

-0.9%

Year 2002 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Optical Fiber

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

41,238

71,901

33,510

1,216

2,257

(14,443)

135,679

COGS

(39,168)

(66,403)

(28,867)

(1,195)

(2,565)

13,985

(124,213)

Gross Income

2,070

5,498

4,643

21

(308)

(458)

11,466

Gross Margin

5.0%

7.6%

13.9%

1.7%

-13.6%

3.2%

8.5%

SG&A

(2,924)

(5,622)

(2,348)

(670)

(1,057)

(1,878)

(14,499)

Operating Income

(854)

(124)

2,295

(649)

(1,365)

(2,335)

(3,032)

Operating Margin

-2.1%

-0.2%

6.8%

-53.4%

-60.5%

16.2%

-2.2%

2003 versus 2002 % change

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Optical Fiber

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

2.9%

-23.0%

0.8%

84.0%

-100.0%

-16.5%

COGS

3.9%

-22.8%

5.3%

61.9%

-100.0%

-16.1%

Gross Income

-15.7%

-25.5%

-27.4%

1338.1%

-100.0%

-20.5%

SG&A

-27.9%

-21.8%

-14.8%

-43.9%

-100.0%

-29.9%

Operating Income

-57.6%

141.1%

-40.3%

-88.6%

-100.0%

-65.4%

Revenues in the Wire & Cable business unit decreased by Ch$22,391 million, or 16.5% compared to the previous year. Lower net sales levels can be explained mainly by the non - consolidation of Optel, which contributed Ch$2,257 million to the 2002 consolidated revenues, a reduction of 12.9% in the consolidated volume of metallic cables, and by the impact of the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar during 2003. Lower volume in sales of metallic wire and cables were primarily the result of a decrease of 14.8% in Brazilian sales due to lower sales of aluminum bare cables to the electric sector, which was partially offset by an increase in Peruvian sales due to higher investment levels in the telecom sector, governmental investments for rural electrification and the strengthening of the demand from the construction sector. In addition, the unit's average U.S. dollar price of metallic cables increased approximately 14%, which reflected the increase in the average cost of copper during 2003.

The Company's wire and cable cost of goods sold principally consists of the costs of copper, aluminum and other raw materials used by the Company in production, labor costs for production personnel, depreciation of assets related to production and costs associated with operating and maintaining the Company's plants and equipment. Cost of goods sold decreased by Ch$ 20,045 million, or 16.1%, mainly as result of lower volume in sales of both metallic cables and optical fiber telecom cables. In addition, the decrease in cost of goods sold reflected the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar, which was partially offset by the increase in the price of copper (the year over year average increase was 12.6% in Chilean peso terms), aluminum (the year -over year increase amounted to 3.6%). The Company's wire and cable gross margin declined only 0.4 percentage points, from 8.5% in 2002 to 8.1% in 2003.

The Company's selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries of sales and administrative personnel, administrative depreciation and maintenance expenses, general expenses and expenses for transportation and services provided by third parties. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by Ch$4,330 million, or 29.9%, primarily as a result of the Company's efforts to control costs and of the effect of the appreciation of the Chilean peso on translating the expenses of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company into Chilean pesos (a difference of Ch$1,486 million between both years).

Operating losses decreased by Ch$1,984 million or 65.5%: from a loss of Ch$3,033 million accumulated in 2002 to a loss of Ch$1,049 million in 2003.

 

Brass Mills

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

52,357

4,149

7,342

(6,266)

57,582

COGS

(46,308)

(3,677)

(7,645)

6,146

(51,484)

Gross Income

6,049

472

(303)

(120)

6,098

Gross Margin

11.6%

11.0%

-4.1%

1.9%

10.6%

SG&A

(2,881)

(550)

(829)

(352)

(4,612)

Operating Income

3,168

(78)

(1,132)

(472)

1,486

Operating Margin

6.1%

-1.9%

-15.4%

7.5%

2.6%

Year 2002 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

47,354

3,194

10,457

(2,464)

58,541

COGS

(40,309)

(2,905)

(9,398)

2,454

(50,158)

Gross Income

7,045

289

1,059

(10)

8,383

Gross Margin

14.9%

9.0%

10.1%

0.4%

14.3%

SG&A

(5,136)

(790)

(981)

(376)

(7,283)

Operating Income

1,909

(501)

78

(386)

1,100

Operating Margin

4.0%

-15.7%

0.7%

15.7%

1.9%

2003 versus 2002 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

10.6%

29.9%

-29.8%

-1.6%

COGS

14.9%

26.6%

-18.7%

2.6%

Gross Income

-14.1%

63.7%

N/A

-27.3%

SG&A

-43.9%

-30.4%

-15.5%

-36.7%

Operating Income

-65.9%

N/A

N/A

34.8%

In 2003, revenues remained almost flat in comparison with the previous year, decreasing Ch$959 million, or 1.6%, compared to 2002. This was caused principally by the appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar for the period, and by a 16.7% drop in volume sales of coin blanks mainly due to increasingly competitive environment in terms of price, and to the excess installed capacity within the industry once high levels of demand due to the introduction of the Euro had concluded. These reductions were partially offset by an increase of 9.1% in the Chilean volume sales primarily due to market share gains as well as higher demand from the mining industry. Argentine volume sales also increased (67.0%) due to greater volumes of copper tube sales in the local market. In addition, revenues were driven by a 15.0% increase in the average U.S. dollar price, which was due to the increase in the price of copper which occurred during 2003, and continued after 2003 ended.

Cost of goods sold increased by Ch$ 1,326 million or 2.6%, principally due to increased volume sales and an overall increase in raw material prices. The year -over- year increase in copper prices was 12.6%, in aluminum prices it was 3.6% and in zinc prices it was 3.4%, in Chilean peso terms. The Company's Brass Mills gross margin declined 3.7 percentage points, from 14.3% in 2002 to 10.6% in 2003.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by Ch$2,671 million, or 36.7%, mainly as a result of the lower expenses of Madeco Chile due to its wide cost reduction policies.

The operating income of the Company increased by Ch$386 million, or 34.8% from 2002 to 2003. In addition, the Company's operating margin increased 0.7 percentage points, from 1.9% in 2002 to 2.6% in 2003.

 

Flexible Packaging

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

32,248

10,537

(4)

42,781

COGS

(27,054)

(8,994)

4

(36,044)

Gross Income

5,194

1,543

0

6,737

Gross Margin

16.1%

14.6%

0.0%

15.7%

SG&A

(2,244)

(706)

(448)

(3,398)

Operating Income

2,950

837

(448)

3,339

Operating Margin

9.1%

7.9%

0.0%

7.8%

Year 2002 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

30,950

11,003

0

41,953

COGS

(26,876)

(9,591)

2

(36,465)

Gross Income

4,074

1,412

2

5,488

Gross Margin

13.2%

12.8%

0.0%

13.1%

SG&A

(2,168)

(500)

(490)

(3,158)

Operating Income

1,906

912

(488)

2,330

Operating Margin

6.2%

8.3%

0.0%

5.6%

2003 versus 2002 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

4.2%

-4.2%

2.0%

COGS

0.7%

-6.2%

-1.2%

Gross Income

27.5%

9.3%

22.8%

SG&A

3.5%

41.2%

7.6%

Operating Income

54.8%

-8.2%

43.3%

Revenues in 2003 increased by Ch$828 million or 2.0% compared to the previous year. This increase in revenues reflects an increase of 5.8% and 8.7% respectively in the volume sales in Chile and Argentina due to a significant increase in market size of both countries, and a 7% increase in the average price in dollars in Argentina between 2002 and 2003. These effects were partially offset by the appreciation of the Chilean peso in 2003.

Cost of goods sold decreased slightly by Ch$421 million, or 1.2%, reflecting increased productivity in manufacturing (11.0%), which raised as sales volumes increased. In addition, the importance of raw materials fell due to lower prices (primarily inks), depreciation expenses decreased as well as a significant fall in scrap levels of the Company in Chile (14.4%) and Argentina (23.0%).

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by Ch$240 million, or 7.6%, principally as a result of higher sales expenses due to increased commissions in external trade, as a reflection of the increase in exports.

The unit's operating income totaled Ch$3,339 million in 2003, an increase of 43.3%, which represents a significant improvement compared to the previous year. In addition, operating margin increased 2.2 percentage points, from 5.6% to 7.8% in 2003.

 

Aluminum Profiles

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Inter-company

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

29,546

410

1

29,957

COGS

(21,661)

(291)

0

(21,952)

Gross Income

7,885

119

1

8,005

Gross Margin

26.7%

29.0%

0.0%

26.7%

SG&A

(3,729)

(140)

(268)

(4,137)

Operating Income

4,156

(21)

(267)

3,868

Operating Margin

14.1%

-5. 3%

0.0%

12.9%

Year 2002 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Inter-company

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

28,542

537

0

29,079

COGS

(21,237)

(375)

0

(21,612)

Gross Income

7,305

162

0

7,467

Gross Margin

25.6%

30.2%

0.0%

25.7%

SG&A

(3,308)

(143)

(271)

(3,722)

Operating Income

3,997

19

(271)

3,745

Operating Margin

14.0%

3.5%

0.0%

12.9%

2003 versus 2002 % change

 

Aluminum Profiles

Curtain Walls

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

3.5%

-23.6%

3.0%

COGS

2.0%

-22.4%

1.6%

Gross Income

7.9%

-26.5%

7.2%

SG&A

12.7%

-2.1%

11.1%

Operating Income

4.0%

-210.5%

3.3%

Revenues in 2003 grew by Ch$878 million, or 3.0% compared to the previous year, which reflected a 2.3% increase in volume sales registered by the unit due to a significant increase of three percentage points of market share. Moreover, the Company, thanks to its excellent service and product quality, was able to transfer part of the increase in the cost of raw materials to the sales price of aluminum profiles (1.2%).

Cost of goods sold increased by Ch$340 million, or 1.6%, due mainly to higher transformation costs raw material into finished products of 3.0%, and higher aluminum profiles unit costs as a consequence of higher aluminum LME prices (5.0%) offset by lower dollar prices with respect to the Chilean peso.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by Ch$415 million, or 11.1% in 2003 due principally to higher sales expenses resulting from greater activity and diversification of the client base. Moreover, the Company recorded an increase in severance indemnities between June and November 2003, as well as higher marketing expenses and accounts receivable provision.

The unit's operating income increased by Ch$123 million or 3.3% in 2003 in comparison to 2002, and operating margin remained flat at 12.9%.

The Company's Non-Operating Results

  • Non-Operating Income: The Company's non-operating income decreased by Ch$424 million, from Ch$2,353 million to Ch$1,929 million in 2003. The main decreases were lower financial income of Ch$484 million and lower equity in income of related companies (Ch$252 million). Those decreases were partially offset by an increase of Ch$311 million in other non-operating income, which amounted to Ch$747 million in 2003 versus Ch$437 million registered in 2002. The main differences between both years was recovery of tax benefits in foreign subsidiaries for a total of Ch$499 million, which was partially offset by the decrease of others (Ch$178 million).
  • Non-Operating Expenses: Non-operating expenses for 2003 decreased by Ch$16,514 million compared to the previous year: non-operating expenses went from Ch$42,855 million in 2002 to Ch$26,341 million in 2003. This variation can be explained principally by a reduction in financial expenses of Ch$6,990 million compared to 2002 resulting from repayments of bank debt and bonds amounting to Ch$62,549 million, lower interest rates due to financial restructuring, and a favorable exchange rate affecting dollar indexed debt, which represented 16% of the total financial liabilities as of year-end of 2003.

In 2003, other non-operating expenses amounted to Ch$11,603 million compared to Ch$20,711 million the previous year. Expense levels in 2003 were due principally to the following expenses, which did not affect the cash flow of the Company:

    • Ch$5,039 million in connection to provisions related to Optel. As of December 31, 2003, the direct subsidiary Metal Overseas S.A. recognized provisions for the entirety of its 50% interest in Optel in its financial results, due to the unfavorable arbitration judgment in a case that the Company had against Corning. As a result among others, the Company lost certain rights over the appointment of Optel's management and consequently its results have not been incorporated into the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2003.
    • Ch$3,219 million related to provisions in Argentina related to revaluation of assets, provisions for pending lawsuits, and the amortization of depreciation of idle assets.
    • Ch$1,722 million for provisions for obsolescence of other long-term assets.
  • Price-Level Restatement: Price level restatement and translation losses for the year 2003 were Ch$10,521 million lower compared to the prior year. Profits related to price level restatement were reduced by Ch$1,769 million in 2003 compared to 2002, reflecting primarily a decrease of 62% in the annual inflation rate between the two periods. The losses due to the translation were reduced by Ch$12,289 million, mainly due to the efforts of the Company to minimize risk and fluctuations in the exchange rate, which resulted in a reduction of conversion losses of Ch$4,284 million due to the appreciation of the Chilean peso in comparison to the Brazilian Real, the Argentine Peso, and the Peruvian Sol. In addition, the bank debt in dollars held by the Company produced a Ch$10,230 million decrease in loss, and hedging costs in Brazil were reduced by Ch$1,226 million. These effects were partially offset by net assets in dollars that generated higher losses of Ch$3,450 million as a result of the aforement ioned appreciation of the Chilean peso against the U.S. dollar during 2003.
  • Income Taxes: Income tax in 2003 amounted to Ch$1,632 million versus a credit of Ch$1,451 million in 2002. The income tax in 2003 reflects the effects of deferred taxes, which did not affect the cash flow of the Company.
  • Minority Interest: Minority interest in 2003 was a charge of Ch$593 million compared with a credit of Ch$2,068 million the previous year. This variation is due principally to the profits of the Company's Flexible Packaging unit in 2003 and to the losses of Optel in 2002.

The net loss for 2003 was Ch$17,153 million, Ch$24,418 million less than the net loss registered in the prior year. This positive change was due principally to a Ch$26,612 million reduction in non-operating losses, and to a Ch$3,499 million increase in the operating results, which were partially offset by an income tax increase of Ch$3,084 million for 2003 and by Ch$2,661 million in increased minority interest.

Impact of Inflation and Price Level Restatement

In general, inflation has the adverse effect of diminishing the purchasing power of a company's monetary assets that are not price-level indexed, and has the positive effect of reducing the real value of a company's monetary liabilities that are not price-level indexed. In addition, to the extent that increases in a company's costs of production are not passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices for a company's goods, inflation will adversely affect the Company's earnings.

As explained in Note 2 b) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is required to restate non-monetary assets, non-monetary liabilities, shareholders' equity, and income and expense accounts to reflect the effect of variations in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso, thus reflecting by an indirect method the gain or loss resulting from holding or owning monetary assets and liabilities. For all the above figures, the restatement is based on the variation of the official Indice de Precio al Consumidor (the Chilean Consumer Price Index, or "IPC") published by the Instituto Nacional de Estadisticas (National Institute of Statistics, or "INE") (with the exception of inventories which are reflected at the lower of restated cost or net realizable value) and assets and liabilities in foreign currency which are adjusted based on period-end exchange rates.

Chilean companies sometimes finance current assets and fixed assets with short-term and long-term liabilities in foreign currency. Given that assets are generally restated using the IPC and liabilities in foreign currencies are restated to period-end exchange rates, the price-level restatement line in the income statement is affected by the relationship between local inflation and the U.S. dollar exchange rate to the Chilean peso.

As a result of Chile's past inflation, the financial markets have developed a system of borrowing and lending in UFs. Most long-term assets and liabilities in pesos are indexed in UFs, and the adjustment to the closing value is reflected in the price-level adjustment account.

Price-level restatement losses also result from holding monetary assets in excess of monetary liabilities during inflationary periods, or from holding foreign exchange-denominated liabilities in excess of foreign exchange-denominated assets during periods of devaluation of the Chilean peso versus the U.S. dollar.

There is no assurance that high rates of inflation in the future will not have an adverse effect on the Company's business or results of operations.

Madeco's foreign currency exchange exposure arises from maintaining foreign investments in Brazilian reales, Argentine pesos, Peruvian soles and U.S. dollars. For further explanation, see Note 2 c) to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Working Capital in Foreign Currencies

The Company's operating results and investments outside Chile are exposed to fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates in part as a result of carrying working capital in local currencies. According to Chilean GAAP, the Company's financial statements are expressed in Chilean pesos as a result of the consolidation of financial statements of Chilean subsidiaries expressed in Chilean pesos and the translation of the foreign subsidiaries' financial statements expressed in the respective local currencies, restated in U.S. dollars following Chilean GAAP and converted to Chilean pesos using year-end exchange rates.

The following table presents the working capital position in local currencies as of December 31, 2004 of the Company's consolidated foreign subsidiaries. All amounts are expressed in millions of Chilean pesos.

U.S. Dollar

R$

AR$

S$

Euro

Other currencies

Total

Current Assets

134,662

32,861

7,142

11,120

185

293

186,263

Current Liabilities

27,362

10,874

1,537

1,015

113

1.053

41,954

Working Capital in Local Currencies

107,300

21,987

5,605

10,105

72

(760)

144,309

The above table only includes the current assets and current liabilities in foreign currencies held by the Company at December 31, 2004, and does not represent the Company's total foreign currency exchange risk exposure. For additional discussion, see "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors" and "Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk - Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk".

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with Chilean GAAP and the guidelines issued by the Chilean Superintendency of Securities and Insurance. The notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contain a summary of the accounting policies that are significant to the Company, as well as a description of the significant differences between these policies and U.S. GAAP. The notes include additional disclosures required under U.S. GAAP, a reconciliation between shareholders' equity and net income to the corresponding amounts that would be reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP and a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Both Chilean and U.S. GAAP require management to make certain estimates and assumptions, as some of the amounts reported in the financial statements are related to matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe that the following discussion describes those areas that require the most judgment or involve a higher degree of complexity in the application of the accounting policies that currently affect our financial condition and results of operations. The most critical judgments impacting the financial statements include determinations with respect to inventory costing and valuation, price-level restatement, goodwill and the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes.

Inventories

Inventories of finished products, work in progress and by-products are valued at production cost including direct and indirect manufacturing costs plus price-level restatement. Inventories of goods for resale, raw materials, other materials and materials in transit are valued at restated cost. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records an allowance for obsolescence based upon inventory turnover, aging and current and future expectations. Inventory values do not exceed their estimated net realizable value.

Price-level restatement

Chilean GAAP requires that financial statements be restated to reflect the full effects of loss in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso on the financial position and results of operations of reporting entities. The method prescribes that the historical cost of all non-monetary accounts be restated for general price-level changes between the date of origin of each item and the year-end.

The Company's audited consolidated financial statements have been price-level restated in order to reflect the effects of the changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso during each year. All non-monetary assets and liabilities and all equity and income statement accounts have been restated to reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index from the date they were acquired or incurred to year-end.

For comparative purposes, the historical December 31, 2002 and 2003 Consolidated Financial Statements and their accompanying notes have been presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2004. As described in Note 2 b) to the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain balances of previous years' financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the present year presentation.

The price-level adjusted Consolidated Financial Statements do not purport to represent appraised values, replacement cost, or any other current value of assets at which transactions would take place currently and are only intended to restate all non-monetary consolidated financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power and to include in the net result for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation. See the discussion of price-level restatement in Note 2 b) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill

The Company has significant intangible assets related to goodwill. Under Chilean GAAP, goodwill is depreciated on a straight line basis over its useful life and should be reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances, such as recurring losses for two or more periods, indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount. Under US GAAP, Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 142, goodwill is not amortized however, it must be allocated to reporting units and tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances, such as adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that there may be justification for conducting an interim test. Impairment testing is performed at the reporting-unit level (which is generally one level below the four major business segments identified in Note 32 d) to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The first part of the test is a comparison, at the reporting unit level, of the fair value of e ach reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then the second part of the test is required to measure the amount of potential goodwill impairment. The implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is calculated and compared to the carrying amount of goodwill recorded in the Company's financial records. If the carrying value of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, then the Company would recognize an impairment loss in the amount of the difference, which would be recorded as a charge against net income.

The fair values of the reporting units are determined using discounted cash flow models based on each reporting unit's internal forecasts.

The impairment analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates of how the assets will perform in the future using a discounted cash flow analysis. Additionally, estimated cash flows may extend beyond ten years and, by their nature, are difficult to determine. Events and factors that may significantly affect the estimates include, among others, competitive forces, customer behavior and attrition, changes in revenue growth trends, cost structures and technology and changes in interest rates and specific industry or market sector conditions. Impairment is recognized earlier whenever warranted.

Deferred Income Tax Valuation Allowance

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation of the deferred tax asset is dependent on, among other things, the ability of the Company to generate a sufficient level of future taxable income. In estimating future taxable income, the Company has considered both positive and negative evidence, such as historical results of operations, including the losses realized in recent periods, and has considered the implementation of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The Company has reviewed and will continue to review its assumptions and tax planning strategies and, if the amount of the estimated realizable net deferred tax asset is less than the amount currently on the balance sheet, the Company would reduce its deferred tax asset, recognizing a non-cash charge against reported earnings.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company estimates the useful lives of property and equipment in order to determine the amount of depreciation and amortization expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The estimated useful lives are based on the historical experience with similar assets as well as taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. If technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated or in a different form than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be accelerated, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expense in future periods. We evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets (other than intangibles and deferred tax assets) in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 33 "Accounting treatment of Property, Plant and Equipment", issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, and SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,". Long-lived assets are revie wed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The rules require recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event that the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted net cash flows attributable to such assets. Impairment, if any, is recognized in the period of identification to the extent the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the fair value of such asset.

Derivatives

The Company uses derivatives in the normal course of business to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. By policy, the Company does not enter into such contracts for trading purposes or for the purpose of speculation. The Company accounts for derivatives on the consolidated financial statements at fair value in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 57 "Accounting for Derivatives" of the Chilean Association of Accountants and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended and interpreted, incorporating FASB Statements No. 137, 138 and 149". Fair values are based on quoted market prices or, if not available, on internally developed pricing models fed by independently obtained market information. However, market information is often limited or in some instances not available. In such circumstances management applies its professional judgment. Notw ithstanding the level of subjectivity inherent in determining fair value, we believe our estimates of fair value are adequate. The use of different models or assumptions could lead to changes in our reported results.

U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

We prepare our audited consolidated financial statements in accordance with Chilean GAAP, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. GAAP. See Note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements for a description of the material differences between Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP, as they relate to us and our consolidated subsidiaries, reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of net income and shareholders' equity and a discussion of new accounting rules under U.S. GAAP. The following table sets forth net income and shareholders' equity for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 under Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP:

Year Ended December31,

2002

2003

2004

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2004)

Net income (Chilean GAAP)

(41,572)

(17,153)

8,512

Net income (U.S. GAAP)

(45,180)

(20,152)

9,579

Shareholders' equity (Chilean GAAP)

102,705

151,258

158,513

Shareholders' equity (U.S. GAAP)

88,546

134,097

143,918

 

Significant differences exist between our net income and shareholders' equity under Chilean GAAP as presented in Note 32 to our audited consolidated financial statements. The differences are primarily in the context of the accounting treatment for Revaluation of property, plant and equipment, Deferred income taxes, Goodwill, Employee severance indemnities, Reversal of impairment loss for Chilean GAAP,

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company generally finances its activities with funds generated by its operations, short-term financing and, from time to time, long-term bond issuances and bank loans. On December 31, 2004, the Company's total financial indebtedness was Ch$158,462 million (US$284.3 million). With respect to the Company's financial bank and public debt, its total short-term financial indebtedness (including the short-term portion of long-term obligations) was Ch$27,319 million (US$49.0 million), and its long-term financial indebtedness was Ch$92,841 million (US$166.6 million). With respect to the Company's other financial indebtedness, its short-term liabilities were Ch$24,706 million (US$44.3 million) and its long-term liabilities were Ch$13,596 million (US$24.4 million). In the Company's opinion, the working capital is sufficient for the Company's present requirements.

Short Term Financing

At December 31, 2004, the Company's short-term financial indebtedness (excluding the short-term portion of its long-term indebtedness obligations) was Ch$17.610 million (equivalent to US$31.6 million at the Ch$557.4 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2004).

At March 31, 2005, the Company's total short-term financial indebtedness (excluding the short-term portion of its long-term indebtedness obligations) was Ch$30,147 million (equivalent to US$51.5 million at the Ch$585.93 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2005). This amount includes various short-term obligations with more than 36 different banks, 15 of them in Chile and the rest in other countries, primarily in Latin America.

The Company's total remaining short-term loans are not committed to credit lines and do not require the Company to comply with financial covenants. The Company generally uses these loans for the financing of trade transactions, working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company experiences no seasonality of borrowing requirements.

Bonds

On May 1, 2004, the Company paid the entire outstanding principal of UF 1,377,000 (equivalent to Ch$23,227 million-historical or US$ 37.2 million) and interest of UF 42,045 (equivalent to Ch$709 million-historical or US$1.2 million) on its Series C bonds.

On June 15, 2004, the Company made scheduled payment on its Series bonds, of which UF 91,719 (equivalent to Ch$1,557 million-historical) represented principal payments while UF 74,559 (equivalent to Ch$1,265 million-historical) represented interest payments.

On December 15, 2004, the Company prepaid its Series A bonds primarily with the proceeds obtained from the issuance of its 7 year Series D bonds in December 2004, and the remaining balance from cash. The prepayment amounted to UF 1.97 million (equivalent to Ch$34,634 million or US$62.13 million), of which UF 1.9 million corresponds to a capital payment and UF 0.07 million corresponds to an interest payment. The Series D bond issuance amounted to UF1.8 million.

At December 31, 2004, the Company had Series D bonds outstanding, issued locally at a UF (Unidad de Fomento, an indexed Chilean currency) + 5.0% interest rate and which amounted to Ch$31,260 million (equivalent to US$56.1 million at the Ch$557.4 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2004). The term was 7 years.

The total amount of bonds outstanding on March 31, 2005 was Ch$31,429 million (equivalent to US$53.6 million at the Ch$585.93 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2005).

As of December 31, 2004 and for the first quarter 2005, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants.

Medium-Term and Long-Term Bank Loans

The Company's consolidated medium-term and long-term financial indebtedness with banking institutions (including the short-term portion of these loans) outstanding at December 31, 2004 was approximately Ch$87,994 million (equivalent to US$157.9 million at the Ch$557.4 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31,2004).

On March 4, 2003, the Company paid 30% of its bank debt, pursuant to agreements with certain financial creditors with banks dated as of December 18, 2002. This debt with financial institutions included short-, medium- and long-term indebtedness. Seventy percent of the remaining bank debt with such creditors was rescheduled over 7 years, with a grace period of 3 years. The Company made additional prepayments of US$9.9 million (equivalent to 10.3% of the outstanding debt) and US$5 million (equivalent to 5.5% of the outstanding debt) on April 9, 2003, and on March 4, 2005, respectively. The Company's medium-term and long-term bank debt (including the short-term portion of these loans) outstanding at March 31, 2005 was approximately Ch$58,998 million (equivalent to US$100.6 million at the Ch$585.93 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2005).

At December 31, 2004, the Company's subsidiary Alusa had a 5 year syndicated loan agreement with Banco de Chile and Banco del Estado for a total amount of UF 300,000 (equivalent to US$9.3 million at the Ch$557.4 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2004), with bi-annual payments. The principal provisions include a maximum leverage ratio of 0.7 times equity and a minimum equity of ThUF 1.765 (equivalent to US$54.7 million at the Ch$557.4 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31,2004). At December 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants.

At December 31, 2003, the Company's subsidiary, Indalum S.A., obtained a syndicate loan agreement with Banco de Chile, Banco de Crédito e Inversiones, Banco del Estado and Banco Security for an amount of approximately Ch$8,400 million, of which Ch$6,720 million replaced short term debt. During 2004 Indalum amortised about Ch$1,690, so at December 31, 2004 the debt was reduced to Ch$6,710. The main conditions that the company must comply with are: a) no guarantees can be given to third parties; b) a maximum consolidated leverage of 1.2 times equity; c) restrictions on dividend payments to a maximum of 30% of annual net income; and d) a minimum capital equivalent to UF 1.630.000.

For additional discussion regarding the covenants corresponding to the Company's various credit facilities, see Note 22 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. Apart from those restrictions set forth in Note 22 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, there are no material restrictions, either legal or economic, that would limit our ability to transfer funds from our subsidiaries to us.

The Company's Compliance with Financial Covenants and its Refinancing Plan

Based on the Company's results for the period ended December 31, 2001, the Company was in default for non-compliance with several of the financial covenants of its Series B bonds. On April 9, 2002, an agreement was reached with holders of the Company's Series B bonds to amend the indenture under which such bonds were issued. This amendment required that the Company complete a series of initiatives including a capital increase of at least US$60 million by September 30, 2002, and the inclusion prior to October 9, 2002 of certain of the new Series B bond covenants in the terms of the Company's Series A bonds and Series C bonds.

In January 2002, the Company began implementing a financial restructuring plan which included a capital increase and the payment, refinancing and capitalization of certain outstanding indebtedness.

During 2004 and the first quarter 2005, the Company has been in compliance with all financial and non-financial covenants required by the banks and bondholders.

Changes in the Company's Risk Classification

Madeco was notified on July 1, 2002 that the Comisión Clasificadora de Riesgo (the "Risk Classification Commission"), which regulates the investment activities of pension funds in Chile, had ruled that as a result of the deterioration of Madeco's financial situation, Chilean pension funds would be further limited in the amount of debt securities or common shares of Madeco that they can hold.

Rating agencies evaluate Madeco's common shares and its debt. From 2002 to 2004, Fitch Chile Clasificadora de Riesgo Ltda. ("Fitch Chile") and Feller Rate Clasificadora de Riesgo Limitada ("Feller") have published ratings related to the financial standing of certain of Madeco's debt instruments and shares.

Since October, 2004, Feller has classified the Company's debt as BBB- and its shares as First Class while as of May 6, 2005, Fitch Chile has also classified the Company's debt as BBB- and its shares as First Class.

As a result of this better financial classification of the Company's debt and equities securities, as of October 2004, the Risk Classification Commission authorized the Chilean Pension funds to invest in the Company's debt and equity securities without special restrictions.

Financial Instruments Used for Hedging Purposes

For information on the Company's use of financial instruments for hedging purposes, see "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Derivatives", and Note 27 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table summarizes the Company's financial obligations, their expected maturities as of December 31, 2004 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on the Company's liquidity and cash flow in the periods indicated:

Contractual Obligations Due by Period (in Ch$ million)

Contractual Obligations

Total

< 1 year

1-3 years

3-5 years

> 5 years

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

143,899

51,033

31,218

36,059

25,589

Capital Lease Obligations

6,846

906

1,399

974

3,567

Operating Leases

364

154

210

0

0

Other Long-Term Obligations

2,852

1,829

1,023

0

0

Severance Indemnities

4,997

2,483

967

103

1,444

Total Contractual Obligations

158,958

56,405

34,817

37,136

30,600

At December 31, 2004, the Company had standby letters of credit amounting to Ch$6,117 million with a number of lending institutions. The majority of these contingent commitments are payable within the upcoming 12 month period.

 

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2005, the Company had Ch$6,429 million in cash, time deposits and marketable securities. The Company's total short-term indebtedness with banks and financial institutions amounted to Ch$30,147 million, Ch$4,309 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$4,273 million of the current portion of long-term bond debt, Ch$865 million in other loans, Ch$23,373 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$501 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$60,807 million of long-term obligations with banks, Ch$27,156 million of long-term bond obligations Ch$5,720 million of long-term accounts and notes payable and Ch$7,579 million of payables to related parties.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had Ch$7,107 million in cash, time deposit and marketable securities. The Company's total short-term indebtedness with banks and financial institutions amounted to Ch$17,610 million, Ch$4,885 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$3,918 million of the current portion of long-term bond debt, Ch$906 million in other loans, Ch$24,358 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$348 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$65,498 million of long-term obligations with banks, $27,342 million of long-term bond obligations, Ch$5,965 million of long-term accounts and notes payable and Ch$7,631 million of payables to related parties.

As of December 31, 2003, the Company had Ch$24,748 million in cash, time deposits and marketable securities. The Company's total indebtedness, including accrued interest, amounted to Ch$201,072 million. Short-term indebtedness included Ch$16,635 million of short-term obligations to banks and financial institutions, Ch$5,441 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$27,581 million of the current portion of long-term debt to the public, Ch$702 million in other loans, Ch$18,430 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$491 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$69,170 million of long-term obligations to banks, Ch$31,363 million of long-term obligations to the public, Ch$6,788 million of long-term accounts and notes payable and Ch$7,642 million of payables to related parties.

Cash Flow

At December 31, 2004, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling Ch$12,872 million versus Ch$5,557 million at December 31, 2003 and Ch$8,032 million at December 31, 2002.

The Company's cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements of Cash Flows, are summarized in the following table:

Cash Flow*

2002

2003

2004

Cash provided by (used in):

     

Operating activities

12,834

(5,825)

4,751

Financing activities

(3,287)

34,213

(22,592)

Investing activities

(5,749)

(31,275)

24,514

Effect of inflation on cash

(506)

412

642

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

3,292

(2,475)

7.315

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year

4,740

8,032

5,557

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

8,032

5,557

12,872

(*) Amounts are stated in million of Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2004

The Company's principal capital requirements are to finance working capital of its normal operations, as well as capital expenditures to modernize and increase the efficiency of its machines. Madeco expects that it will have sufficient resources from operations to fund Madeco's currently anticipated capital expenditures and working capital needs. The amount of resources obtained from operations may be affected, however, by a variety of factors. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors".

Most of the funds obtained in 2003 through the Company's financing activities were related to a capital increase conducted during that same year. A large portion of these funds were then invested in short-term security investments. During 2004, part of these short-term security investments (Ch$24,514 million) were liquidated and used to finance payments on the Company's Series C bonds (Ch$ 23,936 million-historical).

The following table summarises the Company's assets as well as the scheduled maturities of the Company's debt as of December 31, 2004:

At December 31, 2004 (in Ch$ million)

Expected Maturity Date

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010 & beyond

TOTAL

FAIR
VALUE

ASSETS

Fixed Rate

Time Deposits (Non-Indexed Ch$)

296

0

0

0

0

0

296

296

Average Interest Rate (%)

1.20%

1.20%

Time Deposits (US$)

3,773

0

0

0

0

0

3,773

3,773

Average Interest Rate (%)

1.86%

1.86%

Marketable securities (Non-Indexed Ch$)

44

0

0

0

0

0

44

44

Average Interest Rate (%)

2.52%

2.52%

Other assets (Non-Indexed Ch$)

5,765

0

0

0

0

0

5,765

5,765

Average Interest Rate (%)

3.06%

3.06%

V

DEBT

Fixed Rate

Bank Debt (UF)

1,681

0

0

0

0

0

1,681

1,681

WAIR (%)(1)

2.18%

2.18%

Bank Debt (US$)

11,044

0

0

0

0

0

11,044

11,044

WAIR (%) (1)

4.07%

4.07

Bank Debt (Non-Indexed Ch$)

1,243

0

0

0

0

0

1,243

1,243

WAIR (%)

3,86%

3,86%

Bank Debt (BRL)

5,579

0

0

0

0

0

5,579

5,579

WAIR (%)

21.21.%

21.21%

Bank Debt (ARS)

9

0

0

0

0

0

9

9

WAIR (%)

9.00%

9.00%

Bank Debt (other currencies)

1,026

0

0

0

0

0

1,026

1,026

WAIR (%)

16.75%

16.75%

Bonds (UF)

3,918

4,020

4,221

4,432

4,653

10,016

31,260

31,919

WAIR (%)

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

Bank Debt (UF)

826

0

0

0

0

0

826

826

WAIR (%)

4.03%

4.03%

Bank Debt (Non-Indexed Ch$)

77

0

0

0

0

0

77

77

WAIR (%)

5.00%

5.00%

Bank Debt (US$)

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

WAIR (%)

8.10%

8.10%

Dividends payable (Non-Indexed Ch$)

3

0

0

0

0

0

3

3

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (Non-Indexed Ch$)

7,111

0

0

0

0

0

7,111

7,111

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (UF)

22

0

0

0

0

0

22

22

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (US$)

5,162

0

0

0

0

0

5,162

5,162

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (EUR)

113

0

0

0

0

0

113

113

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (ARS)

249

0

0

0

0

0

249

249

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (SOL)

28

0

0

0

0

0

28

28

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (other currencies)

27

0

0

0

0

0

27

27

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Notes payables (Non-Indexed Ch$)

84

0

0

0

0

0

84

84

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Notes payables (US$)

6,650

5

0

0

0

0

6,655

6,655

WAIR (%)

0.08%

12.25%

0.09%

Notes payables (ARS)

41

0

0

0

0

0

41

41

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Notes Payables (BRL)

2,385

0

0

0

0

0

2,385

2,385

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (UF)

2

700

514

480

494

3.567

5,757

5,757

WAIR (%)

0.00%

3,58%

3,58%

2,77%

2,77%

2,77%

2.94%

2.86%

Sundry Creditors (Non-Indexed Ch$)

61

81

49

0

0

0

191

191

WAIR (%)

0.00%

5,00%

5,00%

0.00%

4.14%

Sundry Creditors (US$)

2,175

72

2

0

0

0

2,249

2,249

WAIR (%)

0.58%

2,53%

2,53%

0.65%

0.71%

Sundry Creditors (ARS)

14

0

0

0

0

0

14

14

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (BRL)

9

0

0

0

0

0

9

9

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (SOL)

225

0

0

0

0

0

225

225

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Due to related companies (Non-Indexed Ch$)

269

0

0

0

0

0

269

269

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (UF)

1,522

48

34

28

33

628

2,293

2,293

WAIR (%)

0.00%

5,48%

7,00%

7,00%

7,00%

7,00%

2.30%

4.84%

Provisions and Withholdings (Non-Indexed Ch$)

4,286

140

24

20

23

817

5,310

5,310

WAIR (%)

0.00%

1,03%

7,00%

7,00%

7,00%

6,48%

1.09%

3.25%

Provisions and Withholdings (US$)

642

0

0

0

0

0

642

642

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (ARS)

849

349

0

0

0

0

1,198

1,198

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (BRL)

2,238

944

0

0

0

0

3,181

3,181

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (SOL)

759

0

0

0

0

0

759

759

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (other currencies)

0.3

6

0

0

0

0

7

7

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (Non-Indexed Ch$)

99

0

0

0

0

0

99

99

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (ARS)

5

0

0

0

0

0

5

5

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (SOL)

3

0

0

0

0

0

3

3

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (US$)

32

0

0

0

0

0

32

32

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Other liabilities (Non-Indexed Ch$)

117

0

0

0

0

0

117

117

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Other liabilities (ARS)

370

922

0

0

0

0

1,292

1,292

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Other liabilities (BRL)

663

0

0

0

0

0

663

663

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

Variable Rate

Bank Debt (UF)

1,441

6,471

8,309

9,747

10,919

11,442

48,330

48,330

Interest Rate Based on

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

WAIR (%)

4.25%

3.70%

3.42%

3.54%

3.21%

3.21%

3.41%

Bank Debt (US$)

213

3,412

3,759

2,365

3,942

4,131

17,822

17,822

Interest Rate Based on

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

WAIR (%)

4.19%

3.87%

3.91%

4.26%

4.26%

4.26%

4,11%

Bank Debt (Non-Indexed Ch$)

258

251

750

0

0

0

1,259

1,258

Interest Rate Based on

WAIR (%)

1.31%

1.31%

1.31%

1.31%

Due to related companies (UF)

79

0

0

0

0

7,631

7,710

7,710

Interest Rate Based on

Tab

Tab

WAIR (%)

3,21%

3.21%

3.21%

 

(1) WAIR = Weighted Average Interest Rate

 

Capital Expenditures

The investment and financing policy for the current year was presented during the Annual Shareholders' Meeting that was held on April 26, 2005. This policy requires that the Company's investment levels shall be at the levels necessary to sustain its business and operations.

