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, 2005

  • 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...................... 5,348,390,129

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  []   No  [x]

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  []    No  [x]

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  [x]    No  []

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  []    Accelerated Filer  []    Non accelerated filer [x]

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

 

Item 17  []    Item 18  [x]

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  []    No  [x]

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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 (with the exception of the Balance Sheet, which is included only as of December 31, 2004 and 2005), 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, 2005 (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

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 "Item 8. Financial Information - Legal Proceedings".

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 of net income or loss for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 to U.S. GAAP.

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, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 is presented below in constant pesos of December 31, 2005.

 

 

Year ended December 31,

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2005)*

Income Statement Data (Chilean GAAP)

Net sales

366,211

274,801

252,378

335,700

365,487

Operating income

11,768

4,293

7,918

26,082

27,840

Non-operating income

6,511

2,438

1,998

2,504

3,407

Non-operating expense

(59,948)

(44,398)

(27,289)

(17,060)

(14,297)

Price-level restatement and currency translation

(14,580)

(9,053)

1,847

(260)

(2,752)

Income tax

(462)

1,503

(1,691)

(1,598)

(1,467)

Net income (loss)

(55,273)

(43,069)

(17,770)

8,819

12,014

 

Year ended December 31,

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2005)*

Income Statement Data (U.S. GAAP)

Net sales

376,072

270,576

248,115

331,799

365,250

Operating income (loss)

(24,906)

(25,476)

(3,817)

22,034

26,389

Non-operating income and expenses

(16,237)

(17,681)

(15,945)

(9,867)

(10,990)

Income taxes

(5,910)

2,808

(625)

(2,397)

(822)

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

(60,869)

(47,097)

(20,997)

9,456

14,071

Net income (loss) from discontinuing operations

208

291

119

468

(1)

Net income (loss) ..............

(60,661)

(46,806)

(20,878)

9,924

14,070

Per share (Chilean GAAP)

Number of shares as of December 31 (in thousands)

386,000

405,511

4,120,088

4,441,193

5,348,390

Net income (loss) per share

(143.19)

(106.21)

(4.31)

1.99

2.25

Dividend per share in Ch$ (1)

-

-

-

-

-

Dividend per ADS in US$ (1)

-

-

-

-

-

Per share (US GAAP)

Number of shares, weighted average

(in thousands)

386,000

390,614

2,857,098

4,221,196

4,317,188

Earnings (loss) per share from continuing

operations (US GAAP)

(157.69)

(120.57)

(7.35)

2.24

3.26

Earnings per share from discontinued

operations (US GAAP)

0.54

0.74

0.04

0.11

-

Earnings (loss) per share (US GAAP)

(157.15)

(119.83)

(7.31)

2.35

3.26

Earnings (loss) per share (Chilean GAAP),

weighted average

(143.19)

(110.26)

(6.22)

2.09

2.78

Balance Sheet Data (Chilean GAAP)

Current assets

164,728

129,524

154,087

156,703

158,922

Fixed assets

220,642

215,774

172,834

155,677

144,864

Total assets

446,521

405,477

375,569

355,255

344,338

Current liabilities

160,036

192,405

83,379

65,904

69,491

Long-term liabilities

134,197

92,318

124,931

114,428

59,259

Total liabilities

294,233

284,723

208,311

180,332

128,751

Interest bearing debt

245,658

240,125

171,273

138,571

85,966

Minority interest

16,199

14,353

10,555

10,704

10,207

Total shareholders' equity

136,089

106,402

156,703

164,219

205,380

Balance Sheet Data (U.S. GAAP)

Current assets.............

165,382

117,308

147,226

152,146

156,083

Property, plant and equipment, net.....

226,324

205,694

163,657

148,342

136,848

Other long-term assets

69,327

69,253

49,587

42,978

41,998

Total assets

461,032

392,256

360,470

343,467

334,930

Current liabilities.....

194,533

112,306

79,161

65,750

69,337

Long-term liabiliies.....

119,474

173,864

131,830

118,325

63,073

Total liabilities.....

314,007

286,170

210,991

184,075

132,410

Interest-bearing debt.....

245,658

240,125

171,273

138,571

85,966

Minority interest

16,846

14,353

10,555

10,293

9,858

Total shareholders' equity

130,180

91,734

138,924

149,099

192,662

 

(*) Except for per share data information which is presented in constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2005.

(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 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. In the past, 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 June 25, 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 previously 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 band, and decided to intervene in the market only under extraordinary circumstances and with advance notification. The Central Bank also committed itself to providing 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 8, 2006, the average exchange rate in the Informal Exchange Market was Ch$544.50 per U.S. dollar and the U.S. dollar Observed Exchange Rate was Ch$545.45 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 2001 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

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

2005

509.70

592.75

559.77

512.50

December 2005

509.70

518.38

514.33

512.50

January 2006

513.18

535.36

524.48

524.37

February 2006

516.91

532.35

525.70

517.33

March 2006

516.75

536.16

528.77

526.18

April 2006

511.44

525.40

517.33

514.97

May 2006

512.76

532.92

521.56

531.87

June 2006 (through June 10)

529.91

545.45

535.87

545.45

_____________________

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 2005 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)

243.69

2.16

 

195.67

2.86

 

179.90

3.25

High (1)

213.66

2.76

 

169.15

3.04

 

150.48

3.44

Average (2)

229.79

2.44

 

191.42

2.92

 

169.74

3.30

Year-End

218.95

2.34

 

169.03

3.03

 

149.37

3.43

 

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, 2005, the Company had Ch$74,532 million, or 51,4% of its property, plant and equipment in Chile, and derived 53.1% 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 3.4%, 2.2%, 3.7%, 6.1% and 6.3% for the years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, 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, 2005, the Company had Ch$36,466 million, or, 25.2% of its property, plant and equipment in Brazil, and derived 27.4% of its revenues, from its Brazilian operations. In the case of Argentina, the Company had Ch$23,088 million, or 15.9% of its property, plant and equipment in Argentina, and derived 3.7% of its revenues from its Argentine operations. In the case of Peru, the Company had Ch$10,779 million, or 7.4% of its property, plant and equipment in Peru, and derived 15.8% of its revenues from its Peruvian operations.

In recent years, Argentina 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. In 2004 and 2005, the Argentine economy grew by 9.0% and 9.2%, respectively. 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. In 2005, the Brazilian economy grew by 2.3%. There can be no assurance that economic growth in Brazil will continue in the future.

The Peruvian economy continues to develop at a steady pace. Economic growth is likely to continue, as the country profits from increased demand for commodities in the wake of a stronger global economy: in 2004 and 2005, the Peruvian economy grew by 4.8% and 6.7%, respectively. However, Peru remains a politically unstable country. This instability 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, 2006, the Quiñenco Group owned 47.8% 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 to 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 2005 and for the first quarter 2006. 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.

There is also risk exposure associated with the copper and aluminum inventories kept by the Company exclusively for the fabrication of its products. Sharp drops in prices for these raw materials can cause the Company significant losses in its financial statements due to lower inventory value.

Company earnings can also be negatively affected by reductions in prices for copper and aluminum due to the difficulty in passing on the higher purchase prices of current metal inventories to the customer. In addition, there could be a fall in demand as customers wait for lower prices before issuing their purchase orders. The historical prices of these metals have experienced wide fluctuations, which are influenced by a great number of factors beyond the Company's control.

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, optical fiber telecommunication 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 non- residential construction (windows and patio doors, curtain walls) and diverse industrial applications.

In 2005, the Company's consolidated net revenues amounted to Ch$365,487 million, of which 58.0% was derived from Madeco's Wire & Cable unit, 21.9% from the Brass Mills unit, 12.1% from the Flexible Packaging unit and 8.0% 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 May 2004, our C Series Bonds were paid (1.4 million UF) and in December the A Series Bonds were paid in advance (1.9 million UF), financed mainly by the proceeds of the issuance of our D Series Bonds. A capital increase of US$16.1 million was generated through the placement of 321 million shares.

In 2004, in Brazil the production capacity of magnetic cables was increased by 20% and the introduction of an Enterprise Resources Planning software (ERP), called SAP, was initiated. In November 2004, Madeco reopened partially and, on a non-continuous basis, its wire & cable plants (Llavallol and Quilmes) located in Argentina.

In March 2005, Madeco bought Corning's 50% share in Optel Ltda., bringing its ownership interest in the Company to 100%. In June, operation of an "up-cast" type continuous casting process was initiated at its facility in Lo Espejo to increase copper rod production. In July, Ficap began operating on the SAP system. In September, Madeco prepaid all the Credit Rescheduling Agreements subscribed by the Company with its creditor banks on December 18, 2002, freeing it from the restrictions pertaining to the agreements. In November, the Company launched a successful capital increase, raising aproximately US$84 millon, which was used to pay debt. In addition, in same month, our Argentine subsidiary Decker-Indelqui won public bids to supply over US$15 million of aluminum transmission cables.

Recent Developments

On May 5, 2006, 192,802,758 shares equal to 100 percent of the remaining shares issued and registered on October 17, 2005, were placed on the Santiago Stock Exchange. With this placement all the new shares issued, 1,100,000,000, were subscribed and paid. The stock was auctioned at the price of Ch$ 48.5 per share, and the Company received a total of approximately Ch$ 9,315 million for the transaction.

On June 5, 2006 the Company refinanced a total of US$50 million of its financial debt by means of a 5-year syndicate bank loan. Approximately US$12 million of this financing was used to prepay debts to Quiñenco.

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 2003, 2004 and 2005 totaled approximately Ch$20,761 million. Of this amount, Ch$4,477 million were invested in Madeco's Wire & Cable operations, Ch$1,682 million in the Company's Brass Mills operations, Ch$11,795 million in the Flexible Packaging operations and Ch$2,807 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 2005, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$2,513 million, equivalent to 42.5% of the unit's depreciation. In Brazil, investments included the acquisitions of wire-related machinery and equipment, and Information Technology improvements, including the implementation of a new Enterprise Resources Planning software (ERP), called SAP. In Peru, the Company invested in the acquisition of machinery to increase production. In Chile, investments primarily included the acquisition of a continuous copper casting line for the Lo Espejo facility, and an acquisition of machinery to increase production. In Argentina, capital expenditures were not material.

In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$1,585 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 Resources 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 2003, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$378 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.

Brass Mills Unit. In 2005, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$811 million, which was equivalent to 32.4% of the unit's depreciation. Most of the unit's investments were related to the acquisition of a new washing machine for copper tubes in Chile. In Argentina capital expenditures were not material.

In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$442 million, 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$429 million, which was equal to 16.1% of the unit's depreciation.

Flexible Packaging Unit. In 2005, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$5,282 million, which was equivalent to 237.9% of the unit's depreciation. Investments were primarily related to the acquisition of machinery and equipment for the production facilities in Chile and Argentina, including two extruding machine, a cutter machine, a cylinder engraving machine and some cylinders.

In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$4,051 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$2,462 million, which were related to the repurchase of the Company's equipment through a capital lease contract.

Aluminum Profiles Unit. In 2005, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$1,792 million, equivalent to 187.6% of the units depreciation. Investments were made to improve the manufacturing process and capacity.

In 2004, capital expenditures amounted to Ch$591 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$425 million, which was equal to 65.26% 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. A Strategic Operational Business Plan for period 2003-2005 ("Business Plan") was created to make 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 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.