The Company's capital expenditure plans amount to Ch$17,926 million for the period 2005 to 2007, and are broken down as follows:

 

Business Unit

2005

2006-2007

Total

Wire & Cable

2,917

5,335

8,252

Brass Mills

1,336

2,978

4,314

Flexible Packaging

1,198

3,144

4,342

Aluminum Profiles

605

413

1,018

Total

6,056

11,870

17,926

Wire & Cable Unit. The Company's expected investments for the Wire & Cable business unit include a total Ch$8,252 million over the next three years, including the continuation of the ERP implementation of SAP in Brazil, acquisition of machinery and equipment in Peru and Chile.

Brass Mills Unit. The Company's investment plans for the Brass Mills unit amount to Ch$4,314 million, which includes machinery and equipment primarily for its plant facility in Chile.

Flexible Packaging Unit. Planned capital expenditures for the Company's Flexible Packaging unit total Ch$4,342 million which includes machinery and equipment in Chile and Argentina.

Aluminum Profiles Unit. Planned capital expenditures for the Aluminum unit amount to Ch$1,018 million and primarily include machinery and equipment to be used in the plant facility.

The Company modifies its capital investment program on an ongoing basis due to changes in market conditions for the Company's products, changes in general economic conditions in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru or elsewhere, changes in the prices of raw materials, interest rate changes, inflation and foreign exchange rate changes, competitive conditions and other factors. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will make any of the above-mentioned expenditures, and the actual amount of such future capital expenditures could be significantly more or less than planned.

If necessary, Madeco intends to provide or actively participate in obtaining financing (whether equity, debt or a combination thereof) to support the planned future capital expenditures and expansion of its principal businesses. The amounts and terms of any such debt or equity financing for Madeco will depend, among other things, on the terms and conditions of financing available to its businesses from third parties and international capital markets, as well as Madeco's ability to substantially and timely complete its refinancing plan.

Research and Development, Patents and Licenses

The Company does not own any patents, licenses to technology, copyright or other intellectual property, nor is it involved in any research and development. In addition, the Company has not incurred any research and development expenses during the three year period immediately preceding the date of this Annual Report.

Trends

In 2004, Madeco successfully implemented the first phase of its Business Plan and is in process of completing the second phase. This Business Plan is spearheaded by the management team that was established in 2002 and is divided in two critical phases. The first phase focused on restructuring the Company's debt and capital position while the second phase is geared towards maximizing the Company's return on asset through improvements in both its production and commercial activities in the main markets where it operates. As a result of the successful implementation of this Business Plan, the Company was able to reverse 5 consecutive years of losses during 2004 and achieve a net profit of Ch$8,512 million. The Company believes that the full implementation of its Business Plan will continue to have a positive impact on its profitability at the operating level. Notwithstanding the successful implementation of this Business Plan to-date, the Company continues to be threatened by possible macro economic conditions in the main markets where it operates, which could adversely affect its investments. For additional discussion see Item 3. "Key Information - Risk Factors."

Wire & Cables

In Chile the Company expects that growth in the wire and cables industry will be driven by increased demand from the expansion in the construction as well as the energy distribution network sectors. In Brazil the Company's growth will be driven by the overall economic condition of the country and by the increased demand of special cables and aluminum cables for transmission lines and distribution of energy. In Peru, the Company expects to increase its sales volume demand for medium voltage cables and its demand from the growing telecom industry. In Argentina, the Company expects that investment in the country will increase as long as the government successfully restructures its public debt. Madeco continues to actively seek participation attempt to participate in the commercialisation of speciality cables in the world market, which are higher value added products, such as cables for industrial use and for the shipping industry.

PBS

Although in Chile, the Company expects its demand for copper tubes to increase in line with the growth of the country's GDP, it nevertheless believes that competition from local producers and foreign competitors will also increase. Additionally, the Company expects to focus its marketing efforts towards the penetration of new foreign markets, particularly in the industrial pipes sector and in this manner mitigate its dependence on the construction sector. In Argentina, the Company expects that sales will be principally driven by increasing demand from the industrial sector.

Flexible Packaging

In the Chilean flexible packaging industry segment, management will continue focusing its growth expectations on the export market, with special emphasis on retorts pouch products. While the price for raw materials have increased and may continue to do so in the future, the Company believes that these cost increases can be passed along to its customers, at least in the medium term, as prices increase. In Argentina, the Company expects the local market to continue its trend of recovery. In 2005, the Company will continue to focus its growth expectations towards the export markets particularly in those markets where the Company has a competitive advantage such as Brazil and the United States.

Aluminum Profiles

The Company expects a very positive scenario for this business segment triggered by demand in the construction sector. Nevertheless, the Company believes that competition from foreign competitors operating at marginal costs will put pressure on prices and margins during 2005.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2004.

ITEM 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

Directors

During the Company's Annual Shareholders' Meeting held on April 26, 2005, the Company's Board of Directors was elected for a period of 3 years.

The following table sets out the current membership of the Board of Directors and each member's position on the Board, year of birth, year of initial election to the Board, and other directorships:

Director

Position

Born

First Elected

Other Directorships

Guillermo Luksic Craig (1) (4)

Chairman

1956

1984

Chairman, Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A.

Chairman, Compañía Telefónica del Sur S.A.

Chairman, Quiñenco S.A.

Chairman, LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A.

Director, Banco de Chile(2)

Director, Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A.

Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona (1) (4)

Vice-Chairman

1964

1985

Chairman, Compañía Minera El Tesoro S.A.

Chairman, Minera Los Pelambres Ltda.

Chairman, Minera Michilla S.A.

Vice-Chairman, Antofagasta Plc.

Vice-Chairman, Antofagasta Railway Company Plc.

Director, Antofagasta Minerals S.A.

Director, Quiñenco S.A.

Andronico Luksic Craig (1)

Director

1954

1980

Vice-Chairman, Banco de Chile(3)

Vice-Chairman, Quiñenco S.A.

Director, Compañia Cervecerias Unidas S.A.

Director, Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A.

Hernán Büchi Buc

Director

1949

1994

Chairman, Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A.

Director, Quiñenco S.A.

Director, Soquimich S.A.

Director, Falabella S.A.

Director, Pilmaiquén S.A.

Director, P&S S.A.

Director, Alto Palermo S.A.

Director, Metalpar S.A.

Advisor, Compañia Cervecerías Unidas S.A.

Alessandro Bizzarri Carvallo (2)

Director

1961

2000

Director, Agrícola El Peñón S.A.

Director, Editorial Trineo S.A.

Director, Inversiones y Bosques S.A.

CEO, Comatel S.A.

Eugenio Valck Varas (2) (3)

Director

1949

2001

Director, VK Consultores S.A.

Director, Cintac S.A.

Felipe Joannon Vergara (2) (4)

Director

1959

2001

Chairman, Viña Tabalí S.A.

Director, Alusa S.A.

Director, Habitaria S.A.

Director, LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A.

Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres (4)

Honorary Chairman

1920

1970

Chairman, Alusa S.A.

Chairman, Comatel S.A.

 

(1) Guillermo Luksic Craig, Andronico Luksic Craig and Jean Paul Luksic Fontbona are brothers.

(2) The Company's Audit Committee includes Alessandro Bizzarri Carvallo, Felipe Joannon Vergara and Eugenio Valck Varas.

(3) Mr. Eugenio Valck Varas was elected as a new Director at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held on April 24, 2001 and reelected in April 2005. Mr. Valck is independent from the controlling shareholder.

(4) Mr. Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres resigned on July 24, 2001 and on that same day was nominated as an Honorary Chairman of the Board. Mr. Guillermo Luksic Craig was nominated as the new Chairman of the Board; in his replacement as Vice-Chairman, Mr. Jean Paul Luksic Fontbona was elected. In addition, Mr. Felipe Joannon Vergara was elected as a new Director. The entire Board of Directors was reelected at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held in April 2005, for a three-year period pursuant to the Company's bylaws.

 

Senior Management

On October 2002, the Board of Directors designated as Madeco's new Chief Executive Officer Mr. Tiberio Dall'Olio, an executive who has multiple years of experience in the cable manufacturing industry. Mr. Jorge Tagle was appointed as Madeco's new Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Julio Córdoba was named Madeco Chile's Director of Operations.

The following table sets out the current executive officers of the Company and each officer's position, the month and year since each officer holds the position and the month and year in which each officer joined the Company:

Executive Officers

Position

Position Held Since

Joined

Madeco

Tiberio Dall'Olio

Chief Executive Officer

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Jorge Tagle

Chief Financial Officer

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Enrique Sotomayor

Legal Counsel and Secretary of the Board (1)

Sep. 1974

Sep. 1974

Julio Cordoba

Director of Operations Chile

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Giampiero Genesini

Corporate Director of Operations

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Marcelo Valdivia

Business Unit Manager: Flexible Packaging

Feb. 2002

July 1986

Mario Puentes

Business Unit Manager: Aluminum Profiles

Oct. 1999

Oct. 1999

Agilio Leao de Macedo Filho

Chief Executive Officer Ficap

July 2004

July 2004

Juan Enrique Rivera

Chief Executive Officer Indeco

Jan. 1996

June 1995

Sady Herrera

Chief Executive Officer Decker-Indelqui

May 2002

July 2000

 

(1) Enrique Sotomayor was named Secretary of the Board in November 1986.

Tiberio Dall'Olio (born 1937). Mr. Tiberio Dall'Olio has been the Company's Chief Executive Officer since October 2002. Previously he was the CEO of the Company between 1980-86. His additional work experience includes: Teleco Cables Italy (1991-2000), CCU (1986-90), Ceat General Cable (1968-1973), Ceat Italy Cables (1962-68) and Olivetti (1960-62). Mr. Dall'Olio received his law degree at the Padua University (Italy).

Jorge Tagle (born 1969). Mr. Jorge Tagle has served as Chief Financial Officer of Madeco S.A. since October 2002. His previous work experience includes: Quiñenco S.A. (1999-2002), Corpgroup (1998-1999), Citicorp (1994-1996) and Soquimich (1993-1994).. He received his degree in Civil Industrial Engineering from the Universidad Católica de Chile and his MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Enrique Sotomayor (born 1945). Mr. Enrique Sotomayor has served as legal counsel and secretary of the Board of Directors since 1986. Prior to joining Madeco, he practiced law at: Leonidas Montes Asociados (1967-69); Singer Sewing Machine Corp. (1970-3); and A.A.P. Ahorromet (1973-4). He received his law degree at the Universidad de Chile.

Julio Córdoba (born 1947). Mr. Córdoba joined the Company in October 2002 and was appointed as Director of Operations in Chile. His previous work experience includes: Plásticos Ecológicos Ltda. (1999-2001), Aceros del Pacífico S.A. (1998), Lloreda Productores de Acero S.A. (1997), Cables de Energía y Telecomunicaciones S.A. (1992-96), Ceat General de Colombia S.A. (1984-92), Madeco S.A. (1980-83), Ceat General de Colombia S.A. (1974-79), Industrias Metálicas de Palmira S.A. (1971-73).

Giampiero Genesini (born 1941). Mr. Genesini has been the Company's Corporate Director of Operations since October 2002. His principal previous work experience includes: Pirelli (1997-2000); Palazzo Cavi (1995-1997); Fercable (1991-1995); Teleco Cavi (1985-1990); Industrias Lora S.A. (1961-1984).

Marcelo Valdivia (born 1961). Mr. Marcelo Valdivia joined the Company in July 1986 and was appointed Business Unit Manager of the Flexible Packaging unit in February 2002. His prior work experience includes Polymer S.A. (1985-86). He received his degree in Civil Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Chile and his post-degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez.

Mario Puentes (born 1948). Mr. Mario Puentes joined the Company in October 1999 as the Business Unit Manager for the Aluminum Profiles unit. His previous work experience includes: Compañía de Acero del Pacífico (1971-5); Oficina Consultora RFA Ingenieros Ltda. (1975-7); Forestal S.A. (1977-9); Watt's Alimentos S.A. (1979-81); Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. (1981-7); Citibank N.A. (1987-89); and Vidrios Lirquén S.A. (1990-5). Immediately prior to joining the Company, Mr. Puentes worked for 4 years as an independent consultant (1995-9) in various industries. He received his degree in Civil Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Chile and his Masters of Science from theUniversity of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.

Agilio Macedo (born 1947). Mr. Agilio Macedo joined the Company in July 2004 as the Chief Executive Officer of Ficap S. A., the Company's wholly owned Brazilian affiliate. His previous work experience includes: Master Mind Consultoria Ltda. (2002-2004); Aracruz Celulose S. A. (1995-2002); Courtaulds International Ltda. (1991-1995); Associados em Finanças e Investimentos Ltda.(1987-1991); Cia Fiat Lux (1983-1986); Xerox do Brasil S. A. (1976-1983) and Cummins Engine Co. (1974-1976) He received his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Paraná and Masters in Business Administration from the Stanford University Business School.

Juan Enrique Rivera (born 1942). Mr. Juan Enrique Rivera joined the Company in 1995 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Indeco S.A. in January 1996. His previous work experience includes: Decker-Indelqui (1995), Phelps Dodge Cable Operation in Chile - Cocesa (1979-1995), Industrias Electrónicas del Perú S.A. (1973-1979), Mellafe y Salas S.A. - Planta Arica (1968-1973). He received his degree in Electrical Engineering fron the University of Chile.

Sady Herrera (born 1957). Mr. Sady Herrera joined the Company in July 2000 and was appointed Deker-Indelqui's Chief Executive Officer in May 2002. His previous work experience includes: Coresa Argentina S.A. (1998-2000), Empresas Torre S.A.(1986-1997), Armada de Chile (1979-1985). He received his degree in Naval Engineering from the Academia Politécnica Naval de Viña del Mar and his post-degree in Economics and Administration from the Universidad Católica de Chile.

Compensation

For the year ended December 31, 2004, the aggregate amount of compensation paid by the Company to all directors was Ch$85 million and to all executive officers was Ch$3,191 million. The Company does not disclose to its shareholders or otherwise make public information as to the compensation of its individual executive officers. The Company does not maintain any pension plans or retirement programs for its directors or executive officers.

On October 27, 2004, Madeco's Board of Directors approved the renewal of the employment agreements of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Tiberio Dall'Olio, and the Director of Operations of Madeco-Chile, Julio Córdoba, which were originally hired for a two-year period in October 2002, for an additional two-year period. In addition, the Board of Directors approved the renewal of the employment agreement for the Company's Corporate Director of Operations, Giampiero Genesini, who was also hired for a two-year period in October 2002, for an additional one-year period. These executives were issued new options on May 20, 2005 to subscribe for shares in Madeco pursuant to the compensation plans established in the Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting held on November 14, 2002 and approved by the Board on January 25, 2005. The Subscription price for these new shares will be Ch$60 per share, as determined in the Extraordinary Shareholders Meeting of December 22, 2004.

The Board of Directors agreed to offer subscription options at Ch$60 per share to the executives as follows:

  • Chief Executive Officer, Tiberio Dall'Olio, 100,000,000 shares, with the provision that the option be exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2006.
  • The Director of Operations in Chile, Julio Córdoba, 20,000,000 shares; with the provision that the option be exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2006.
  • The Corporate Director of Operations, Giampiero Genesini, 10,000,000 shares, with the provision that the option be exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2006.

During the last quarter of 2004, Madeco's key executives exercised stock options in accordance with the Company's stock incentive program. Madeco's total outstanding subscribed and paid shares increased from 4,259,045,163 shares to 4,441,192,887 shares. As a result, Quiñenco's interest in Madeco decreased from 53.4% to 51.2%.

There is an annual performance-based bonus program for executive officers. One of the officers, Indalum's Chief Executive Officer, receives monthly payments of Ch$2 million in addition to his normal salary. At the end of the year, these payments are then deducted from the performance-based bonus.

Each year, the Board of Directors submits a proposal regarding compensation of its members to the shareholders, who generally approve the Board's proposal at the annual ordinary shareholders' meeting. The following table sets forth the total compensation paid by the Company and its subsidiaries to each director of the company for services rendered in 2004 in thousands of Chilean pesos:

Director

2004

Guillermo Luksic Craig (1)

2,085

Andronico Luksic Craig (1)

569

Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona (1)

1,329

Hernan Büchi Buc

2,085

Alessandro Bizzarri Carvallo

7,094

Felipe Joannon Vergara

8,636

Eugenio Valck Varas

6,907

Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres (2)

56,216

Total

84,921

 

    1. Guillermo Luksic Craig, Andronico Luksic Craig and Jean Paul Luksic Fontbona are brothers.
    2. Mr. Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres resigned on July 24, 2001 and on that same day was nominated as an Honorary Chairman of the Board.

 

Board Practices

Director's Service Contracts

The current term of office for each director expires in 2008. There are no service contracts among any of the directors and Madeco S.A. providing for benefits upon termination of employment.

Audit Committee

According to Chilean Corporations Law, the boards of directors of corporations whose market capitalization reaches or exceeds UF1.5 million (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$44.8 million) shall designate an audit committee (the "Audit Committee"). If the market capitalization falls below this threshold, there is no obligation to designate an Audit Committee. However, corporations which do not reach the threshold may voluntarily assume Audit Committee obligations, in which case they shall strictly follow the provisions of the Law.

The Audit Committee, as defined and mandated under the Chilean Corporations Act, does not satisfy the Audit Committee requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and certain additional requirements under NYSE Rule 303A, with which the Company will be required to comply by July 31, 2005.

The Audit Committee shall have the following powers and duties:

  1. to examine the independent accountants' reports, the balance sheets, and other financial statements submitted by the corporation's managers or liquidators to the shareholders, and issue an opinion about them prior to their submission for shareholder approval;
  2. to propose to the Board of Directors the independent accountants and the risk rating agencies, which the Board must then propose to the shareholders. Should the Board disagree with the Audit Committee's proposal, the Board shall be entitled to make its own proposal, submitting both proposals to the shareholders for their consideration;
  3. to examine the documentation concerning (i) contracts or agreements in which directors have an interest and (ii) transactions between related or affiliated companies, and to produce a written report on such documentation. A copy of the report shall be delivered to the Chairman of the Board, who shall read it at the Board meeting in which the relevant transaction is presented for approval or rejection;
  4. to examine the managers' and chief executives' remuneration policies and compensation plans; and
  5. all other matters contemplated in the Company's bylaws or entrusted to the Audit Committee by a shareholders' meeting or the Board of Directors.

For purposes of the related party transactions mentioned above, the following entities and/or persons are considered by the Securities Market Law and the Chilean Corporations Law to be related to a company:

  1. any entities within the financial conglomerate to which the Company belongs;
  2. corporate entities that have, with respect to the Company, the character of parent company, affiliated company, subsidiary or related company. Parent companies are those that control directly or indirectly more than 50% of the subsidiary's voting stock (or participations, in the case of business organizations other than stock companies), or that may otherwise elect or appoint, or cause the election or appointment, of the majority of the directors or officers. Limited partnerships (sociedades en comandita) may likewise be affiliates of a corporation, whenever the latter has the power to direct or guide the administration of the general partner (gestor) thereof. Related companies are those that, without actually controlling the affiliate, own directly or indirectly 10% or more of the affiliate's voting stock (or participations, in the case of business organizations other than stock companies), or that may otherwise elect or appoint, or cause the election or appointment of at least one boar d member or manager;
  3. persons who are directors, managers, administrators or liquidators of the Company, and their spouses or their close relatives (i.e., parents, father/mother in law, sisters, brothers, sisters/brothers in law); and
  4. any person who, whether acting alone or in agreement with others, may appoint at least one member of the management of the Company or controls 10% or more of the capital of the Company.

In addition, the Chilean Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, or "SVS") may create a presumption that any individual or corporate entity is related with a company if, because of relationships of equity, administration, kinship, responsibility or subordination, the person:

  1. whether acting alone or in agreement with others, has sufficient voting power to influence the company's management;
  2. creates conflicts of interest in doing business with the Company;
  3. in the case of a corporate entity, is influenced in its management by the Company; or
  4. holds an employment or position which affords the person access to non-public information about the company and its business, which renders the person capable of influencing the value of the company's securities.

However, a person shall not be considered to be related to a company by the mere fact of owning up to 5% of the company, or if the person is only an employee of the company without managerial responsibilities.

The Audit Committee's discussions, agreements, and organization are regulated, in every applicable matter, by the Chilean Corporations Law provisions relating to board of directors' meetings. The Audit Committee shall inform the Board of Directors about the manner in which it will request information and about its resolutions.

In addition to the general liabilities imputable to any director, the directors that compose the Audit Committee shall, in the exercise of their duties, be jointly and severally liable for any damage caused to the corporation or the shareholders.

The Audit Committee shall be composed of three members, the majority of which shall be independent. Independent directors are those that would have been elected even if the votes cast in the director's favor by the controlling shareholder and its related persons had not been counted. However, a majority of directors related to the controlling shareholder is permissible if there is an insufficient number of independent directors. Should there be more than three directors entitled to participate in the Audit Committee, the Board of Directors shall elect the members of the Audit Committee by unanimous vote. Should the Board fail to reach an agreement, the matter shall be decided by drawing. The Company's Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Felipe Joannon, Alessandro Bizzarri and Eugenio Valck, the first two of which are appointed with the controlling shareholder's votes with the latter being an independent director.

The members of the Audit Committee shall be remunerated. The amount of such remuneration shall be established annually by the shareholders, taking into consideration the duties that the Audit Committee members shall perform. The remuneration of the members of the Company's Audit Committee is UF15 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$448) per Audit Committee meeting.

The shareholders shall determine the budget of the Audit Committee and those of its advisors, and the Audit Committee shall be allowed to request the recruitment of professionals to fulfill its duties, within the limits imposed by the budget. The activities of the Audit Committee and its expenses, including its advisors', shall be included in the annual report and conveyed to the shareholders. The budget of the Company's Audit Committee and its advisors is UF2,000 per year (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$59,716).

General summary of significant differences with regard to corporate government standards.

The following paragraphs provide a brief, general summary of significant differences between corporate government practices followed by Madeco pursuant to its home-country rules and those applicable to U.S. domestic issuers under New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") listing standards.

Composition of the board of directors; independence. The NYSE listing standards provide that listed companies must have a majority of independent directors and that certain board committees must consist solely of independent directors. Under NYSE rule 303A.02, a director qualifies as independent only if the board affirmatively determines that such director has no material relationship with the company, either directly or indirectly. In addition, the NYSE listing standards enumerate a number of relationships that preclude independence.

Under Chilean law there is no legal obligation to have independent directors. However, Chilean law establishes a number of principles of general applicability designed to avoid conflicts of interests and to establish standards for related party transactions. Specifically, directors elected by a group or class of shareholders have the same duties to the company and to the other shareholders as the rest of the directors, and all transactions with the company in which a director has an interest, either personally (which includes the director's spouse and certain relatives) or as a representative of a third party, require prior approval by the board of directors and must be entered into on market terms and conditions. Furthermore, such transactions must be reviewed by the Directors' Committee (as defined below) and disclosed at the next meeting of shareholders. Pursuant to NYSE rule 303A.00, Madeco may follow Chilean practices and is not required to have a majority of independent directors.

Committees. The NYSE listing standards require that listed companies have a Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, a Compensation Committee and an Audit Committee. Each of these committees must consist solely of independent directors and must have a written charter that addresses certain matters specified by the listing standards.

Under Chilean law, the only board committee that is required is the Directors' Committee, composed of three members, such committee having a direct responsibility to (a) review the company's financial statements and the independent auditors' report and issue an opinion on such financial statements and report prior to their submission for shareholders' approval, (b) make recommendations to the board of directors with respect to the appointment of independent auditors and risk rating agencies, (c) review transactions in which directors have an interest and transactions between affiliated companies, and issue a report on such transactions, (d) review the Chief Executive Officer's ("CEO") and principal executive officers, compensation policies and plans and (e) perform other duties as defined by the company's charter, by the general shareholders' meeting or by the board. A director who is a member of the Directors' Committee is "independent" if, subtracting the votes of the controlling shareholder and its aff iliates from the total number of votes given in favor of such director, he or she would have been nevertheless elected. Directors elected with the votes of the controlling shareholder and its affiliates may constitute the majority of the Directors' Committee if there are not enough independent directors on the board.

However, pursuant to NYSE Rule 303A.06, Madeco must have an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the additional requirements under NYSE Rule 303A by July 31, 2005. Therefore, the company must establish an independent audit committee and a written audit committee charter addressing the audit committee's purpose and responsibilities by July 31, 2005.

Shareholder approval of equity-compensation plans. Under NYSE listing standards, shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity-compensation plans and material revisions thereto, with limited exemptions. An "equity-compensation plan" is a plan or other arrangement that provides for the delivery of equity securities of the listed company to any employee, director or other service provider as compensation for services.

Under Chilean law, if previously approved by shareholders at an extraordinary shareholders' meeting, up to ten percent of a capital increase in a publicly traded company may be set aside to fund equity-compensation plans for the company's employees and/or for the employees of the company's subsidiaries. Pursuant to NYSE rule 303A.00, as a foreign issuer, Madeco may follow Chilean practices and is not required to comply with the NYSE listing standards with respect to shareholder approval of equity-compensation plans.

Corporate Governance Guidelines. The NYSE listing standards provide that listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines with regard to (a) director qualifications standards; (b) director responsibilities; (c) director access to management and independent advisors; (d) director compensation; (e) director orientation and continuing education; (f) management succession; and (g) annual performance evaluation of the board.

Chilean law does not require that such corporate governance guidelines be adopted. Director responsibilities and access to management and independent advisors are directly provided for by applicable law. Director compensation is approved by the annual meeting of shareholders pursuant to applicable law. As a foreign issuer, Madeco may follow Chilean practices and is not required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. The NYSE listing standards require that listed companies adopt and disclose a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.

Madeco has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies generally to all of its executive officers and employees. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this annual report.

Executive Sessions. To empower non-management directors to serve as a more effective check on management, NYSE listing standards provide that non-management directors of each company must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management.

Under Chilean law, the office of director is not legally compatible with that of a company officer in publicly traded companies. The board of directors exercises its functions as a collective body and may partially delegate its powers to executive officers, attorneys, a director or a board commission of the company, and for specific purposes to other persons. As a foreign issuer, Madeco may follow Chilean practices and is not required to comply with the NYSE listing standard for executive sessions.

Certification Requirements. Under the NYSE listing standards, Section 303A.12(a) requires that each listed company CEO must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Section 303A.12(b) requires that each listed company CEO must promptly notify the NYSE in writing after any executive officer of the listed company becomes aware of any material non-compliance with any applicable provisions of Section 303A. Section 303 A.12 (c) requires that each listed company must submit an executed written affirmation regarding certain board and committee practices annually and each time a change occurs to the board or certain of its committees.

As a foreign private issuer, Madeco is required to comply with Section 303A.12(b) and (c), but is not required to comply with the certifications requirements set forth in Section 303A.12(a).

 

Employees

The following table breaks down the Company's total number of employees by country at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 as well as at March 31, 2005:

Total Number of Employees

Country

Dec 31, 2002

Dec 31, 2003

Dec 31, 2004

March 31, 2005

Chile

1,696

1,705

1,659

1,644

Brazil

648

516

582

605

Peru

253

255

245

244

Argentina

175

233

281

295

Bolivia

16

16

1

0 (1)

Total

2,788

2,725

2,768

2,788

(1) The Company's aluminum profiles subsidiary in Bolivia, Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A., ended its sales operations in June 2004. Consequently, since that date the aluminum profiles Bolivian market was directly serviced from the Chilean Madeco's subsidiary, Indalum S.A.

At December 31, 2004, a total of 1,269 employees, or 45.8% of the Company's total workforce, were represented by 17 labor unions, which represent their members in collective bargaining negotiations with the Company. Additionally, the Company had a total of 391 temporary employees who were hired for specific time periods to satisfied short-term needs. Management's relationship with the labor unions representing our employees is generally good.

During the 1999 - 2003 period, the Company implemented a series of restructuring measures in response to the continued unfavorable economic conditions within the region. As a consequence of Argentina's deep economic recession, in December 2001, the Company closed the production operations of its Argentine subsidiary Decker-Indelqui. At December 31, 2004, the Wire & Cable business unit located in Argentina was, on a non-continuous basis, partially reopened and the Brass Mills business unit facilities also located in Argentina are operating at limited capacity. Also in 2002, the Company made the strategic decision to focus solely on the fabrication of aluminum profiles and exit the curtain wall business segment. In August 2002, the Company decided to merge Armat's and the Company's administrative systems in order to improve the productivity of Armat. As part of this plan, as of January 2003, Madeco Chile is in charge of Armat'sadministrative tasks . From August 2002 to April 30, 2003, the Company reduced its workforce by 45 employees, equivalent to 22.2% of the total workforce. In June, 2004, the Company finished its aluminum profile operations in Bolivia. As of March 31, 2005, the Company had 9 employees in both Brazil and Argentina related to its optical fiber production.

The Company does not maintain any pension fund or retirement program for its employees and has no liability for the performance of governmental pension plans or any governmental pension payments to employees.

The following tables and discussion provide further information regarding the Company's total human resources by business unit at December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 as well as at March 31, 2005:

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

December 31, 2002

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

35

264

1,534

1,833

Flexible Packaging

9

31

552

592

Aluminum Profiles

8

36

319

363

Madeco Consolidated

52

331

2,405

2,788

December 31, 2003

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

23

231

1,609

1,863

Flexible Packaging

9

30

551

590

Aluminum Profiles

8

30

234

272

Madeco Consolidated

40

291

2,394

2,725

December 31, 2004*

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

32

412

1,464

1,908

Flexible Packaging

8

153

417

578

Aluminum Profiles

7

76

199

282

Madeco Consolidated

47

641

2,080

2,768

March 31, 2005

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

32

414

1,519

1,965

Flexible Packaging

8

140

390

538

Aluminum Profiles

7

80

198

285

Madeco Consolidated*

47

634

2,107

2,788

(*) Prior to 2004, the Company presented all workers (except for Executives) as either employees or professionals based on their functional role and duties within the Company. During 2004, the Company changed its classification of its workers and only presents those workers with either a university or technical degree as "Professionals". All other employees were classified as "Employees".

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills. The following table sets forth the Company's human resources at December 31, 2004 for the Wire & Cable and Brass Mills business units. The employees are broken down by employee category and country.

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills Units: Employees at December 31, 2004

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Chile

14

134

820

968

Brazil

12

86

484

582

Peru

4

171

70

245

Argentina

2

21

90

113

Total

32

412

1,464

1,908

In Chile, the Company had 968 permanent employees and 69 temporary employees. A total of 642 employees were represented by six labor unions. On December 16, 2004, Madeco Chile reached an agreement with Unions No. 1 and No. 2 prior to the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. The Company also reached an agreement with Union No. 3 and the non-unionized workers. Consequently, the Company and the Unions signed new contracts with a three year term, expiring on January 1, 2008. The last work stoppage in Madeco-Chile was in February 1993 and lasted 10 days. At Armat, new collective bargaining agreements were signed with Unions No. 1 and No. 2, which involved 82 and 39 workers respectively with a 2 year term. Armat's last work stoppage was in 1991 and lasted 12 days.

In Brazil, the Company had 582 permanent employees and 48 temporary employees. A total of 215 employees were represented by two labor unions, Metalurgicos do Rio de Janeiro and Metalurgicos de Campinas. Collective bargaining in Brazil is done on a statewide basis rather than on an industry-wide basis or on a company-by-company basis. Each year, the unions negotiate with their respective municipal governments to reach an agreement. The Company's last work stoppage in Brazil was in October 1997, lasting four days and involving 54 employees; currently, the Company considers its relations with all its employees to be good.

In Peru, the Company had 245 permanent employees and 95 temporary employees, none of which were members of labor unions, in 2004. The Company has experienced no strikes in Peru since 1993.

In Argentina, the Company had 113 permanent employees and did not hire any temporary employees. A total of 92 employees were represented by 2 labor unions. Although, there have been several work stoppages in Argentina since the Company's acquisition of Indelqui in 1990 these were due to strikes called by nation-wide labor federations and were unrelated to conditions at the Company's operations. The last work stoppage was in 1999 and involved 301 employees.

Flexible Packaging. The following table sets forth the Company's human resources at December 31, 2004 for the Flexible Packaging unit. The personnel are broken down by diverse employee categories and country of origin.

Flexible Packaging Unit: Employees at December 31, 2004

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Chile

6

113

291

410

Argentina

2

40

126

168

Total

8

153

417

578

In Chile, the Company had 410 permanent employees and 115 temporary employees. A total of 229 employees were represented by four labor unions. In 2003, the Company entered into a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the four unions. The last work stoppage, which occurred on August 1998, lasted 20 days and included 130 employees.

In Argentina, the Company had 168 permanent employees and 9 temporary employees. In 2004, the Company did not have any employees that were union members.

Aluminum Profiles. The following table sets forth the Company's personnel at December 31, 2004 for the Aluminum Profiles unit. Personnel are broken down by employment category.

Aluminum Unit: Employees at December 31, 2004

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Total

7

76

199

282

The Aluminum Profiles division in Chile had 282 permanent and 39 temporary employees. A total of 91 employees were represented by two unions. In August 2004, Indalum completed its collective bargaining process with Unions No.1 and No.2, which together represented 151 workers. The Company also completed a Collective bargaining process with Bargaining Commission for non-unionized personnel which included 77 employees. The Company signed a 29-month collective contract with the Bargaining Commission before the final date established by law.The Company signed a 36-month collective bargaining agreement with Unions No.1 and No.2 during a legal strike that lasted 41 days.

Indemnities

All employees who are terminated in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina for reasons other than misconduct are entitled by law to receive a severance payment.

After six months of employment in Chile, permanent employees are entitled to one month's salary for each year worked (and if less than six months, a portion of salary for that time), subject to a total maximum payment of no more than 11 month's salary. The Company's employees who are subject to a collective bargaining agreement also receive a severance payment equivalent to a portion of one month's salary for each full year worked. The collective bargaining agreement does not contain a limitation on the total amount payable, but does limit the total number of employees who can claim the severance benefit during any given year.

In Brazil, permanent employees are entitled to a percentage of their salary based on the number of months worked, as well as a payment of 1.33 times the employee's salary in case of any pending vacations and a payment of 40% of the amount the employee has contributed to the Fondo Guarantia Por Tiempo Servicio (Guaranteed Funds for Service Time, or "FGTS").

In Peru, permanent employees are entitled to compensation payments related to Compensación por Tiempo de Servicios (Employee Severance Indemnities, or CTS). The compensation amount is payable to two installments (May and November) and is equivalent to one month's salary for each year of service. These CTS payments act as the employee's unemployment insurance.Additionally, permanent employees are also entitled to, in certain circumstances, severance payments upon termination equvalent to one and a half month's salary for each year of service with a maximum limit of 12 month's salary.

In Argentina, permanent employees are entitled to one month's salary for each year of service with a limit established by the Ministry of Labor.

Pension Plans

Workers in Chile are subject to a national pension fund law which establishes a system of independent pension plans, administered by Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones (Pension Fund Administrators, or "AFPs"). The Company has no liability for the performance of the pension plans or any pension payments to be made to the employees.

Retired employees in Brazil receive government payments from both the FGTS and the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social (National Institute of Social Security). The Company has no liability for the performance of the pension plans or any pension payments to be made to the employees.

Workers in Peru are subject to a national pension fund law, which establishes a system of independent pension plans administered by AFPs. The Company has no liability for the performance of the pension plans or any pension payments to be made to the employees.

Workers in Argentina are subject to a national pension fund law that establishes a system of independent pension plans administered by Administradoras de Fondos de Jubilaciones y Pensiones (Pension and Retirement Fund Administrators, or "AFJPs"). The Company has no liability for the performance of the pension plans or any pension payments to be made to the employees.

Share Ownership

With respect to directors and senior management, information concerning their share ownership in the Company is addressed in "Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions".

The only compensation program is the one detailed above in "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Senior Managment - Compensation ". The Company does not have any other stock option or other programs involving our employees in the capital of the Company.

ITEM 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

Major Shareholders

Madeco's only outstanding voting securities are its shares of common stock. The following table sets forth certain information concerning ownership of Madeco's common stock as of May 31, 2005 with respect to each shareholder known to Madeco to own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock and with respect to the percentage of Madeco's common stock owned by all directors and executive officers of Madeco as a group:

Shareholder

Number of
shares owned

% Ownership

Quiñenco S.A. and related parties(1)

2,275,267,133

51.23%

Bolsa Electronica de Chile Bolsa de Valores

258,560,450

5.82%

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa

248,013,667

5.58%

Directors, Executive Officers and related parties as a group (2)

96,296,635

2.17%

 

(1) Madeco S.A. is controlled by the open stock corporation Quiñenco S.A. (NYSE:LQ), which is indirectly controlled by members of the Luksic family. Quiñenco S.A. directly owns 44.7601% (1,987,880,493 shares) of the Common Stock of Madeco S.A., and indirectly owns 6.4703% (287,359,836 shares) through Inversiones Rio Grande. In total, Quiñenco directly and indirectly owns 51.2304% (2,275,240,329 shares). Additionally, shares of Madeco's Common Stock are held by two related entities: 18,286 shares (0.0004%) are owned by Inversiones Consolidadas Ltda., which is related to Andronico Luksic Craig and his family, and 5,398 shares (0.0001%) are owned by Inversiones Carahue S.A, which is related to Paola Luksic Fontbona. Shares of Madeco's Common Stock are also held by natural persons who are members of the Luksic family: 3,010 shares (0.00007%) are owned by Andronico Luksic Abaroa and 110 shares (0.000002%) are owned by Nicolas Luksic Puga. The total ownership, combining Q uiñenco's direct and indirect holdings as well as the holdings of related entities and Luksic family members, is 51.2310% (2,275,267,133 shares).

(2) Excludes the 2,275,267,133 shares owned directly and indirectly by Quiñenco S.A as well as the other aforementioned investment entities related to the Luksic family and Luksic family members.

On May 31, 2005, members of the Luksic Group, which consists of Mr. Andrónico Luksic Sr. and his sons, Andrónico Luksic Craig, Guillermo Luksic Craig and Jean Paul Luksic Fontbona, beneficially owned approximately 82.5% of the outstanding shares of common stock, without par values of Quiñenco and thereby control the Company. Guillermo Luksic, Andrónico Luksic and Jean Paul Luksic are all directors on the Company's Board of Directors.  

Control of the Company by the Luksic Group is exercised through the Luksic Group's control of Inversiones Antofagasta Ltda., Ruana Copper A.G. Agencia Chile, Inversiones Consolidadas S.A., Sociedad Inmobiliaria y de Inversiones Río Claro Ltda. and Inversiones Salta S.A. (collectively, the "Principal Shareholders"), which are the Luksic Group companies that hold shares of Quiñenco. Although there are no formal agreements as to the voting or disposition of shares known to Madeco, Madeco believes that the members of the Luksic Group generally consult with each other regarding actions to be taken by shareholders of Madeco. Consequently, the Luksic Group has the power to elect a majority of the Company's directors and to determine the outcome of substantially all matters to be decided by a vote of shareholders.