In late 2005, Madeco did an evaluation of the 2003 - 2005 Business Plan, which it used as a basis for defining the 2006 - 2008 Business Plan to efficiently orient efforts to make the Company grow profitably. The main objectives of the new Business Plan follow:

    • To consolidate the activities of the Wire and Cable unit.
    • To diversify and search for growth and profit opportunities for the Tubes and Sheets unit.
    • To make the Flexible Packaging unit profitable.
    • To maintain leadership in the Aluminum Profiles unit.
    • To achieve operational excellence by searching for process homologation options and best practices in the different business units.
    • To implement a strategic management policy in human resources.
    • To consolidate the Company's financial position.

 

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 cable.

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. In November 2005, Decker-Indelqui won public bids to supply over US$15 million of aluminum transmission cables, a fact which has allowed the Company to increase its capacity utilization in Argentina.

Wire & Cable - Summary of Sales

The Wire & Cable unit is Madeco's largest business unit, with revenues representing 58.0% of the Company's consolidated sales for the year 2005. The following tables show Madeco's annual revenues and volume sales generated by the Wire & Cable business unit for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

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

Year

Metallic Cable Division Revenues (1)

Optical Fiber Cable Division Revenues

Total Revenues

% Consolidated Revenues

2003

117,367

0

117,367

46.5%

2004

172,257

0

172,257

51.3%

2005

210,334

1,728

212,062

58.0%

Wire & Cable Unit - Volume Sales

Year

Metallic Cable (in tons)

Optical Fiber Cable

(in kms (2))

Total Volume

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2003

53,923

0

53,923

49.3%

2004

62,866

0

62,866

51.0%

2005

68,712

89,921

70,756

56.3%

 

(1) Revenues of the Wire & Cable business unit include copper rod sales. They also include copper 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".

The Company's Wire & Cable business unit generated revenues of Ch$212,062 million for the year 2005, an increase of 23.11% compared to the previous year (Ch$172.257million). This increase is mostly due to higher sales from copper rod and copper and aluminum cables products of 33.9% and 21.2%, 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 14.6% of the unit's revenues for the year 2005 (79.9% of which represented copper rod). The following tables show Madeco's annual revenues and volume sales generated by the Wire & Cable business unit by destination for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

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

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina (1)

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

2003

20,252

58,058

21,682

2,280

15,096

117,367

2004

32,346

80,408

30,514

4,814

24,175

172,257

2005

38,743

94,668

40,863

6,722

31,066

212,062

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

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

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

2005

10,718

31,032

11,574

2,256

13,132

68,712

Wire & Cable Unit - Volume Sales of Optical Fiber Cable by Destination (in kms) (3)

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Exports (2)

Wire & Cable Unit

2003

0

0

0

0

0

0

2004

0

0

0

0

0

0

2005

0

5,335

0

71,000

13,586

89,921

 

(1) The Company's revenues in Argentina in 2003 are the result of the marketing and selling of imported products from Brazil. In 2004 and 2005, 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) 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 2003, 2004 and 2005, 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

2003

43,956

57,384

34,980

2,318

0

(21,271)

117,367

2004

62,114

79,718

55,702

4,848

0

(30,125)

172,257

2005

77,564

90,247

63,335

5,757

1,728

(26,569)

212,062

 

(1) The Company's revenues in Argentina in 2003 are the result of marketing and selling of imported products. In 2004 and 2005, 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 San Miguel County at Santiago. 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 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

 

Rio de Janeiro(2)

Optical fiber cables

N/A

Argentina

Quilmes, BA

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

Cu: telecom

9001: 1999, 2005

 

Llavallol, BA

Cu and Al: bare wire

N/A

Ciudad de BA, BA

Optical fiber cables

14,000

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.

(2) Temporarily closed production facilities.

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, ICEA, 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 points 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

The Company also produces optical fiber telecom cables. Optical fiber is produced from compact glass (silicon) filaments (0.125 mm diameter), which are purchased in sealed reels to protect them from external contamination. The filaments are insulated with polyethylene through an extrusion process and are then bundled in groups of twelve. The individual twelve-filament groupings can then be further bundled, creating thick optical fiber cables with a maximum of 144 filaments. The bundle is finally protected by polyethylene and/or metal insulation. Optical fiber cables are used mainly for trunk lines for both local and long distance telecom services.

The following diagram depicts the production process for optical fiber telecom cables.

Optical Fiber à Insulating (Extrusion process) à Bundling à Insulation

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 78.4% of the total raw material costs for the Company's Wire & Cable unit in 2005. The Company's Brazilian unit purchases the majority of its copper from a domestic supplier, Caraiba Metais S.A., and the remaining from Madeco Chile and Indeco. In 2005 purchases from Caraiba Metais S.A. represented approximately 59% of total copper purchases. The remaining 41% was purchased from Madeco Chile and Indeco. 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 required volumes of copper 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. Additionally, in June 2005 Madeco purchased an "up-cast" type continuous process line with a capacity of 12,000 tons per year of copper rod.

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. In November 2005, Ceper come back to market at a low production levels. 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 increased the supply of copper rod 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 prior 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 Siderúrgica del Norte (Colombia). In Brazil, the Company purchases aluminum rod supplies from Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio.

In October 2003, the Company signed an agreement for the supply of PVC for Chilean and Peruvian operations with Petroquímica 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. Plásticos 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 2006 and will terminate on December 31, 2006. 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.

The main raw material used in the production of an optical fiber cable is the optical fiber (as described above). Other raw materials used include thermoplastic materials, silicone filling compound, non-metallic strength elements between steel tapes or wires (in case of armored cables) and polyethylene as an outer jacket. The Company purchases its optical fiber supplies from Corning Fiber (USA) and E-Tone (Taiwan).

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, 12 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), six sales assistants, one project engineer and one person in charge of marketing.

In Brazil, the Company has a total of 53 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 four sectors: the first sector includes power utilities, naval industries, transportation, etc.; the second sector includes cable distributors and durable goods manufacturers; the third sector includes telecom operators; and the forth sector includes OEM enameled wire consumers. 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 17 sales representatives and 9 sales assistants. Additionally, the Company maintains four proprietary retail outlets, located in the cities of Lima and Arequipa. Sales made through the retail stores represented approximately 6% of the total revenues generated in Peru.

The Company's sales force in Argentina includes a commercial manager, 5 sales representatives and 2 sales assistants. The sales force is located in Buenos Aires.

The Company's wire and cable client base includes approximately 331 customers in Chile, 3,106 in Brazil, 1,347 in Peru, 271 in Argentina and 71 in its export markets (all countries other than Chile, Brazil, Peru or Argentina). The Company's largest customer for the year 2005 was a Brazilian manufacturer, and sales to this customer accounted for 6.2% 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

The Company's Chilean Customer Groupings

 

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Distributors

16%

16%

13%

Durable goods manufacturers

55%

50%

53%

Mining

8%

11%

8%

Energy

12%

14%

16%

Telecom

6%

8%

5%

Others

3%

1%

5%

 

The Company's Brazilian Customer Groupings

 

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Distributors

36%

24%

23%

Telecom companies

1%

5%

5%

Energy

4%

13%

19%

Durable goods manufacturers

50%

40%

44%

Others

9%

18%

9%

 

 

The Company's Peruvian Customer Groupings

 

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Distributors

25%

21%

23%

Mining

4%

4%

5%

Energy

11%

9%

14%

Telecom

11%

10%

11%

Durable goods manufacturers

4%

6%

5%

Retail

7%

5%

6%

Exports and others

38%

45%

36%

 

 

The Company's Argentine Customer Groupings

 

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Distributors

66%

50%

48%

Durable goods manufacturers

1%

9%

6%

Energy

25%

36%

40%

Telecom

0%

0%

0%

Exports and others

8%

5%

6%

 

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 61 days in 2005 versus 66 days in 2004.

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 prices 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 2003-2005 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 2003 through 2005:

Industry Size (in metallic tons(1))

Year

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Total Region

2003

23,863

149,644

12,200

31,700

217,407

2004

25,801

192,000

13,386

37,409

268,596

2005

28,100

211,200

16,200

40,100

295,600

 

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

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2003

23,863

3.7%(2)

2004

25,801

6.1%

2005

28,100

6.3%

 

(1) Measurement estimates for industry size include only metal (copper and/or aluminum), excluding 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.

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.

In 2005, the electrical conductor market amounted to 28,100 tons (not including copper rod), which represents an increase of 9.0% with respect to 2004, due to a rise in one-time projects such as Proyecto Itata, Celulosa Arauco and CMPC (Compañía Manufacturera de Papeles y Cartones).

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2003

149,644

-0.2%

2004

192,000

4.9%

2005

211,200

2.3%

 

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

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.

In 2005, the Brazilian GDP grew 2.3%, while the wire and cable market increased by 9.9%.

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2003

12,200

4.0%

2004

13,386

4.8%

2005

16,200

6.7%

 

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

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.

In 2005, the size of the Peruvian wire and cable market increased by 21.0% compared to the prior year due to the significant growth of Peruvian economy. Also, there was an important demand of thermo-plastic and thermo-stable cables from the energy sector.

Argentine 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

 

 

Industry Size

 

Year

(in metallic tons(1))

GDP Rate

2003

31,700

8.7%

2004

37,409

9.0%

2005

40,100

9.2%

 

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

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).

In 2005, the Argentine cable industry increased 7.2% compared with the previous year due to investment growth and growth in the construction and industrial sectors.

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:

 

2003

2004

2005

The Company

30%

37%

38%

Cocesa

29%

27%

26%

Covisa

16%

16%

17%

Other Domestic

7%

8%

7%

Imports into Chile

18%

12%

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 and 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 Prysmian (Brazil, ex Pirelli Group), 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, imports represented 18%, or 4,295 tons, of the industry.

In 2005, the Company's market share increased by 1 percentage point, due to a rise in one-time projects such as Celulosa Arauco and CMPC (thermo stable cables) and contracts with Telefónica (telecom cables).

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:

 

2003

2004

2005

Pirelli

21%

18%

-

Prysmian (ex-Pirelli) (1)

-

-

10%

Invex (ex-Pirelli) (1)

-

-

9%

The Company

18%

16%

15%

Phelps Dodge

11%

11%

10%

Other Domestic

48%

54%

55%

Imports into Brazil

2%

1%

1%

(1) Pirelli sold its worldwide cable business unit in mid-2005. As a result of this transaction, in Brazil Pirelli was divided in two companies: Prysmian and 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. Pirelli sold its worldwide cable business unit in mid-2005, which was bought by a fund of Goldman Sachs. As a result Pirelli Brazil was separated in two companies: Invex (the magnetic wire production facilities) and Prysmian (the energy and telecom wire production facilities). 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 include 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 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.

During 2005 the Company focused on improving profitability and therefore concentrated on product lines with better margins. As a result the Company decreased its market share in product lines such as building wire.

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 and 2005, a market for these cables was 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 2006.

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:

 

2003

2004

2005

The Company

64%

65%

71%

Celsa

10%

9%

11%

Ceper

11%

7%

0%

Other Domestic

9%

7%

6%

Imports into Peru

6%

12%

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.

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.

In 2005, the Company increased its market participation by 6 percentage point compared to the previous year, selling a total of 11,574 tons. In November 2005, Ceper came back to market with a low production level.

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 the most 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:

 

2003

2004

2005

Prysmian Argentina

25%

26%

24%

Imsa

18%

19%

20%

Cimet

10%

12%

12%

The Company

4%

5%

6%

Other Domestic

40%

35%

35%

Imports into Argentina

3%

3%

3%

 

 

The Company currently has three principal Argentine competitors in the wire and cable industry. Prysmian, ex Pirelli Cables S.A.I.C. 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 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.