The Company's shareholders have identical voting rights. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no arrangements or operations that may result in a change in control of the Company.

Madeco's majority shareholder is Quiñenco S.A., which, through its direct and indirect interests in the Company, beneficially owns an aggregate of 51.23% of the outstanding shares (2,275,267,133 shares) of Common Stock. Six members of the Company's Board of Directors are representatives of the Quiñenco Group, including the Chairman of the Board. The entire Board of Directors was reelected at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting held on April 26, 2002, for a three-year period pursuant to the Company's bylaws.

The following table shows the total number of shares authorized and paid as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004:

2002

2003

2004

Common Stock

(number of shares authorized and paid)

405,511,028

4,120,088,408

4,441,192,887

The following table includes each of the Company's shareholders that had an ownership interest exceeding 1.0% at December 31, for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, demonstrating the significant changes in ownership percentages during the past three years:

Shareholder

December 31, 2002

December 31, 2003

December 31, 2004

Quiñenco S.A.

216,626,195

53.42%

2,275,124,453

55.22%

2,275,240,329

51.23%

Bolsa Electrónica de Chile Bolsa de Valores

4,009,134

0.99%

365,839,732

8.88%

258,861,782

5.82%

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

14,316,962

3.53%

238,905,148

5.80%

244,429,015

5.50%

The Bank of New York

11,967,330

2.95%

143,913,630

3.49%

117,492,630

2.65%

Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago Bolsa de Valores

4,883,687

1.20%

101,931,074

2.47%

105,719,363

2.38%

Celfin Gardeweg S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

10,870,790

2.68%

75,452,187

1.83%

100,606,052

2.27%

A.F.P. Provida S.A.

11,521,748

2.84%

97,119,432

2.36%

71,273,843

1.60%

Larrain Vial S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

9,578,602

2.36%

52,260,708

1.27%

62,935,356

1.42%

BCI Corredor de Bolsa S.A.

2,904,762

0.7163%

22,459,216

0.55%

57,690,406

1.30%

A.F.P. Summa Bansander S.A.

N/A

N/A

36,000,000

0.87%

55,788,852

1.26%

Dall Olio Tiberio

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

49,720,565

1.12%

Citicorp Chile Administradora Gral.de Fondos S.A.

N/A

N/A

558,869

0.01%

47,727,751

1.07%

Corp Corredores de Bolsa

4,554,907

1.12%

27,013,965

0.66%

36,219,392

0.82%

Santiago Corredores de Bolsa Ltda.

4,314,577

1.06%

21,476,284

0.52%

30,178,274

0.68%

A.F.P. Santa Maria S.A.

7,105,547

1.75%

87,618,279

2.13%

28,681,842

0.65%

Compass Group Chile S.A.

4,940,743

1.22%

N/A

N/A

25,004,232

0.56%

Inversiones Almeria S.A.

5,235,753

1.29%

5,235,753

0.13%

5,235,753

0.12%

Others

92,680,291

22.9%

569,179,678

13.8%

868,387,450

19.6%

On March 31, 2003, the Company completed its financial restructuring process. The process included a capital increase and a refinancing plan with the Company's financial creditors. See"Item 5: Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Liquidity and Capital Resources - The Company's Compliance with Financial Covenants and its Refinancing Plan" for further information.

At of May 31, 2005, The Bank of New York, as depositary for Madeco's ADS facility, was the record owner of 118,412,630 shares of Common Stock in the form of 1,184,126 ADSs. These ADSs represented 2.66% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares at such date. The ADSs are issued pursuant to a deposit agreement dated June 7, 1993, as amended (the "Depositary Agreement"), among the Company, the Bank of New York as depositary (the "Depositary") and the holders from time to time of the American Depositary Receipts ("ADSs") evidencing the ADSs issued pursuant to the Depositary Agreement. It is not practicable for Madeco to determine the portion of its common stock or ADSs beneficially owned by U.S. persons.

 

Related Party Transactions

Under the Chilean Corporations Law, a corporation may not enter into a contract or agreement in which a director has a direct or indirect interest without prior approval by the Board of Directors, and only if the terms of the conflicting interest transaction are similar to those of an arm's length transaction.

The Board of Directors' Audit Committee is required by Chilean law to examine all documentation concerning (i) contracts or agreements in which directors have an interest and (ii) transactions between related or affiliated companies, and report their findings at the Board of Director meetings. For further discussion regarding Chilean law as it pertains to the Audit Committee's responsibilities and regulations regarding related party transactions, see "Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees - Board Practices - Audit Committee".

If the conflicting interest transaction involves a "material amount," the Board of Directors is required to produce a statement declaring in advance that the conflicting interest transaction is similar in its terms to an arm's length transaction. A conflicting interest transaction is deemed to involve a "material amount" if the amount involved is both greater than UF2,000 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$59,716) and exceeds 1% of the consolidated assets of the corporation, or if the amount exceeds UF20,000 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$597,162) regardless of the size of the corporation.

If the Board of Directors believes that it is not possible to ascertain whether the conflicting interest transaction is similar to an arm's length transaction, it may approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction, or appoint independent advisors to make such a determination, in all these cases, with the exclusion of the interested directors. If the Board appoints independent advisors, the report prepared by the advisors must be made available to the shareholders and the Board of Directors for 20 business days from the date the report was received from the independent advisors. The shareholders must be notified in writing of the receipt of the report. After this period the Board may approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction, but the Board is not required to follow the independent advisors' conclusion. The Board may treat the conflicting interest transaction and the report as confidential information. Shareholders representing at least a 5% of the voting shares of the Company may r equest the Board call a shareholders' meeting in order to approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction by a two-thirds majority of the outstanding voting shares.

All decisions adopted by the Board in respect of the conflicting interest transaction must be reported at the following shareholders' meeting. The controller of the corporation or the related party which intends to enter into the conflicting interest transaction shall make available to the Board of Directors, at the time the transaction is being considered by the Board, all information relating to the transaction filed with any non-Chilean regulatory entities or stock exchanges.

If a suit for damages arises from such a transaction, the defendant (i.e., one or more directors, the controller, a related party, or all of them) bears the burden of proof that the transaction was equally as or more beneficial to the corporation than an arm's length transaction, unless the conflicting interest transaction was previously approved by the shareholders.

In the ordinary course of its business, the Company engages in a variety of transactions with affiliates of Madeco. Financial information concerning these transactions during the last three years is set forth in Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes that it has complied with the requirements of Article 89 and Article 44 in all transactions with related parties.

Although the Company generally does not provide or receive long-term debt financing to or from other entities within Madeco (except in connection with bank loans on arm's length terms in the ordinary course of business from the Company's former banks), the Company has occasionally in the past and expects in the future to advance funds and receive advances of funds from other companies under the common control of the Quiñenco Group where required to meet short-term liquidity requirements. These loans have been on a short-term unsecured basis at market rates of interest and, in the case of loans made by the Company to affiliated companies, require the prior approval of Madeco's Board of Directors pursuant to the requirements of the Chilean Corporations Law relating to open stock corporations such as Madeco. The outstanding amounts of such loans made by the Company to affiliated companies during the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 were not material to Madeco, individually or in the aggr egate. In addition, the Company has from time to time in the past made loans and advances to affiliated companies and to strategic investors and their affiliates to provide financing resources in connection with acquisitions of assets and other transactions. Such loans and advances have generally been made on a secured basis at market rates of interest. See Note 24 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company also provides goods and services in commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business to affiliated companies. In connection with such transactions, the Company from time to time extends unsecured credit on terms substantially similar to those available to other customers purchasing goods and services in similar quantities.

Except for the transaction described below, none of the transactions carried out during 2002, 2003 and 2004 between the Company and related parties were deemed to have been material to the Company and/or to the related party.

In December 2000, the Company signed a loan agreement with Quiñenco S.A. for an amount totaling UF355,790 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$10.6 million). In October 2002, the Company signed a new loan agreement with Quiñenco for an amount totaling UF84,879 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$2.5 million). The total amount outstanding as of December 31, 2004 was Ch$7,631 million. The loan has an annual interest rate equivalent to the tasa activa bancaria (Chilean inter-bank rate, or "TAB") plus 1.75%. As part of the restructuring of its financial obligations, Madeco S.A. refinanced the debt with Quiñenco S.A., changing the capital payment from April 2003 to March 2010.

Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable

ITEM 8. Financial Information

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

Identification of Financial Statements and Other Financial Information

See "Item 18. Financial Statements"

Export Sales

The tables below show export sales from each of the Company's business units and their division components, in tons and in revenues. In each case, sales are also shown as a percentage of the total for the corresponding division or business unit:

Export (1) Volume Sales

2002

2003

2004

Volume

% total

Volume

% total

Volume

% total

Metallic Cable (in tons (2))

12,976

21.5%

10,598

19.1%

11,805

18.8%

Optical Fiber Cable (in kms)

56,553

91.4%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Wire & Cable (in equivalent tons)(3)

14,261

23.0%

10,599

19.1%

11,805

18.8%

Pipes Bars and Sheets (in tons)

16,164

62.7%

15,923

58.2%

18,618

60.3%

Coins (in tons)

3,490

97.4%

2,914

97.6%

2,351

96.0%

Brass Mills (in tons)

19,654

67.0%

18,837

62.1%

20,969

62.9%

Flexible Packaging (in tons)

1,371

9.9%

1,730

11.8%

2,323

14.2%

Aluminum Profiles (in tons)

74

0.7%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Total (in equivalent tons)

35,434

30.8%

31,165

31.6%

35,097

31.2%

Export (1) Revenues

2002

2003

2004

Ch$ million

% total

Ch$ million

% total

Ch$ million

% total

Metallic Cable

18,459

13.9%

14,571

12.9%

23,335

14,0%

Optical Fiber Cable

1,905

84.0%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Total Wire & Cable

20,364

15.1%

14,571

12.9%

23,335

14,0%

Pipes Bars and Sheets

26,603

55.3%

26,498

52.4%

40,153

52.5%

Coins

9,105

87.6%

6,325

90.8%

6,841

90.4%

Brass Mills

35,708

61.0%

32,823

57.0%

46,994

55.9%

Flexible Packaging

4,527

10.8%

5,189

12.1%

6,317

14.0%

Aluminum Profiles

1,435

4.9%

1,146

3.8%

0

0.0%

Total

62,034

23.4%

53,729

22.1%

76,646

23.7%

 

(1) Exports for the Metallic cables consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. Exports for the Optical Fiber cables consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Brazil and Argentina. Exports for the PBS division of the Brass Mills unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile or Argentina. Exports for the Coins division of the Brass Mills unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile. Exports for the Flexible Packaging unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile or Argentina. Exports for the Aluminum unit consist of all sales to customers in any country other than Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina. For the description of volume sales measurement for metallic cable see footnote (2).

(2) Volume sales for the Wire & Cable unit include only metal. Figures presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2002 as a result of a change in measuring volume sales. While volume sale calculations previously included metal and insulating materials, the Company is now including only metal used in the production of its wire and cable products.

(3) Total volume sales for the Wire & Cable unit includes sales of both metallic and optical fiber cable products. Optical fiber volume sales have been converted to tons, using the conversion rate: 1 ton = 44 kms.

Wire & Cable. In 2004, the Wire & Cable business unit generated export sales, which amounted to 11,805 tons or 18.8% of the total business unit volume sales. In terms of revenue, exports amounted to Ch$23,335 million, representing 14.0% of the total business unit revenue. The copper wire rod is the primary exported product (84.6% of Wire & Cable exports) to South American countries where the Company does not have a subsidiary.

PBS. In 2004, the PBS division of the Brass Mill business unit generated export sales, which amounted to 18,618 tons or 60.3% of the total business unit volume sales. Export volumes increased as a percentage of total volume sales from 58.2% in 2003 to 60.3% in 2004, as the Company expanded its export market to Europe and the United States. Export revenue as a percentage of the PBS division amounted to 55.3%, 52.4% and 52.5% in 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Many of the Company's pipe, bar and sheet products meet the highest international quality standards and its customers include large multinational companies in Europe, the United States and other Latin American countries.

Coins. In 2004, export volume sales amounted to 2,351 tons or 96.0% of the coins division's total volume sales. The business units primary customers are central banks and coin mints around the world, with special emphasis on the customers located in Europe, which represent 57.9% of total exports.

Flexible Packaging. In 2004, export volume sales amounted to 2,323 tons or 14.2% of the Flexible Packaging business unit's total volume sales. Export sales as a percentage of total in revenues represent 14.0%. Principal export customers for the Flexible Packaging unit are located in other Latin American countries.

Aluminum Profiles. Export sales for the Aluminum Business unit includes sales made to customers in countries other than Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay and Argentina. In 2004, the Company did not export any aluminum profiles.

Legal Proceedings

On June 27, 2002, Madeco announced that it had been notified by Corning Inc. (Madeco's joint venture partner in Optel), of its desire to liquidate the joint venture. Madeco believed that Corning was attempting to unjustifiably terminate the agreements with Madeco and filed an arbitration suit against its partner to resolve this dispute.

Corning filed a counterclaim against the Company in which it requested, among other things, that Corning be permitted to terminate its joint venture agreements with the Company, alleging that Optel is effectively bankrupt.

On November 11, 2003 the Company was informed of the resolution of the arbitration concerning its dispute with Corning. The arbitral decision provided for the termination of the Investment Agreement governing the joint venture, and as a result among others i) Madeco lost certain rights regarding the appointment of Optel's management (consequently, the subsidiary was not consolidated into the December 31, 2003 financial statements) and ii) lost its right to exercise a put option to sell its Optel shares to Corning for approximately US$18 million between January 2004 and December 2005. In addition, the decision obliges the Company to agree to the liquidation of Optel at Corning's request. As a consequence of this unfavorable ruling, the Company recognized provisions of Ch$4,917 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 in order to reflect the value of its 50% equity share in Optel and costs associated with the ruling.

On March 31, 2005, Madeco and Corning reached an agreement whereby Corning sold to the Company its 50% share of Optel Ltda. As a result, the liquidation of Optel as required by the arbitration decision, was avoided and Madeco obtained complete control over Optel. In addition, two financial entities forgave a portion of Optel's debt and a total amount of US$2 million was repaid. Madeco and Corning also agreed to a two-year non-compete period in all markets where Optel participates.

In Brazil, two legal disputes against the previous owner of Ficap have been pending since prior to the Company's acquisition of the subsidiary in 1997. It is estimated that the total amount of the lawsuits involve approximately US$10 million. Madeco has a personal guarantee from the previous owner of Ficap to indemnify the Company if the Brazilian subsidiary were to be affected by these actions.

The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of its outstanding litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

Dividend Policy

The Company's dividend policy is established and revised from time to time at the shareholders' meeting. In addition, it may be approved at the annual shareholders' meeting, although shareholder approval is not required. However, each year the Board of Directors must submit for shareholder approval the final declared dividend in respect of the preceding year.

The Chilean Corporations Law requires that, unless otherwise decided by unanimous vote of the issued, subscribed and paid shares, and except to the extent it has a deficit in retained earnings for the year, the Company must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income for that year.

The Company's current dividend policy authorizes distribution of cash dividends in an amount equal to 50% of the Company's net income under Chilean GAAP for the previous year. The Board of Directors has the authority to decide whether the dividend will be paid in several payments or in a lump sum. The Company's dividend policy is subject to amendment by reason of changes in Chilean law, capital requirements, economic results and/or other factors. See "Item 3. Key Information - Risk Factors."

Dividends are paid to all of the shareholders of record on the fifth business day (including Saturday) preceding the date set for payment of the dividend. Holders of record of ADSs are entitled to dividends declared for each applicable period. The dividend amounts and the aggregate amount of such dividends per share of Common Stock and per ADS for the period between 2000 and 2004 are shown in "Item 3. Key Information - Selected Financial Data." No dividend payments have been made by the Company since May 1999.

Generally, shareholders who are not Chilean residents must register as foreign investors under one of the foreign investment regimes provided for by Chilean law in order to be entitled to the payment outside Chile, through the Formal Exchange Market of dividends, sale proceeds and other amounts with respect to their shares. Under the Foreign Investment Contract, the Depositary, on behalf of the ADS holders, is granted access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert cash dividends from Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars and to pay such dollars to ADS holders outside Chile. Dividends paid in respect of shares of Common Stock, including to holders of ADSs who are not Chilean residents, are subject to Chilean withholding tax. See "Item 10. Additional Information - Taxation".

 

Significant Changes

See "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - Recent Developments".

ITEM 9. The Offer and Listing

Offer and Listing Details

The shares of the Company's Common Stock are currently traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange and the Bolsa Electronica de Chile, an electronic over-the-counter trading system.

Shares of Madeco's Common Stock also trade in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange Inc. (NYSE) since May 28, 1993 in the form of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") under the symbol "MAD". Since May 12, 2003, each ADS represents 100 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

For the periods indicated, the table below sets forth the low and high closing sales prices of Madeco's Common Stock in Chilean pesos on the Santiago Stock Exchange. The table also includes for the same periods the low and high closing sales prices of the ADSs in U.S. dollars on the NYSE.

 

Santiago Stock Exchange

NYSE

 

Low

High

Low

High

Years

(Ch$ per Share) (1)

(US$ per ADS)

2000

270.0

810.0

4.50

15.94

2001

170.0

370.0

2.25

6.50

2002

24.5

175.0

0.25

2.80

2003

17.0

57.5

0.25

8.85

2004

35.5

64.0

5.65

11.00

         

Quarters

       

2003

       

First Quarter

21.9

31.0

0.35

0.49

Second Quarter

17.0

38.5

0.25

5.25

Third Quarter

26.0

38.0

3.65

5.70

Fourth Quarter

37.0

57.5

5.65

8.85

2004

       

First Quarter

35.5

47.0

5.70

9.40

Second Quarter

40.0

45.8

5.65

7.40

Third Quarter

42.1

60.0

6.52

9.68

Fourth Quarter

54.8

64.0

9.00

11.00

2005

       

First Quarter

55.0

62.0

9.31

10.94

Second Quarter through May 31

51.5

59.5

-

-

         

Months

       

December 2004

58.1

63.5

9.85

11.00

January 2005

55.0

59.5

9.31

10.56

February 2005

56.0

62.0

9.54

10.94

March 2005

55.2

62.0

9.58

10.85

April 2005

55.0

59.5

9.20

10.44

May 2005

51.5

57.5

8.80

10.00

 

(1) Chilean pesos per share of Common Stock reflect the price at the trade date and have not been restated to constant real pesos.

On June 25, 2002, the Company was notified of its non-compliance with NYSE requirements for continued listing as a consequence of the price of Madeco's shares, which was below US$1.00 over a consecutive 30-trading-day period.

On December 31, 2002, NYSE informed the Company that it was also not in compliance with NYSE's continued listing standard requiring an average market capitalization of not less than US$15 million over a 30-trading-day period.

On January 10, 2003, NYSE informed the Company that NYSE's Listing and Compliance Committee had approved Madeco's proposed course of action to resolve its non-compliance with NYSE's listing criteria. Madeco successfully completed its capital increase and indebtedness restructuring in the first quarter 2003. As a result of its capital increase and restructuring, Madeco's market capitalization is above NYSE's minimum market capitalization requirement.

On May 2003, the Company implemented a share to ADS ratio change which became effective on May 12, 2003. The ratio of shares to ADS changed from 1 ADS = 10 shares of common stock to 1 ADS = 100 share of common stock. This ratio change, together with the capital increase discussed above were implemented by Madeco to attempt to comply with the NYSE's continuing listing requirements.

On May 21, 2003 NYSE informed the Company that as a result of actions taken to meet the minimum security price and minimum market capitalization continued listing requirements, the Company regained compliance with both requirements. There can be no assurance that the Company will meet the NYSE continued listing requirements in the future.

ITEM 10. Additional Information

Memorandum and Articles of Association

Provided below is a summary of certain material information found in the Company's bylaws and provisions of Chilean law. This summary is not complete. For more information relating to the items discussed in this summary, you are encouraged to read our bylaws which we have filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year 2001.

Registration and Corporate Purposes

Madeco S.A. is a public corporation (sociedad anonima abierta) organized by means of a public deed (escritura publica) dated April 3, 1944, the abstract of which was recorded on Folio 1,099, No. 946 of Santiago's Registry of Commerce in 1944 and published in Chile's Official Gazette on May 4, 1944. Its existence was approved by a Decree No. 1740 of the Ministry of Finance, dated April 26, 1944, recorded on Folio 1,105, No. 947 of Santiago's Registry of Commerce in 1944, published in the Official Gazette as of May 4, 1944 and recorded at the Securities Registry of the Chilean Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, or "SVS") under No. 251 on July 20, 1984.

As set forth in Article 4 of Madeco's bylaws, its purpose is to manufacture processed products from metal and metal alloys, to engage in other businesses relating to such production, and the exploration and development of ore deposits and mining rights, among other businesses.

Directors

Under the Ley de Sociedades Anónimas (Chilean Corporations Law), a corporation may not enter into a contract or agreement in which a director has a direct or indirect interest (i.e., a conflicting interest transaction) without prior approval by the Board of Directors, and only if the terms of the conflicting interest transaction are similar to those of an arm's length transaction.

If the conflicting interest transaction involves a "material amount," the Board of Directors is required to produce a statement declaring in advance that the conflicting interest transaction is similar in its terms to an arm's length transaction. A conflicting interest transaction is deemed to involve a "material amount" if the amount involved is both greater than UF2,000 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$59,716) and exceeds 1% of the assets of the corporation, or if the amount exceeds UF20,000 (as of May 31, 2005, approximately US$597,162) regardless of the size of the corporation.

If the Board of Directors believes that it is not possible to ascertain whether the conflicting interest transaction is similar to an arm's length transaction, it may approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction, or appoint independent advisors to make such a determination, in all these cases, with the exclusion of the interested directors. If the Board appoints independent advisors, the report prepared by the advisors will be made available to the shareholders and the Board of Directors for 20 business days from the date the report was received from the independent advisors. The shareholders will be notified in writing of the receipt of the report. After this period the Board may approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction, but the Board is not required to follow the independent advisors' conclusion. The Board may treat the conflicting interest transaction and the report as confidential information. Shareholders representing at least a 5% of the voting shares of the Company may r equest the Board to call a shareholders' meeting in order to approve or reject the conflicting interest transaction by a two-thirds majority of the outstanding voting shares.

All decisions adopted by the Board in respect of the conflicting interest transaction must be reported to the next following shareholders' meeting. The controller of the corporation or the related party which intends to enter into the conflicting interest transaction shall make available to the Board of Directors, at the time the transaction is being considered by the Board, all information relating to the transaction filed with any non-Chilean regulatory entities or stock exchanges.

If a suit for damages arises from such a transaction, the defendant (i.e., one or more directors, the controller, a related party, or all of them) bears the burden of proof that the transaction was equally as or more beneficial to the corporation than an arm's length transaction, unless the conflicting interest transaction was previously approved by the shareholders.

The amount of any director's remuneration is established each year at the annual shareholders' meeting. Directors are prohibited from borrowing or otherwise making use of corporate money or assets for their own benefit, unless previously authorized by the Board of Directors. Directors are also prohibited from borrowing or otherwise making use of corporate money or assets for the benefit of companies in which such directors are either directors or owners of a 10% interest or more, unless previously authorized by the Board of Directors. However, the shareholders' authorization is not required. These rules can only be modified by law.

It is not necessary to hold shares of the Company to be elected a director, and there is no age limit established for the retirement of directors.

 

Rights, Preferences and Restrictions Regarding Shares

At least thirty percent of the Company's net profits for each fiscal year is required to be distributed in cash to the shareholders, unless the shareholders unanimously decide otherwise. Any remaining profits may be used to establish a reserve fund (that may be capitalized at any time, amending the corporate bylaws by the vote of a majority of the voting stock issued) or to pay future dividends.

Compulsory minimum dividends, i.e., at least thirty percent of the Company's net profits for each fiscal year, become due thirty days after the date on which the shareholders' meeting has approved the distribution of profits in the fiscal year. Any additional dividends approved by the shareholders become due on the date set by the shareholders or the Board of Directors.

Accrued dividends that corporations fail to pay or make available to their shareholders within certain periods are to be adjusted from the date on which those dividends became due and that of actual payment. Overdue dividends will accrue annual interest established for adjustable operations over the same period.

Dividends and other cash benefits unclaimed by shareholders after five years from the date on which they became due will become the property of the Chilean Fire Department.

Madeco has only one class of shares and there are therefore no preferences or limitations on the voting rights of shareholders. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote per share. In shareholders' meetings, determinations are generally made by a simple majority of stockholders entitled to vote. However, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that certain determinations require the vote of a two-thirds majority of the voting stock issued.

The Company's directors are elected every three years and their terms are not staggered. Chilean law does not permit cumulative voting. However, shareholders may accumulate their votes in favor of just one person or distribute their votes to more than one person. In addition, by unanimous agreement of the shareholders present and entitled to vote, the vote may be omitted and the election made by acclamation.

In the event of liquidation, the Chilean Corporations Law provides that corporations may carry out distributions to shareholders on account of a reimbursement of capital only after the payment of corporate indebtedness.

There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Company, nor are there any liabilities to shareholders relating to future capital calls by the corporation.

Under Chilean law, certain provisions affect any existing or prospective holder of securities as a result of the shareholder owning a substantial number of shares. The Securities Market Law establishes that (a)any person who, directly or indirectly, (i)owns 10% or more of the subscribed capital of a corporation (the "majority shareholders") whose shares are registered in the Securities Registry of the SVS, or (ii)owns any such percentage because of the purchase of shares; and (b)all liquidators, directors, the chief executive officer and the other principal officers of any corporation whose shares are registered with the Securities Registry of the SVS, regardless of the number of shares they own, must report any purchase or sale of shares made by such persons or entities within two business days of such transactions to the SVS and to each of the stock exchanges in Chile where such corporation has securities registered. In addition, majority shareholders must inform the SVS and the s tock exchanges with respect to whether the purchase is aimed at acquiring control of the corporation or just as a financial investment.

The Securities Market Law also provides that when one or more persons intend to take over a corporation subject to oversight by the SVS, they must give prior public notice. This notice must include the price to be offered per share and the conditions of the proposed transaction, including the expected manner of acquiring the shares.

Finally, Chapter XXV of the Securities Market Law was recently enacted in order that controlling shareholders share with minority shareholders the benefits of a change of control, by requiring that certain share acquisitions be made pursuant to a tender offer. This tender offer requirement, however, is not wholly applicable to the current controlling shareholders of Madeco, pursuant to certain transitory exemptions available to them.

The Chilean Corporations Law provides shareholders with preemptive rights. The Act requires that options to purchase stock representing capital increases in corporations and debentures duly convertible into stock of the issuing corporation, or any other securities extending future rights over such stock, must be offered preferably, at least once, to existing shareholders, proportionally to the number of shares owned by them. A corporation must distribute any bonus stock in the same manner.

The Chilean Corporations Law also provides shareholders with a right to withdraw from a corporation in certain situations. Unless there is an ongoing bankruptcy proceeding, if a shareholders' meeting approves any of the following matters, dissenting shareholders will be automatically entitled to withdraw from the corporation upon payment by the corporation of the market value of their shares:

    • conversion of the corporation into a different type of legal entity;
    • merger of the corporation;
    • disposition of 50% or more of the assets of the corporation, whether or not including the disposition of liabilities;
    • guarantee of a third party's liabilities with collateral exceeding 50% of the corporation's assets;
    • establishment of preferences in connection with a series of shares, or any other modification of existing preferences, in which case only dissenting shareholders in the affected series will have the right to withdraw; and
    • curing certain errors or defects, affecting the corporate charter or amending the bylaws in respect of one or more of the matters listed above.

In addition, shareholders may withdraw if a person becomes the owner of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of the corporation as a consequence of a share acquisition and such person does not make a tender offer for the remaining shares within 30 days.

The Company's bylaws do not provide for additional circumstances under which shareholders may withdraw.

Action Necessary to Change the Rights of Holders of Stock

Rights of stockholders are established by law and pursuant to the bylaws of a corporation. Any change to the rights of stockholders must be adopted by an absolute majority of stockholders or, in some cases, by a two-thirds majority vote, as discussed above. However, the amendment of certain rights requires a unanimous vote of the shareholders, including the right of shareholders to receive at least 30% of the net profits for each fiscal year. Notwithstanding the preceding, no decision of the shareholders' meeting can deprive a shareholder from property over the stock.

The Company's bylaws do not contemplate additional conditions in connection with matters described in this subsection.

Shareholders' Meetings

Annual shareholders' meetings are to be held during the months of February, March or April of each year. During the meetings, determinations are made relating to particular matters, which matters may or may not be specifically indicated in the notice of such meeting.

The quorum for a shareholders' meeting is established by the presence, in person or by proxy, of shareholders representing at least an absolute majority of the issued voting stock of Madeco; if a quorum is not present at the first meeting, the meeting can be reconvened and upon the meeting being reconvened, shareholders present at the reconvened meeting are deemed to constitute a quorum regardless of the percentage of the voting stock represented. In that case, decisions will be made by the absolute majority of stock with voting rights present or otherwise represented. The following matters are specifically reserved for annual meetings:

  1. review of the state of the corporation and of the reports of internal and independent auditors, and the approval or rejection of the annual report, balance sheet, financial statements and records submitted by the officers or liquidators of the corporation;
  2. distribution of profits, including the distribution of dividends;
  3. election or revocation of regular and alternate Board members, liquidators and management supervisors; and
  4. determination of the remuneration of the Board members, designation of a newspaper to publish the notice of meetings and, in general, any other matter to be dealt with by the annual meeting being of corporate interest and not specifically reserved to extraordinary shareholders' meetings.

Extraordinary shareholders' meetings may be held at any time, when required by corporate necessity. During extraordinary meetings, determinations are made relating to any matter which the law or the Company's bylaws reserve for consideration by such extraordinary meetings, which matters shall be expressly set forth in the relevant notice. Whenever in an extraordinary shareholders' meeting determinations must be made relating to matters specifically reserved to annual meetings, the operation and decisions of such extraordinary meeting will follow the requirements applicable to annual meetings. The following matters are specifically reserved for extraordinary meetings:

  1. dissolution of the corporation;
  2. transformation, merger or spin off of the corporation and amendments to its bylaws;
  3. issuance of bonds or debentures convertible into stock;
  4. transfer of corporate fixed assets and liabilities; and
  5. guarantees of third parties' obligations, except when these third parties are affiliated companies (in which case approval of the Board of Directors will suffice).

In addition to the above, annual and extraordinary shareholders' meetings must be called by the Board of Directors in the following circumstances:

  1. when requested by shareholders representing at least 10% of issued stock; and
  2. when required by the SVS.

Only holders of stock registered in the Record of Shareholders at least five days before the date of the pertinent meeting may participate with the right to be heard and vote in shareholders' meetings. Directors and officers other than shareholders may participate in shareholders' meetings with the right to be heard.

Shareholders may be represented at meetings by other individuals, regardless of whether or not those persons are shareholders themselves. Representation must be conferred five days before the date of the relevant meeting, in writing, and for the total number of shares held by the shareholder.

Limitations on the Right to Own Securities

The right to own any kind of property is guaranteed by the Chilean Constitution, and the Chilean Corporations Law does not contain any general limitation regarding the right to own securities. There are, however, certain limitations on the right of foreigners to own securities of Chilean corporations, but only for certain special types of companies. Madeco is not affected by these limitations, and Madeco's bylaws do not contain limitations or restrictions in this regard.

Takeover Defenses

Madeco's bylaws do not contain any provisions that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Madeco and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving Madeco (or any of its subsidiaries).

Ownership Threshold

Madeco's bylaws do not contain any ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be disclosed. For a description of the ownership thresholds mandated by Chilean law, See "- Rights, preferences and restrictions regarding shares".

Changes in Capital

Madeco's bylaws do not impose any conditions that are more stringent than those required by law for effecting changes in the capital of the Company.

Material Contracts

The Company entered into amended and restated agreements with 14 of its bank creditors, including twelve local and two international banks, on December 18, 2002, rescheduling such bank indebtedness in a total amount of approximately US$120 million. The debt restructuring was contingent upon the successful completion of the Company's capital increase and the payment of 30% of the Company's outstanding debt to those banks, among other requirements.

The first of these agreements is an amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2002, among Madeco S.A. as Borrower, and Bank Of America, N.A. together with Bankboston N.A., Nassau Branch as Lenders.

The second of these agreements is an amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2002, among Madeco S.A. as Borrower, and the Bank Lenders (Citibank, N.A., Agencia en Chile, Scotiabank Sud Americano, Banco de Chile, Dresdner Bank Lateinamerika, Banco del Estado de Chile, Banco de Credito e Inversiones, Corpbanca, Banco Bice, Banco Santander-Chile, Bankboston, N.A., Sucursal en Chile, Banco Security and Banco del Desarrollo).

In December 2004, the Company entered into a 7-year local Series D bond contract for a total amount of UF 1.8 million, with a fixed 5.0% annual interest rate.

Exchange Controls

The Central Bank is responsible for, among other things, monetary policies and exchange controls in Chile. See "Item 3. Key Information - Exchange Rates". Foreign investments can be registered with the Foreign Investment Committee under Decree Law No. 600 - registration which grants the investor access to the Formal Exchange Market - or with the Central Bank under Chapter XIV of the Central Bank Foreign Exchange Regulations.

Effective April 19, 2001, the Central Bank abrogated the then existing Chapter XXVI of the Central Bank Foreign Exchange Regulations ("Chapter XXVI"), which addressed issuances of ADSs by a Chilean company, and issued an entirely new set of Foreign Exchange Regulations (the "2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations"), virtually eliminating all the restrictions and limitations that had been in force up to that date. The 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations were based upon the general principle that foreign exchange transactions can be done freely in Chile by any person, notwithstanding the power conferred by law to the Central Bank of imposing certain restrictions and limitations on such transactions.

With the issuance of the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, the approval by the Central Bank required for access to the Formal Exchange Market was replaced with the requirement of disclosure of the relevant transactions to the Central Bank. However, some foreign exchange transactions, notably foreign loans, capital investment or deposits, continued to be subject to the requirement of being effected through the Formal Exchange Market.

The 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, among other things, eliminated the following restrictions:

(1) prior authorization by the Central Bank for the entry of capital in connection with foreign loans, investment, capital contribution, bonds and ADRs;

(2) prior authorization by the Central Bank for the remittance of capital in connection with repatriation of capital, dividends and other benefits related to capital contributions and investment, and prepayment of foreign loans;

(3) minimum risk classification restrictions and terms for the issuance of bonds;

(4) restrictions to the issuance of ADSs. Therefore, the rules established under Chapter XXVI of the previous Foreign Exchange Regulations were abrogated; and

(5) mandatory reserve deposits for foreign capital.

The abrogation of Chapter XXVI by the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations implied that the issuance of ADSs by a Chilean company remained subject to the rules contained in Chapter XIV of such regulations, according to which credits, deposits, investments and capital contributions coming from abroad must be effected through the Formal Exchange Market.

According to the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, the foreign exchange transactions performed before April 19, 2001, remained subject to the regulations in effect at the time of the transactions, unless the interested parties elected the applicability of the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, thereby expressly waiving the applicability of the regulations in force at the time of the execution of the respective transaction.

Effective March 1, 2002, the Central Bank abrogated the then existing Central Bank Foreign Exchange Regulations, i.e. the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, and issued an entirely new set of Foreign Exchange Regulations (the "New Regulations"), thereby continuing the liberalization of the foreign exchange regulations. As the 2001 Foreign Exchange Regulations, the New Regulations are also based upon the general principle that foreign exchange transactions can be done freely in Chile by any person, notwithstanding the power conferred by law to the Central Bank of imposing certain restrictions and limitations on such transactions.

The New Regulations also require the disclosure of the relevant transaction to the Central Bank and that some foreign exchange transactions, notably foreign loans, capital investments or deposits, be effected through the Formal Exchange Market.

The issuance of ADSs by a Chilean company remains subject to the rules contained in Chapter XIV. These rules were partly amended in the New Regulations, which allow the use of proceeds from a foreign credit, deposit, investment or capital contribution directly abroad, i.e., without delivering the currency into Chile. The direct use abroad of the proceeds of a foreign credit, deposit, investment or capital contribution remain subject to the obligation of informing the Central Bank of the transaction.

The New Regulations have also simplified the forms required to provide the information to the Central Bank, so as to reduce the time needed to effect foreign exchange transactions by foreign investors in Chile.

The New Regulations contain a transitory norm establishing that foreign exchange transactions performed before April 19, 2001, remain subject to the regulations in effect at the time of the transactions, unless the interested parties elect the applicability of the New Regulation, thereby expressly waiving the applicability of the regulations in force at the time of the execution of the relevant transaction.

A Foreign Investment Contract was entered into among the Central Bank, the Company and the Depositary pursuant to Article 47 of the Central Bank Act and Chapter XXVI. According to Chilean law, a contract is ruled by the law in effect at the time of the execution of the contract. Therefore, the Foreign Investment Contract entered into among the Central Bank of Chile, the Company and the Depositary is ruled by the foreign exchange regulations in force before April 19, 2001, among which is Chapter XXVI.

Absent the Foreign Investment Contract, under Chilean exchange controls in force until April 19, 2001, investors would not have been granted access to the Formal Exchange Market for the purpose of converting Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars and repatriating from Chile amounts received in respect of deposited shares or shares withdrawn from deposit on surrender of ADRs (including amounts received as cash dividends and proceeds from the sale in Chile of the underlying shares and any rights with respect thereto). In December 1999, amendments were introduced in Chapter XXVI whereby, among other things, the Central Bank was authorized to reject applications under such regulations without expression of cause. In resolving on such applications, the Central Bank was required to take into account the situation of the balance of payments and the stability of the capitals account. However, the Central Bank was authorized to require certain conditions to the applicants prior to resolving on the applications. In Apr il 2000, Chapter XXVI was again amended in order to incorporate, in addition to shares issued by Chilean corporations, quotes of investment funds as eligible to be converted into ADSs. Chapter XXVI did not require delivery of a new application in case of the entry of U.S. dollars intended for the acquisition of shares not subscribed by the shareholders or by the transferees of the options to subscribe the shares.

Under Chapter XXVI and the Foreign Investment Contract, the Central Bank agreed to grant to the Depositary, on behalf of ADR holders, and to any non-Chilean resident investor who withdrew Shares upon surrender of ADRs (such Shares being referred to herein as "Withdrawn Shares") access to the Formal Exchange Market to convert Chilean pesos to U.S. dollars (and to remit such dollars outside of Chile) in respect of Shares represented by ADSs or Withdrawn Shares, including amounts received as (a) cash dividends, (b) proceeds from the sale in Chile of Withdrawn Shares (subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the holder of the Withdrawn Shares (or from an institution authorized by the Central Bank) that such holder's residence and domicile were outside Chile and a certificate from a Chilean stock exchange (or from a brokerage or securities firm established in Chile) that such Withdrawn Shares had been sold on a Chilean exchange), (c) proceeds from the sale in Chile of pre-emptive rights to subscribe for and purchase additional Shares, (d) proceeds from the liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Company and (e) other distributions, including, without limitation, those resulting from any recapitalization, as a result of holding Shares represented by ADSs or Withdrawn Shares. Access to the Formal Exchange Market in the case of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above would be available for only five working days following the sale of the shares on the stock exchange. Transferees of Withdrawn Shares would not be entitled to any of the foregoing rights under Chapter XXVI unless the Withdrawn Shares were redeposited with the Custodian. Investors receiving Withdrawn Shares in exchange for ADRs would have the right to redeposit such Shares in exchange for ADRs, provided that certain conditions to redeposit were satisfied. For a description of the Formal Exchange Market, see "3A Exchange Rates". Alternatively, according to the amendments introduced to Chapter XXVI in December 1999, in case of Withdrawn Shares and their subsequent sale in a stock exchange, the Chilean peso proceeds obtained thereby could be converted into U.S. dollars in a market different from the Formal Exchange Market within five business days from the date of the sale.

Chapter XXVI provided that access to the Formal Exchange Market in connection with the sale of Withdrawn Shares or distributions thereon would be conditioned upon receipt by the Central Bank of a certification by the Depositary or the Custodian, as the case might have been, that such Shares had been withdrawn in exchange for delivery of the pertinent ADRs and receipt of a waiver of the benefits of the Foreign Investment Contract with respect thereto (except in connection with the proposed sale of the Shares) until such Withdrawn Shares were redeposited. Chapter XXVI also provided that access to the Formal Exchange Market in connection with dividend payments was conditioned on certification by the Company to the Central Bank that a dividend payment had been made. The provision contained in Chapter XXVI that established that access to the Formal Exchange Market in connection with dividend payments was conditioned on certification by the Company to the Central Bank that any applicable tax had been withheld w as eliminated on November 23, 2000.

Chapter XXVI and the Foreign Investment Contract provided that a person who brought foreign currency into Chile, including U.S. dollars, to purchase Shares entitled to the benefit of the Foreign Investment Contract was required to convert such foreign currency into Chilean pesos on the same date and had five banking business days within which to invest in Shares in order to receive the benefit of the Foreign Investment Contract. If such person decided within such period not to acquire Shares, such person could access the Formal Exchange Market to reacquire foreign currency, provided that the applicable request was presented to the Central Bank within seven banking days of the initial conversion into pesos. Shares acquired as described above could be deposited in exchange for ADRs and receive the benefit of the Foreign Investment Contract, subject to receipt by the Central Bank of a certificate from the Depositary that such deposit had been effected and that the related ADRs had been issued and receipt by the Custodian of a declaration from the person making such deposit waiving the benefit of the Foreign Investment Contract with respect to the deposited Shares.

Chapter XXVI required foreign investors acquiring shares or securities in Chile to maintain a mandatory reserve (the "Mandatory Reserve") for one year in the form of a non-interest bearing U.S. dollar deposit with the Central Bank, or to pay to the Central Bank a non-refundable fee (the "Fee"). Such reserve requirement was imposed with respect to investments made by foreign investors to acquire shares or securities in the secondary market, but did not apply to capital contributions made for purposes of paying-in capital for a newly created company or increasing the capital of an existing company. As of June 1, 1999, the Mandatory Reserve was not applied to foreign investments made for purposes of acquiring shares of a stock corporation, provided that the investor was entitled to the benefit of Chapter XXVI, and that such acquisition was consummated in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXVI. On September 17, 1998, the Central Bank reduced the Mandatory Reserve to 0%.

Access to the Formal Exchange Market under any of the circumstances described above was not automatic. Pursuant to Chapter XXVI, such access required approval of the Central Bank of Chile based on a request presented through a banking institution established in Chile within five business days from the occurrence of any of the events described in letters (a), (b), (c) and (d) above. Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Contract, if the Central Bank had not acted on such request within seven banking days, the request would be deemed approved.

Under current Chilean law, the Foreign Investment Contract cannot be changed unilaterally by the Central Bank. No assurance can be given, however, that new restrictions applicable to the holders of ADRs, the disposition of underlying Shares or the repatriation of the proceeds from such disposition will not be reinstated in the future by the Central Bank, nor can there be any assessment of the possible duration or impact of such restrictions.

Taxation

Chilean Tax Considerations

The following discussion relates to Chilean income tax laws presently in force, including Ruling No. 324 of January 29, 1990 of the Chilean Internal Revenue Service and other applicable regulations and rulings in effect on the date of this Annual Report, all of which are subject to change. The discussion summarizes the principal Chilean income tax consequences of an investment in the ADSs or Shares by a person who is neither domiciled in nor a resident of Chile or by a legal entity that is not organized under the laws of Chile and does not have a permanent establishment located in Chile (any such individual or entity, a "Foreign Holder"). For purposes of Chilean tax law, an individual holder is a resident of Chile if he has resided in Chile for more than six consecutive months in one calendar year or for a total of six months, whether consecutive or not, in two consecutive tax years. The discussion is not intended as tax advice to any particular investor, which can be rendered only in light of th at investor's particular tax situation.

Under Chilean law, provisions contained in statutes such as tax rates applicable to foreign investors, the computation of taxable income for Chilean purposes and the manner in which Chilean taxes are imposed and collected may only be amended by another statute. In addition, the Chilean tax authorities enact rulings and regulations of either general or specific application and interpret the provisions of Chilean tax law. Chilean tax may not be assessed retroactively against taxpayers who act in good faith relying on such rulings, regulations and interpretations, but Chilean tax authorities may change these rulings, regulations and interpretations prospectively. There is no income tax treaty in force between Chile and the United States.

Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

Cash dividends paid by Madeco with respect to the ADSs or Shares held by a Foreign Holder will be subject to a 35% Chilean withholding tax, which is withheld and paid over to the Chilean tax authorities by Madeco (the "Withholding Tax"). A credit against the Withholding Tax is available based on the level of corporate income tax actually paid by Madeco on the income to be distributed (the "First-Category Tax"); however, this credit does not reduce the Withholding Tax on a one-for-one basis because it also increases the base on which the Withholding Tax is imposed. In addition, if Madeco distributes less than all of its distributable income, the credit for First-Category Tax paid by Madeco is proportionately reduced. Presently, the First-Category Tax rate is 17%. The example below illustrates the effective Chilean Withholding Tax burden on a cash dividend received by a foreign holder, assuming a Withholding Tax rate of 35%, an effective First-Category Tax rate of 17% and a distribution of 30% of the consolidated net income of Madeco distributable after payment of the First-Category Tax:

Madeco taxable income

100

First-Category Tax (17% of Ch$100)

(17)

Net distributable income

83

Dividend distributed (30% of net distributable income)

24.9

Withholding Tax (35% of the sum of Ch$24.9 dividend plus Ch$5.1

First-Category Tax paid)

(10.5)

Credit for 30% of First-Category Tax

5.1

Net additional tax withheld

(5.4)

Net dividend received

19.5

Effective dividend withholding rate

21.69%

In general, the effective dividend Withholding Tax rate, after giving effect to the credit for the First-Category Tax, can be calculated using the following formula:

(Withholding Tax Rate) - (First-Category Tax Rate)

Effective Dividend Withholding Tax Rate = 1 - (First-Category Tax Rate)

Under Chilean income tax law, dividends generally are assumed to have been paid out of the Company's oldest retained profits for purposes of determining the level of First-Category Tax that was paid by the Company. For information as to the retained earnings of the Company for tax purposes and the tax credit available on the distribution of such retained earnings, see Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The effective rate of Withholding Tax to be imposed on dividends paid by Quiñenco will vary depending upon the amount of First Category Tax paid by the Company on the earnings to which the dividends are attributed. The effective rate for dividends attributed to earnings from 1991 until 2001, for which the First Category Tax was 15%, generally was 23.5%. For 2002, the First Category Tax rate was 16%, which resulted in an effective rate of Withholding Tax of 22.6%, and for 2003, the First Category Tax rate was 16.5%, resulting in an effective rate of withholding tax of 22.16% for the year. From 2004 onwards, the First Category Tax rate will be 17%, which will result in an effective rate of withholding tax of 21.69%.

For dividends attributable to the Company's profits during years when the First-Category Tax was 10% (before 1991), the effective dividend Withholding Tax rate will be 27.8%. However, whether the First-Category Tax is 10%, 15%, 16%, 16.5% or 17%, the effective overall combined tax rate imposed on the Company's distributed profits will be 35%.

Dividend distributions made in property would be subject to the same Chilean tax rules as cash dividends based on the fair market value of such property. Stock dividends and the distribution of preemptive rights are not subject to Chilean taxation.

Capital Gains

Under current tax law, the gain from the sale or other disposition by a Foreign Holder of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) outside Chile will not be subject to Chilean taxation. The deposit and withdrawal of Shares in exchange for ADRs will not be subject to any Chilean taxes.

Gain recognized on a sale or exchange of Shares (as distinguished from sales or exchanges of ADRs evidencing ADSs representing such Shares) may be subject to both the First-Category Tax and the Withholding Tax (the former being creditable against the latter) if either, (i) the Foreign Holder has held the Shares for less than one year since exchanging ADSs for the Shares, (ii) the Foreign Holder acquired and disposed of the Shares in the ordinary course of its business or as a habitual trader of shares, or (iii) the Foreign Holder and the purchaser of the Shares are "related parties" within the meaning of Article 17, Number 8, of Decree Law No. 824 of 1974, the Chilean Income Tax Law. In all other cases, gain on the disposition of Shares will be subject only to a capital gains tax which is assessed at the same rate as the First Category Tax (currently imposed at a rate of 17%).

Gain recognized in the transfer of Shares that have a high presence in the stock exchange, however, is not subject to capital gains tax in Chile, provided that the Shares are transferred in a local stock exchange, in other authorized stock exchanges (up to this date, the New York Stock Exchange, the London Stock Exchange and the Madrid Stock Exchange have been authorized for these purposes), or within the process of a public tender of shares governed by the Chilean Securities Market Act. The Shares must also have been acquired either in a stock exchange, within the referred process of a public tender of shares governed by the Chilean Securities Market Act, in an initial public offer of shares resulting from the formation of a corporation or a capital increase of the same, or in an exchange of convertible bonds. Shares are considered to have a high presence in the stock exchange when they (i) are registered in the Securities Registry, (ii) are registered in a Chilean Stock exchange, and (iii) have an adjus ted presence equal to or above 25%. To calculate the adjusted presence of a particular Share, the aforementioned regulation states that, the number of days in which the operations regarding the stock exceeded, in Chilean pesos, the equivalent of UF200 (approximately US$6,000) within the previous 180 business days of the stock market, must be divided by 180, multiplied by 100, and expressed in a percentage value. The referred tax regime does not apply in case the transaction involves an amount of Shares that would allow the acquirer to take control of the publicly traded corporation, in which case the ordinary tax regime referred in the previous paragraph will apply, unless the sale complies with one of the following conditions: (i) the transfer is part of a tender offer governed by the Chilean Securities Market Act; or (ii) the transfer is done in a Chilean stock exchange, without substantially exceeding the market price.

Capital gains obtained in the sale of shares that are publicly traded and have a high presence in a stock exchange are also exempt from capital gains tax in Chile when the sale is made by "foreign institutional investors", such as mutual funds and pension funds, provided that the sale is made in a stock exchange or in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Market Law, or in any other form authorized by the Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros ( the SVS is equivalent to the Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S.). To qualify as a foreign institutional investor, the referred entities must be formed outside of Chile, not have a domicile in Chile, and they must be at least one of the following:

(a) An investment fund that offers its shares or quotas publicly in a country with an investment grade for its public debt, according to a classification performed by an international risk classification entity registered with the SVS;

(b) An investment fund registered with a regulatory agency or authority from a country with an investment grade for its public debt, according to a classification performed by an international risk classification entity registered with the SVS, provided that its investments in Chile constitute less than 30% of the share value of the fund, including deeds issued abroad representing Chilean securities, such as ADRs of Chilean companies;

(c) An investment fund whose investments in Chile represent less than 30% of the share value of the fund, including deeds issued abroad representing Chilean securities, such as ADRs of Chilean companies, provided that not more than 10% of the share value of the fund is directly or indirectly owned by Chilean residents;

(d) A pension fund, i.e., those formed exclusively by natural persons that receive pensions out of an accumulated capital in the fund;

(e) A Foreign Capital Investment Fund, as defined in Law No18.657; or

(f) Any other foreign institutional investor that complies with the requirements set forth through general regulations for each category of investor, prior information from the SVS and the Chilean tax authority or Servicio de Impuestos Internos ("SII").

The foreign institutional investor must not directly or indirectly participate in the control of the corporations issuing the shares it invests in nor possess or participate in 10% or more of the capital or the profits of the same corporations.

Other requirements for the exemption to apply are that the referred foreign institutional investors must execute a written contract with a bank or a stock broker, both incorporated in Chile. In this contract, the bank or stock broker undertake to perform the purchase and sale orders, as well as to verify the applicability of the tax exemption and inform the SII of the investors it operates with and the transactions it performs. Finally, the foreign institutional investor must register with the SII by means of a sworn statement issued by the entities referred above (bank or stock broker).

The tax basis of Shares received in exchange for ADRs will be the acquisition value of the Shares on the date of exchange. The valuation procedure set forth in the Deposit Agreement, which values Shares which are being exchanged at the highest price at which they trade on the Santiago Stock Exchange on the date of the exchange, will determine the acquisition value for this purpose. Consequently, the surrender of ADRs for Shares and the immediate sale of the Shares for the value established under the Deposit Agreement will not generate a capital gain subject to taxation in Chile.

The exercise of preemptive rights relating to the Shares will not be subject to Chilean taxation. Any gain on the sale of preemptive rights relating to the Shares will be subject to both the First-Category Tax and the Withholding Tax (the former being creditable against the latter).

Other Chilean Taxes

There are no Chilean inheritance, gift or succession taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer or disposition of ADSs by a Foreign Holder, but such taxes generally will apply to the transfer at death or by gift of the Shares by a Foreign Holder. There are no Chilean stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by Foreign Holders of ADSs or Shares.

Withholding Tax Certificates

Upon request, Madeco will provide to Foreign Holders appropriate documentation evidencing the payment of the Chilean Withholding Tax (net of applicable First Category Tax).

United States Tax Considerations

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of Shares or ADSs by an investor that is a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that holds the Shares or ADSs as capital assets. This summary does not purport to address all material tax consequences of the ownership of Shares or ADSs, and does not take into account the specific circumstances of any particular investors (such as tax-exempt entities, certain insurance companies, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect to mark-to-market, investors liable for alternative minimum tax, investors that actually or constructively own 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company, investors that hold Shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction or U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar), some of which may be subject to special rules. This summary is based on the tax laws of the United States (including the Internal Revenue Code of 19 86, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions) as in effect on the date hereof, all of which are subject to change (or changes in interpretation), possibly with retroactive effect.

For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. Holder" is any beneficial owner of Shares or ADSs that is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or partnership organized under the laws of the United States or any State, (iii) an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust's administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust. The discussion does not address any aspects of United States taxation other than federal income taxation. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the United States federal, state and local and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of Shares and ADSs.

In general, assuming that the representations of the Depositary are true and that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms, for United States federal income tax purposes, holders of ADSs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the owners of the Shares represented by those ADSs, and exchanges of Shares for ADSs, and ADSs for Shares, will not be subject to United States federal income tax.

Cash Dividends and Other Distributions

Under the United States federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") rules discussed below, U.S. Holders will include in gross income the gross amount of any dividend paid (after reduction for any Chilean First-Category Tax that is credited against Chilean Withholding Tax, but before reduction for the net amount of Chilean Withholding Tax) by the Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) as ordinary income when the dividend is actually or constructively received by the U.S. Holder, in the case of Shares, or by the Depositary, in the case of ADSs. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Dividends paid to a U.S. Holder that is a corporation are not eligible for the dividends received deduction available to corporations. Current law provides for a reduced tax rate (currently 15%) on the dividend income of an individual U.S . Holder with respect to dividends paid by a domestic corporation or "qualified foreign corporation." A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a foreign corporation if (i) its shares (or ADSs) are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive United States income tax treaty. The ADSs are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. As a result, the Company may be treated as a qualified foreign corporation. However, if the Company is treated as a PFIC, as discussed below, it will not be a qualified foreign corporation. If the Company is a qualified foreign corporation, dividends paid to an individual U.S. Holder with respect to Shares or ADSs should, subject to generally applicable limitations, be taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. The maximum 15% tax rate is effective with respect to dividends included in income during the period beginning on or after January 1, 2003, and ending December 31, 2008. Each U.S. Holder s hould consult its own tax advisor regarding the treatment of dividends. The amount of the dividend distribution includible in income of a U.S. Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the Chilean peso payments made, determined at the spot Chilean peso/U.S. dollar rate on the date such dividend distribution is includible in the income of the U.S. Holder, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in income to the date such payment is converted into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss. Such gain or loss will generally be from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

Subject to certain generally applicable limitations, the net amount of Chilean Withholding Tax (after reduction for the credit for Chilean First-Category Tax) paid over to Chile will be creditable against the U.S. Holder's United States federal income tax liability. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, the dividend will be income from sources without the United States. In the case of U.S. individuals, if the reduced rate of tax on dividends applies to such holder, such limitations and restrictions will appropriately take into account the rate differential under rules similar to section 904(b)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their application to the particular circumstances of such holder.

Pro rata distributions of Shares or preemptive rights generally are not subject to United States federal income tax. The basis of the new Shares or preemptive rights (if such rights are exercised or sold) generally will be determined by allocating the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in the old shares between the old Shares and the new Shares or preemptive rights received, based on their relative fair market values on the date of distribution (except that the basis of the preemptive rights will be zero if the fair market value of the rights is less than 15% of the fair market value of the old Shares at the time of distribution, unless the U.S. Holder irrevocably elects to allocate basis between the old Shares and the preemptive rights). The holding period of a U.S. Holder for the new Shares or preemptive rights will include the U.S. Holder's holding period for the old Shares with respect to which the new Shares or preemptive rights were issued.

Capital Gains

U.S. Holders will not recognize gain or loss on deposits or withdrawals of Shares in exchange for ADSs or on the exercise of preemptive rights. U.S. Holders will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Shares (or preemptive rights with respect to such Shares) held by the U.S. Holder or by the Depositary equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the ADSs or Shares. Any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as United States source income. Consequently, in the case of a disposition of Shares or preemptive rights (which, unlike a disposition of ADSs, will be taxable in Chile), the U.S. Holder may not be able to claim the foreign tax credit for Chilean tax imposed on the gain unless it appropriately can apply the credit against tax due on other income from foreign sources. Loss generally would be treated as United States source loss.

The long-term capital gain tax rate for an individual U.S. Holder is currently 15%. For sales occurring before May 6, 2003, or after December 31, 2008, under current law the long-term capital gain rate for an individual U.S. Holder is 20%.

PFIC Rules

Madeco believes that it should not be treated as a passive foreign investment company (a "PFIC") for United States federal income tax purposes, although this conclusion is subject to some uncertainty. This conclusion is a factual determination made annually and thus may be subject to change.

In general, the Company will be a PFIC with respect to a U.S. Holder if, for any taxable year in which the U.S. Holder held the Company's ADSs or Shares, either (i) at least 75% of the gross income of the Company for the taxable year is passive income or (ii) at least 50% of the value (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) of the Company's assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation's income. If the Co mpany is treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be subject to special rules with respect to (a) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of Shares or ADSs and (b) any "excess distribution" by the Company to the U.S. Holder (generally, any distributions to the U.S. Holder in respect of the Shares or ADSs during a single taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by the U.S. Holder in respect of the Shares or ADSs during the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder's holding period for the Shares or ADSs). Under these rules, (i) the gain or excess distribution would be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder's holding period for the Shares or ADSs, (ii) the amount allocated to the taxable year in which the gain or excess distribution was realized would be taxable as ordinary income, (iii) the amount allocated to each prior year, with certain exceptions, would be subject to tax at the highest tax rate in effect for that year and (iv) the i nterest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax would be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such year.

Special rules apply with respect to the calculation of the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC.

If the Company is treated as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder may be able to make a mark-to-market election if the Company's stock is treated as regularly traded on a registered national securities exchange or other exchange to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Service, or "IRS". If the election is made, the PFIC rules described above will not apply. Instead, in general, the electing U.S. Holder will be required to include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the Shares or ADSs at the end of the taxable year over the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Shares or ADSs. The electing U.S. Holder will also be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the adjusted tax basis in the Shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). An electing U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Shares or ADSs will be a djusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts.

Alternatively, a U.S. holder of shares or ADSs in a PFIC can sometimes avoid the rules described above by electing to treat the company as a "qualified electing fund" under section 1295 of the Internal Revenue Code. This option will not be available to U.S. Holders because the Company does not intend to comply with the requirements necessary to permit a U.S. Holder to make this election. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding Shares or ADSs if the Company is considered a passive foreign investment company in any taxable year.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Dividends in respect of the Shares or ADSs and proceeds from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Shares or ADSs may be subject to information reporting to the United States Internal Revenue Service and a backup withholding tax of 28% may apply unless the holder furnishes a correct taxpayer identification number or certificate of foreign status or is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Generally, a U.S. Holder will provide such certification on Form W-9 and a non-U.S. Holder will provide such certification on Form W-8BEN.

Documents on Display

The constituent documents of the Company, exhibits to this and previous Annual Reports and other documents referred to herein may be inspected at the Company's main corporate office at Ureta Cox 930, Santiago, Chile.

 

ITEM 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations and changes in the market values of its investments.

Policies and Procedures

In the normal course of its business, the Company applies established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, foreign currencies and the fair market value of certain of its investments using a variety of financial instruments.

It is the Company's policy to enter into foreign currency and interest rate transactions and other financial instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet its objectives as stated above. The Company does not enter into these transactions for speculative purposes.

The following discussion about the Company's risk management includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. See "Forward Looking Statements". In addition to the inherent risks related to the operations in each of its segments and countries in which it does business, the Company faces material market risk exposures in three categories: foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk. The following discussion provides additional information regarding the Company's exposure to each of these risks as of December 31, 2004.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk relates to the Company's positions held in cash and cash equivalents, bank debt, bonds and other assets and liabilities indexed to currencies other than Chilean pesos.

In accordance with Technical Bulletin 64 of the Chilean Institute of Accountants (BT64), most investments in foreign companies as well as various liabilities associated with these foreign investments should be considered as a net U.S. dollar exposure.

With respect to the Company's foreign investment exposure, gains and losses from exchange rate variations are registered directly to the cumulative adjustment from foreign currency translation account included in other reserves in shareholders' equity, without impacting the Company's income statement. Assuming a 10% increase during 2005 of the Chilean peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate with respect to 2004 year-end balances, the impact on equity would be an increase in the Company's cumulative translation adjustment account of approximately Ch$11,347 million.

The Company's net exposure to foreign currency (U.S. dollar) exchange rate risk in Chilean pesos at December 31, 2004 was Ch$1,664 million (equivalent to US$2.99 million). Assuming a 10% increase during 2005 of the Chilean peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate with respect to 2004 year-end balances, the result would be a pre-tax accounting loss of approximately Ch$166 million. In addition to the Company's net exposure in foreign investments, there are other assets and liabilities subject to foreign exchange fluctuations whose results impact the income statement. In particular, the Company maintains local currency exposures in Brazil, Argentina and Peru, all of which could affect the income statement. Based on the year-end balances, a simultaneous increase of 10% in the exchange rate in Argentina, Brazil and Peru of their respective local currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar during 2005 would result in a net loss of Ch$2,482 million.

As of December 31, 2004, approximately 28.36% of the Company's outstanding debt was exposed to an exchange rate fluctuation between the Chilean peso and other currencies. However, according to BT64, certain liabilities are considered as financial hedges of investment abroad. See Note 2(u) to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Part of the Company's inventories are valued in U.S. dollars and therefore foreign exchange fluctuations will generate a profit or loss for the Company's results. Assuming a 10% increase during 2005 of the Chilean peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate with respect to 2004 year-end balances, the result would be a pre-tax gain of approximately Ch$3,933 million.

 

Interest Rate Risk

Exposure to interest rate risk reflects the Company's exposure to floating interest debt as well as debt renewals or rollovers which could be reset at higher than existing interest rates. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 60.5% of the Company's total debt was represented by short-term debt and floating rate debt. The Company's net exposure to interest rate risk as of December 31, 2004 was Ch$82,477 million. Assuming a 100 basis point, or "b.p.", increase during 2005 in the weighted average interest rate with respect to 2004 year-end balances, the result would be an increase in net annual interest expenses of approximately Ch$272 million.

The Company has contracted debt in different currencies to take account the possibility that a 100 b.p. increase in interest rates is more likely in certain countries than in others. In addition, a significant amount of debt is indexed to Chilean inflation (UF indexed debt), and as such, an increase in Chilean inflation will affect the total interest the Company pays on such debt.

The table summarizing the assets and liabilities subject to interest rate risk at December 31, 2004 is shown in "Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Liquidity".

Commodity Price Risk

The Company uses significant amounts of copper and aluminum to manufacture its products. Exposure to commodity price risk relates primarily to the Company's metal inventories of copper and aluminum. The Company fixes product prices taking into consideration the market value of the principal raw materials it purchases in such a way that prices should normally follow trends in raw material costs (with a short time lag), thereby reducing commodity price risks. Depending on the competitive price environment and general economic conditions, the Company from time to time is unable to pass along raw material cost increases to its customers.

During 2004, the Company sold on a consolidated basis 89,445 tons of copper and 17,458 tons of aluminum. As of December 31, 2004, the Company held inventories of copper and aluminum of 17,791 and 5,686 tons, respectively.

The following table presents the commodity inventories held by the Company for non-trading purposes at December 31, 2004.

 

At December 31, 2004

 

Carrying Amount

Fair Value

Copper

Tons

17,791

Value (in Ch$ million)

32,072

32,072

Aluminum

Tons

5,686

Value (in Ch$ million)

7,264

7,264

 

ITEM 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Not applicable

PART II

 

ITEM 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Not applicable

 

ITEM 14. Material Modifications of the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable

 

ITEM 15.

The Company's chief executive officer ("CEO") and chief financial officer ("CFO") have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's "disclosure controls and procedures" (as defined in Exchange Act rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c)) . These controls and procedures were designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries are communicated to the CEO and the CFO. Based on such evaluation, the Company's CEO and CFO concluded that as of December 31, 2004, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in the Company's periodic SEC reports. There have been no significant changes in the Company's internal controls and procedures or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls and procedures subsequent to the date of this evaluation.

 

ITEM 16.

Reserved

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

We are not yet required to have, and do not have an audit committee financial expert (within the meaning of the regulations adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). We intend to fully comply with all applicable rules and regulations and New York Stock Exchange listing requirements regarding the need for, and composition of, an audit committee by July 31, 2005.

Item 16B. Code Of Ethics

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of Madeco's employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Madeco S.A. We have filed our code of ethics as an exhibit to this annual report. Our code of ethics was not amended during2004, and no waivers, either explicit or implicit, of provisions of the code of ethics were granted to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer in 2004.

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Deloitte & Touche, Sociedad de Auditores y Consultores, Limitada, or Deloitte & Touche, acted as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003. In 2004, the Company hired Ernst & Young as independent auditors. The table below sets forth the total amount billed by Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche for services performed in the years 2004 and 2003, respectively:

 

(in thousands of Ch$)

 

2004

2003

Audit Fees

138,888

182,007

Audit-Related Fees

31,604

8,529

Tax Fees

31,223

5,954

All Other Fees

32,771

813

Total Fees

234,486

197,303

Audit Fees

Audit fees are fees billed for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees in 2003 and 2004 including consultation fees associated with our annual report on Form 20-F.

Tax Fees

Tax fees in 2003 and 2004 were related to services for tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee approves all audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by Ernst & Young. Any services provided by Ernst & Youngthat are not specifically included within the scope of the audit must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee prior to any engagement. The audit committee is permitted to approve certain fees for audit related services, tax services and other services pursuant to a de minimus exception before the completion of the engagement. In 2004, none of the fees paid to Ernst & Young were approved pursuant to the de minimus exception.

 

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not applicable.

 

Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

For the year ended December 31, 2004, neither the Company nor any person acting on the Company's behalf made any purchase of the Company's common shares.

 

PART III

ITEM 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable

ITEM 18. Financial Statements

Reference is made to pages F-1 through F-98

ITEM 19. Exhibits

Exhibit Description

1.1* Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

8.1 List of Subsidiaries of Madeco S.A.

11.1 Code of Ethics

12.1 Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

12.2 Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

13.1 Section 906 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer

13.2 Section 906 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer

 

* Incorporated by reference to our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

 

 

 

Signatures

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 

Madeco S.A.

/s/Tiberio Dall'Olio

Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 29, 2005

Exhibits

Exhibit Description

    1. The Company's Code of Ethics
    2. Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
    3. Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

Financial Statements

 

 

Page

Consolidated Financial Statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accountants Ernst & Young Limitada F-2

Report of Independent Registered Public Accountants Deloitte & Touche F-3

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 F-4

Consolidated Statement of Operations for each of the three years in the

period ended December 31, 2004 F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the

period ended December 31, 2004 F-7

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-9

 

 

ThCh$ - Thousands of Chilean pesos

US$ - United States dollars

ThUS$ - Thousands of United States dollars

UF - "Unidad de Fomento". The UF is a Chilean inflation-indexed, peso-denominated monetary unit that is set daily based on changes in the Chilean Consumer Price Index.

 



Application of Constant Chilean Pesos

The December 31, 2002 and 2003 consolidated financial statements have been restated for general price-level changes and expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2004 purchasing power.

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Madeco S.A.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2004 and the related consolidated Statement of Operations and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We belie ve that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile, which differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (see Note 32 to the consolidated financial statements).

 

 

 

 

ERNST & YOUNG LTDA.

 

Santiago, Chile February 25, 2005

(except for Note 32, as to which the date is June 3, 2005)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders of

Madeco S.A.:


 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders of

Madeco S.A.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003 all expressed in thousands of constant Chilean pesos. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Company's management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Madeco S.A. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile.

Accounting principles generally accepted in Chile vary in certain significant respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The application of the latter would have affected the determination of net loss for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2003, and the determination of shareholders' equity at December 31, 2003, to the extent summarized in Note 32.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE

Santiago, Chile

February 22, 2004, except for Note 32 as

to which the date is June 24, 2004

and except for restatement to constant Chilean

pesos as to which the date is June 3, 2005


 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31,

2003

2004

2004

Note

(Note 2t)

Assets

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

Current assets

           

Cash

 

2,088,931

 

2,993,446

 

5,370

Time deposits

5

22,337,022

 

4,068,995

 

7,300

Marketable securities

6

321,873

 

44,490

 

80

Accounts receivable, net

7

45,843,091

 

54,695,024

 

98,125

Notes and accounts receivable from related companies

24

585,154

 

1,116,518

 

2,003

Inventories, net

8

53,974,768

 

70,751,698

 

126,932

Recoverable income taxes

19

3,704,700

 

3,483,947

 

6,250

Prepaid expenses

 

1,112,330

 

438,730

 

787

Deferred income taxes, net

19

1,541,929

 

2,514,044

 

4,510

Other current assets, net

9

17,223,406

 

11,090,868

 

19,898

Total current assets

 

148,733,204

 

151,197,760

 

271,255

             

Property, plant and equipment , net

10

166,828,462

 

150,266,924

 

269,585

             

Other assets

           

Long-term notes and accounts receivable from related companies

24

469,652

 

577,916

 

1,037

Investments in related companies

11

8,955,072

 

8,268,916

 

14,835

Investments in other companies

 

71,800

 

28,713

 

52

Goodwill, net

12

25,526,662

 

21,753,955

 

39,028

Long-term notes and account receivable

 

474,739

 

775,921

 

1,392

Deferred income taxes, net

19

2,041,363

 

301,738

 

541

Intangible asset, net

 

338,382

 

322,016

 

577

Other non-current assets

13

9,078,349

 

9,416,412

 

16,893

Total other assets

 

46,956,019

 

41,445,587

 

74,355

 

Total Assets

 

362,517,685

 

342,910,271

 

615,195

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

   

As of December 31,

   

2003

 

2004

 

2004

 

Note

       

(Note 2t)

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThUS$

Current liabilities

           

Short-term bank loans

14

16,634,532

 

17,610,416

 

31,594

Current portion of long-term liabilities

14

5,440,449

 

4,884,832

 

8,764

Current portion of bonds payable

17

27,580,743

 

3,918,184

 

7,029

Long term obligations, current portion

 

702,320

 

905,554

 

1,625

Dividends payable

 

32,396

 

2,544

 

5

Accounts payable and supplier notes payable

 

18,429,887

 

24,358,110

 

43,700

Notes and accounts payable to related companies

24

491,192

 

347,852

 

624

Accrued and other liabilities

15

7,412,253

 

8,389,035

 

15,050

Withholdings

 

1,472,263

 

1,908,180

 

3,423

Unearned income

 

1,636,506

 

138,658

 

249

Others

 

649,649

 

1,150,156

 

2,063

Total current liabilities

 

80,482,190

 

63,613,521

 

114,126

             

Long-term liabilities

           

Long-term debt

17

69,170,379

 

65,498,469

 

117,507

Bonds payable

17

31,362,447

 

27,342,312

 

49,053

Miscellaneous payables

18

6,787,745

 

5,965,270

 

10,702

Accrued expenses

15

4,084,152

 

3,093,213

 

5,548

Notes and accounts payable to related companies

24

7,642,529

 

7,631,094

 

13,691

Others

 

1,542,332

 

921,714

 

1,654

Total long-term liabilities

 

120,589,584

 

110,452,072

 

198,155

             

Minority interest

25

10,187,667

 

10,332,140

 

18,536

Commitments and contingencies

22

         

Shareholders' equity

20

         

Common stock (4,441,192,887 shares authorized, issued and outstanding with no par value (4,120,088,408 in 2003))

192,666,304

198,492,593

356,104

Reserves

56,059,590

48,975,228

87,864

Accumulated deficit

(80,314,968)

(97,467,650)

(174,861)

Net (loss) income for the year

(17,152,682)

8,512,367

15,271

Total Shareholders' equity

151,258,244

158,512,538

284,378

Total Liabilities and Shareholder's equity

362,517,685

342,910,271

615,195

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

   

For the years ended December 31,

   

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2004

 

Note

           

(Note 2t)

   

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThUS$

Operating Results:

               

Net sales

 

265,252,486

 

243,607,682

 

324,034,957

 

581,333

Cost of sales

 

(232,447,597)

 

(213,648,320)

 

(276,621,429)

 

(496,271)

Gross margin

 

32,804,889

 

29,959,362

 

47,413,528

 

85,062

Administrative and selling expenses

 

(28,661,313)

 

(22,316,171)

 

(22,237,514)

 

(39,895)

Operating income (loss)

 

4,143,576

 

7,643,191

 

25,176,014

 

45,167

                 

Non-Operating Results:

               

Interest income

 

1,625,193

 

1,142,129

 

943,405

 

1,693

Non-operating income

23

436,355

 

747,498

 

1,453,591

 

2,608

Proportional share of net income of equity method investments

 

291,188

 

39,419

 

19,881

 

36

Interest expense

 

(19,759,874)

 

(12,773,222)

 

(11,001,511)

 

(19,737)

Non-operating expense

23

(20,711,377)

 

(11,605,723)

 

(3,680,951)

 

(6,604)

Price-level restatement gain (loss), net

3

3,850,517

 

2,081,850

 

(665,791)

 

(1,194)

Proportional share of net loss of equity method investments

 

-

 

(71,841)

 

(42,894)

 

(77)

Amortization of goodwill

 

(2,383,511)

 

(1,889,814)

 

(1,741,449)

 

(3,125)

Foreign exchange differences gain (loss), net

4

(12,588,350)

 

(298,633)

 

414,944

 

744

 

Non-operating results

(49,239,859)

(22,628,337)

(14,300,775)

(25,656)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(45,096,283)

 

(14,985,146)

 

10,875,239

 

19,511

Income taxes

19

1,451,429

 

(1,632,222)

 

(1,542,246)

 

(2,767)

 

Income (loss) before minority interest

 

(43,644,854)

 

(16,617,368)

 

9,332,993

 

16,744

Minority interest

25

2,067,862

 

(592,683)

 

(820,626)

 

(1,473)

Net income before amortization of negative goodwill

 

(41,576,992)

 

(17,210,051)

 

8,512,367

 

15,271

Amortization of negative goodwill

 

5,320

 

57,369

 

-

 

-

 

Net (loss) income for the year

20

(41,571,672)

(17,152,682)

8,512,367

15,271

                 
               

-

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

For the years ended December 31,

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2004

(Note 2t)

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Collection of accounts receivable

317,207,431

279,519,131

376,481,870

675,425

Financial income receivable

5,131,298

1,486,592

1,011,689

1,815

Other income received

1,594,152

703,647

2,106,948

3,780

Payments to suppliers and personnel

(275,487,419)

(264,645,437)

(356,949,164)

(640,382)

Interest paid

(20,006,495)

(13,028,175)

(11,381,889)

(20,420)

Income taxes paid

(892,303)

(453,527)

(468,528)

(841)

Other expenses

(973,214)

(1,946,643)

(207,023)

(373)

Value added taxes (VAT) and other similar items paid

(13,739,109)

(7,460,993)

(5,843,094)

(10,483)

Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities

12,834,341

(5,825,405)

4,750,809

8,521

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Proceeds from sales of investments

-

20,837,191

28,665,152

51,427

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

833,378

1,098,356

986,468

1,770

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(6,624,859)

(3,565,790)

(6,437,183)

(11,549)

Investments in other companies

-

(18,377)

(8,009)

(14)

Investments in financial instruments

(255,778)

(49,981,113)

-

-

Decrease in accounts receivable from related companies

-

-

22,143

40

Other investing activities (net)

298,170

354,430

1,285,000

2,305

Net Cash from Investing Activities

(5,749,089)

(31,275,303)

24,513,571

43,979

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

Borrowings from banks and others

51,036,097

38,595,410

34,095,697

61,169

Proportion of dividends paid to minorities

(24,674)

(44,276)

(152,313)

(273)

Payments of loans

(54,878,821)

(88,737,162)

(38,693,695)

(69,418)

Increase in bonds payable

-

-

30,588,369

54,877

Decrease in bonds payable

(1,573,645)

(12,422,258)

(58,473,506)

(104,904)

Capital increase in subsidiaries contributed by minority shareholders,

695,586

96,820,955

10,043,913

18,019

Increase in accounts payable to related companies

1,458,370

-

-

-

Net Cash from Financing Activities

(3,287,087)

34,212,669

(22,591,535)

(40,530)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

3,798,165

(2,888,039)

6,672,845

11,970

Effect of Price Level Restatement on Cash and Cash Equivalents

(505,722)

412,464

642,106

1,153

Net Variation of Cash and Cash Equivalents

3,292,443

(2,475,575)

7,314,951

13,123

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

4,739,752

8,032,195

5,556,620

9,969

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

8,032,195

5,556,620

12,871,571

23,092

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

For the years ended December 31,

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2004

(Note 2t)

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) for the Year to Net Cash from Operating Activities

Net (loss) income for the year

(41,571,672)

(17,152,682)

8,512,367

15,271

Items that do not represent cash flows:

Depreciation

13,233,192

11,349,292

10,784,938

19,349

Amortization of goodwill

2,383,511

1,889,814

1,741,449

3,124

Amortization of negative goodwill

(5,320)

(57,369)

-

-

Minority interest

(2,067,862)

592,683

820,626

1,472

Price-level restatement, net

(3,850,517)

(2,081,850)

665,791

1,194

Foreign exchange differences, net

12,588,350

298,633

(414,944)

(744)

(Gains) losses on sales of property, plant and equipment

(160,069)

(143,379)

(57,661)

(103)

Participation in earnings of investments under equity method

(291,188)

32,422

23,013

41

Gains on sales of investments and marketable securities

-

(7,555)

(6,232)

(11)

Write-offs and provisions

7,055,554

4,468,789

791,778

1,420

Other

18,562,318

11,755,822

7,473,448

13,407

(Increase) decrease in accounts and notes receivable

6,185,006

(9,670,281)

(9,867,278)

(17,702)

(Increase) decrease in inventories

12,083,010

(1,791,095)

(17,840,786)

(32,007)

(Increase) decrease in other assets

25,729,599

(5,634,553)

(698,604)

(1,253)

Increase (decrease) in accounts and notes payable

(36,621,139)

102,826

3,059,519

5,489

(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities

(418,432)

223,078

(236,615)

(426)

Net cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities

12,834,341

(5,825,405)

4,750,809

8,521

For the years ended December 31,

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2004

(Note 2t)

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)

(20,003,908)

(13,028,175)

(11,381,889)

(20,420)

Income taxes paid

(892,303)

(453,527)

(468,528)

(841)

Capital lease obligations incurred during the year

-

(23,051)

(116,632)

(209)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Note 1 - The Company

Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries ("The Company") is a sociedad anónima abierta (open stock corporation) that is organized under the laws of the Republic of Chile ("Chile") whose shares and American Depositary Receipts are quoted on the Chilean and New York Stock Exchanges. Furthermore, the Company files financial statements with the Chilean Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros (Superintendency of Securities and Insurance, or "SVS") and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Unless otherwise specified, all references to "Madeco" or the "Company" are to Madeco S.A. together with its consolidated subsidiaries and references to "Madeco Chile" include only Madeco S.A.