In 2005, the Company's market share increased by 1 percentage point. Quilmes facility started production of medium-voltage power cables. Also, the Company consolidated its position within the market of aluminum wire.

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 1,400,000 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.

Through December 2005, the fiber optics subsidiary contributed Ch$47 million in operating income and Ch$184 million in EBITDA.

 

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 99.75% 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.

In October 2005 a complete restructuring of the production process at the Madeco-
Chile brass mills plant was implemented to reduce production costs. Low volume and labor-intensive products were discontinued. This restructuring effort is yielding appreciable positive results. For instance, there is a more efficient use of the raw material copper.

The following table shows the Company's annual net sales generated by the Brass Mills business unit for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Brass Mills Unit - Revenues (in Ch$ million)

Year

PBS-

Revenues

Coins-

Revenues

Total Revenues

% Consolidated Revenues

2003

52,435

7,219

59,654

23.6%

2004

79,208

7,842

87,050

25.9%

2005

73,609

6,299

79,908

21.9%

Brass Mills Unit - Volume Sales (in tons)

Year

PBS-

Volume Sales

Coins-

Volume Sales

Total

Volume Sales

% Consolidated Volume

2003

27,375

2,985

30,360

27.8%

2004

30,871

2,448

33,319

27.1%

2005

27,947

1,566

29,513

23.5%

The Brass Mills unit is Madeco's second largest business segment in terms of revenues, representing 21.9% of consolidated revenues in 2005. Of the four businesses, the Company's Brass Mills unit is the most internationally diverse, with customers in over 20 countries. Export sales in 2005 amounted to approximately 56.3% of total revenues and 59.6% 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 2003, 2004 and 2005, 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

2003

54,243

4,298

7,606

(6,493)

59,654

2004

82,028

6,831

8,743

(10,552)

87,050

2005

77,184

7,197

6,870

(11,343)

79,908

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

9001: 2003

San Bernardo, Santiago

Smelting Furnace, Sheets

9001 : 2003

Quilpue

Coin Blanks and Sheets

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 has remained 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 continuous casting à cold rolling à annealing à blank cutting à annealing à polishing à sorting à inspecting, cutting, packing

The Company 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 or ARMAT develop with the cooperation of the Chilean Mint. 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 or destroyed 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 Cajamarquilla, Votorantim Matais (Peruvian supplier). Nickel is purchased mainly from Inco Limited (Canada) and Companhia Niquel Tocantins S.A. (Brazil), and tin 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 54.0% of the total division's revenues for the year 2005. The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales generated by the PBS division by destination for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

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

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

PBS Division

2003

20,635

4,347

27,453

52,435

2004

31,466

6,143

41,599

79,208

2005

26,994

6,863

39,752

73,609

PBS Division - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

PBS Division

2003

9,134

2,318

15,923

27,375

2004

9,622

2,631

18,618

30,871

2005

9,177

2,726

16,044

27,947

 

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

In 2005, PBS division revenues decreased by Ch$5,599 million or 7.1% compared to the previous year. This decrease was due to a 9.5% drop in the volume sales, which was offset in part by higher average prices. Both Chile and Exports decreased in revenues by 14.2% and 4.4% respectively, while Argentina's revenues increased by 11.7%.

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, 12 sales representatives (two of them located in the southern region and one located in the northern region of the country to serve the mining industry), six 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 Argentina, the Company has a total of 13 employees dedicated to sales and customer service. There is a head of sales and 10 salesmen, 8 of which are located in Buenos Aires, 1 in Cordoba and the other in Rosario.

The Company's PBS operations have 371 clients in Chile, 561 Argentine customers and 121 customers in its export markets. In 2005, the largest customer was a Brass Mills product distributor in United States and sales to this customer accounted for 10.7% 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

The Company's Chilean Customer Groupings

 

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

% 2005 Revenues

Retail and Distributors

68%

68%

64%

Durable good manufacturers

13%

12%

17%

Mining

0%

8%

7%

Electric appliance manufacturers

5%

4%

5%

Aluminum

4%

2%

3%

Others

10%

6%

4%

The Company's Argentine Customer Groupings

 

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

% 2005 Revenues

Retail and Distributors

59%

48%

50%

Construction

15%

17%

17%

Durable good manufacturers

26%

23%

24%

Exports and others

0%

12%

9%

 

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 2003-2005 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

GDP Rate (1)

2003

16,734

3.7%

2004

17,407

6.1%

2005

15,900

6.3%

 

(1) The annual GDP rates for Chile presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 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 2005 decreased 8.7% compared with the previous year due mainly to higher copper prices.

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 2003 to 2005:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

GDP Rate

2003

17,000

8.7%

2004

17,773

9.0%

2005

23,300

9.2%

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 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.

In 2005, the industry size increased by 31.1% compared with the previous year mainly due to the recovery of the brass bars market and to a lesser extent to the growth of construction and industry and the corresponding increase in the sale of copper strips and pipes.

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:

 

2003(1)

2004

2005

The Company

60%

61%

58%

Cembrass

3%

4%

4%

Tecob

2%

0%

3%

Conmetal

10%

9%

9%

Offermanns

2%

2%

2%

Other Domestic

0%

0%

0%

Imports into Chile

23%

24%

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 58% for the year 2005. 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 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%.

In 2005, the Company's competitor Tecob re-entered the market and as a consequence Madeco decreased its market share by three percentage points. By October, a complete restructuring of the production process at the Company was implemented to improve efficiency and reduce production costs. As a result, low volume and labor-intensive products were discontinued.

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:

 

2003(1)

2004

2005

The Company

13%

14%

12%

Pajarbol-Cembrass

15%

15%

21%

Sotyl

12%

13%

13%

Vaspia

7%

7%

7%

Quimetal

7%

7%

7%

Other Domestic

34%

33%

27%

Imports into Argentina

12%

11%

13%

(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 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.