The Company operates in four main segments. The principal operating segment and the Company's largest business unit is its Wire & Cable business, with production facilities in Chile, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. The Wire & Cable business unit's main clients are in the telecom, energy, mining, construction and industrial sectors. The Company's second operating segment is its Brass Mills unit, which manufactures pipes, bars and sheets from copper, brass, aluminum and related alloys. Additionally, the Brass Mills unit manufactures coin blanks and minted coins from alloys comprising copper, nickel, aluminum and zinc. The Company's Brass Mills facilities are located in Chile and Argentina, The Company's third operating segment, Flexible Packaging, manufactures printed flexible packaging for use in the packaging of mass consumer products. The Company has flexible packaging facilities in Chile and Argentina, as well as an equity investments in Peru. The fourth operating segment th at the Company operates, is the manufacturing in Chile of aluminum profiles used in residential, non residential construction and in the fabrication of industrial durable goods.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

  1. Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile and the regulations established by the SVS, (collectively referred to as "Chilean GAAP"). Certain accounting practices applied by the Company that conform with accounting principles generally accepted in Chile do not conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). A reconciliation of Chilean GAAP to U.S. GAAP is provided in Note 32. Certain amounts in the prior year's financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.

The accompanying financial statements reflect the consolidated results of operations of Madeco S.A. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company consolidates the financial statements of companies in which it controls over 50% of the voting shares.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  1. Basis of consolidation, continued
  2. The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 include the following subsidiaries:

     

    As of December 31,

     

    2002

     

    2003

     

    2004

     

    %

     

    %

     

    %

    Percentage of Direct and Indirect Ownership

             

    Alusa S.A. and subsidiaries

    75.96

     

    75.96

     

    75.96

    Indalum S.A. and subsidiaries

    99.16

     

    99.16

     

    99.16

    Armat S.A.

    100.00

     

    100.00

     

    100.00

    Comercial Madeco S.A. (Argentina)

    100.00

     

    100.00

     

    100.00

    Indeco S.A. - Peru

    92.74

     

    92.92

     

    93.00

    Madeco Overseas S.A. (I. Cayman)

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Soinmad S.A. and subsidiaries

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Metalúrgica Industrial S.A. and subsidiaries

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Metal Overseas S.A. and subsidiaries

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation, as well as any unrealized gains or losses arising from such transactions. The participation of minority shareholders in subsidiaries has been given effect in the consolidated financial statements under the caption Minority Interest.

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Chilean GAAP, along with the reconciliation to US GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  3. Price-level restatement

 

The consolidated financial statements, which are expressed in Chilean pesos, have been restated to reflect the effects of variations in the purchasing power of the local currency during each year. For this purpose, and in conformity with current Chilean regulations, non-monetary assets and liabilities, shareholders' equity accounts and income and expense accounts have been restated each year in terms of year-end constant pesos. The resulting net charge or credit to income arises as a result of the gain or loss in purchasing power from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation. In accordance with Chilean tax regulations and accounting practices, the restatements were calculated based on the official Consumer Price Index ("CPI") of the National Association of Statistics, which was 3.0%, 1.0% and 2.5% for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively. The index is based on the "prior month rule"; pursuant to which the inflation a djustments are based on the Consumer Price Index at the close of the month preceding the close of the respective period or of the transaction.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  1. Price-level restatement, continued
  2. This index is considered by the business community, the accounting profession and the Chilean government to be the index which most closely complies with the technical requirement to reflect the variation in the general level of prices in the country and, consequently, is widely used for financial reporting purposes in Chile. For comparative purposes, the consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2003 and the amounts disclosed in the related footnotes have also been restated using the same index in terms of Chilean pesos of December 31, 2004 purchasing power.

    The above-mentioned price-level restatements do not purport to present appraisal or replacement values and are only intended to restate all non-monetary financial statement components in terms of local currency of a single purchasing power, and to include in net income for each year the gain or loss in purchasing power arising from the holding of monetary assets and liabilities exposed to the effects of inflation.

  3. Currency Translation
  4. Balances denominated in foreign currency included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and detailed in Note 21 have been translated into Chilean pesos at the Observed Exchange Rates determined by the Central Bank of Chile in effect at each year end.

    As of December 31 2002, 2003 and 2004 the foreign exchange rates of most relevant foreign currencies were as follows:

       

    As of December 31,

       

    2002

     

    2003

     

    2004

    Currency Translation

               

    United States dollar (US$)

     

    718.61

     

    593.80

     

    557.40

    Argentine pesos (AR$)

     

    212.60

     

    202.32

     

    187.36

    Brazilian reals (BR$)

     

    203.39

     

    205.59

     

    209.99

    Peruvian sol

     

    204.44

     

    171.42

     

    169.78

    The net adjustment of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency and in UF is also detailed in Note 3 and Note 4 respectively.

    Certain assets and liabilities are denominated in Unidades de Fomento ("UF"). The UF is a Chilean inflation-indexed, peso-denominated monetary unit that is set daily in advance based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The adjustments to the closing value of UF-denominated assets and liabilities are included in the Price-level restatement account in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Each UF was equivalent to Ch$ 16,744.12, Ch$ 16,920.00 and Ch$ 17,317.05 as of December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

    Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  5. Cash and cash equivalents
  6. The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investment securities with remaining maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents for the purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

       

    As of December 31,

       

    2002

     

    2003

     

    2004

       

    ThCh$

     

    ThCh$

     

    ThCh$

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

               

    Cash

     

    3,788,117

     

    2,088,931

     

    2,993,446

    Time deposits

     

    4,244,078

     

    3,145,816

     

    4,068,995

    Money market funds (Note 6)

     

    -

     

    321,873

     

    44,490

    Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     

    -

     

    -

     

    5,764,640

    Total

     

    8,032,195

     

    5,556,620

     

    12,871,571

  7. Time deposits and marketable securities
  8. Time deposits denominated in UF are stated at cost plus interest and price-level restatement (indexation) accrued at each year-end.

    Marketable securities consist in Mutual Funds and are valued at the quoted redemption value of the respective share at each balance sheet date.

  9. Accounts receivable
  10. Accounts receivables are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are recorded at the end of each period based on those balances considered to be of doubtful recovery are based on an aging of balances and the customer's financial standing. This allowance is presented as a deduction from any amounts receivable.

  11. Inventories
  12. Inventories of finished products, work in progress and by-products are valued at production cost including indirect manufacturing costs plus price-level restatement. Inventories of raw materials, materials in warehouse and materials in transit are valued at price-level restated cost. Inventory values do not exceed their estimated net realizable value. The related obsolescence allowances have been deducted from inventories.

    Inventories with a turnover exceeding one year are shown under other long-term assets and are presented net of applicable obsolescence allowances.

    Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

     

  13. Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost plus price-level restatement and include construction and financing costs incurred until the assets are in a condition to be used, applying the actual cost of financing.

Assets acquired under capital lease contracts are recorded at their present value, calculated using the contracted monthly installments plus the purchase option and using the interest rate implicit in the respective contract. The corresponding liability is shown net of deferred interest. Assets obtained under financial contracts are not the legal property of the Company until it exercises the related purchase option. Therefore, the Company cannot freely dispose of them. Included as part of accumulated depreciation is accumulated amortization related to capital lease fixed assets.

In accordance with instructions issued by the SVS, property, plant and equipment include the revaluation increment arising from the technical appraisals of certain assets which were carried out in 1979 and 1986.

Property, plant and equipment are presented net of allowances for obsolescence and accumulated depreciation.

Depreciation is determined by the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, (see Note 10) taking into account the increase in value from the technical reappraisal in accordance with Circular No. 1529 issued by the SVS.

The estimated useful lives of the principal categories of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Estimated. useful lives

Fixed Assets

Years

Buildings and Infrastructure

25 to 60

Installations

10 to 25

Machinery and equipment

3 to 30

Engine and Equipment

10

Other fixed assets

3 to 10

The revaluation from technical appraisals is being depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  1. Property, plant and equipment, continued
  2. Depreciation of temporarily inactive property, plant and equipment is classified under other non-operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

  3. Investments in related companies
  4. Investments in related companies over which the Company has significant influence, are included under the caption other assets and are recorded using the equity method. Accordingly, the Company's proportional share in the net income (or loss) of each investee is recognized in the non-operating income and expense classification in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on an accrual basis, after eliminating any unrealized gains and losses from transactions with the related companies.

    Equity movements that do not affect the income of the related companies are shown proportionally as a charge or credit to the account Other reserves in Shareholders' equity.

  5. Securities purchased under agreements to resell
  6. Securities purchased under agreements to resell are valued at collocation value plus accrued interest and indexation at year-end. This investment is recorded in Other current assets.

  7. Other investments
  8. Other investments in which the Company has less than 10% of the voting stock of the investee, which are considered to be permanent are recorded at the lower of cost plus price-level restatement or market value. They are shown under the caption Other assets. Dividends from such investments are recognized as income when received.

  9. Goodwill and negative goodwill

Prior to January 1, 2004, goodwill arose from the excess of the purchase price of companies acquired over their net book value; negative goodwill arose when net book value exceeded the purchase price of companies acquired. Goodwill and negative goodwill is also accounted for in the purchase of investments accounted for by the equity method. Chilean GAAP also provides that goodwill and negative goodwill amortization may be accelerated if the proportional net income or net loss of the investee exceeds the respective straight-line amortization amount. Beginning January 1, 2004, the Company adopted Technical Bulletin 72 of the Chilean Association of Accountants, which changes the basis for determining accounting for goodwill and negative goodwill generated in transactions after January 1, 2004, based on an allocation of the purchase price based on the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and identifiable liabilities assumed. Both goodwill and negative goo dwill are normally amortized over the maximum period of twenty years considering the expected period of return of the investments.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

 

  1. Intangibles
  2. Trademarks are recorded at historical cost plus price-level restatement, and are amortized over the period in which they are expected to benefit the Company, over a period of up to a maximum period of forty years.

  3. Bonds payable
  4. Bonds payable are included in liabilities at their par value plus accrued price-level restatement and interest. The discount that arises from the difference between par value and the proceeds received is included in Other assets and is amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the bond. There is no material difference with the effective rate method.

  5. Employee severance indemnities
  6. The Company has agreements to pay severance indemnities calculate the respective liability based on a present value method (accrued cost of the benefit method), assuming real annual discount rates over an estimated remaining service period of each employee until retirement.

     

  7. Employee vacations
  8. The cost of employee vacations is recognized in the financial statements on an accrual basis as employees earn the vacations.

  9. Deferred income taxes
  10. The Company records income taxes in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 60 and complementary technical bulletins thereto issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, and with SVS Circulars No. 1466 and No. 1560, recognizing, using the liability method, the deferred tax effects of temporary differences between the financial and tax values of assets and liabilities. As a transitional provision on January 1, 2000, the date of adoption, a contra asset or liability has been recorded offsetting the effects of the deferred tax assets and liabilities not recorded prior to January 1, 2000. Such contra assets or liabilities must be amortized to income over the estimated average reversal periods corresponding to the underlying temporary differences to which the deferred tax asset or liability related were calculated using the tax rates that were expected to be in effect at the time of reversal.

    To the extent necessary, deferred tax assets are further reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on the weight of available evidence; it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

    Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  11. Revenue recognition
  12. Revenue is recognized when goods are delivered to customers or the services are rendered. Unearned income related to sales that the Company has invoiced and collected in advance is not recognized until the related goods are delivered.

  13. Translation of foreign currency financial statements
  14. In accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 64 issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries whose activities do not constitute an extension of the Chilean operations, or which operate in countries that are exposed to significant risks, restrictions or inflation/exchange fluctuations are remeasured using the US dollar as the functional currency and then translated into Chilean pesos at the year end exchange rate. Accordingly, the financial statements of the Company's subsidiaries in Argentina, Brazil and Peru are remeasured into US dollars as follows:

    · Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at year-end rates of exchange between the US dollar and the local currency.

    · All non-monetary assets and liabilities and shareholders' equity are translated at historical rates of exchange between the US dollar and the local currency.

    · Income and expense accounts are translated at average rates of exchange between the US dollar and the local currency.

    · Any exchange differences are included in the results of operations for the period.

    On the Company's books, price-level restatements based on Chilean inflation are applied to the beginning balance of the investment account and then the participation in the net income of the subsidiary (determined as described above) is recorded. The Company then compares this value to its participation in the equity of the investee as remeasured into US dollars and translated into Chilean pesos. The difference is recorded as an adjustment to the investment account with a corresponding adjustment to the cumulative translation adjustment account in Shareholders' equity.

    In addition as permitted by the Technical Bulletin No.64, the Company records the effect of foreign exchange adjustments arising from hedge transactions that mitigate the economic exposure of net foreign investments. Accordingly, the excess of exchange gains and losses over related price-level restatements is also included directly in Shareholders' equity in the Cumulative translation account.

  15. Basis of translation to US dollars
  16. The Company maintains its accounting records and prepares its financial statements in Chilean pesos. The United States dollar amounts disclosed in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (except the footnotes) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004 are presented solely for the convenience of the reader at the December 31, 2004 exchange rate of Ch$ 557.40 per US$ 1. This translation should not be construed as representing that the Chilean peso amounts actually represent or have been, or could be, converted into United States dollars at such rate or any other rate. All other U.S. dollar amounts included in the footnotes represent the actual dollars at the date of the transaction.

    Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

  17. Financial derivative instruments

The Company maintains forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign exchange swap contracts to cover the risks of fluctuation in exchange rates between the Chilean peso, US dollar and Brazilian Real. The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the risk that cash flows will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates resulting from the collection of receivables from international customers and the purchase of supplies and raw materials. The Company also utilizes interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk on its floating rate debt portfolio.

These derivative instruments are recorded at fair value as of the balance sheet date in Other assets or Other liabilities. Changes in the fair values of such instruments are recorded in net income.

  1. Share issuance costs
  2. The costs of stock issuance and placement related to capital increases have been recorded in Shareholders' equity under the caption Contributed Surplus.

  3. Compensations plans

The Company does not record the effect of stock options as of the date that the option is granted and only recognizes the eventual capital increase once the respective options are exercised and the payment of the capital increase is made. This accounting treatment is in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) No. 19, since there are no related standards in Chile.

As of December 31, 2004, there were no outstanding stock option plans.

Note 3 - Price-level restatement

The application of price-level restatement as described in note 2 b) resulted in net (charges)/credits to income, the effect of which is summarized as follow:

 

Credit (charge) as of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,644,731

 

863,596

 

1,971,672

Inventories

2,034,914

 

2,313,233

 

535,776

Other current assets

125,209

 

(13,888)

 

206,427

Other assets

5,458,015

 

1,575,788

 

3,295,717

Other non-monetary liabilities

(519,752)

 

(409,422)

 

(320,638)

Shareholders' equity, net

(3,836,571)

 

(1,250,799)

 

(3,778,082)

Income and expense accounts in terms of period-end constant Chilean pesos

(106,369)

 

268,579

 

(258,248)

Net adjustment of assets and liabilities indexed in UFs

(1,949,660)

 

(1,265,237)

 

(2,318,415)

Price-level restatement, net

3,850,517

 

2,081,850

 

(665,791)

Note 4 - Foreign exchange differences

Foreign exchange differences are summarized as follows:

 

Credit (charge) as of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cash, due from banks and short-term investment

140,822

 

(1,167,623)

 

(113,625)

Accounts receivable

(773,593)

 

(855,132)

 

(568,974)

Other assets

361,951

 

(1,334,514)

 

129,261

Bank loans

(8,615,973)

 

1,728,075

 

353,464

Other liabilities

430,749

 

(47,009)

 

106,868

Income from hedging transactions in Brazil

(2,667,962)

 

(1,443,120)

 

(955,016)

Translation adjustments, net

(1,464,344)

 

2,820,690

 

1,462,966

Net foreign exchange (losses) gains

(12,588,350)

 

(298,633)

 

414,944

Note 5 - Time deposits

Time deposits are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Time deposits in UF

19,539,705

 

-

Time deposits in Chilean pesos

1,127,582

 

296,456

Time deposits in US dollars

1,609,914

 

3,772,539

Time deposits in other foreign currencies

59,821

 

-

Total time deposits

22,337,022

 

4,068,995

 

Note 6 - Marketable securities

Marketable securities are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Mutual funds

321,873

 

44,490

Total marketable securities

321,873

 

44,490

Note 7 - Accounts receivable

a) Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Trade accounts receivable

43,826,973

 

52,029,815

Allowance for doubtful accounts trade account receivable

(5,939,489)

 

(4,636,593)

Notes receivables

8,727,560

 

6,302,301

Allowance for doubtful accounts notes receivables

(2,774,901)

 

(1,087,901)

Other accounts receivable

3,791,949

 

2,254,129

Allowance for doubtful accounts other accounts

(1,789,001)

 

(166,727)

Total accounts receivable, net

45,843,091

 

54,695,024

b) Changes in short-term allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at beginning of year

10,854,309

 

11,191,926

 

10,503,391

Price-level restatements

(316,145)

 

(110,837)

 

(268,378)

Effect of devaluation of foreign currencies

(2,787,205)

 

(108,029)

 

(127,617)

Reclassification to long term (1)

-

 

-

 

(1,497,364)

Provision established (released) and other charged to expenses

4,551,368

 

9,698

 

(667,524)

Write-offs

(1,110,401)

 

(478,807)

 

(2,051,287)

Balance at end of year

11,191,926

 

10,503,391

 

5,891,221

(1) Amount was reclassified to the long-term in order to stay consistent with the corresponding debt that was reclassified to the long-term.

Note 7 - Accounts receivable, continued

  1. Changes in long-term allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:
 

As of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at beginning of year

790,377

 

2,318,958

 

1,687,599

Price-level restatements

-

 

561

 

-

Effect of devaluation of foreign currencies

-

 

-

 

-

Reclassification from short term (1)

   

-

 

1,497,364

Charged to expenses

1,528,581

 

(631,920)

 

-

Balance at end of year

2,318,958

 

1,687,599

 

3,184,963

(1) Amount was reclassified to the long-term in order to stay consistent with the corresponding debt that was reclassified to the long-term.

Note 8 - Inventories

a) Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Raw materials

17,334,957

 

21,775,984

Finished goods

16,935,463

 

19,710,552

Work-in-process

10,691,948

 

17,169,417

Consumable materials

7,974,701

 

7,263,304

Supplies in transit

1,338,020

 

3,402,496

Supplies

3,599,069

 

4,349,028

Sub-total

57,874,158

 

73,670,781

Allowance for obsolescence

(3,899,390)

 

(2,919,083)

Inventories, net

53,974,768

 

70,751,698

b) Changes in the allowance for obsolescence for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at beginning of year

2,885,661

 

4,440,182

 

3,899,390

Price-level restatements

(83,973)

 

(43,973)

 

(95,107)

Effect of devaluation of foreign currencies

(360,335)

 

(39,558)

 

(2,581)

Reclassification

(152,441)

 

413,031

 

-

Charged to expenses

2,450,334

 

(446,136)

 

(831,471)

Write-offs

(299,064)

 

(424,156)

 

(51,148)

Balance at end of year

4,440,182

 

3,899,390

 

2,919,083

 

Note 9 - Other current assets

Other current assets are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

9,330,947

 

5,764,640

Guaranteed deposits

848,152

 

268,338

Property, plant and equipment held for sale, net (Note 10a)

6,397,708

 

4,795,901

Discount on bond issuance

390,815

 

148,602

Other

255,784

 

113,387

Total

17,223,406

 

11,090,868

The detail of securities purchased under agreements to resell is as follows

Purchased Date

Counterpart

Original Currency

Transaction amount

Interest rate

Final Value

Identification of Instrument

Market Value

Start

Maturity

 

 

 

 

ThCh$

%

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, CORREDORES DE BOLSA BHIF S.A.

Ch$

3,994

3.00

3,998

Note payable

3,997

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, CORREDORES DE BOLSA BHIF S.A.

Ch$

98

3.00

98

Note payable

98

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, CORREDORES DE BOLSA BHIF S.A.

Ch$

439,801

3.00

440,204

Note payable

440,094

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, CORREDORES DE BOLSA BHIF S.A.

Ch$

103,576

3.00

103,671

Note payable

103,645

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, CORREDORES DE BOLSA BHIF S.A.

Ch$

212,531

3.00

212,726

Note payable

212,673

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

86

2.88

86

Note payable

86

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

8,051

2.88

8,056

Note payable

8,054

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

91,049

2.88

91,100

Note payable

91,078

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

167,507

2.88

167,601

Note payable

167,561

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

733,307

2.88

733,718

Note payable

733,542

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

1,128

3.12

1,129

Note payable

1,129

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

1,612

3.12

1,614

Note payable

1,614

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

6,184

3.12

6,192

Note payable

6,190

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

12,413

3.12

12,428

Note payable

12,425

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

14,685

3.12

14,703

Note payable

14,699

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

18,552

3.12

18,575

Note payable

18,570

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

132,508

3.12

132,669

Note payable

132,634

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, CORREDORES DE BOLSA S.A.

Ch$

3,812,918

3.12

3,817,542

Note payable

3,816,551

Total

 

 

 

5,760,000

 

5,766,110

 

5,764,640

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are presented net of write-offs of ThCh $ 1,535,739 and ThCh$ 1,767,995 for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, respectively, and is summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Land

11,493,372

 

10,091,117

Buildings and Infrastructure

     

Buildings and infrastructure

58,075,747

 

53,437,531

Accumulated depreciation

(16,593,627)

 

(16,183,415)

Subtotal buildings and infrastructure, net

41,482,120

 

37,254,116

Machinery and Equipment

     

Machinery and equipment

216,700,676

 

202,063,728

Accumulated depreciation

(129,004,076)

 

(125,795,328)

Subtotal machinery and equipment, net

87,696,600

 

76,268,400

Other Property, Plant and Equipment

     

Leased assets

14,630,195

 

14,384,136

Furniture and fixtures

5,692,093

 

5,000,436

Office equipment

3,896,023

 

3,548,255

Tools and others

2,293,001

 

2,094,225

Other property, plant and equipment

3,168,753

 

4,378,781

Accumulated depreciation

(14,164,319)

 

(12,373,304)

Subtotal other property, plant and equipment, net

15,515,746

 

17,032,529

Revaluation from technical appraisals:

     

Land

3,216,754

 

3,073,373

Buildings and infrastructure

10,075,988

 

9,381,058

Machinery and equipment

2,132,502

 

2,132,502

Accumulated depreciation

(4,784,620)

 

(4,966,171)

Subtotal revaluation from technical appraisals, net

10,640,624

 

9,620,762

Total property, plant and equipment, net

166,828,462

 

150,266,924

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follow:

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

Included within the Income Statement Caption:

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cost of sales

12,612,053

 

10,759,789

 

10,250,783

Administrative and selling expenses

621,139

 

589,503

 

534,155

Sub total

13,233,192

 

11,349,292

 

10,784,938

           

Non-operating expense

3,100,043

 

1,845,709

 

2,154,985

Total

16,333,235

 

13,195,001

 

12,939,923

Financing costs capitalized during construction periods amounted to ThCh$ 2,587 during 2002. No financing costs were capitalized during 2003 and 2004.

Fixed assets held for sale are mainly land and buildings, those are not in conditions to allow operations related with Madeco's core business. The Company is making efforts to sell those assets; they are waiting for better prices in the real estate market, those fixed assets had been classified as current assets.

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

a) Property, plant and equipment held for sale for the years ended as of December 31, 2004 and 2003 after adjusting to net realizable value the assets held for sale were are as follows:

 

Net Value of assets held for sale

Adjustment to realizable value

 

Net Value of assets held for sale

Adjustment to realizable value

 

2003

2003

 

2004

2004

 

ThCh$

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

ThCh$

Land and Building at Vicuña Mackenna 2935 - 2858 (Chile)

1,335,573

292,819

 

1,302,998

-

Land at Vicuña Mackenna 4665 (Chile)

1,025,441

-

 

921,489

-

Land and Building at Ureta Cox 723 (Chile)

24,862

-

 

24,862

-

Building Andres Bello (Chile)

14,734

-

 

16,621

-

Building Vitacura (Chile)

968,975

-

 

968,008

-

Arujá (Brazil) Plant

1,158,033

-

 

-

-

Carampangue 1620 (Chile) Plant

780,048

-

 

786,288

-

Foundry Plant (Peru)

126,396

-

 

-

-

Chincha (Peru) Plant

295,122

76,904

 

-

-

Machinery and equipment (Peru)

128,600

-

 

-

-

Machinery and equipment (Chile)

107,625

107,625

 

99,458

26,192

Land , located in Lincoln (Santiago)

-

-

 

48,012

-

Other

432,299

144,601

 

628,165

-

Sub total (1) (Note 9)

6,397,708

621,949

 

4,795,901

26,192

           

Santa Marta (Chile) Plant

1,749,335

-

 

1,673,318

-

Land and building Aisén 244 (Chile)

1,321,865

-

 

952,453

367,433

Sub total (Note 13)

3,071,200

-

 

2,625,771

367,433

           

Total

9,468,908

621,949

 

7,421,672

393,625

Property, plant and equipment held for sale are shown adjusted to reflect those assets at their net realizable values. Such allowances amounted to ThCh$ 7,057,537 in 2003 and ThCh$ 1,935,365 in 2004. In addition, in 2004, the Aruja de Ficap S.A. (Brazil) plant was sold for US$ 2,007,000 (approximately ThCh$1,118,702) which resulted in a gain of US$ 330,000 (approximately ThCh$183,942).

 

b) Leaseback transactions as of December 31, 2004 are detailed as follows:

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

i) Leaseback contract Banco Corpbanca

On March 30, 2001, the subsidiary Alusa S.A., entered into a sale and leaseback contract on the Quilicura assets with Corpbanca in connection with the restructuring of its liabilities. The leaseback contract is repayable over 15 years and the following are the main features of the contract:

Seller : Alusa S.A.

Purchaser : Corpbanca

Assets involved : Buildings and plant located in Quilicura

Purchase price : UF 414,597

Final value of contract : UF 641,265

Number of installments : 180 months

Contract period : From March 30, 2001 to March 30, 2016

Interest rate : 2,7% semiannual (variable)

This transaction had no effect on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

ii). Leaseback contract Banco Security

On July 30, 2002, the subsidiary Alusa S.A., entered into a sale and leaseback contract on a Rotomec laminating machine, with Banco Security in connection with restructuring its liabilities. The leaseback contract is repayable over 36 months and the main features of the contract are as follows:

Seller : Alusa S.A.

Purchaser : Banco Security

Assets involved : Rotomec laminating machine

Purchase price : UF 8,335.08

Final value of contract : UF 9,203.00

Number of installments : 36 months

Contract period : From July 30, 2002 to July 30, 2005

Interest rate : 9.23% annual

This transaction resulted in a loss of ThCh$15,937 (historical) on the sale of the assets which was recognized in its entirety in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

.

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

iii) Leaseback agreements with Banco de Chile

On August 8, 2003, the company entered into a leaseback contract on a cylinder engraving line for printing flexible packaging (Equipo Sun). This operation was carried out with Banco de Chile with a 24 month repayment period in connection with restructuring its liabilities. The following are the main features of the contract:

Seller : Alusa S.A.

Purchaser : Banco de Chile

Assets involved : Cylinder engraving line

Purchase price : UF 9,716.21

Final value of contract : UF 10,124.50

Number of installments : 24 months

Contract period : From August 14, 2003 to September 30, 2005

Interest rate : 3.83% annual

This transaction had no effect on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

.

iv) Leaseback agreements with Banco de Chile, continued

On November 28, 2003, Alusa S.A., signed an agreement for the Valmet Rotomec SB-700 Laminating Machine. Said transaction was agreed with Banco de Chile for a 36-month term and its purpose was restructuring the Company's liabilities, with these characteristics:

Selling company : Alusa S.A.

Buying company : Banco de Chile

Goods involved : Valmet Rotomec SB-700 Machine

Purchase price : UF 37,059.70

Nominal value of contract : UF 40,104.00

Number of installments : 36 months

Term of the agreement: : From November 28, 2003 to December 28, 2006

Interest rate : 5.19% annual

This transaction resulted in a gain from the sale of property plant and equipment of Th$6,692, which was recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

v) Leaseback Agreement with Banco del Estado

On June 11, 2004, Alusa S.A., signed an agreement for the Totani Bagging Machine model BH-60HV LLSC. Said transaction was agreed with Banco del Estado for a 36-month term and its purpose was restructuring the Company's liabilities, with these characteristics:

Selling company : Alusa S.A.

Buying company : Banco del Estado

Goods involved : Totani Bagging Machine model BH-60HV LLSC

Purchase price : UF 244.780

Nominal value of contract : UF 264.643

Number of installments : 36 months

Term of the agreement: : From June 4, 2004 to July10, 2006

Interest rate : 5.00% annual

This transaction resulted in a gain from the sale of property plant and equipment of Th$4,563, which was recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

vi. Leaseback Agreement with Banco del Chile

On December 1, 2004, Alusa S.A., signed an agreement for a Cone Machine. This transaction was carried out with Banco de Chile for a 36-month term and its purpose was restructuring the Company's liabilities and on May 11, 2004 that contract was novated with the following characteristics:

Selling company : Alusa S.A.

Buying company : Banco del Chile

Goods involved : Cone Machine

Purchase price : UF 2.736,49

Nominal value of contract : UF 2.883,25

Number of installments : 36 months

Term of the agreement: : From May 11, 2004 to Junuary 11, 2006

Interest rate : 7.05% annual

This transaction had no effect on Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 11 - Investments in related companies

In 1999, the Company and Corning International Corporation ("Corning") created Ficap Optel Ltda., a joint venture in which the Company initially had a 75% interest and Corning the remaining 25%. This joint venture was established to produce, sell and distribute optical fiber cables. In 2001, the Company modified its Ficap Optel Joint Venture Agreement with Corning. Corning increased its interest in Ficap Optel Ltda. from 25% to 50% by acquiring a 25% interest from the Company. As part of the new Joint Venture arrangement, Ficap Optel Ltda. changed its name to Optel Ltda. and purchased 99.9% of Corning Cable Systems Argentina S.A.

In 2002 the Company filed an arbitration claim against Corning, based on allegations that Corning had attempted to unjustifiably terminate the joint venture agreement. In turn, Corning filed a counterclaim against the Company.

In November 2003, the arbitration suit was resolved against Madeco and the Joint Venture Agreement was declared lawfully terminated. As a result of the termination of the Joint Venture Agreement, among others, i) the Company lost certain rights regarding the appointment of Optel Ltda.'s management (consequently, the Company halted the consolidation with Optel Ltda.) and ii) the Company was required to initiate the liquidation of Optel Ltda. at Corning's demand. In December 2003, therefore, the Company decided to make a provision of ThCh$5,040,422 for its total participation, that is its 50%, in Optel Ltda.

Note 11 - Investments in related companies, continued

The carrying value of investments in related companies and other investments are a follows:

 

Percentage owned

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

%

 

%

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Related companies

             

Peruplast S.A.(1)

25.00%

 

25.00%

 

4,059,514

 

3,667,257

Tech Pak S.A.

25.61%

 

25.61%

 

2,723,809

 

2,513,948

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

41.00%

 

41.00%

 

1,428,243

 

1,428,655

Cobrecon Peru S.A.(1)

33.33%

 

33.33%

 

743,506

 

659,056

Total

       

8,955,072

 

8,268,916

 

The Company's equity participation in the net income (loss) of its investees is details as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Proportional share in equity of net income

         

Peruplast S.A.

108,568

 

39,419

 

-

Tech Pak

127,243

 

-

 

19,470

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

461

 

-

 

411

Cobrecon Peru S.A.

54,916

 

-

 

-

Subtotal

291,188

 

39,419

 

19,881

Proportional share in equity of net loss

         

Peruplast S.A. (1)

-

 

-

 

(21,044)

Tech Pak S.A.

-

 

(50,046)

 

-

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

-

 

(19,697)

 

-

Cobrecon Peru S.A (1).

-

 

(2,098)

 

(21,850)

Subtotal

-

 

(71,841)

 

(42,894)

Total

291,188

 

(32,422)

 

(23,013)

  1. As of December 31, 2004, the equity method investments reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2004. Consequently, the investees did not declare a cash dividend for its shareholders.

 

 

Note 12 - Goodwill and Negative Goodwill

Goodwill (net balances) as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 related to the purchases of the following investments:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

Company

Amortized Amount

Goodwill Balance

 

Amortized Amount

Goodwill Balance

 

ThCh$

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

ThCh$

Goodwill

         

Alumco S.A.

82,713

919,676

82,717

836,961

Alupack S.A.

5,657

56,102

5,657

50,445

Ficap S.A.

1,570,637

21,465,370

1,438,397

18,219,690

Indeco S.A.

161,422

2,291,167

 

147,829

1,950,431

Peruplast S.A.

20,024

245,294

18,338

206,304

Tech Pak S.A.

10,099

123,724

9,250

104,057

Vigaflex S.A.

39,262

425,329

 

39,261

386,067

Total

1,889,814

25,526,662

 

1,741,449

21,753,955

           

Negative Goodwill

         

Emaplast S.A.

(57,369)

-

 

-

-

Total

(57,369)

-

 

-

-

The amortization of goodwill is included in non-operating expense each year (ThCh$2,383,511 in 2002, ThCh$ 1,889,814 in 2003 and ThCh$ 1,741,449 in 2004).

The amortization of negative goodwill is included in non-operating income in each year (ThCh$ 5,320 in 2002 and ThCh$ 57,369 in 2003).

Note 13 - Other non-current assets

Other non-current assets are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Recoverable tax incentives in Argentina (1)

1,055,995

 

480,316

Discount on bond issuance

1,151,416

 

883,355

Fixed assets held-for-sale, net (2) (3)

6,129,608

 

6,958,715

Lawsuit deposits

291,275

 

447,124

Recoverable VAT in Argentina

186,449

 

300,887

Inventories, net (3)

146,083

 

260,605

Other

117,523

 

85,410

Total other non-current assets

9,078,349

 

9,416,412

  1. These amounts are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of ThCh$1,326,909 in 2004 (ThCh$ 1,058,792 in 2003).
  2. These amounts are represented net of adjustments for write-offs
  3. These amounts include lands that had been classified as held for sale for amount of ThCh$2,625,771 (ThCh$3,071,200 in 2003) (Note 10 a).
  4. Presented at net of realizable values

 

Note 14 - Short-term bank loans

Short-term bank loans are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Payable In:

     

United States dollars

5,218,596

 

10,778,585

Other foreign currencies

5,770,558

 

5,588,567

Chilean pesos

5,645,378

 

1,243,264

Total short-term bank loans

16,634,532

 

17,610,416

Total outstanding principal

16,496,847

 

17,420,971

       

 

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

%

 

%

       

Year-end weighted average interest rates:

     

Loans in United States dollars

4.76

 

4.08

Loans in other foreign currencies

22.46

 

21.19

Loans in Chilean pesos

5.87

 

3.86

Weighted average annual interest rate %

11.24

 

9.42

 

Current portion of long-term liabilities is summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Payable In:

     

United States dollars

1,676,758

 

478,599

Other foreign currencies

162,281

 

1,025,716

Inflation-linked units (UFs)

3,601,410

 

3,122,091

Chilean pesos

-

 

258,426

Total current portion of long-term bank loans

5,440,449

 

4,884,832

Total outstanding principal

4,724,761

 

4,184,976

Average annual interest rate %

6.15

 

6.16

 

 

Note 15- Accrued and other liabilities

Accrued and other liabilities are summarized as follows:

Current liabilities are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Accrued employee vacation expenses

1,430,613

 

1,568,764

Provisions for pending lawsuits

423,170

 

1,518,222

Remuneration and consulting services

559,864

 

1,026,052

Staff severance indemnities

807,684

 

965,005

Project expenses, suppliers and other

551,087

 

858,876

Municipal taxes and others

162,169

 

557,496

Freight

300,814

 

449,707

Provisions for the liquidation of Optel Brazil

1,929,628

 

430,208

Electricity consumed and other basic services

340,705

 

342,345

Import and export costs

157,093

 

150,932

Legal fees

84,835

 

25,851

Others

664,591

 

495,577

Total accrued expenses and other liabilities

7,412,253

 

8,389,035

Long-term liabilities

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Employee severance indemnities

933,397

 

910,123

Provisions for pending lawsuits (1)

2,745,180

 

1,604,045

Municipal taxes and others

141,744

 

396,723

Other

263,831

 

182,322

Total accrued expenses

4,084,152

 

3,093,213

  1. This item includes mainly provision for pending lawsuits and unpaid settlements with employees (Note 2 o).

 

Note 16 - Severance indemnities

Severance indemnities are presented as described in Note 2 o) and is summarized as follow:

As of December 31,

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

Balance at beginning of period

2,784,257

1,741,081

Price level restatement

(66,292)

(12,631)

Provisions established

178,689

1,328,663

Payments during the period

(1,155,573)

(1,181,985)

Balance at period-end

1,741,081

1,875,128

Presented in balance sheet in:

Current liabilities - accrued expenses

807,684

965,005

Long-term liabilities - accrued expenses

933,397

910,123

Total

1,741,081

1,875,128

 

Note 17 - Long-term debt and bonds payable

Long-term liabilities with banks and financial institutions as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 are as follows:

 

Bank

or Financial Institution

Currency or

Indexation

 

 

More than

1 up to 2 years

More than

2 up to 3 years

More than

3 up to 5

More than

5 up to 10

Total

at December 31, 2004

Total

at December 31, 2003

Average

annual interest rate

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Banks in Chile

Banco Estado de Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.00

1,264,330

1,674,934

3,210,719

1,434,183

7,584,166

8,506,330

Citibank

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

492,724

985,448

2,627,861

1,721,020

5,827,053

5,835,786

CorpBanca

US dollars

4.28

225,329

450,658

1,201,760

787,044

2,664,791

2,909,782

CorpBanca

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

69,210

138,420

369,119

241,741

818,490

819,716

Banco de Crédito e Inversiones

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.32

991,058

1,682,748

4,138,084

2,416,010

9,227,900

9,591,494

BICE

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

287,422

574,844

1,532,918

1,003,928

3,399,112

3,404,206

Bank Boston

US dollars

4.28

357,378

714,756

1,906,017

1,248,276

4,226,427

4,614,987

Banco de Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.02

1,257,586

1,558,671

2,780,784

1,051,650

6,648,691

7,689,532

Banco del Desarrollo

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

287,422

574,844

1,532,918

1,003,928

3,399,112

3,404,206

Dresdner Banque

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

111,050

222,100

592,266

387,882

1,313,298

1,315,267

Bank of America

US dollars

4.28

175,581

351,162

936,432

613,281

2,076,456

2,267,356

Banco Santander Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.21

624,530

1,178,432

3,142,485

2,058,052

7,003,499

7,203,039

Scotiabank

US dollars

4.28

204,845

409,690

1,092,506

715,495

2,422,536

3,340,839

Banco Security

Chilean Pesos

1.31

251,000

749,542

-

-

1,000,542

-

Banco Security

Indexed Chilean Pesos

3.96

367,260

437,888

739,232

123,346

1,667,726

2,908,009

Banks in Argentina:

Bank Boston

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

-

336,350

Bank in Peru:

Crédito - Peru

US dollars

3.54

3,623,100

-

-

-

3,623,100

1,825,935

Banks in Brazil:

Banco Itaú

Other currency

-

-

-

-

-

-

28,116

Safra Finame

Other currency

-

-

-

-

-

-

49,531

Banco Santander

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

-

220,330

ABN AMRO / Real

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

-

65,371

Banks in other countries:

BankBoston - Islas Cayman Islands

US dollars

4.18

219,476

438,952

1,170,539

766,603

2,595,570

2,834,197

 Total

 

 

10,809,301

12,143,089

26,973,640

15,572,439

65,498,469

69,170,379

 

Note 17 - Long-term debt and bonds payable, continued

Bonds have been issued and are payable by the following subsidiaries:

 

Original

issuance in UFs

As of December 31,

   

2003

 

2004

   

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Subsidiary

       

Madeco (1)

2,500,000

34,818,816

 

-

Madeco (2)

1,500,000

24,124,374

 

-

Madeco (3)

1,800,000

-

 

31,260,496

Total

 

58,943,190

 

31,260,496

Less: Current portion

 

(27,580,743)

 

(3,918,184)

Long-term portion

 

31,362,447

 

27,342,312

  1. In April 2000, Madeco issued bonds under the following terms:
  2. Amount issued : UF2,500,000 composed of 1,000 Series A1 bonds of UF 1,000 each and 300 Series A2 bonds of UF5,000 each.

    Term : Fifteen years (three years of grace and twelve years of principal repayment).

    Principal amortization : Twelve equal semi-annual installments from September 15, 2003.

    Interest rate : 7.25% real annual rate, calculated and paid semi-annually on the outstanding UF-denominated principal. As of December 31, 2004 the entirety of this obligations has been paid.

    Advance redemption : Madeco has the right to redeem the entire bond issue on any coupon payment date after September 15, 2003.

  3. In August, 2001, Madeco issued bonds under the following terms:
  4. Amount issued : UF1,500,000 composed of 500 Series C1 bonds of UF1,000 each and 100 Series C2 bonds of UF 10,000 each.

    Term : Three years (five semi-annual installments of principal repayment).

    Principal amortization : Six semi-annual installments from November 1, 2001. As of December 31, 2004 the entirety of this obligations has been paid.

    Interest rate : 6.20% real annual rate calculated and paid semi-annually on the outstanding UF-denominated principal.

  5. In December, 2004, Madeco issued bonds under the following terms:

Amount issued : UF1,800,000 composed of 360 Series D bonds of UF5,000 each.

Term : Seven years (fourteen semi-annual installments of principal repayment).

Principal amortization : Fourteen semi-annual installments from June 10, 2005.

Interest rate : 5.00% real annual rate calculated and paid semi-annually on the outstanding UF-denominated principal.

Note 17 - Long-term debt and bonds payable, -continued

The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt and bonds payable at December 31, 2004 are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

ThCh$

Principal payments during the fiscal years ending December 31,

 

2005

9,708,570

2006

15,935,137

2007

17,603,974

2008

17,024,641

2009 and thereafter

49,164,013

   

Total

109,436,335

Note 18 - Miscellaneous payables

Miscellaneous payables for December 31, 2003 and 2004 are summarized as follows:

As of December 31,

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred customs duty

194,925

25,194

Leasing

6,582,549

5,940,076

Other

10,271

-

Total

6,787,745

5,965,270

 

 

Note 19 - Income taxes and other taxes

Income taxes payable and receivable are summarized as follows:

Net recoverable taxes are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Income tax payable

(731,901)

 

(1,960,739)

Monthly estimated income tax installments payments

710,684

 

1,113,574

Other credits against income taxes

3,543,774

 

4,061,882

Other recoverable taxes

182,143

 

269,230

Recoverable income taxes, net

3,704,700

 

3,483,947

 

Note 19 - Income taxes and other taxes, continued

The income tax liability has been determined based on current tax laws in each country in which the Company operates. The net (charge) credit to the Consolidated Statement of Operations for each year is summarized as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Current year provision for income tax

(850,026)

 

(659,660)

 

(1,923,266)

Income tax change from previous year

(126,208)

 

14,020

 

(49,198)

Deferred income tax

734,617

 

(104,134)

 

(1,658.325)

Tax benefit from (use of) tax loss carry forwards

1,141,950

 

6,976,572

 

4,759,340

Amortization of complementary accounts

1,056,941

 

198,201

 

2,199,487

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

(1,207,517)

 

(7,984,981)

 

(4,350,509)

Other

701,672

 

(72,240)

 

(519,775)

Net income tax benefit (expense)

1,451,429

 

(1,632,222)

 

(1,542,246)

 

Note 19 - Income taxes and other taxes, continued

Deferred income taxes

 

As of December 31,

Current portion

Long-term portion

Timing differences

2003

2004

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Assets

Accrued vacation expense

120,509

109,918

-

-

Allowance for doubtful accounts

819,341

504,544

1,102,631

990,599

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

618,819

507,076

100,003

180,521

Fixed assets held for sale

140,177

178,005

-

54,608

Provision for obsolescence of property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

300,525

Provision for impairment investment in Brazil

9,147,214

7,888,668

-

-

Provision appraisal of other current and long-term assets

14,605

-

571,422

533,374

Realization value of property, plant and equipment

-

-

336,592

62,464

Provision of other current and long-term assets

271,555

-

1,134,357

541,444

Deferred exchange differences

-

-

156,695

508,799

Other provisions

496,920

726,649

693,255

723,558

Liabilities

Fixed assets under leasing

(47,551)

-

(2,282,320)

(3,101,532)

Accelerated depreciation of fixed assets

(225,349)

(4,248,541)

(3,985,222)

Employee severance indemnities

-

-

(578,417)

(545,427)

Production costs

(493,049)

(485,175)

-

-

Negotiation of bonds

(140,215)

(34,878)

(1,851)

(1,020)

Bonds issuance

-

-

(262,180)

(175,433)

Other

-

(12,457)

(197,953)

(129,875)

Subtotal

10,722,976

9,382,350

(3,476,307)

(4,042,617)

Complementary accounts, net of amortization

(6,782)

-

408,766

2,905,632

Valuation allowance

(11,926,903)

(10,420,985)

(13,440,034)

(18,481,487)

Tax loss carry forwards

2,752,638

3,552,679

18,548,938

19,920,210

Total deferred income taxes, net

1,541,929

2,514,044

2,041,363

301,738

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity

The changes in Shareholders' equity during the years 2002, 2003 and 2004 in historical amounts are summarized as follows:

         

Reserves

       
 

Number of shares

 

Paid in capital

 

Contributed Surplus

 

Other Reserves

 

Cumulative

Translation

Adjustment

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

Net (loss) Income for the year

 

Total

                               

Balances as of January 1, 2002

386,000,000

 

115,574,737

 

5,753,339

 

8,903,649

 

29,436,073

 

13,771,425

 

(50,096,084)

 

123,343,139

Allocation of 2001 net income

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(50,096,084)

 

50,096,084

 

-

Capital increase

19,511,028

 

682,886

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

682,886

Price-level restatement of equity accounts

-

 

3,473,779

 

172,600

 

267,109

 

883,082

 

(1,089,740)

     

3,706,830

Cumulative translation adjustments, net

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

11,664,638

 

-

 

-

 

11,664,638

Net loss for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(40,165,867)

 

(40,165,867)

Balances as of December 31, 2002

405,511,028

 

119,731,402

 

5,925,939

 

9,170,758

 

41,983,793

 

(37,414,399)

 

(40,165,867)

 

99,231,626

Restatement of December 31, 2002 balances to December 31, 2004 constant pesos

405,511,028

 

123,922,001

 

6,133,347

 

9,491,735

 

43,453,226

 

(38,723,903)

 

(41,571,672)

 

102,704,733

Balances as of January 1, 2003

405,511,028

 

119,731,402

 

5,925,939

 

9,170,758

 

41,983,793

 

(37,414,399)

 

(40,165,867)

 

99,231,626

Allocation of 2002 net loss

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(40,165,867)

 

40,165,867

 

-

Capital increase

3,714,577,380

 

66,862,392

 

28,251,570

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

95,113,962

Share issuance expenses

-

 

-

 

(882,608)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(882,608)

Price-level restatement of equity accounts

-

 

1,373,332

 

111,218

 

91,707

 

419,839

 

(775,800)

 

-

 

1,220,296

Cumulative translation adjustments, net

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(30,379,930)

 

-

 

-

 

(30,379,930)

Net loss for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(16,734,324)

 

(16,734,324)

Balances as of December 31, 2003

4,120,088,408

 

187,967,126

 

33,406,119

 

9,262,465

 

12,023,702

 

(78,356,066)

 

(16,734,324)

 

147,569,022

Restatement of December 31, 2003 balances to December 31, 2004 constant pesos

-

 

192,666,304

 

34,241,272

 

9,494,025

 

12,324,293

 

(80,314,968)

 

(17,152,682)

 

151,258,244

Balances as of January 1, 2004

4,120,088,408

 

187,967,126

 

33,406,119

 

9,262,465

 

12,023,702

 

(78,356,066)

 

(16,734,324)

 

147,569,022

Allocation of 2003 net loss

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(16,734,324)

 

16,734,324

 

-

Capital increase

321,104,479

 

5,779,880

 

4,288,892

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

10,068,772

Share issuance expenses

-

 

-

 

(113,944)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(113,944)

Price-level restatement of equity accounts

-

 

4,745,587

 

877,601

 

231,563

 

300,591

 

(2,377,260)

 

-

 

3,778,082

Cumulative translation adjustments, net

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(11,301,761)

 

-

 

-

 

(11,301,761)

Net income for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,512,367

 

8,512,367

Balances as of December 31, 2004

4,441,192,887

 

198,492,593

 

38,458,668

 

9,494,028

 

1,022,532

 

(97,467,650)

 

8,512,367

 

158,512,538

 

 

 

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

As required by the Chilean Law, unless otherwise decided by the unanimous vote of the holders of all of the issued and subscribed shares, open stock corporations must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of their net income for each year, as determined in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless and except to the extent that the Company has accumulated losses.

As required by Chilean Law, paid-in capital has been modified to reflect the proportional capitalization of the price-level restatement of equity accounts.

There are no additional restrictions on the payments of dividends under the terms of the various loan agreements with banks and other financial institutions.

Certain U.S. dollar-denominated obligations are designated as economic hedges covering the exposure of foreign investments as permitted by Technical Bulletin No.64. The exchange differences that relate to such obligations are charged directly against Shareholders' equity to the Cumulative translation account within Shareholders' equity. The cumulative foreign exchange adjustments charged to this account were as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Balances as of January 1,

30,130,709

 

43,033,383

 

12,324,293

Price-level restatement

829,775

 

430,338

 

-

Cumulative translation adjustment

12,072,899

 

(31,139,428)

 

(11,301,761)

Total

43,033,383

 

12,324,293

 

1,022,532

a) Capital increase through issuance of shares

As part of the capital increase process, approved by the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on November 14, 2002 and exercised on February 18, 2003, 2,292,973,778 shares were subscribed and paid at an average of Ch$ 24 per share, recording a capital increase of ThCh$ 55,031,370:

  1. On June 6, 2003, 264,800,000 shares were subscribed and paid for a total of ThCh$ 7,680,072 at a value of Ch$ 29 per share.
  2. On August 20, 2003, 1,156,803,602 shares were subscribed and paid for a total of ThCh$ 32,402,520 at a value of Ch$ 28 per share.
  3. On July 1, 2004, 138,956,755 shares were subscribed and paid for a total of ThCh$ 5,697,227 at a value of Ch$ 41 per share.
  4. On October 29, 2004 the share subscription option held by certain executives for 182,147,724 shares value of Ch$ 24 per share was exercised, recording a capital increase of ThCh$ 4,371,545.

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

b) Contributed surplus

The detail of contributed surplus is as follows:

 

For years ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Issuance of share registered under the number 679 of the SVS

-

 

28,251,870

 

3,196,005

Issuance of share registered under the number 684 of the SVS

-

 

-

 

1,092,887

Share issuance cost (Note 2 v)

-

 

(882,608)

 

(113,944)

Total

-

 

27,369,262

 

4,174,948

c) Share options for the compensation plans

At the Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting of Madeco S.A., held on November 14, 2002, a stock-based compensation plan was agreed upon for the Company's executives and, accordingly, 493,334,000 shares were destined to a capital increase for that purpose.

On April 3, 2003, at an Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting, it was agree to grant executives an option to subscribe a total of 182,147,724 shares at a price per share of Ch$ 24 exercisable between October and November 2004. The share issuance destined to the stock-based compensation plans was recorded in the securities registry on April 24, 2004 under Number 684.

On October 29, 2004, the executives exercised the portion to subscribe 182,147,724 share at the price of Ch$24 per share, which was paid with their own resources on that same date. In accordance with the accounting criteria described in Note 2 w) the corresponding capital increase of ThCh$ 4,371,545 was recognized in the financial statement.

At an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on December 22, 2004, it was agreed to modify the placement value of remaining 311,186,276 shares destined to such compensation plans, setting a price of Ch$ 60 per share. As of December 31, 2004 the shares were authorized but not outstanding.

 

 

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

d) The following is a detail of the Cumulative translation adjustments determined in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 64, which is included within the equity account Reserves:

For the year ended December 31,

2002

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

(charges) / credits of the period

Balance as of December 31, 2002

(charges) / credits of the period

Balance as of December 31, 2003

(charges) / credits of the period

Balance as of December 31, 2004

Alusa S.A.

978,260

3,739,714

(3,357,159)

383,459

(1,326,162)

(942,703)

Comercial Madeco S.A. - Argentina

955

2,708

(5,975)

(3,267)

(105,193)

(108,460)

Indeco S.A. - Peru

1,386,753

6,093,270

(4,132,113)

1,962,628

(1,491,378)

471,250

Metalúrgica e Industrial S.A. - Argentina

1,720,418

11,341,509

(434,118)

10,910,131

(637,657)

10,272,474

Metal Overseas S.A. - Cayman Islands

6,543,442

33,697,135

(18,971,927)

14,733,347

(6,783,904)

7,949,443

Indalum S.A.

-

160,580

-

160,620

-

160,620

Decker-Indelqui S.A. - Argentina

1,605,224

5,534,393

(4,269,466)

1,266,263

(1,003,187)

263,076

Indeco S.A. - Peru (Goodwill)

196,368

870,085

(545,188)

325,107

(192,906)

132,201

Net Investment Hedge (1)

(358,521)

(17,975,673)

576,518

(17,413,995)

238,626

(17,175,369)

Total

12,072,899

43,463,721

(31,139,428)

12,324,293

(11,301,761)

1,022,532

(1) Foreign exchange related to net investment hedge is measured as is described in note 2 s).

 

 

Note 21 - Foreign currency, UF indexed and CPI restated assets and liabilities

Balances denominated or measured in foreign currency (principally US dollars) at December 31, 2003 and 2004 are included in these financial statements in thousands of Chilean peso equivalents as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Current assets

     

Cash and time deposits

3,522,516

 

6,313,899

Accounts receivable, net

26,970,022

 

34,609,235

Inventories, net

35,922,880

 

30,398,559

Other current assets

10,673,372

 

4,507,858

Long-term assets

     

Property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary assets

128,627,109

 

109,992,867

Other monetary assets

309,597

 

440,914

Total assets

206,025,496

 

186,263,332

Current liabilities

     

Short-term bank loans and current portion of long-term liabilities

12,828,193

 

17,873,378

Accounts payable and supplier notes payable

12,167,829

 

17,078,207

Other

5,696,056

 

5,561,653

Long-term liabilities

     

Long-term debt

20,283,290

 

18,610,046

Other

840,313

 

1,298,837

Total liabilities

51,815,681

 

60,422,121

Net (liability) asset position

154,209,815

 

125,841,211

As described in Note 20 certain of the US dollar-denominated obligations included in the above table are considered to be economic hedges covering the exposure of foreign investments as permitted by Technical Bulletin No. 64. As a result, portions of the exchange losses that arise from such obligations are charged directly against Shareholders' equity to the Cumulative Translation adjustment account within Shareholders' equity (see Note 20 d).

The inventories and property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary asset balances included above relate to assets of foreign investments for which the financial statements are translated to US dollars in accordance with Technical Bulletin 64, described in Note 2 s). Accordingly, there is exposure to variations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Chilean peso, from an accounting perspective.

Note 21 - Foreign currency, UF indexed and CPI restated assets and liabilities, continued

Balances denominated in UFs or restated based on CPI variation are included in the financial statements as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Current assets

     

Time deposits and marketable securities

21,225,310

 

793,032

Accounts receivable, net

19,458,223

 

21,202,307

Inventories, net

18,051,888

 

40,353,139

Other current assets

13,079,628

 

13,080,014

Long-term assets

     

Property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary assets

84,511,998

 

80,883,440

Other assets

165,142

 

335,007

Total assets

156,492,189

 

156,646,939

Current liabilities

     

Short-term bank loans and current portion of long-term liabilities

9,949,108

5,527,424

Bonds payable

27,580,743

 

3,918,184

Accounts payable and supplier notes payable

6,785,646

 

7,630,299

Other

5,474,615

 

6,024,376

Long-term liabilities

     

Long-term debt

96,222,141

 

88,748,813

Other

3,243,839

 

1,794,376

Total liabilities

149,256,092

 

113,643,472

Net asset position in UF or indexed to Chilean CPI

7,236,097

 

43,003,467

 

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies

  1. Litigations
  2. The Company is party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management considers it unlikely that any losses associated with the pending lawsuits will significantly affect the Company or it subsidiaries' results of operations, financial position and cash flows, although no assurance can be given to such effect.

  3. Restrictions on the Company's Managements or Financial Indicators

Madeco S.A. is subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions as of December 31, 2004, the most restrictive of which are the following:

2.1) Bonds Series D:

  • Maintain a current ratio of greater than 1.0.
  • Minimum shareholders' equity equivalent to UF 7million.
  • Debt to equity ratio (third-party liabilities/Shareholder's equity plus Minority interest) may not exceed 1.8.
  • Unencumbered assets to be at least 1.2 times the total amount of bonds outstanding.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

  • Quiñenco S.A. to remain as the controller of Madeco S.A., with a direct or indirect shareholding of at least 40%, in accordance with clause 97 of the Capital Markets Law, notwithstanding that Quiñenco S.A. must at all times directly hold at least 35% of the shares.
  • Madeco S.A. must use the proceeds obtained from its businesses, new borrowings or the sale of its assets to make voluntary prepayments on its financial debts with third parties, thereby optimizing its cost of debt and maintaining a reasonable balance between different kinds of creditors. Prepayments would be made after deducting the funds needed to make payments in the ordinary course of its business and to meet its long-term financial commitments.

2.2) Bank loans:

  1. Madeco S.A. is obliged to meet the following conditions with respect to the loan amendment and rescheduling agreements signed between it and its creditor banks while any amount covered by those agreements and the rescheduled promissory notes remains outstanding.
  2. Madeco S.A. must prepay all the rescheduled banks loans should the Luksic Group cease to own, directly or indirectly, at least 50.1% of the shares with voting rights or to control Madeco S.A. (control is defined as the power to elect the majority of directors or the power to determine the result of voting on all matters requiring the absolute majority of voting right shares of Madeco S.A. or the power to directly or indirectly exercise influence over the management or policies of Madeco S.A.).

    1. Obligations:

The Company is obligated to:

b.1) Preserve and maintain the corporate existence and legal structure of all of its Principal Subsidiaries (Alusa S.A., Indalum S.A., Ficap S.A. and Indeco S.A.), and all their rights, properties, licenses, trademarks, permits, franchises, concessions and patents.

b.2) Use the proceeds obtained from its businesses, new borrowings or the sale of its assets to make voluntary prepayments of its financial debts with third parties unrelated to the debtor except for Banco de Chile, a related party, and thereby try to optimize the cost of debt and maintain a reasonable balance between different kinds of creditors. The above should be performed after deducting the funds needed to meet its operating, financial and investment commitments in the ordinary course of business as well as long-term financial commitments.

b.3) Maintain the following financial indicators based on both the consolidated and unconsolidated financial statements:

    • Net financial debt to adjusted equity, as defined in the covenant and which relates to certain FECU codes, must not exceed 1.8 at the quarterly consolidated and unconsolidated measurement dates. (Net financial debt = FECU Codes 5.21.10.10 + 5.21.10.20 + 5.21.10.30 + 5.21.10.40 + 5.21.10.50 + 5.22.10.00 + 5.22.20.00 + 5.21.20.10 + 5.22.50.00 less fecu Codes 5.11.10.10 + 5.11.10.20 and 5.11.10.30).

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

    • Adjusted shareholders' equity, as defined in the covenant agreement and which relates to FECU code 5.24.00.00 (plus code 5.23.00.00 for Consolidated Financial Statements), excluding losses and the negative effects resulting from the disposal of property, plant and equipment and the sale of disposable assets of Madeco S.A. and/or its subsidiaries, the disposal of subsidiaries, provisions for the valuation of disposable property, plant and equipment and assets of Madeco S.A. and/or its subsidiaries, and provisions for the valuation of foreign investments.
    • Minimum adjusted shareholders' equity of UF 7 million as of December 31st of each year. However, starting September 30, 2005, a minimum adjusted shareholders' equity of UF 7 million must be maintained on a quarterly basis.
    • Current ratio must be greater than 1.0 times on the last day of each quarter on a consolidated and unconsolidated basis.
    • Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expenses must be at least 1.5:1 between December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2006.
    • Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest l expenses must be at least 1.75:1 between December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007.
    • Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expenses must be at least 2.0:1 between December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2009
    • Consolidated Net Financial Debt to consolidated EBITDA must be no greater than 8.0:1 between December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2006.
    • Consolidated Net Financial Debt to consolidated EBITDA must be no greater than 7.0:1 between December 31, 2006 and September 30, 2007.
    • Consolidated Net Financial Debt to consolidated EBITDA must be no greater than 6.0:1 between December 31, 2007 and September 30, 2009.

b.4) Madeco may distribute dividends only if the following conditions have been met:

    • At least four years have passed since compliance with the conditions of the rescheduled bank loan agreements (since March 4, 2003).
    • There has been no event of default or any non-compliance with covenants.
    • The ratio of consolidated Net Financial Debt to consolidated EBITDA is no greater than 4.0 times.
    • The above not withstanding the provisions of clause 69 of the Corporations Law.

c) Prohibitions:

The Company is prohibited from:

c.1) Encumbrances over its real estate or assets and those of its subsidiaries, nor over their intellectual property or any other tangible or intangible assets existing at the time of the loan rescheduling or which they acquire in the future, with certain exceptions such as

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

(i) previously existing encumbrances, (ii) encumbrances relating to the normal course of business, (iii) financing relating to asset acquisitions, (iv) leasing, and (v) others.

c.2) Merge or agree to merge, consolidate or divide its Principal Subsidiaries (Alusa S.A., Indalum S.A., Ficap S.A. and Indeco S.A.) except insofar as (i) the managing agent is notified of the agreements for such merger, consolidation or division, (ii) no default occurs as a result of the operation, (iii) the new entity has the same business, operation, essential assets, rights and credit ratings as Madeco S.A. or the respective Principal Subsidiary, (iv) the new company assumes all the obligations assumed by Madeco S.A. or the respective Principal Subsidiary in the loan agreement, and (v) in the case of liquidation of a Principal Subsidiary, Madeco S.A. has determined that this is in its best interest and will not substantially affect creditors' rights.

c.3) Permit essential assets representing more than 20% of the total consolidated assets described in the consolidated accounts Code 5.10.00.00 as of September 30, 2002 to be sold, assigned, used or in any way disposed of, whether by one operation or a series of operations, to a party that is not a subsidiary of Madeco S.A.

c.4) Sign acts or contracts with related parties except in the ordinary course of business and under terms and conditions similar to those obtained in arms' length negotiations between unrelated parties. It shall also ensure that its subsidiaries do not sign any such contracts. Madeco S.A. may not grant financial loans to subsidiaries that together or individually exceed US$3.5 million. The disposal of subsidiaries to related companies must be made at prevailing market conditions, according to an independent appraisal.

c.5) Substantially change the nature of its principal line of business or those of its Principal Subsidiaries.

c.6) Ensure that its subsidiaries do not (i) modify or permit the modification of the conditions of any debt in a manner more favorable than existing debt of Madeco S.A., including the modification of any bond issuance contract, loan agreement or the granting of guarantees relating to such debts, except that these debts reflect new terms and conditions prevailing in the market, and (ii) modify or permit the modification of their by-laws that would result in change in the rights of the creditors under the loan agreements.

c.7) Grant and ensure that the subsidiaries do not grant guarantees to cover the obligations of third parties, with certain exceptions.

c.8) Acquire and ensure that its subsidiaries do not acquire majority holdings in other companies, or minority holdings, whose cost, individually or collectively, exceeds US$1 million, with certain exceptions.

d) Advanced loan demand

Any creditor is authorized to demand the payment of any overdue installment or the entire debt owed in the event of a failure or delay to pay all or part of any amount due under the bank loan rescheduling agreements.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

e) The Majority Banks are authorized to declare the principal, interest and any other amount as due and immediately payable if any of the following events occur:

    • If Madeco S.A. does not pay any debt or obligation with respect to principal, interest, premiums or other concepts which individually or jointly exceed US$1 million.

    • If the subsidiaries Alusa S.A. or Indalum S.A. do not pay any debt or obligation (after three years from the effective date of the rescheduling) with respect to principal, interest, premiums or other concepts which individually or jointly exceed US$3.5 million.
    • If the subsidiaries Ficap S.A. or Indeco S.A. do not pay any debt or obligation with respect to principal, interest, premiums or other concepts which individually or jointly exceed US$3.5 million, and provided that a request from the creditors has been made in writing, Ficap S.A. and Indeco S.A. will be liable to pay the whole of their outstanding debt immediately.
    • If any judicial sentence rules against Madeco S.A. or any of its Principal Subsidiaries demanding the payment of US$3 million or more, and such amounts remain unpaid.
    • If any judicial sentence rules against Madeco S.A. or any of its subsidiaries in which the result does not involve a monetary award but could still have an adverse effect on the company.
    • If Madeco S.A. does not comply with covenants or negative covenants.
    • Should for any reason Madeco S.A. cease to be included in the Securities Register of the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance.
    • Should Madeco S.A. cease to hold directly or indirectly at least 51% of the common voting shares of its subsidiaries Indalum S.A., Indeco S.A. and Ficap S.A.

  1. Tax Contingency

As of December 31, 2004, the subsidiary Madeco S.A. has received notification of income tax differences for the tax years 2001, 2002 and 2003 relating to the first category income tax, tax refunds and additional tax for a total of ThCh 2,448,024 (value of the tax). Madeco's management has, through its legal advisers, begun the proceedings to counter the claims made by Chilean tax authorities.

In addition, for the 2004 tax year, Madeco S.A. is requesting a refund of ThCh$ 1,545,224, which corresponds to the remainder retained by the Chilean Internal Revenue Service of the ThCh$ 3,038,789 originally requested as part of a tax loss absorption.

Metal Overseas and Subsidiaries:

a) There are legal proceedings in Brazil against the previous owner of Ficap S.A., a subsidiary of Madeco S.A., dating from the time prior to Madeco S.A.'s ownership starting in 1997. It is believed that total damages would amount to approximately BR$ 6,950,000 equal to ThCh$1,459,430, Madeco S.A. has personal guarantees from the previous owner of Ficap S.A. to indemnify Madeco S.A. should the Brazilian subsidiary be affected by such legal actions.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

b) In 1999, the Company and Corning International Corporation ("Corning") created in Brazil Ficap Optel Ltda., a joint venture to produce, sell and distribute optical fiber cables. In 2001, Ficap Optel Ltda. changed its name to Optel Ltda. In 2002, the Company filed an arbitration claim in New York City before the American Arbitration Association against Corning, based on the allegation that Corning had tried to unjustifiably terminate the agreements it assumed with Madeco relating to Optel Ltda. Corning, in turn, made a counter-claim against the Company, seeking, among other things, that Corning be allowed to terminate its agreements with the Company.

In November 2003 Madeco was notified of the arbitration judgment which, amongst other issues, ruled that the investment agreement signed between the parties on June 12, 1999, and its amendments, be terminated. The judgment ruled the investment agreement null and void, resulting in the loss of Madeco's right to manage Optel Ltda. Finally, the judgment stated that the decision of Corning concerning the liquidation of Optel Ltda. must be respected. The Company therefore decided to make an allowance for its 50% holding in Optel Ltda.

 

 

Armat S.A.

a) As of December 31, 2004, the Company has litigation pending related to normal business activities, which, according to the Company's lawyers, do not involve risks of significant losses.

As of December 31, 2004, Armat S.A., a subsidiary of Madeco S.A., has lawsuits pending against it in relation to its normal course of business. The legal advisers of Armat S.A. believe there is no risk of significant losses.

Indalum S.A.

a) The Company has no lawsuits or other legal actions against it.

b) The following restrictions were established under negotiations carried out by Indalum S.A., a subsidiary of Madeco S.A., on December 29, 2003 with Banco de Chile, a related party, Banco de Crédito e Inversions, Banco Estado and Banco Security, to cover the period from that date until December 26, 2008.

c) Indalum must comply with the following covenants as of June 30 and December 31 of each year, on a consolidated basis:

  • Debt ratio or leverage not to exceed 1.2.
  • Minimum shareholders' equity equivalent to UF 1,630,000.
  • Maintain the ownership of its property, plant and equipment necessary for the normal development of its operations and business and maintain its ownership of the subsidiary Alumco S.A.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

  • May not pledge, mortgage or grant any charge or right over any property, plant and equipment of Indalum S.A. or its subsidiaries except for those over assets it acquires in the future and which are granted for financing their acquisition.
  • May not grant guarantees to cover the compliance of any obligation, debt, liability or commitment contracted by a person other than Indalum S.A. or its subsidiaries, without the prior written consent of the creditors.
  • Indalum may not pay or distribute dividends that exceed 30% of the net income for each year, without the prior written consent of the creditors.
  • May not grant direct financing to third parties outside of the business. This shall not include the trade accounts receivable of Indalum S.A. with its customers nor loans to the executives and personnel of Indalum S.A. or its subsidiaries.
  • In the event of the disposal of the real estate located at Aysén Street 244, Macul, Vitacura Street 2736, Office 301, Vitacura, and Santa Marta Street 1313, Maipú, the sales proceeds should be used to prepay the rescheduled obligations on a prorate basis. For this calculation, the principal amount of outstanding financial loans due to Madeco S.A. shall be added to the rescheduled obligations. For this purpose, financial debt shall be defined as the sum of all loans made by Madeco S.A., which amounted to ThCh$4,329,888 as of December 31, 2003.
  • Indalum may repay the financial loan currently owed to its parent company Madeco S.A. only if it has paid all of the amounts due to the banks and has fully complied with the covenants and negative covenants assumed under the agreement, or that the proceeds come from the sale of the properties mentioned above.
  • Madeco S.A. must directly and indirectly control Indalum S.A. during the term of the agreement or have a shareholding of at least 50.1% in the company.

As of December 31, 2004, Indalum S.A. has fully complied with these restrictions.

Alusa S.A.

a) Maintains a syndicated loan with Banco de Chile, a related party and Banco Estado for UF 300,000 as of December 31, 2004, for which it must comply with the following covenants:

  • Maintain the following financial indicators based on its consolidated and unconsolidated financial statements: leverage (debt to equity) not to exceed 0.75 times (equity for these purposes being net of intangible assets and technical appraisals of assets).
  • Minimum shareholders' equity of UF1,765,000.
  • In the event of the disposal of the real estate properties located at Avda. Vicuña Mackenna 2935 and 2585, Alusa S.A. it must use at least 35% of the proceeds to prepay on a prorate basis the participant banks in the syndicated loan.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

  • Alusa S.A. may not encumber its assets or give guarantees to creditors other than to the participant banks, without their prior written consent, unless such security is also granted in favor of the participant banks on the same terms and conditions and with equal degree of preference as to other creditors. Excluded from this prohibition is the collateral given by Alusa S.A. over assets it acquires in the future in order to cover the financing obtained for their acquisition.
  • No accounts receivable with its Argentine subsidiary, Aluflex S.A. relating to non-business operations, except with the prior written consent of the participant banks. Business-related accounts receivable with Aluflex S.A., may not exceed US$600,000 except with the prior written consent of the participant banks.
  • Alusa S.A. was in compliance with all of these covenants as of December 31, 2004.

b) As of December 31, 2004, the indirect subsidiary Alusa S.A. has received two notifications of taxes due, Nos. 372 and 373, (Value of tax ThCh$ 136,280) from the Chilean Internal Revenue Service. These notifications are pending of resolution.

On February 27, 2004, in accordance with the claim procedure contained in Title II of Decree Law 830 of the Tax Code, Alusa S.A. filed a complaint with the tax court (case number 10.073/2004), objecting to the notifications of taxes due from the Chilean Internal Revenue Service.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

Direct Guarantees

Pledged Assets

Balances pending payment

Release of Guarantees

Creditor of Guarantee

Name

Type of guarantee

Type

Book value

2004

2003

2005

Assets

2006

Assets

2007

Assets

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Banco Santander Santiago

Alufoil S.A.

Mortage

Industrial plant

-

-

240,603

-

-

-

-

-

-

Banco Security

Alufoil S.A.

Industrial machinery

-

-

1,304,086

-

-

-

-

-

-

Banco de Chile

Alufoil S.A.

Leasing

Conering machine

-

-

65,795

-

-

-

-

-

-

Area Se/Bco. Santos/Inter-Atlantico/Banrisul/ABC Brazil

Ficap S.A.

Insurance

-

-

1,564,198

-

141,962

-

1,422,236

-

-

-

Sudameris

Ficap S.A.

Contract

-

-

1,170

58,491

1,170

-

-

-

-

-

Sudameris

Ficap S.A.

Contract

-

-

-

54,708

-

-

-

-

-

-

Safra

Ficap S.A.

Contract

-

-

51,444

109,426

51,444

-

-

-

-

-

Safra

Ficap S.A.

Fixed assets

-

-

490,980

415,266

490,980

-

-

-

-

-

Safra

Ficap S.A.

Fixed assets

-

-

-

93,724

-

-

-

-

-

-

Aguas Andinas S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

20,000

20,000

-

20,000

-

-

-

-

-

Casa de Moneda de Chile

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

702

702

-

702

-

-

-

-

-

Cía. Americana de Multiservicios

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

US$

24,638

24,638

-

24,638

-

-

-

-

-

Cía. Americana de Multiservicios

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

246,254

246,254

-

246,254

-

-

-

-

-

Cía. de Telecomunicaciones de Chile S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

US$

258,203

258,203

-

258,203

-

-

-

-

-

Cia. General de Electricidad

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

42,468

42,468

-

42,468

-

-

-

-

-

Corporación Nacional del Cobre

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

US$

4,174

4,174

4,199

4,174

-

-

-

-

-

Codelco División Norte

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

US$

-

-

255,412

-

-

-

-

-

-

Enami

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

500

500

-

500

-

-

-

-

-

Emel S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

ThCh$

5,000

5,000

-

5,000

-

-

-

-

-

The Treasury Department

Armat S.A.

Check

US$95.471.-

53,216

53,216

-

53,216

-

-

-

-

-

The Treasury Department

Armat S.A.

Check

US$100.907.-

56,245

56,245

-

56,245

-

-

-

-

-

Indirect Guarantees

Creditor of guarantee

Debtor

Type of guarantee

Pledge assets

Balances pending payment

Release of Guarantee

 

Name

 

Type

Book value

2004

2003

2005

Assets

2006

Assets

2007

Assets

BankBoston

Ingewall S.A.

Guarantee bill

-

-

458,136

438,224

458,136

-

-

-

-

-

Note 23 - Non-operating income and expenses

Non-operating income and expenses for each year are summarized as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Non-operating income:

         
           

Gain on sale of investments in other companies

-

 

7,555

 

6,232

Gain on sale of fixed assets

160,069

 

143,379

 

57,661

Recovery of tax benefits in foreign subsidiaries

276,286

 

499,067

 

41,794

Release of allowance for expenses related to Optel

-

 

-

 

591,334

Gain on sale of Alufoil trademarks

-

 

-

 

628,152

Other

-

 

97,497

 

128,418

Total

436,355

 

747,498

 

1,453,591

Non-operating expenses:

           

Obsolescence and write-offs of other long-term assets

1,733,958

 

1,722,652

 

374,974

Restructuring cost and severance indemnities

3,239,575

 

-

 

-

Adjustment to realizable value of assets held for sale (Note 10)

869,687

 

621,949

 

393,625

Allowance for closure and valuation on assets in foreign subsidiaries - Ingewall and Uruguay

2,744,399

 

495,213

 

76,427

Allowance for uncollectible debts

1,195,506

 

-

 

-

Provision for lawsuit settlement

334,407

 

47,143

 

45,351

Accrual for contingent liabilities and lawsuits

-

 

344,359

 

212,069

Valuation allowance for fixed and other assets - Argentina (1)

6,355,376

 

841,724

 

283,074

Depreciation of idle assets - Argentina (2)

3,366,276

 

2,033,744

 

2,242,660

Provision for subsidiary in liquidation Optel

-

 

5,040,422

 

-

Write-off of tax incentives and other credits - Brazil

382,834

 

-

 

-

Other

489,359

 

458,517

 

52,771

Total

20,711,377

 

11,605,723

 

3,680,951

 

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company's management recorded a provision of ThCh$ 4,694,239 (historic value) for the Lamination plant (Lomas) of the indirect subsidiary Decker Indelqui S.A. as it had suspended production with no future restart anticipated. Additionally, a ThCh$1,445,843 (historic value) provision was accrued during the year ended December 31, 2002 for taxes recoverable from the Argentine Government, as they were considered to be more likely than not unrecoverable.

(2) Corresponds to depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 10) and unused assets (Note 13).

 

Note 24 - Balances and transactions with related parties

Balances with related companies at December 31 of each year are as follows:

a) Current assets

     

As of December 31,

     

2003

 

2004

Company

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cobrecon S.A.