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.

In 2005, the Company's market share decreased by two pecentage points. That was a consequence of the growth of the brass bar market, a segment that is not important for the Company.

 

 

Coins - Sales by Destination

Madeco sells the bulk of its coin products to countries outside Chile; export sales represented 83.6% of the total coin revenues for the year 2005. The following table shows Madeco's annual net sales by destination for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

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

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Coins Division

2003

668

6,551

7,219

2004

755

7,087

7,842

2005

1,030

5,269

6,299

Coins Division - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Coins Division

2003

71

2,914

2,985

2004

97

2,351

2,448

2005

9

1,557

1,566

 

(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 2005 decreased 19.7% compared with 2004. This can be mainly explained by the fact that in 2004 the Company won an important bid to provide coins to an Asian country and also because of the depreciation of the dollar against the Chilean peso in 2005.

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 2005 was The Denmark National Bank and this customer accounted for 23.4% of total coin sales. S.E. Casa de Moneda de Argentina accounted for 22.9% of total coin sales and Casa de Moneda Chile accounted for 18.4% 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). In the same year, Alusa acquired Vigaflex (renamed as Alupack), a local company engaged in the flexographic packaging market.

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.

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, machinery and some current assets) related to mass consumer products to Cambiaso Hermanos S.A. for Ch$1,385 million. Remaining industrial business lines were absorbed by Alusa.

In 1996, Alusa S.A. entered into the Peruvian packaging market by acquiring a 25.0% 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. Peruplast prints packaging products mainly 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.

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Flexible Packaging Unit

Year

Revenues

(in Ch$ million)

% Consolidated Revenues

Volume Sales

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2003

44,321

17.6%

14,821

13.6%

2004

46,741

13.9%

16,361

13.2%

2005

44,159

12.1%

14,527

11.6%

In 2005, revenues fell 5.5% to Ch$44,159 million from Ch$46,741 million. Operations in Chile experienced a reduction in volume sales of 17.7%, while Argentine operations saw an increase of 5.7%. Total volume sales were down 11.2%.

The volume sales for the Flexible Packaging unit amounted to 14,527 tons, a 11.2% decrease compared to 16,361 tons sold the previous year. The reduction in volume sales was due mainly to the absence of Alufoil, the Chilean subsidiary of Alusa, which ceased operations in late 2004, and to a lesser extent, to the fact that Alusa carried out a rationalization of its client portfolio, as well as the greater tendency in the market to use lighter packaging materials. The reduction in volume sales was offset in part by higher average prices due to increases in raw material costs, and a readjustment in the client portfolio.

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 14,1% of the total unit's revenues for the year 2005.

The following tables present the Company's annual net sales generated by the Flexible Packaging business unit by destination for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

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

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

Flexible Packaging Unit

2003

29,206

9,739

5,376

44,321

2004

29,822

10,375

6,544

46,741

2005

27,699

10,244

6,216

44,159

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

Year

Chile

Argentina

Exports (1)

Flexible Packaging Unit

2003

9,674

3,417

1,730

14,821

2004

10,171

3,867

2,323

16,361

2005

8,581

3,828

2,118

14,527

 

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

The following table presents the Company's Flexible Packaging business unit total revenues for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, broken down by the subsidiary that generated the sale:

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

Year

Alusa (1)

Aluflex

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

2003

33,409

10,916

-4

44,321

2004

34,593

12,148

0

46,741

2005

31,559

12,600

0

44,159

 

(1) 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 - Production

The Company has a total of two modern facilities for the production of flexible packaging products. The Chilean operation has one plant 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, 2004 (version 2000)

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

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 into pre-press. 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 printing 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.

Production of flexible packaging products continues 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, paper, 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.

After 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. The following diagram depicts the flexible packaging production process:

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

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 2005 were Dow Chemical Company through PBB Polisur S.A., Petroquímica Dow S.A. and Dow Química Chilena S.A. These three suppliers provided approximately 22.1% of the raw materials used by the Company in 2005. 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 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 last time has caused a sharp increase in raw material prices. 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 prices 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, 6 are responsible for local customers and the remaining 2 for exports. Alusa also has a Customer Service Department composed of a supervisor and 6 customer service representatives.

In Argentina the commercial department includes one commercial manager, 3 sales executives, each responsible for a portfolio of customers, and 3 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 Mexico, Bolivia, Central America and the United States.

The Company's Flexible Packaging unit has approximately 100 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 2005 are in the food and hygiene industries. The Company's largest customer accounted for 12% 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

The Company's

Chilean Customer Groupings

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Concentrated & dehydrated products

21%

17%

23%

Dressing & tomato sauces

17%

16%

17%

Candies and biscuits

15%

18%

17%

Personal Care & Pharmaceutical products

9%

12%

11%

Dairy Products

12%

12%

12%

Snacks

10%

6%

7%

Frozen products

3%

3%

1%

Meat products

2%

2%

1%

Cleaning products

1%

1%

2%

Others

10%

13%

9%

 

 

The Company's

Argentine Customer Groupings

% 2003

Revenues

% 2004

Revenues

% 2005

Revenues

Biscuits, candies and snacks

46%

50%

47%

Pastas

3%

2%

2%

Condiments

1%

1%

1%

Cleaning products

11%

12%

12%

Pet food

25%

26%

31%

Others

14%

9%

7%

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 2005) were made under credit conditions.

Within the Flexible Packaging unit, the average payment period remained stable at approximately 74 days (78 days in 2004).  Uncollectible accounts as a percentage of total unit revenues amounted to 0.56% for the year 2004 and 0.34% for the year 2005.

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 2003-2005 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 2003 through 2005:

Year

Industry Size (1)

(in tons)

2003

29,324

2004

29,797

2005

30,000

(1) The industry sizes for Chile presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2003 and 2004. They do not include the aluminum foil and plastic wrap market because the Company exited that market in November 2004 when it sold certain Alufoil's assets.