Affiliated

Loan

176,356

 

32,179

Electromecánica Industrial S.A.

Related Party

Billing

3,843

 

18,432

Embotelladoras Chilenas Unidas S.A.

Common Shareholders'

Billing

227,170

 

95,282

Sodimac S.A.

Related Party

Billing

-

 

797,435

C.N.T Telefónica del Sur S.A.

Under Common Control

Billing

18,485

 

31,752

Calaf S.A.

Common Shareholders'

Billing

-

 

54,528

Alte S.A.

Related Party

Billing

22,665

 

41,414

Others related Companies

Various

Various

136,635

 

45,496

Total

   

585,154

 

1,116,518

b) Long-Term assets

     

As of December 31,

     

2003

 

2004

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Cobrecon S.A.

Affiliated

Loan

-

 

108,968

Electromecánica Industrial S.A.

Related Party

Loan

252,573

 

252,195

Inversiones Ontario S.A.

Related Party

Loan

217,079

 

216,753

Total

   

469,652

 

577,916

c) Current Liabilities

     

As of December 31,

     

2003

 

2004

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Affiliated

Commercial

283,872

 

189,705

Minera Michilla S.A.

Shareholder

Commercial

84,002

 

58,073

Quiñenco S.A.

Parent Company

Loan

64,881

 

78,931

Others related Companies

Various

Various

58,437

 

21,143

Total

   

491,192

 

347,852

 

Liabilities with banks and financial institutions, long-term obligations maturing within a year, other payables, cash and leased property, plant and equipment, include balances of transactions are carried out with Banco de Chile S.A. and its related companies. Transactions with related companies are conducted under market conditions at prevailing rates on their realization dates.

 

Note 24 - Balances and transactions with related parties, continued

c) Current Liabilities, continued

  1. The current liabilities with Quiñenco S.A. (Parent Company) corresponds to a long-term loan at an interest rate of TAB + 1.75% (2.59% in 2003) maturing in March 2010.
  2. As of June 2004, balances receivable from Electromecánica Industrial S.A. do not accrue interest; as that Company is in a preventive judicial agreement. The Company has made all the relevant provision with respect to the recoverability of those balances.
  3. As of June 2004, balances receivable from Inversiones Ontario S.A. do not accrue interest; that Company is in judicial collections. The Company has made all the relevant provisions with respect to the recoverability of those balances. Other short-term receivable and payable balances correspond to mercantile current accounts and do not accrue interest.

d) Long-Term liabilities

     

As of December 31,

     

2003

 

2004

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Quiñenco S.A.

Parent Company

Loan

7,642,529

 

7,631,094

Total

   

7,642,529

 

7,631,094

 

 

Note 24 - Balances and transactions with related parties, continued

d) Long-Term liabilities, continued

Significant transactions with related parties are summarized as follows:

   

Revenue (Expenses) for the years-ended December 31,

 

Transaction

2002

 

2003

 

2004

   

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

           

Alte S.A.

Services

-

 

(9,399)

 

-

 

Sales of products and services

196,201

 

141,973

 

157,684

Banco de Chile (1)

Interest from investments

(328,349)

 

(278,717)

 

(373,678)

Calaf S.A.

Sales of products and services

-

 

-

 

92,375

CNT Telefónica del Sur S.A.

Sales of products and services

179,167

 

126,129

 

314,080

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Sales of products and services

5,966

 

82,548

 

36,273

Electromecánica Industrial S.A.

Sales of products and services

91,048

 

61,873

 

-

 

Services

(32,073)

 

(48,415)

 

-

 

Interest

16,004

 

14,832

 

-

Embotelladoras Chilenas Unidas S.A.

Sales of products and services

703,956

 

780,743

 

788,715

 

Services

(4,682)

 

(6,070)

 

(7,734)

Sodimac

Sales of products and services

-

 

-

 

4,934,638

Minera el Tesoro

Sales of products and services

-

 

123,041

 

68,186

Minera los Pelambres S.A.

Sales of products and services

264,326

 

332,796

 

410,790

Minera Michilla S.A.

Sales of products and services

44,000

 

98,291

 

67,726

 

Interest and expenses

-

 

(1,712)

 

(2,637)

Quiñenco S.A. (1)

Interest and expenses

(427,970)

 

(257,364)

 

(241,696)

Transportes CCU Ltda.

Sales of products and services

82,873

 

111,772

 

3,236

Viña San Pedro S.A.

Sales of products and services

59,565

 

61,065

 

88,303

Inmobiliaria Norte Verde S.A.

Services

-

 

(14,718)

 

(37,408)

Luchetti Chile S.A.

Sales of products and services

34,208

 

88,543

 

10,130

Peruplast S.A.

Purchase of inventories

44,871

 

64,550

 

-

Entel S.A.

Sales of products and services

39,787

 

20,616

 

8,487

 

Services

(19,549)

 

(21,578)

 

(30,172)

Others

Various

21,194

 

26,133

 

25,701

(1) Banco de Chile is an related company under common control. Loans related to Banco de Chile are classified with Long-term debt and bonds payable (see Note 17).

In accordance with Article 89 of the Chilean Companies Act, the Company's transactions with related parties must be carried out on an "arm's length" or market basis.

 

Note 25 - Minority Interest

Minority interest is summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Balance Sheet

     

Alusa S.A.

8,497,530

 

8,682,058

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A.

9,837

 

-

Indalum S.A.

190,315

 

206,023

Indeco S.A.

1,488,585

 

1,442,305

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

1,400

 

1,754

Total

10,187,667

 

10,332,140

 

As of December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Income Statement

         

Alusa S.A.

401,088

 

(516,793)

 

(604,216)

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A.

2,483

 

10,454

 

14,494

Indalum S.A.

(15,735)

 

(19,223)

 

(15,709)

Indeco S.A.

(103,374)

 

(67,007)

 

(214,842)

Optel Ltda.

1,783,124

 

-

 

-

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

276

 

(114)

 

(353)

Minority interest participation in net loss

2,067,862

 

(592,683)

 

(820,626)

Note 26 - Expenses for issuance and placement of shares and debt instruments

The expenses incurred and charged to shareholders' equity at December 31, 2004 from the issuance of 3,853,534,135 ordinary, single series, no-par value shares, registered in the Security Register on February 7, 2003 under No 679, are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Commission for capital stock issuance

842,997

 

113,944

Expenses for financial advice

29,964

 

-

Filing fee with SVS registry

7,364

 

-

Other expenses

2,283

 

-

       

Total expenses (1)

882,608

 

113,944

(1) Amounts presented as historic value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 27 - Derivative Contracts

At December 31, 2004 the detail of derivative contracts, recorded in conformity with Note 2 u), is as follows:

As of December 31, 2004

Type (1)

Nominal amount

Period of maturity

Item

Sales / Purchase (2)

Hedged item

Amount

Effect in Income

US$

US$

US$

FR

6,116,351

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

P

Inventory

6,116,351

(260,552)

FR

179,629

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

P

Loans

179,629

(9,896)

S

3,019,616

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

P

Loans

3,019,616

(169,113)

S

668,880

2nd Quarter 05

Exchange rate

P

Loans

668,880

(48,733)

S

692,045

3rd Quarter 05

Exchange rate

P

Loans

692,045

(38,306)

(1) FR = Forward, S = Swap

(2) S = Sales, P = Purchase

 

Note 28 - Subsequent events

On March 31, 2005, the Company and Corning International Corporation ("Corning") reached an agreement whereby Corning sold its 50% interest in Optel Ltda. to the Company for the nominal amount of R$1, thus avoiding the liquidation of Optel Ltda. In accordance with the purchase agreement, Corning executed a binding 2-year non-competition clause not to compete in the markets where Optel Ltda. currently operates. In addition, on March 31, 2005, the Company reached an agreement with two of Optel's principal creditors to forgive US$5.3 million of US$7.3 million indebtedness, and the difference was down-paid to the creditors. Consequently, Optel Ltda. extinguished in full its outstanding debt obligation with its two principal lenders.

 

 

Note 29 - Guarantees received from third parties

At December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company holds the following guarantees from third parties:

As of December 31,

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

Alucenter

Customer

MortageMortage

-

16,000

Angel Aravena

Customer

Lien

20,705

30,200

Arriaza Romo Luis Anjenol

Customer

Mortage

-

10,000

Business Recovery Ltda.

Customer

Lien

-

7,500

Carlos Navaja

Customer

Lien

-

9,796

Carlos Pizarro

Customer

Mortage

2,357

-

Cristales y Aluminios S.A.

Customer

Promissory note

-

165,031

Daniel Valverde

Customer

Industrial Lien

110,293

110,129

Digoval S.A.

Customer

Mortage

61,500

-

Elfle Comercial Ltda.

Customer

Mortage

-

70,000

Emp. Constructora NDS Ltda.

Customer

Bill of exchange

26,814

-

Ernesto Retamal

Customer

Mortage

-

2,736

Ferbras S.A.

Customer

Checks

123,000

120,000

Ind. Casali y Cia. Ltda.

Customer

Lien

-

30,000

Ind. Nac. De Piezas y Partes Metalur. Ltda.

Customer

Guarantee

-

38,086

Industria de Radiadores Gallardo Ltda.

Customer

Mortage

-

30,000

Ing. Plasticos Ltda.

Customer

Guarantee bill

-

20,000

Ingevec S.A.

Customer

Checks

8,393

-

Ingewall Chile S.A.

Customer

Bill of exchange

26,278

26,047

Inv. Payfa

Customer

Mortage

96,760

-

Ivan Maturana

Customer

Lien

-

2,000

Jorge Lagos

Customer

Given in settlement

159,099

-

Jorge Lopez

Supplier

Bill of exchange

49,547

49,473

Jose Miguel Prieto

Customer

Guarantee bill

77,484

286,204

Jose Miguel Prieto

Customer

Mortage

216,787

-

Juan C. Inostroza Carrasco

Customer

Checks

-

6,000

Juan Arbulo

Customer

Guarantee

88,691

-

Kitchen Pak Ltda.

Customer

Lien

-

81,203

Nelida Patricia olave Herrera

Customer

Collateral

-

6,600

Ruben Riojas

Customer

Lien

1,025

1,000

Sialum

Customer

Mortage

2,459

2,399

Soc. e Ing. y Construcción

Customer

Mortage

-

36,633

Soc.Comercial Liar

Customer

Mortage

-

40,033

Tito Alvarado

Supplier

Bill of exchange

88,449

87,673

Vitrotec

Customer

Lien

-

49,801

Total

1,159,641

1,334,544

As of December 31, 2004, the Company has a pledge issued by Inversiones Notario S.A. over 1,398 shares of its subsidiary Electromecanica Industrial S.A., which was established to guarantee payment of UF 27,982.31 in obligations corresponding to loans grated to those related companies.

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency

Local and foreign currency as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 is detailed as follows:

As of December 31,

Currency of

2003

2004

Measurement

ThCh$

ThCh$

Cash

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

236,150

452,086

US dollars

928,699

1,970,395

Argentine pesos

294,007

120,632

Brazilian real

469,720

147,601

Peruvian sol

148,254

296,171

Other currency

12,101

6,561

Time Deposits

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,127,582

296,456

Indexed Chilean pesos

19,539,705

-

US dollars

1,609,914

3,772,539

Brazilian real

59,821

-

Marketable securities, net

Non

321,873

44,490

Trade accounts receivable, net

Non

13,677,621

15,367,563

US dollars

13,070,528

16,138,407

Argentine pesos

733,825

747,507

Brazilian real

9,324,852

14,717,010

Peruvian sol

231,214

225,793

Euros

799,389

184,722

Other currency

50,055

12,220

Notes receivable, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

4,752,916

4,072,647

Indexed Chilean pesos

220,199

161,586

US dollars

517,504

438,793

Argentine pesos

387,089

503,569

Other currency

74,951

37,805

Other receivables, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

364,917

463,150

Indexed Chilean pesos

33,772

53,022

US dollars

157,044

449,389

Argentine pesos

375,455

216,230

Brazilian real

817,356

646,123

Peruvian sol

211,445

259,463

Other currency

42,959

25

Due from related companies

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

401,653

1,054,720

Indexed Chilean pesos

7,145

29,619

US dollars

176,356

32,179

Inventories, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

18,051,888

40,353,139

US dollars

30,590,781

4,488,018

Argentine pesos

-

4,116,480

Brazilian real

4,290,331

12,622,838

Peruvian sol

652,727

9,171,223

Other currency

389,041

-

Recoverable taxes

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

2,383,659

1,467,320

Brazilian real

1,139,156

1,356,029

Peruvian sol

-

459,657

Other currency

181,885

200,941

Prepaid expenses

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

336,920

267,391

Indexed Chilean pesos

625,716

54,293

US dollars

8,666

-

Argentine pesos

57,330

45,874

Brazilian real

34,778

33,929

Peruvian sol

34,667

36,546

Other currency

14,253

697

Deferred taxes

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,102,178

544,023

Argentine pesos

285,176

300,593

Brazilian real

100,481

1,669,428

Peruvian sol

54,094

-

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

As of December 31,

Currency of Measurement

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

Other current assets

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

8,044,689

10,293,036

Indexed Chilean pesos

415,831

393,668

US dollars

6,864,289

128,367

Argentine pesos

49,332

113,247

Brazilian real

1,371,818

128,827

Peruvian sol

460,758

-

Other currency

16,689

33,723

Current Assets

148,733,204

151,197,760

Land

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

3,601,961

3,634,158

US dollars

7,891,411

6,456,960

Buildings and infrastructure

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

21,131,582

21,035,065

US dollars

36,944,165

32,402,466

Machinery and equipment

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

86,864,787

87,681,432

US dollars

129,835,889

114,382,296

Others fixed assets

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

20,593,539

20,725,305

US dollars

9,086,526

8,680,528

Surplus on technical appraisal of PP&E

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

5,468,478

5,468,478

US dollars

9,956,766

9,118,454

Depreciation (less)

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

(61,375,430)

(65,007,644)

US dollars

(103,171,212)

(94,310,574)

Fixed Assets

166,828,462

150,266,924

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

As of December 31,

Currency of Measurement

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

Investments

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,428,243

1,428,655

US dollars

6,783,323

6,181,205

Peruvian sol

743,506

659,056

Investment in others companies

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

16,242

16,242

Brazilian real

41,940

-

Peruvian sol

13,618

12,471

Goodwill

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,401,108

1,273,473

US dollars

24,125,554

20,480,482

Long term receivables

Non

2,078

322,039

Indexed Chilean pesos

163,064

12,968

US dollars

45,040

20,605

Argentine pesos

29,105

18,473

Brazilian real

235,452

401,836

Due from related companies

Indexed Chilean pesos

469,652

468,948

US dollars

-

108,968

Long-term deferred taxes

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

269,722

104,974

Argentine pesos

729,056

196,764

Brazilian real

1,042,585

-

Intangibles

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

412,226

428,718

US dollars

5,114

80,071

Brazilian real

36,208

38,868

Amortization (less)

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

(114,414)

(209,205)

US dollars

(752)

(16,436)

Others

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

3,361,617

3,011,769

Indexed Chilean pesos

1,153,320

883,355

US dollars

3,021,890

3,659,132

Argentine pesos

1,123,794

762,517

Brazilian real

412,755

1,098,522

Other currency

4,973

1,117

Others Assets

46,956,019

41,445,587

Total Assets

362,517,685

342,910,271

 

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Current liabilities

Currency of measurement

90 days

90 days to 1 year

2003

2004

2003

2004

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

Short-term liabilities with banks.

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

5,418,253

5.96

1,243,264

3.85

227,125

5.5

-

-

Short-term liabilities with banks.

US dollars

3,256,323

2.07

7,716,387

4.08

1,962,273

4.53

3,062,198

4.07

Short-term liabilities with banks.

Argentine pesos

-

-

9,387

9

-

-

-

-

Short-term liabilities with banks.

Brazilian real

3,827,566

20.58

3,730,771

21.37

1,942,992

20.37

1,848,409

20.82

Long-term liabilities with banks.

Indexed Chilean pesos

333,340

0.08

-

-

3,268,070

6.34

3,122,091

2.75

Long-term liabilities with banks.

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

-

-

258,426

1.31

Long-term liabilities with banks.

US dollars

555,468

2.91

21,336

-

1,121,290

2.68

457,263

2.13

Long-term liabilities with banks.

Other currency

27,839

17

38,118

14.75

134,442

17

987,598

16.68

Bonds payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

27,580,743

6.33

3,918,184

5

Long-term obligations with 1 year expiry

Indexed Chilean pesos

193,826

6

211,686

4.1

508,494

5.8

614,754

4

Long-term obligations with 1 year expiry

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

18,941

5

-

-

58,262

5

Long-term obligations with 1 year expiry

US dollars

-

-

463

8.1

-

-

1,448

8.1

Dividends payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

32,396

-

2,544

-

-

-

-

-

Accounts payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

45,154

-

22,374

-

-

-

-

-

Accounts payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

4,977,539

-

7,110,608

-

130,431

-

-

-

Accounts payable

US dollars

3,536,174

-

5,162,160

-

191,621

-

-

-

Accounts payable

EUROS

22,814

-

113,328

-

-

-

-

-

Accounts payable

Argentine pesos

259,718

-

247,918

-

-

-

653

-

Accounts payable

Peruvian Sol

41,654

-

28,472

-

-

-

-

-

Accounts payable

Other currency

6,433

-

27,300

-

-

-

-

-

Notes payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

605,167

-

84,039

-

430,500

-

-

-

Notes payable

US dollars

5,612,580

-

6,649,560

0.08

70,210

-

-

-

Notes payable

Argentine pesos

1,903

-

40,927

-

-

-

-

-

Notes payable

Brazilian real

1,841,001

-

2,385,076

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

Indexed Chilean pesos

2,384

-

2,037

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

94,984

-

60,845

-

8,169

-

-

-

 

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Current liabilities, continued

Currency of measurement

90 days

90 days to 1 year

2003

2004

2003

2004

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

Other payables

US dollars

184,387

-

2,077,606

-

-

-

97,513

12.97

Other payables

Argentine pesos

13,167

-

13,577

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

Brazilian real

48,073

-

9,420

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

Peruvian Sol

305,824

-

224,697

-

-

-

-

-

Notes and accounts payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

394,041

-

268,921

-

-

-

-

-

Notes and accounts payable

US dollars

32,270

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Notes and accounts payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

64,881

-

78,931

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

2,397,451

-

3,432,285

-

288,376

-

209,455

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Indexed Chilean pesos

424,904

-

1,522,357

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued and other liabilities

US dollars

1,799,369

-

641,896

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Argentine pesos

745,768

-

591,229

-

-

-

53,148

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Brazilian real

1,356,385

-

1,284,624

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Peruvian Sol

381,387

-

654,041

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued and other liabilities

Other currency

18,613

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

671,738

-

644,552

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Argentine pesos

112,831

-

205,116

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Brazilian real

578,022

-

952,998

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Other currency

4,699

-

305

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Peruvian Sol

104,973

-

105,209

-

-

-

-

-

Unearned income

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,580,693

-

99,048

-

-

-

-

-

Unearned income

Argentine pesos

29,217

-

4,812

-

-

-

-

-

Unearned income

Peruvian Sol

26,596

-

2,508

-

-

-

-

-

Unearned income

US dollars

-

-

32,290

-

-

-

-

-

Other current liabilities

Argentine pesos

375,354

-

370,341

-

-

-

-

-

Other current liabilities

Brazilian real

162,842

-

663,136

-

-

-

-

-

Other current liabilities

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

111,453

-

116,679

-

-

-

-

-

Total Current Liabilities

42,617,454

48,924,119

37,864,736

14,689,402

 

 

 

 

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Item

Currency of Measurement

1 to 3 years

3to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Long-term liabilities with banks

Indexed Chilean pesos

14,780,921

3.15

20,666,386

3.22

11,441,740

3.21

-

-

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,000,542

3.62

-

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

7,170,927

3.89

6,307,254

4.26

4,130,699

4.26

-

-

Bonds payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

8,240,584

5.00

9,085,245

5.00

10,016,483

5.00

-

-

Notes payable

US dollars

5,246

12.25

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

Indexed Chilean pesos

1,214,575

3.58

974,221

2.77

2,685,603

2.77

881,023

2.77

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

130,396

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

74,206

2.53

-

-

-

-

-

-

Due to related companies

Indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

7,631,094

3.21

-

-

Accrued expenses

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

164,326

1.03

42,165

7.00

74,775

7.00

742,203

6.48

Indexed Chilean pesos

82,160

5.48

60,952

7.00

108,091

7.00

519,704

7.00

Brazilian real

943,664

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other currency

6,480

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

348,693

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Others liabilities

Argentine pesos

921,714

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

35,084,434

-

37,136,223

-

36,088,485

-

2,142,930

-

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Long term liabilities 2003

Item

Currency of Measurement

1 to 3 years

3to 5 years

5 to 10 years

More than 10 years

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

Amount

Rate %

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Long-term liabilities with banks.

Indexed Chilean pesos

7,210,923

4.70

20,922,662

3.88

22,544,000

2.62

-

-

US dollars

4,434,913

3.77

5,165,336

3.41

8,814,898

3.41

-

-

.

Other currency

77,647

17.00

-

-

-

-

-

-

Bonds payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

7,453,637

7.25

8,573,594

7.25

15,335,216

7.25

-

-

US dollars

67,690

10.39

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other receivables

Indexed Chilean pesos

1,739,643

5.97

915,319

6.20

2,844,133

6.20

1,040,486

6.20

US dollars

180,474

9.37

-

-

-

-

-

-

Due to related companies

Indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

7,642,529

2.59

-

-

Accrued expenses

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

305,256

1.39

32,371

7.00

57,406

7.00

656,019

6.42

US dollars

50,935

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Indexed Chilean pesos

236,363

5.41

173,136

7.00

307,040

7.00

1,476,248

7.00

Brazilian real

442,554

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other currency

11,660

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

335,164

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Others liabilities

Argentine pesos

1,542,332

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total

24,089,191

35,782,418

57,545,222

3,172,753

Note 31 - Sanctions

 

The Company and its directors have not been the subject of sanctions by the SVS nor by any other administrative authorities.

 

Note 32- Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

The following is a description of the significant differences between accounting principles as prescribed by the Superintendency of Securities and Insurance and accounting principles generally accepted in Chile (collectively "Chilean GAAP"), and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").

  1. Differences in measurement methods

The principal differences between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP are described below together with an explanation, where appropriate, of the method used in the determination of the adjustments that affect net income and total shareholders' equity. References below to "SFAS" are to Statements of Financial Accounting Standards issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the United States of America.

  1. Inflation accounting
  2. Pursuant to Chilean GAAP, the Company's financial statements recognize certain effects of inflation (see Note 2 b). In addition, the Company translates the accounting records of its subsidiaries abroad to Chilean pesos from US dollars in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 64, "Accounting for Investments Abroad", (see Note 2 s). In the opinion of the Company, this foreign currency translation methodology forms part of the comprehensive basis of preparation of price-level adjusted financial statements required by Chilean GAAP. Inclusion of inflation and the effects of translation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements under the Chilean accounting standards in the financial statements is considered appropriate under the inflationary conditions that have historically affected the Chilean economy even though the cumulative inflation rate for the last three years does not exceed 100%. Accordingly, and as allowed pursuant to Form 20-F, these effects have not been eliminated in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP included under paragraph (1.p) below.

  3. Revaluation of property, plant and equipment
  4. In accordance with standards issued by the SVS, certain property, plant and equipment are recorded in the financial statements at amounts determined in accordance with a technical appraisal. The difference between the carrying value and the revalued amount is included as part of Property, plant and equipment and in "Other reserves" within shareholders' equity, and is subject to adjustments for price-level restatement and depreciation. Revaluation of property, plant and equipment is not allowed under US GAAP, therefore, the effects of the reversal of this revaluation, as well as of the related accumulated depreciation and depreciation expense is included in paragraph (1.p) below. Certain revaluations presented in the financial statements were recorded as part of purchase accounting adjustments under Chilean GAAP and therefore were not eliminated.

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  5. Deferred income taxes

Under Chilean GAAP, until December 31, 1999, deferred income taxes were recorded based on non-recurring timing differences between the recognition of income and expense items for financial statement and tax purposes. Accordingly, there was an orientation toward the income statement focusing on differences in the timing of recognition of revenues and expenses in pre-tax accounting income and taxable income. At the time, Chilean GAAP also permitted not providing for deferred income taxes where a deferred tax asset or liability was either offsetting or not expected to be realized.

Starting January 1, 2000, the Company recorded income taxes in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 60 and its related amendments issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, recognizing, using the liability method, the deferred tax effects of temporary differences between the financial and tax values of assets and liabilities. As a transitional provision, a contra (referred to as "complementary") asset or liability has been recorded offsetting the effects of the deferred tax assets and liabilities not recorded prior to January 1, 2000. Such complementary asset or liability is being amortized to income over the estimated average reversal periods corresponding to the underlying temporary differences to which the deferred tax asset or liability relates.

Under US GAAP, companies must account for deferred taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"), which requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes, under the following basic principles:

    1. A deferred tax liability or asset is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards.
    2. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on the provisions of the enacted tax law. The effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not anticipated.
    3. The measurement of deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Temporary differences are defined as any difference between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of an asset and liability that at some future date will reverse, thereby resulting in taxable income or expense. Temporary differences ordinarily become taxable or deductible when the related asset is recovered or the related liability is settled. A deferred tax liability or asset represents the amount of taxes payable or refundable in future years as a result of temporary differences at the end of the current year.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Deferred income taxes, continued

The principal differences between US GAAP and Chilean GAAP relate to:

    1. The reversal of the complementary assets and liabilities recorded as a transitional provision for unrecorded deferred taxes as of January 1, 2000 and their corresponding amortization into income, and
    2. Accounting for deferred tax effects related to US GAAP adjustments.

The effect of these differences on the net income and shareholders' equity of the Company is included in paragraph (1.p) below. Additional disclosures required under SFAS 109 are further described in paragraph (2.b) below.

  1. Goodwill

Under Chilean GAAP, prior to the implementation of Technical Bulletin No. 72, ("BT 72") which is mandatory for periods beginning after December 31, 2003, the excess of cost over the net book value of a purchased company was recorded as goodwill and amortized to income over a maximum period of twenty years. Amortization of goodwill may be accelerated if the acquiring company generates sufficient income to absorb the additional amortization in any given year. BT 72 requires using fair value of acquired assets and liabilities for the accounting for all acquisitions after January 1, 2004 and consequently after that date difference in accounting treatment related to the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP no longer exists.

Under US GAAP, in a business combination accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, the acquired company's identifiable assets and liabilities are recorded at fair values to give effect to the purchase price paid by the acquiring company. If, after the assets and liabilities of the acquired company have been adjusted to their fair value at the acquisition date, the purchase price exceeds the amount of such fair value, the excess is recorded as goodwill and, prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 142 "Goodwill and other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), was amortized to expense over the period of benefit, to a maximum life of 40 years. If the fair value of net assets exceeds the purchase price, such excess reduces the fair value of the acquired long-term non-monetary assets (principally property, plant and equipment).

The Company adopted SFAS 142 as of January 1, 2002. SFAS 142 applies to all goodwill and identified intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under the new standard, beginning January 1, 2002, all goodwill, including that acquired before initial application of the standard, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but must be tested for impairment at least annually based on the fair value at the reporting unit level.

No impairment losses were recorded as a result of this test in 2002 as the result of the Company's annual impairment test in December, 2002.

In the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company has performed the annual impairment test of goodwill required by the standard and determined that there was no impairment for either Chilean GAAP or US

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Goodwill, continued

GAAP. In the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company performed its annual impairment test which resulted in the recognition under US GAAP of a write - off of ThCh$6,086,450, related to a goodwill impairment in its Wire and Cable Unit, specifically for the Ficap plant in Brazil. The goodwill for the wire and Cable unit prior to the impairment charge was ThCh$28,114,203 and, after the impairment charge, ThCh$22,027,753. The effect of this difference is included in the reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.p) below.

The following effects are included in the net income and shareholders' equity reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.p) below:

      1. Differences in the amount of the impairment under US GAAP related to basis differences in the original determination and subsequent amortization methodology between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP;
      2. the reversal of goodwill amortization recorded under Chilean GAAP.

A summary of the changes in the Company's goodwill under US GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, by segment of operation is as follows:

Goodwill under US GAAP

January 1, 2002

Acquisitions

Goodwill reclassified to Investment (1)

Impairments

Currency translation adjustment

December 31, 2002

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Wire and Cable

33,245,911

-

-

-

2,078,157

35,324,068

Flexible Packaging

1,064,186

-

-

-

31,027

1,095,213

Profiles

1,106,637

-

-

-

1,106,637

Total

35,416,734

-

-

2,109,184

37,525,918

Goodwill under US GAAP

January 1, 2003

Acquisitions

Goodwill reclassified to Investment (1)

Impairments

Currency translation adjustment

December 31, 2003

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Wire and Cable

35,324,068

-

(1,577,998)

(6,086,450)

(5,631,867)

22,027,753

Flexible Packaging

1,095,213

-

-

-

(95,289)

999,924

Profiles

1,106,637

-

-

-

-

1,106,637

Total

37,525,918

-

(1,577,998)

(6,086,450)

(5,727,156)

24,134,314

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Goodwill, continued

Goodwill under US GAAP

January 1, 2004

Acquisitions

Goodwill reclassified to Investment (1)

Impairments

Currency translation adjustment

December 31, 2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Wire and Cable

22,027,753

-

-

-

(2,189,880)

19,837,873

Flexible Packaging

999,924

-

-

-

(34,447)

965,477

Profiles

1,106,637

-

-

-

-

1,106,637

Total

24,134,314

-

-

(2,224,327)

21,909,987

    1. Since 2003, Optel Ltda ,.is not consolidated due to loss of control and have begun accounting for this investment using the equity-method investee (see Note 11).

  1. Minimum dividend
  2. As required by the Chilean Companies Act, unless otherwise decided by the unanimous vote of the holders of issued and subscribed shares, the Company must distribute a cash dividend in an amount equal to at least 30% of its net income for each year as determined in accordance with Chilean GAAP, unless and except to the extent the Company has unabsorbed prior year losses. Net income related to the amortization of negative goodwill can only be distributed as an additional dividend by the approval of the shareholders, and accordingly, is not included in the calculation of the minimum dividend to be distributed. Under Chilean GAAP dividend amounts are only recorded in the period in which the dividend is declared, whereas under US GAAP absent shareholder approval to the contrary such amounts represent a liability. No liability has been recorded in the reconciliation in paragraph (1.p) since the Company had unabsorbed prior year losses under Chilean GAAP.

  3. Employee severance indemnities
  4. For Chilean GAAP purposes, the Company and some subsidiaries record a provision for severance indemnities when rights to such benefits have been formally guaranteed to employee groups. These severance indemnity plans are unfunded. These obligations are recorded using the present value of the liability determined at the end of each year based on the current salary and number of years of service of each employee, as described in Note 2 o). Under U.S. GAAP the undiscounted value of that benefit payable currently is recorded using the shutdown method, consistent with the accounting criteria applied by its parent company, Quiñenco. This difference in accounting for staff severance benefits between Chilean and US GAAP is included in the reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.p) below.

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  5. Revenue recognition
  6. Under Chilean GAAP, revenue is recognized when goods are delivered to customers or services are rendered. Revenue which the Company has billed and collected in advance is deferred until the related goods are delivered. Under U.S. GAAP and in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletins 104, or "SAB 104", revenue is realized or realizable and earned, when 1) "Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists", 2) "The seller's price is fixed or determinable", 3) "Collection of the revenue is reasonably assured", and 4) "Delivery has occurred". Delivery is considered to have occurred when title has been taken by the customer and risks and rewards of ownership of the products are assumed by the customer. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had certain export sales for which delivery had not occurred and therefore income should not have been recognized for US GAAP purposes. The effect of the difference is shown under paragraph (1.p) below.

  7. Provision for restructuring costs

During 1999 and 2002, the Company recorded provisions related with the restructuring of a portion of its operations. The provisions were mainly related to future relocation of plant facilities and termination indemnity payments. Under US GAAP, such provision must be recorded in the period in which the liability is incurred.

Subsequent payments were expensed an as of December 31, 2004, no adjustment existed for this concept under US GAAP.

The effect of the difference is shown under paragraph (1.p) below.

  1. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations and changes in the market values of its investments. In the normal course of business, the Company has established policies and procedures to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, foreign currencies and the fair market value of certain of its investments in debt and equity securities using a variety of financial instruments.

It is the Company's policy to enter into foreign currency and interest rate transactions and other financial instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet the objectives stated above.

Under Chilean GAAP, foreign forward exchange contracts and swaps have been recorded on the balance sheet in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 57 issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, as follows:

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Derivative instruments and hedging activities, continued

  1. Forward contracts not qualifying for hedge accounting are recorded at the closing spot exchange rate and gains and losses are included in earnings as "Other non-operating income and expenses."
  2. Derivatives that are designated and effective as hedges of existing assets or liabilities are recorded at fair value, together with the item being hedged based on the closing spot rate. If the net change in fair values of the derivative instrument and the hedged item results in a loss, the net difference is recorded in the operating income. If the net variation on the fair value of the derivative instrument and the hedge item results in a gain, the net difference on the fair value is recorded as unrealized gains as a balance sheet deferral.
  3. Contracts that are designated as hedges of future cash flows or forecasted transactions must be marked-to-market based on the closing spot rate, with any variation in the fair value recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the income statement.

Under US GAAP, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts. However, the accounting for changes in fair value of the derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge. The standards also require formal documentation procedures for hedging relationships and effectiveness testing when hedge accounting is to be applied. If the derivative instrument does not qualify as a hedge, changes in the fair value are reported in earnings when they occur. If the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge, the accounting treatment varies based on the type of risk being hedged.

While the Company enters into derivatives for the purpose of mitigating its global interest and foreign currency risks, these operations do not meet the strict documentation requirements to qualify for hedge accounting under U.S. GAAP. Due to the short-term nature of all derivative instruments held by the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2004, the difference between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP is not material to the Company's financial position and results of its operations. Current Chilean accounting rules do not consider the existence of derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and therefore they are not reflected in the financial statements. For U.S. GAAP purposes, certain implicit or explicit terms included in host contracts that affect some or all of the cash flows or the value of other exchanges required by the contract in a manner similar to a derivative instrument, must be separated from the host contract and accounted for at fair value. The Company separately measure s embedded derivatives as freestanding derivative instruments at their estimated fair values recognizing changes in earnings when they occur. Currently the only host contracts and instruments that the Company has, which have implicit or explicit terms that must be separately accounted for at fair value, are raw materials sale and purchase contracts. The effect of accounting for embedded derivatives is not material to the Company's financial position and results of its operations and therefore was not included in the reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.p) below.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Share issuance expenses
  2. For Chilean GAAP purposes, share issuance expenses may be expensed or recorded in shareholders' equity. For U.S. GAAP purposes, these amounts are offset against the paid-in capital recorded as a result of the share issuance. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded share issuance expenses in the income statement; however, no adjustment to U.S. GAAP was made because the difference was not significant. For the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 share issuance expenses were recorded in equity for both Chilean and US GAAP purposes.

  3. Reversal of impairment loss for Chilean GAAP
  4. Under Chilean GAAP, during 2001 the Company recorded a provision for impairment of fixed assets related to its plants in Argentina. During the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company reassessed this

    impairment provision based on an improvement in the economic situation in Argentina and reversed ThCh$6,928,047. For US GAAP purposes, SFAS 144 does not allow the reversal of impairment losses. Therefore, the provision amount reversed for Chilean GAAP purposes appears as a reconciling item in the US GAAP reconciliation under paragraph (1.p) below.

    For the year ended December 31, 2003 and 2004, the Company reversed for US GAAP purposes the depreciation related to the assets included in the reversed impairment under Chilean GAAP.

  5. Allowance for recoverable taxes
  6. At December 31, 2003, under Chilean GAAP Madeco S.A. provided for the amount of the tax refund resulting from the 2003 tax loss carryforward, given the fact that, at the date of issuance of the Chilean GAAP financial statements, the tax refund requested for the prior year had not been received, as it was under review by the Chilean Internal Revenue service and based also on the uncertainty of the recovery of that refund.

    In June, 2004, the Chilean Internal Revenue Service authorized the partial refund of the request submitted for 2003 amounting to ThCh$1,557,379. Under US GAAP purposes, the partial refund represented a subsequent event to the issuance of the Chilean GAAP financial statements that provided additional evidence with respect to conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet. As a result, considering this information that became available prior to the issuance of the financial statements included in the 2003 Form 20-F, the reconciliation to US GAAP included this change in the allowance for doubtful recovery of such tax loss carryforward based on the new evidence available. Under Chilean GAAP, this refund was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2004.

     

     

     

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  7. Stock option plan

At the Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders held on November 14, 2002, the shareholders approved the Madeco stock option plan, which was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on January 28, 2003. The 2003 Incentive Plan authorized the issuance of up to 493,334,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock upon the exercises of stock options.

On April 24, 2003, the Company granted stock options to certain employees in the total amount of 182,147,724 shares. These options were granted at fair market value on the date of grant.

The options were exercisable from September 30, 2004 assuming the employee continued service to that date.

The options exercise period was from September 30, 2004 to November 30, 2004, assuming the employee continued service to that date, with an exercise price of Ch$24 per share. As is described in Note 20 c) and is stated as follows:

At an Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on December 22, 2004, it was agreed to modify the placement value of remaining 311,186,276 shares destined to such compensation plans, setting a price of Ch$ 60 per share.

A summary of stock option activity for the Plan is as follows:

For the Year Ended December 31,

2003

2004

Number

Number

Authorized at beginning of period

493,334,000

493,334,000

Cancelled during the period

-

-

Exercised during the period

-

182,147,724

Authorized at end of period

493,334,000

311,186,276

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Stock option plan, continued

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.25 when accounting for stock options, and no compensation cost is recognized for grants made to employees when the grant price is greater than or equal to the market price of a common share on the date of grant. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", as amended by SFAS No. 148, net loss would have been increased to the proforma amounts indicated below:

 

Proforma net loss for the

years ended December 31, 2003

 

ThCh$

   

Net loss attributable to common shareholders, as reported

(20,152,182)

Add: Stock based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss, net of tax related effects

-

Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effect

(3,913,767)

Pro-forma net loss

(24,065,949)

Pro-forma loss per share

(7.05)

As reported

(8.43)

The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during 2003 was ThCh$25.89. Such amount was determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: 2003 - expected dividend yield of 0%, risk-free rate of 18 months, volatility of 27.16%.

  1. Minority Interest
  2. The effects on the minority interest of the US GAAP adjustments in subsidiaries that are not wholly-owned by the Company have been reflected in Minority interest and are included in paragraph (1.p) below.

  3. Leaseback contracts
  4. As described in Note 10, from time to time the Company enters into sales leaseback transactions, through which the Company maintains the active use of the property in consideration for making rental payments. Under US GAAP, the property leased back must be used during the lease term in the seller-lessee's business, and any subleasing of the leased back property must be minor. Otherwise the sale and lease do not qualify as a sale-leaseback. Subleasing is considered minor if the present value of the sublease rental payments is not more than 10% of the fair value of the property sold. If the present value of the sublease rental payments exceeds 10%, the transaction must be accounted for as a financing lease with no sales recognition. The effect of differences in recognition criteria do not result in material differences between Chilean and US GAAP and have not been included in the reconciliation to net income and shareholders' equity under paragraph (1.p) below.