From 2003 to 2005, the Chilean flexible packaging 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

Supermarket Sales

(in million of historical AR$)

2003

48,580

16,553

2004

56,813

17,675

2005

69,900

20,917

In 2003, 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.

The Argentine economy grew 9.2% during 2005. This growth was accompanied by an increase in consumer spending (supermarket sales increased 18.3% in 2005 compared to 2004) and a stable exchange rate.

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:

 

2003

2004

2005

Edelpa

30%

31%

35%

The Company(1)

28%

28%

28%

Others

42%

41%

37%

(1) The Company's market shares presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2003 and 2004. They do not consider the aluminum foil and plastic wrap market because the Company exited that market in November 2004 when it sold certain Alufoil's assets.

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 63% 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.

Over the last few years there has been an increasing concentration within the industry. Demand has concentrated as a consequence of mergers and acquisitions of companies of massive consumption products. There is a growing trend within these multinational companies towards working with fewer suppliers.

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:

2003

2004

2005

The Company

8%

8%

7%

Others

92%

92%

93%

The flexible packaging industry in Argentina shows high levels of fragmentation. The five main companies have 48% 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 7.0%.

In 2005 the main competitor, Converflex (a subsidiary of Arcor), increased its market share to 19% compared to its 15% market share in the prior year. The smaller competitors, such as Petropack and Bolsaflex, increased their market share in 2 percentage points.

The main competitors of Aluflex, other than Converflex, are Alvher (a subsidiary of Edelpa), Celomat (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 Boliviana Indalum S.A. which operated as an aluminum profiles distributor until June 2004, when operations terminated. Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A. has sold nearly all of its assets and Indalum is exporting directly from Chile to its Bolivian customers.

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

The following table shows the Company's annual net sales generated by the Aluminum unit for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Year

Revenues

(in Ch$ million)

% Consolidated

Revenues

Total Volume

(in tons)

% Consolidated Volume

2003

31,036

12.3%

10,211

9.3%

2004

29,652

8.8%

10,653

8.7%

2005

29,358

8.0%

10,819

8.6%

In 2005 revenues decreased 1.0% compared to the previous year due to the higher penetration of imported products.

The following tables present the Company's annual net sales generated by the Flexible Packaging business unit by destination for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005:

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

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Aluminum Unit

2003

29,848

1,188

31,036

2004

27,819

1,833

29,652

2005

27,749

1,609

29,358

Aluminum Unit - Volume Sales by Destination (in tons)

Year

Chile

Exports (1)

Aluminum Unit

2003

10,211

0

10,211

2004

10,653

0

10,653

2005

10,345

474

10,819

 

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

The following table shows the Company's total revenues generated by the Aluminum unit for the years 2004, 2004 and 2005, broken down by business division:

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

Year

Indalum + Alumco

Ingewall

Inter-company

Aluminum

Unit

2003

30,610

426

0

31,036

2004

29,652

0

0

29,652

2005

29,358

0

0

29,358

 

 

Aluminum - Production

Indalum owns a modern aluminum profile extrusion plant located in San Bernardo, in the outskirts of Santiago. Indalum is technologically up to date both in terms of the 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 billet through a steel die in order to form elongated profiles, in either standard or customized shapes. After extrusion, the profiles are cut according to specifications and anodized, painted or left untreated.

Mill finished profiles are most commonly used by durable goods manufacturers. The following diagram depicts the production process for these 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. 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 74% of the total production profile cost. The Company obtains most of its aluminum requirements from Aluar, located in Argentina, and STC Intermesa Trading Co, located in Brazil.

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, Brenntang Chile Comercial e Industrial, Chemal Katschmareck - GMBH (Germany), Química del Sur y Cía. Ltda. (Chile) and Goldschmidt Química de Mexico (Mexico)

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Year

Aluminum Profiles

Revenues

(in Ch$ million)

Aluminum Profiles

Volume Sales

(in tons)

% Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

2003(1)

30.610

10.211

98,6%

2004(2)

29.652

10.653

100,0%

2005(2)

29.358

10.819

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 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.

For 2005, the Company's net sales decreased 1.0% compared to the previous year. This decrease was partially offset by a 1.56% increase in volume sales.

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., Inversiones El Círculo Ltda. (Metralum) Distribuidora y Comercializadora Dialum Ltda. 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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

The Company's Sales Channels

% 2003 Revenues

% 2004 Revenues

% 2005 Revenues

Retail

22%

19%

21%

Independent distributors

52%

54%

45%

Construction companies and durable goods manufacturers

22%

24%

31%

Distribution offices in Bolivia (1)

4%

2%

0%

Exports and others

0%

1%

3%

(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 in either cash or deferred 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 63 days in 2004 to 51 days in 2005 (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 2.9% in 2004 to 2.1% in the year 2005.

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 2003, the Company launched the Superba System and the Xelentia System. 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 Xelentia System, respectively. Although the Company does not provide installation guarantee to its clients, it does supervise indoor fabrication and on site installation of 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.

During 2005 the Company continued with its marketing strategy already described, giving special attention to its branded systems with the purpose of increasing substitution of non branded systems. In this respect, the Company implemented a strategic plan with architects and realty developers, with the purpose of increasing project specification of branded systems in new projects. The results were increasingly good during 2005 and should continue to be so in 2006.

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 2003, 2004 and 2005:

Year

Industry Size

(in tons)

Construction Starts Index

(Dec 1996 = 100)

2003

12,820

74.0

2004

14,441

92.5

2005

14,900

102.7

The volume sales of the Company are closely related to the economy as a whole and growth in the residential sector. In 2005, GDP expanded 6.3% while the overall construction sector (including infrastructure) expanded 9.8%. The residential sector expanded 8.6% while non residential expanded 10.7%.