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  5. Summary of Income Statement and Shareholder's Equity differences

The adjustments to reported consolidated net income (loss) required to conform with US GAAP are as follows:

For the years ended December 31,

2002

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Net (loss) income in accordance with Chilean GAAP

(41,571,672)

(17,152,682)

8,512,367

Reversal of depreciation on revaluation increment of fixed assets (par. 1b)

117,200

117,227

(17,775)

Deferred income taxes (par. 1c)

1,367,875

(516,234)

567,684

Amortization of goodwill (par. 1d)

2,378,192

1,832,446

1,741,449

Employee severance indemnities (par. 1f).

1,118,908

(1,065,860)

(358,310)

Revenue recognition (par. 1g)

(666,025)

748,243

-

Provision for restructuring costs (par. 1h)

(1,423,128)

(506,885)

(433,888)

Derivative instruments (par. 1i)

426,469

163,586

-

Reversal of impairment loss (par. 1k)

(6,928,047)

757,048

728,139

Allowance for recoverable taxes (par.1l)

-

1,557,379

(1,557,379)

Impairment of goodwill Ficap (par.1d)

-

(6,086,450)

-

Minority interest (par.1n)

-

-

397,187

Net (loss) income in accordance with US GAAP

(45,180,228)

(20,152,182)

9,579,474

Other comprehensive income

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes

12,072,899

(31,139,428)

(9,802,034)

Comprehensive loss in accordance with US GAAP

(33,107,329)

(51,291,610)

(222,560)

 

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Summary of Income Statement and Shareholder's Equity differences, continued

The following is a reconciliation of consolidated Shareholder's Equity differences under Chilean GAAP to the corresponding amounts under US GAAP:

As of December 31,

2002

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Shareholder's Equity in accordance with Chilean GAAP

102,704,733

151,258,244

158,512,538

Reversal of revaluation of property, plant and equipment (par. 1b)

(2,802,250)

(2,685,700)

(2,703,475)

Deferred income taxes (par. 1c)

(4,982,172)

(5,499,610)

(4,912,149)

Amortization of goodwill (par. 1d)

2,860,965

4,694,102

5,730,034

Employee severance indemnities (par. 1f)

(2,336,028)

(3,402,452)

(3,760,762)

Revenue recognition (par. 1g)

(748,062)

-

-

Provision for restructuring costs (par. 1h)

940,545

433,888

-

Derivative instruments (par. 1i)

(163,545)

-

-

Reversal of impairment loss (par. 1k)

(6,928,047)

(6,172,671)

(3,770,666)

Allowance for recoverable taxes (par. 1l)

-

1,557,379

-

Impairment of goodwill Ficap (par.1d)

-

(6,086,450)

(5,574,001)

Minority interest (par.1n)

-

-

396,340

Shareholder's Equity in accordance with US GAAP

88,546,139

134,096,730

143,917,859

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Summary of Income Statement and Shareholder's Equity differences

The following summarizes the changes in shareholders' equity under U.S. GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004:

As of December 31,

2002

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Balance at January 1,

120,791,735

88,546,139

134,096,730

Capital increase

861,733

96,842,201

10,157,633

Cumulative Translation Adjustment

12,072,899

(31,139,428)

(9,802,034)

Shares' issuance costs

-

-

(113,944)

Net (loss) Income for the year

(45,180,228)

(20,152,182)

9,579,474

Balance at December 31,

88,546,139

134,096,730

143,917,859

 

 

  1. Additional disclosure requirements

  1. Earnings (loss) per share
  2. For the years ended December 31,

    2002

    2003

    2004

    Ch$

    Ch$

    Ch$

    Basic loss (Income) per share (U,S, GAAP)

    (115.66)

    (7.05)

    2.27

    Basic loss (Income) per share (Chilean GAAP)

    (106.43)

    (6.00)

    2.02

    Weighted average number of common stock

    outstanding (in thousands)

    390,614

    2,857,098

    4,221,196

    There are no requirements to provide earnings per share disclosures under Chilean GAAP, The earnings per share figures disclosed above for both US GAAP and Chilean GAAP purposes have been calculated by dividing the respective earnings (loss) amounts in accordance with US GAAP and Chilean GAAP, respectively, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year, The Company has not issued convertible debt or equity securities nor does it have other common stock equivalent securities outstanding, Consequently, there are no potentially dilutive effects on the earnings per share of the Company.

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  3. Income taxes

The provision for income taxes charged to the results of operations determined in accordance with US GAAP is as follows:

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2002

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Current income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

-

-

(850,026)

(850,026)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

2,389,591

13,181

(30,560)

(70,757)

2,301,455

Subtotal

2,389,591

13,181

(880,586)

(70,757)

1,451,429

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects applying SFAS No, 109

300,721

2,424,816

-

(203,136)

2,522,401

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

1,034,878

(2,046,403)

-

(143,001)

(1,154,526)

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

3,725,190

391,594

(880,586)

(416,894)

2,819,304

For the years ended December 31, 2003

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Current income taxes as determined under Local GAAP

(7,980)

-

(651,681)

-

(659,661)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Local GAAP

(465,674)

(205,207)

(31,835)

(269,845)

(972,561)

Subtotal

(473,654)

(205,207)

(683,516)

(269,845)

(1,632,222)

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects applying SFAS No, 109

(131,394)

264,967

-

228,214

361,787

Allowance for recoverable taxes

1,557,379

-

-

-

1,557,379

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

87,143

(797,828)

-

(167,336)

(878,021)

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

1,039,474

(738,068)

(683,516)

(208,967)

(591,077)

For the years ended December 31, 2004

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Current income taxes as determined under Local GAAP

(90,825)

-

(1,717,067)

(115,374)

(1,923,266)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Local GAAP

153,702

(243,457)

(65,298)

536,073

381,020

Subtotal

62,877

(243,457)

(1,782,365)

420,699

(1,542,246)

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects applying SFAS No, 109

276,924

264,967

(35,120)

-

506,771

Recoverable taxes

(1,557,379)

-

-

-

(1,557,379)

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

60,913

-

-

-

60,913

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

(1,156,665)

21,510

(1,817,485)

420,699

(2,531,941)

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Income taxes, continued

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2003 are as follows:

As of December 31, 2003

SFAS No, 109 applied to Chilean GAAP

SFAS No, 109 applied to U.S. GAAP adjustments

SFAS No, 109 U.S. GAAP Balance

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred tax assets

Allowance for doubtful debts

1,921,972

-

1,921,972

Tax losses  

12,244,365

-

12,244,365

Valuation provision  

(20,894,241)

(3,056,884)

(23,951,125)

Vacation provision

120,509

-

120,509

Provision for the sale of PP&E

140,177

-

140,177

Deferred currency exchange gains and losses

156,695

-

156,695

Provision for Decker impairment

-

2,160,435

2,160,435

Provision for Brazil investment goodwill

9,147,214

-

9,147,214

Provision for expendable assets

336,592

-

336,592

Provision for inventories

718,822

-

718,822

Provision for uncollectable short and long-term receivables

1,405,912

-

1,405,912

Provision for PP&E

13,940

-

13,940

Restructuring cost

-

73,761

73,761

Provision for unused PP&E

547,106

-

547,106

Other

1,026,472

(66,217)

960,255

Gross deferred tax assets

6,885,535

(888,905)

5,996,630

Deferred tax liabilities

Leased assets and Depreciation

2,103,756

4,976,124

7,079,880

Fabrication expenses

493,049

-

493,049

Staff Severance Indemnities

401,887

(401,887)

-

Indemnifications

142,066

-

142,066

Difference in the investment of bonds

-

Other

161,485

36,468

197,953

Gross deferred tax liabilities

3,302,243

4,610,705

7,912,948

Net assets (liabilities) deferred taxes

3,583,292

(5,499,610)

(1,916,318)

 

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Income taxes, continued

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) as of December 31, 2004 are as follows:

As of December 31, 2004

SFAS No, 109 applied to Chilean GAAP

SFAS No, 109 applied to U.S. GAAP adjustments

SFAS No, 109 U.S. GAAP Balance

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred tax assets

Allowance for doubtful debts

1,495,143

-

1,495,143

Tax losses  

20,827,042

-

20,827,042

Valuation provision  

(28,902,472)

(1,319,733)

(30,222,205)

Vacation provision

109,918

-

109,918

Provision for the sale of PP&E

232,613

-

232,613

Deferred currency exchange gains and losses

508,799

-

508,799

Provision for Decker impairment

-

1,319,733

1,319,733

Provision for Brazil investment goodwill

7,888,668

-

7,888,668

Provision for expendable assets

62,464

-

62,464

Provision for inventories

687,597

-

687,597

Provision for uncollectable short and long-term receivables

541,444

-

541,444

Provision for PP&E

360,808

-

360,808

Provision for unused PP&E

497,514

35,860

533,374

Other

1,374,991

75,217

1,450,208

Gross deferred tax assets

5,684,529

111,077

5,795,606

Deferred tax liabilities

Leased assets

1,679,663

5,467,374

7,147,037

Staff Severance Indemnities

383,664

(383,664)

-

Fabrication expenses

485,175

485,175

Indemnifications

35,898

35,898

Difference in the investment of bonds

175,433

-

175,433

Other

108,914

(60,484)

48,430

Gross deferred tax liabilities

2,868,747

5,023,226

7,891,973

Net assets (liabilities) deferred taxes

2,815,782

(4,912,149)

(2,096,367)

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Income taxes, continued

The provision for income taxes (tax benefit) differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable Chilean statutory income tax rate to pretax loss as a result of the following differences:

For the years ended December 31,

2002

2003

2004

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Pretax (loss) income in accordance with US GAAP

(47,999,532)

(19,561,105)

12,111,415

Statutory tax rate

16.0%

16.5%

17.0%

Statutory tax rate applied to pretax loss (Income)

7,679,925

3,227,583

(2,058,941)

Effect on tax and financial equity restatement (1)

2,798,787

606,540

425,423

Non-taxable income

(4,064)

1,733,804

(161,495)

Non-deductible expenses

(4,161,527)

(3,188,988)

1,468,997

Adjustments for application of BT 64

(1,912,539)

4,982,309

3,007,361

Other local taxes

344,599

174,100

-

Foreign taxes in excess of domestic rate

(553,223)

(258,077)

(1,373,924)

Valuation allowance

(1,207,517)

(7,984,981)

(3,199,271)

Other

(165,137)

116,633

(640,091)

At effective tax rate

2,819,304

(591,077)

(2,531,941)


(1) This item corresponds to the difference in the basis used for the price-level restatement calculation of shareholder's equity for financial and tax purposes.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Income taxes, continued

In accordance with Chilean law, the Company and each of its subsidiaries compute and pay tax on a separate return basis and not on a consolidated basis.

Tax loss carryforwards for the year ended December 31, 2004 are as follows:

Country

 

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Argentina

6,889,793

3,081,533

6,315,997

81,917

12,687,277

29,056,517

Brazil (1)

-

-

-

-

-

10,267,630

Chile (1)

-

-

-

-

-

48,556,282

Total

6,889,793

3,081,533

6,315,997

81,917

12,687,227

87,880,429

(1) Tax-loss carry forwards do not expire in these countries.

 

  1. Concentration of credit risk
  2. Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash investments and trade accounts receivable.

    The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and certain other financial instruments with various financial institutions. These financial institutions are located in Chile and other parts of the world, and the Company's policy is designed to limit exposure to any institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of these financial institutions as part of its investment strategy.

    Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities comprising the Company's customer base located in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru. The Company's credit risk customer base sales in this region approximately amounted to 79.48% and 77.40% as of December 31, 2003 and 2004 respectively. As of these dates, no customer has outstanding receivables of more than 10%. Furthermore, the Company does not require collateral or security for its accounts receivable.

    .

  3. Collective bargaining agreements
  4. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 67.28% of the Company's employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Of the employees covered by collective agreements, 30.83% of the collective agreements will expire within one year.

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  5. Lease commitments
  6. The Company leases certain property under long-term non-cancelable leases, which are accounted for as capital leases. The related future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2004 were as follows:

    As of December 31, 2004

    ThCh$

    2005

    905,554

    2006

    833,724

    2007

    565,505

    2008

    480,357

    2009

    493,864

    Due after 5 years

    3,566,626

    Total

    6,845,630

    Operating lease and related future minimum payments as of December 31, 2004 are presented as follows:

    As of December 31, 2004

    ThCh$

    Due within 1 year

    153,707

    Due after 1 year but within 2 years

    106,694

    Due after 2 years but within 3 years

    103,642

    Due after 3 years but within 4 years

    -

    Due after 4 years but within 5 years

    -

    Due after 5 years

    -

    Total

    364,043

    The operating lease paid for the year ended December 31, 2004 was ThCh$319,588.

  7. Advertising Costs
  8. The Company expenses advertising costs when the related advertising has been published or aired. Advertising expenses amounted to ThCh$249,083, ThCh$526,462 and ThCh$505,644 for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

     

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  9. Fair value of financial instruments

The accompanying tables provide disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments owned by the Company. Carrying values are based under Chile GAAP. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments at December 31, 2003 and 2004, for which it is practicable:

Cash and Cash Equivalent- Cash and Cash Equivalent is stated at the carrying amount, which is equivalent to fair value.

Marketable securities - The fair value of marketable securities is based on quoted market prices.

Long-term accounts receivable - As substantially all of the Company's long-term accounts receivable bear interest rates at variable rates, and these interest rates are stated at current market rates, the carrying value of the long-term accounts balance approximates fair value.

Short-term and long-term debt - The fair value of short-term and long-term debt was based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Other current liabilities - This category consists of current liabilities whose carrying value approximates their fair value. The derivative contracts' fair value is based on market-prices at December 31, 2003, and 2004 respectively.

Other current assets - The fair value of these derivative contracts is based on market price.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Fair value of financial instruments, continued
  2. The following represent the company's required disclosures regarding the fair value of financial instruments under US GAAP as of December 31, 2003 and 2004,

    As of December 31,

    2003

    2004

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    Amount

    value

    Amount

    Value

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Assets:

    Cash

    2,088,931

    2,088,931

    2,993,446

    2,993,446

    Time deposits and marketable securities

    22,658,895

    22,658,895

    4,113,485

    4,113,485

    Other current assets

    -

    -

    5,764,640

    5,764,640

    Financial assets:

    Investments in other companies

    71,800

    71,800

    28,713

    28,713

    Long-term accounts receivable

    474,739

    474,739

    775,921

    775,921

    Short-term debt:

    Short-term bank borrowings (includes current portion

    of long-term liability)

    22,074,981

    23,323,093

    22,495,248

    22,420,033

    Current portion of bonds payable

    27,580,743

    27,580,743

    3,918,184

    3,959,158

    Current portion of long-term liabilities

    702,320

    702,320

    905,554

    905,554

    Other current liabilities

    160,213

    160,213

    623,556

    623,556

    Long-term debt:

    Bonds payable

    31,362,447

    31,300,319

    27,342,312

    28,293,347

    Long-term bank borrowings:

    Long-term liabilities

    69,170,379

    64,801,980

    65,498,469

    65,279,468

    Derivative financial instruments

    153,800

    153,800

    526,600

    526,600

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  3. Restrictions which limit the payment of dividends by the registrant
  4. As stated in Note 22, the Company has subsidiaries that must abide by certain financial ratios and covenants that require minimum equity levels or that contain other characteristics that restrict the transfer of assets to the parent company. The amounts of Madeco's proportionate share of restricted net assets in consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 are as follows:

    Legal Entity

    Proportionate Share of Restricted Net Assets

     

     

    ThCh$

    Alusa S.A.

    23,216,865

    Indalum S.A.

    27,989,686

    The amount of consolidated retained earnings which represents undistributed earnings of investees accounted under the equity method as of December 31, 2004 is ThCh$ 523,537.

  5. Comprehensive income (loss)
  6. The Company presents comprehensive income and its components with the objective to report a measure of all changes in shareholders' equity that result from transactions and other economic events of the period other than transactions with owners ("comprehensive income"). Comprehensive income is the total net income and other non-owner equity transactions that result in changes in net equity.

    The following represents accumulated other comprehensive income balance, for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004:

    As of December 31, 2002

    Foreign currency translation adjustment related to foreign subsidiaries

     

    Chilean GAAP cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Effect of US GAAP adjustments on cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Accumulated

    Other Comprehensive

    Income (Loss)

    Beginning balance

    31,351,598

    -

    -

    31,351,598

    Credit (charge) for the period

    -

    12,072,899

    -

    12,072,899

    Ending balance

    31,351,598

    12,072,899

    -

    43,424,497

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  7. Comprehensive income (loss), continued
  8.  

    As of December 31, 2003

    Foreign currency translation adjustment related to foreign subsidiaries

     

    Chilean GAAP cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Effect of US GAAP adjustments on cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Accumulated

    Other Comprehensive

    Income (Loss)

    Beginning balance

    43,424,497

    -

    -

    43,424,497

    Credit (charge) for the period

    -

    (31,139,428)

    -

    (31,139,428)

    Ending balance

    43,424,497

    (31,139,428)

    -

    12,285,069

     

     

    As of December 31, 2004

    Foreign currency translation adjustment related to foreign subsidiaries

     

    Chilean GAAP cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Effect of US GAAP adjustments on cumulative translation adjustment

     

    Accumulated

    Other Comprehensive

    Income (Loss)

    Beginning balance

    12,285,069

    -

    -

    12,285,069

    Credit (charge) for the period

    -

    (11,301,761)

    1,499,727

    (9,802,034)

    Ending balance

    12,285,069

    (11,301,761)

    1,499,727

    2,483,035

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  9. Classification of expenses
  10. Under Chilean GAAP, the following expenses and income are classified as non-operating expenses whereas under US GAAP they would be classified as operating expenses:

    Charge/(credit)

    For the years ended December 31,

    2002

    2003

    2004

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Gain of sale of fixed assets

    (160,068)

    (143,379)

    (57,661)

    Amortization of goodwill

    2,383,510

    1,889,815

    1,741,449

    Staff Severance Indemnities

    2,309,873

    -

    -

    Write-off of obsolete plant and equipment

    1,733,958

    1,722,652

    374,974

    Labor lawsuits

    334,407

    47,143

    45,351

    Adjustment to realizable value of property, plant and equipment held for sale

    869,687

    621,949

    393,625

    Allowance for doubtful uncollectible accounts

    1,195,506

    -

    -

    Depreciation of inactive assets (Argentina)

    3,366,276

    2,033,744

    2,242,660

    Write-off tax incentives and other credits (Brazil)

    382,833

    -

    -

    Legal expenses

    929,703

    120,380

    -

    Write-off of property, plant and equipment (Argentina)

    4,858,537

    503,883

    81,262

    Write-off of other assets (Argentina)

    3,711,890

    337,841

    201,812

    Pending lawsuit

    -

    344,359

    212,069

    Provision for subsidiary investment and expenses

    -

    5,040,422

    -

    Allowance for valuation of assets in foreign subsidiaries (Ingewall and Uruguay)

    529,348

    495,213

    76,427

    Other

    489,360

    338,137

    52,771

    Total

    22,934,820

    13,352,159

    5,364,739

     

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  11. Reclassifications for US GAAP purposes

The condensed consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31 under US GAAP are presented as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Sales

265,334,607

243,607,682

324,034,957

Costs of sales

(261,235,835)

(224,474,879)

(279,968,242)

Gross Margin

4,098,772

19,132,803

44,066,715

Administrative and selling expenses

(28,287,593)

(22,633,788)

(22,595,824)

Operating income

(24,188,821)

(3,500,985)

21,470,891

Non-operating income and expenses, net

(25,845,834)

(15,435,015)

(8,913,024)

Net income before income taxes and minority interest

(50,034,655)

(18,936,000)

12,557,867

Income taxes

2,819,304

(591,077)

(2,531,941)

Equity in participation on loss of related companies, net

(32,739)

(32,422)

(23,013)

Income before minority interest

(47,248,090)

(19,559,499)

10,002,913

Minority interest

2,067,862

(592,683)

(423,439)

Net (loss) Income for the year

(45,180,228)

(20,152,182)

9,579,474

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Gain (loss) on hedge of the foreign currency exposure of net investment in foreign operations

12,072,899

(31,139,428)

(11,301,761)

Cumulative translation adjustment

-

-

1,499,727

Comprehensive loss

(33,107,329)

(51,291,610)

(222,560)

Certain reclassifications would be made to the Chilean GAAP balance sheet in order to present Chilean GAAP amounts in accordance with presentation requirements under US GAAP.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Balance sheet reclassifications for US GAAP purposes, continued
  2.  

    The following are summarized balance sheets of the Company using a US GAAP presentation and amounts determined in accordance with US GAAP:

     

    As of December 31,

     

    2003

     

    2004

     

    ThCh$

     

    ThCh$

           

    Current assets

    142,110,255

     

    146,253,257

    Property, plant, and equipment

    322,516,732

     

    303,111,001

    Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment

    (164,546,642)

     

    (159,318,218)

    Property, plant, and equipment, net

    157,970,090

     

    143,792,783

    Goodwill, net

    24,134,314

     

    21,909,987

    Other assets

    23,728,894

     

    19,575,385

    Total assets

    347,943,553

     

    331,531,412

           

    Current liabilities

    76,409,859

     

    63,464,919

    Long-term liabilities

    127,249,297

     

    114,212,834

    Minority interest

    10,187,667

     

    9,935,800

    Shareholders' equity

    134,096,730

     

    143,917,859

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

    347,943,553

     

    331,531,412

     

    Current Assets: At December 31, 2003 and 2004 for US GAAP purposes the Bond discount for ThCh$390,815 and ThCh$148,602 respectively, would have been classified to current liabilities, and at December 31, 2003 and 2004 for US GAAP purposes the fixed assets held for sale for ThCh$6,397,708 and ThCh$4,795,901, respectively, would have been classified to long term assets.

    Current liabilities: At December 31, 2003 for US GAAP purposes, certain current portions of long term debt in the amount of approximately ThCh$3,338,589, would have been classified to long term liabilities, based on the successful completion of a financial restructuring of 14 creditors debt in March of 2003 and syndicated loan agreement signed for the subsidiary Indalum S.A. executed on December 29, 2003.

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  3. Cash flows information
  4. The statement of cash flow under Chilean GAAP differs in certain aspects from the presentation of the same statement under US GAAP, as follows:

    For the years ended December 31,

    2002

    2003

    2004

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Cash provided by operating activities under Chilean GAAP

    12,834,341

    (5,825,405)

    4,750,809

    Cash provided by operating activities under US GAAP

    12,834,341

    (5,825,405)

    4,750,809

    Cash provided by (used in) financing activities under Chilean GAAP

    (3,287,087)

    34,212,669

    (22,591,535)

    Cash provided by (used in) financing activities under US GAAP

    (3,287,087)

    34,212,669

    (22,591,535)

    Cash used in investing activities under Chilean GAAP

    (5,749,089)

    (31,275,303)

    24,513,571

    Purchase of investments

    -

    (321,873)

    -

    Cash used in investing activities under US GAAP

    (5,749,089)

    (31,597,176)

    24,513,571

     

    The detail of cash and cash equivalents in US GAAP is a follows:

    As of December 31,

    2003

    2004

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Cash in banks

    2,088,931

    2,993,446

    Time deposits

    3,145,817

    4,068,995

    Marketable securities

    -

    44,490

    Securities purchased under agreements to resell

    -

    5,764,640

    Total

    5,234,748

    12,871,571

    The Company held Securities purchased under agreements to resell in the amount of ThCh$9,330,947, as of December 31, 2003 which would be classified as restricted cash for US GAAP (not included in the above table or as cash or cash equivalents in the U.S. GAAP or Chilean GAAP cash flow statement for the year ended December 31, 2003).

     

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  5. Segment Reporting

Madeco provides disclosures in accordance with Statement of Financial Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" ("SFAS 131") which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial statements as well as related disclosures about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial statement information is available and is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance. As a result of a thorough strategic and operational analysis conducted during the first half of 1999, Madeco was reorganized into four principal segments based on its production processes. The four business segments are wire and cable, brass mills, flexible packaging and aluminum. Before this reorganization, the Company's business was divided into the telecommunicatio ns, construction, energy, mining, industry and consumer product are packing segments.

The accounting policies of each segment are as described in the Company's summary of significant accounting policies (See Note 2). The following is a description of the four segments:

Wire and Cable

The Company produces and sells in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Brazil various wire and cable products designed to meet client needs in the telecommunications, energy, mining, construction and manufacturing industries. Wire and Cable products have certain generalized differentiating characteristics, such as single strand (wire) or multiple, twisted strands (cable), bare or insulated, type of material used for insulation, and magnetic or non-magnetic.

Brass Mills

The Company's Brass Mills segment manufactures a variety of products used by other industrial companies and the construction sector. These products include pipes, bars, busbars and sheets made of copper, copper alloy, brass, aluminum and aluminum alloy. The Company also manufactures coin blanks and minted coins, which are produced principally from alloys comprised of copper, nickel, aluminum and zinc. While the Company's Brass Mills facilities are located in Chile and Argentina, a significant portion of revenues are generated from export sales. Exports for the pipes, bars and sheets, or "PBS" division of the Brass Mills may include sales to customers in country other than Chile or Argentina. Exports for the Coins division of the Brass Mills unit may include sales to customers in any country other than Chile.

Flexible Packaging

The Company's Flexible Packaging segment manufactures flexible packaging for use in the packaging of large scale consumer products, as well as aluminum foil and plastic wrap, for both commercial and home use. The Company has flexible packaging operations in Chile and Argentina. In Peru, the subsidiary Alusa also has a 25% interest in two Peruvian operations, Peruplast and Tech Pak, although these investments are not included in the segment data reviewed by the chief operating decision maker.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Segment Reporting, continued

Aluminum

The Company's aluminum segment manufactures aluminum siding used principally in the construction sector for window frames, door frames, external and internal hardware fixtures, and customized goods for the production of industrial durable goods.

Segment Reporting

Disclosure of segment data and a reconciliation of the total amounts reported by reportable segments to the consolidated amounts in the financial statements is as follows:

For the year ended December 31, 2004

Wire and

Brass

Flexible

Cable

Mills

Packaging

Aluminum

Unallocated

Elimination

Consolidated

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Sales to external customers

166,269,045

 

84,026,792

 

45,117,625

 

28,621,495

 

 

 

324,034,957

Intersegment sales

29,080,630

 

10,183,930

 

494

 

-

 

 

(39,265,054)

 

-

Total revenues

195,349,675

 

94,210,722

 

45,118,119

 

28,621,495

 

-

 

(39,265,054)

 

324,034,957

Depreciation expense

5,535,912

 

2,471,835

 

2,118,783

 

658,408

 

 

 

10,784,938

Operating income (loss)

10,492,487

 

8,159,387

 

3,187,126

 

3,337,014

 

 

 

25,176,014

Identifiable assets at December 31, 2004

181,459,279

 

65,593,247

 

57,715,768

 

37,652,798

 

489,179

 

 

342,910,271

Capital expenditures

1,530,198

 

426,531

 

3,910,182

 

570,272

 

 -

 

 

6,437,183

 

For the year ended December 31, 2003

Wire and

Brass

Flexible

Cable

Mills

Packaging

Aluminum

Unallocated

Elimination

Consolidated

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Sales to external customers

113,290,447

 

57,580,606

 

42,780,502

 

29,956,127

 

-

 

-

 

243,607,682

Intersegment sales

20,528,440

 

6,268,437

 

4,189

 

-

 

-

 

(26,801,066)

 

-

Total revenues

133,818,887

 

63,849,043

 

42,784,691

 

29,956,127

 

-

 

(26,801,066)

 

243,607,682

Depreciation expense

6,007,283

 

2,564,929

 

2,148,756

 

628,324

 

-

 

-

 

11,349,292

Operating income (loss)

(1,044,992)

 

1,482,764

 

3,339,163

 

3,866,256

 

-

 

-

 

7,643,191

Identifiable assets at December 31, 2003

180,963,215

 

73,378,735

 

58,295,148

 

34,904,245

 

14,976,342

 

-

 

362,517,685

Capital expenditures

364,993

 

414,512

 

2,376,233

 

410,052

 

-

 

-

 

3,565,790

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Segment Reporting, continued
  2. For the year ended December 31, 2002

    Wire and

    Brass

    Flexible

    Cable

    Mills

    Packaging

    Aluminum

    Unallocated

    Elimination

    Consolidated

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Sales to external customers

    135,680,315

    58,540,976

    41,951,957

    29,079,238

    -

    -

    265,252,486

    Intersegment sales

    14,442,298

    2,463,229

    635

    109

    -

    (16,906,271)

    -

    Total revenues

    150,122,613

    61,004,205

    41,952,592

    29,079,347

    -

    (16,906,271)

    265,252,486

    Depreciation expense

    7,598,306

    2,483,025

    2,518,703

    633,157

    -

    -

    13,233,191

    Operating income (loss)

    (3,031,051)

    1,100,097

    2,329,208

    3,745,322

    -

    -

    4,143,576

    Identifiable assets at December 31, 2002

    213,996,213

    76,158,900

    62,238,346

    37,266,426

    1,727,513

    -

    391,387,398

    Capital expenditures

    980,325

    468,128

    4,735,202

    441,203

    -

    -

    6,624,858

     

    The following represents sales data for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and property, plant and equipment information by geographic area as of December 31, 2003 and 2004:

    Property, plant

    Sales

    and equipment

    2002

    2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    ThCh$

    Chile

    149,684,351

    149,118,061

    189,178,892

    76,285,864

    73,536,794

    Brazil

    73,570,178

    52,316,936

    71,913,209

    46,982,653

    40,956,984

    Argentina

    15,503,375

    16,755,279

    22,119,227

    30,398,792

    23,752,148

    Peru

    26,494,582

    25,417,406

    40,823,629

    13,161,153

    12,020,998

    Total

    265,252,486

    243,607,682

    324,034,957

    166,828,462

    150,266,924

    The Company did not have any customers which accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues during 2002, 2003 and 2004.

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  3. Recent accounting pronouncements

Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

In March 2005 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) published FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations". Interpretation 47 will result in (a) more consistent recognition of liabilities relating to asset retirement obligations, (b) more information about expected future cash outflows associated with those obligations, and (c) more information about investments in long-lived assets, because additional asset retirement costs will be recognized as part of the carrying amounts of the assets.

Interpretation 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method of settlement. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. Interpretation 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation.

Interpretation 47 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The Company is in process of analyzing the impact of the Interpretation on its results of operations and financial position.

Stock Based Compensations

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("SFAS 123R"), which replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," ("SFAS 123") and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values beginning with the first interim or annual period after June 15, 2005, with early adoption encouraged. The pro forma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS 123 no longer will be an alternative to financial statement recognition. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 123R, beginning January 1, 2006. Under SFAS 123R, the Company must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the transition method to be u sed at date of adoption. The transition methods include prospective and retroactive adoption options. Under the retroactive option, prior periods may be restated either as of the beginning of the year of adoption or for all periods presented. The prospective method requires that compensation expense be recorded for all unvested stock options and restricted stock at the beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS 123R, while the retroactive

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Recent accounting pronouncements, continued

Stock Based Compensations, continued

methods would record compensation expense for all unvested stock options and restricted stock beginning with the first period restated. The Company is evaluating the requirements of SFAS 123R and expects that the adoption of SFAS 123R will have an impact on its consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. The impact of adoption of Statement 123(R) cannot be predicted at this time because it will depend on levels of share-based payments granted in the future. However had the Company adopted Statement 123(R) in prior periods the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of Statement 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net income an earnings per share in Note 32 1m). to our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2004, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), issued International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 2, Share-based Payment. IFRS 2 requires that all entities recognize an expense for all employee services received in share-based payment transactions, using a fair-value-based method that is similar in most respects to the fair-value-based method established in Statement 123 and the improvements made to it by this Statement. The Company is in the process of analyzing the impact of the IFRS on its results of operations and financial position,

Inventory cost

The FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.151 (SFAS 151), "Inventory Costs - an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4", which clarifies that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) should be recognized as a current period expense. In addition, SFAS 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS 151 is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 June 2005. The Company is in process of analyzing the impact of this Statement on its results of operations and financial position

 

Note 33 - Recent Developments

On March 31, 2005, Madeco purchased Corning's 50% share of Optel Ltda. Obtaining complete control of Optel and avoiding its liquidation.

 

* * * * *

EX-8 2 exhibit81.htm 3: Subsidiaries of Madeco

Subsidiaries of Madeco

 

Name

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Soinmad S.A.

Chile

Cotelsa S.A.

Chile

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Chile

Ficap S.A.

Brazil

Optel Ltda.(1)

Brazil

Madeco Brasil Ltda.

Brazil

Indeco S.A.

Peru

Cobrecon S.A.

Peru

Metalurgica e Industrial S.A.

Argentina

Metacab S.A.

Argentina

H.B. San Luis S.A.

Argentina

Comercial Madeco S.A.

Argentina

Optel Argentina S.A.

Argentina

Madeco Overseas S.A.

Cayman Islands

Metal Overseas S.A.

Cayman Islands

Madeco S.A. Agencia Islas Caiman

Cayman Islands

Armat S.A.

Chile

Decker Indelqui S.A.

Argentina

Alusa S.A.

Chile

Alufoil S.A.(2)

Chile

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

Chile

Peru Plast S.A.

Peru

Tech Pak S.A.

Peru

Aluflex S.A.

Argentina

Alusa Overseas

Cayman Islands

Indalum S.A.

Chile

Alumco S.A.

Chile

Inversiones Alumco S.A.

Chile

Ingewall S.A. (3)

Chile

Systral Peru S.A.

Peru

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A. (4)

Bolivia

Ingewall Uruguay S.A. (3)

Uruguay

EX-99.CODE ETH 3 codeofethics.htm NORMATIVA OPERACIONAL DE LAS FILIALES DE MADECO S

(Translation From Spanish)

MADECO S.A.

CODE OF ETHICS

 

  1. SCOPE
  2. Madeco S.A. and its subsidiaries (together, "Madeco" or the "Company"), have adopted the following Code of Ethics (the "Code") for their employees, understanding "employee" to mean any person with whom the Company has an employment contract. This Code is of particular relevance to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Chief Accountant and any officer assuming similar responsibilities within the Company, regardless of job title.

    Because no code or policy can anticipate every possible situation that may arise within a company, this Code will serve as a set of principles to guide employees' actions. Employees must adhere to the principles set forth herein in order to avoid improper conduct.

    The Chief Executive Officers of each of Madeco S.A. and its subsidiaries are responsible for verifying on an annual basis (i) that each employee receives a copy of the Code; (ii) that there exist standard procedures that facilitate compliance with this Code; and (iii) that there are adequate formal communication channels established for the reporting of conduct or behavior that violates the principles established in the Code.

     

  3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
  4. Employees should always be alert to situations that can compromise the trust placed in them by the Company, and should strive to avoid any type of conflict between their personal interests and those of Madeco.

    A conflict of interest exists when the personal interests of an employee (or a member of his or her family or a related third party) interferes, or appears to interfere in any way with the Company's interests.

    In the event of a conflict of interest, an employee must disclose the conflict immediately to his or her immediate superior, and must withdraw from the activity giving rise to such conflict of interest.

    In these matters, employees shall adhere to the general rules and policies set forth in this Code, and to principles of honesty, morality and good faith.

     

  5. PRIVILEGED INFORMATION
  6. Privileged information is understood to mean any information related to Madeco, its business or the securities issued by the Company that has not been disclosed to the market, and the disclosure of which could by its nature influence the price or quotation of any issued security. Privileged information also includes any information that has been deemed by the Board of Directors to be of a confidential nature.

    Employees shall maintain strict secrecy concerning all privileged information to which they have access in any way, and may not use privileged information for their own or a third party's benefit. Employees may not acquire for themselves or for third parties, directly or indirectly, any securities about which they have privileged information. Employees may not use privileged information to compete with the Company.

     

  7. CONFIDENTIALITY
  8. Confidential information is understood to mean any information belonging to Madeco that is not intended for public use and that has been confidentially provided to the employee by the Company, the disclosure of which to third parties, including persons engaged in commercial relationships or negotiations with the Company, could be harmful to the Company's interests. Information obtained from third parties under confidentiality or similar agreements is also considered confidential.

    Employees are forbidden to divulge confidential information to persons outside the Company, except when such disclosure is necessary for business reasons and every safeguard has been taken to prevent its improper use, or when its disclosure is required to comply with legal and/or regulatory requirements.

     

  9. FAIR COMPETITION
  10. Madeco recognizes and values the importance of laws that encourage free trade, as well as laws that prohibit predatory economic activities and unfair and improper practices. In this context, each employee shall encourage fair play when dealing with clients, suppliers, competitors and other employees. Employees shall not obtain unfair advantage through the manipulationor abuse of privileged information, through the misstatement of material facts or through any other unfair practice.

     

  11. APPROPRIATE USE AND PROTECTION OF THE COMPANY'S ASSETS
  12. All employees shall protect the Company's assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and losses have a direct impact on the Company's profitability. The Company's assets shall be used exclusively for the Company's business purposes.

     

     

  13. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
  14. All employees must fully comply with applicable laws and regulations in connection with the performance of their duties within the Company.

    Employees shall ensure that any information they prepare or deliver to shareholders, the public and regulatory and supervisory agencies, both in Chile and abroad, is true, accurate and complete.

     

  15. DISCLOSURE OF ILLEGAL OR UNETHICAL BEHAVIOUR

Employees shall disclose, in a timely manner, the existence of any situation known by them that could be in violation of this Code, whether related to themselves or to a third party. Such disclosure shall be made through the formal communication channels established by the Company for such purposes.

Where in doubt as to whether a situation constitutes a violation of the Code, employees shall timely discuss such situation with their immediate superiors.

It is the Company's responsibility to maintain appropriate communication channels, in order that an employee can report any action taken by a third party that violates the principles established within the Code, and that such employee will be assured of his or her anonymity in connection with the presentation of information supporting such an accusation.

 

 

EX-99.CERT 4 section302ceo.htm Section 302 Officer Certification

Section 302 Officer Certification

I, Tiberio Dall'Olio, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Madeco;

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 Company's other certifying officers 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)) for the Company and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cost such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, 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) evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure control and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this report any change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting; and

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

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company'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 controls over financial reporting; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: June 29, 2005

/s/Tiberio Dall'Olio
Chief Executive Officer

 

EX-99.CERT 5 section302cfo.htm Section 302 Officer Certification

Section 302 Officer Certification

I, Jorge Tagle, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Madeco;

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 Company's other certifying officers 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)) for the Company and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cost such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, 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) evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure control and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c) disclosed in this report any change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal year that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting; and

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

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

  1. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting; and

6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Date: June 29, 2005

/s/ Jorge Tagle Ovalle

Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.906 CERT 6 section906ceo.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Tiberio Dall'Olio, the Chief Executive Officer of Madeco S.A. (the "Company"), hereby certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

1. the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004, to which this statement is filed as an exhibit (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) 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.

 

 

Date: June 29, 2005

 

/s/ Tiberio Dall'Olio

Tiberio Dall'Olio

Chief Executive Officer

EX-99.906 CERT 7 section906cfo.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

 

I, Jorge Tagle Ovalle, the Chief Financial Officer of Madeco S.A. (the "Company"), hereby certify pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

1. the Company's annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004, to which this statement is filed as an exhibit (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) 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.

 

 

Date: June 29, 2005

 

/s/ Jorge Tagle Ovalle

Jorge Tagle Ovalle

Chief Financial Officer

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