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 shows the Company's estimate for market share of aluminum profiles products for the past three years:

 

2003

2004

2005

The Company

76%

71%

69%

Alcoa

14%

15%

17%

Other Imports

10%

14%

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 mainly from the Republic of China.

Although the Company lost some distributors and market share in 1999 due to Alcoa's aggressiveness at that time, the Company has successfully recovered most of it, through the successful implementation of a consistent commercial strategy since that year. During 2004 and 2005, the main competitors have been imports from China. This impacted market share in 2004 by reducing the Company's share by 5 percentage points. During 2005, imports from China doubled and impacted Alcoa's as well as the Company's share. In the last case, market share was reduced by 2 percentage points

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, 2005:

ADRs (3.9%)

Quiñenco(1) (47.8%)

AFP (4.9%)

Others (43.4%)

MADECO

Wire & Cable

BrassMills

Flexible Packaging

Aluminum Profiles

Madeco Chile (100.00%)

Alusa (75.96%)

Indalum (99.16%)

Decker-Indelqui (99.75%)

Aluflex (75.96%)

 

Ficap (100.00%)

Armat (100.00%)

   

Indeco (93.00%)

     

Optel (100.00%)

     

(1) The controlling shareholder of Madeco S.A. is the open stock corporation Quiñenco S.A. Quiñenco is an open stock corporation in accordance with Chilean Law. See "ITEM 7 - Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions - Major Shareholders"

Madeco's majority shareholder is Quiñenco S.A., which, through its direct and indirect interests in the Company, beneficially owns an aggregate of 47.812% of the outstanding shares (2,557,141,629 shares) of Common Stock as of December 31, 2005.

Quiñenco S.A. is a Chilean holding company engaged in multiple businesses in Chile, Brazil, 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, 2005:

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

100.00%

100.00%

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

31.00%

33.33%

Wire & Cable

Metalurgica e Industrial S.A.

Argentina

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Metacab S.A.

Argentina

99.75%

99.75%

Wire & Cable

H.B. San Luis S.A.

Argentina

99.75%

99.75%

Wire & Cable

Comercial Madeco S.A.

Argentina

100.00%

100.00%

Wire & Cable

Optel Argentina S.A.

Argentina

99.99%

99.99%

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

99.75%

99.75%

Flexible Packaging

Alusa S.A.

Chile

75.96%

75.96%

Flexible Packaging

Alufoil S.A.(2)

Chile

75.96%

75.96%

Flexible Packaging

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

Chile

75.96%

75.96%

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

75.34%

75.34%

Flexible Packaging

Alusa Overseas

Cayman Islands

75.96%

75.96%

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

Ingewall Uruguay S.A. (3)

Uruguay

99.16%

99.16%

Aluminum Profiles

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A. (4)

Bolivia

93.43%

93.43%

 

(1) On March 31, 2005, the Company purchased Corning's 50% interest in Optel Ltda.

(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 113,282 tons, 1,400,000 km, 165,520 tons, 19,200 tons and 16,536 tons, respectively.

The following table sets forth information concerning the production facilities of the Company as of December 31, 2005. 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)

2005 Average Capacity Utilization (1)

Wire & Cable

       

San Miguel, Santiago, Chile

Copper cable

27,650

14,640

75%

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Copper cable

58,000

21,600

37%

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Copper cable

26,500

28,500

67%

Lima, Peru

Copper / aluminum cable

49,150

15,990

81%

Lima, Peru

Copper sulfates

770

1,832(4)

43%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

Copper / aluminum cable

18,162

2,400

29%

Quilmes, B.A., Argentina (3)

Copper / aluminum cable

39,850

4,800

20%

Lo Espejo, Santiago, Chile

Copper rod

1,050

12,000

19%

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Aluminium Rod

1,800

11,520

31%

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (km.) (2)

Optical fiber cable

3,500

1,000,000

0%

Buenos Aires., Argentina (km.) (2)

Optical fiber cable

4,400

400,000

21%

Brass Mills

San Miguel, Santiago, Chile

Pipes, bars and sheets

32,400

36,900

69%

Lo Espejo, Santiago, Chile

Foundry

20,450

78,900

55%

Quilpue, Chile

Coin blanks and sheets

12,100

8,400

31%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

Copper sheets

30,112

10,120

0%

Llavallol, B.A., Argentina (3)

Foundry

1,775

22,000

5%

Barracas, B.A., Argentina(3)

Copper pipes

15,800

5,500

29%

San Luis, Argentina (3)

Foundry, brass products

3,450

3,700

0%

Flexible Packaging

Santiago, Chile

Flexible packaging

16,600

13,200

77%

San Luis, Argentina

Flexible packaging

7,500

6,000

82%

Aluminum Profiles

Santiago, Chile

Aluminum profiles

33,200

16,536

72%

 

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

(2) 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 - History"

(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) Capacity includes only metallic copper and not sulfates.

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 presented 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005. In accordance with Chilean GAAP, financial data included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements have been restated in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2005. 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.

Chile: terms of exchange continued improving, and excess capacity allowed the Chilean economy to grow above its long-term potential in 2005. The Chilean economy grew by 6.3% in 2005, internal demand by 11.4% and investment levels expanded by 24.7%. Higher prices of copper and other exports resulted in a commercial surplus of over US$10 billion, and a current account surplus was achieved for the second consecutive year. Likewise, fiscal accounts registered a surplus equivalent to 4.8% of GDP. In 2006, despite the high price of copper, economic growth is expected to slow to about 5.5% as excess capacity is absorbed. This is not however, expected to affect current account and fiscal account surpluses.

Brazil: despite a strong international economy and easing of interest rates in 2005, the Brazilian economy only grew by 2.3% in 2005, less than half of that registered in 2004, but consistent with average growth figures over the last 25 years. Current account surpluses were maintained for the third consecutive year, while public debt was stable at 51% of GDP. Inflation dropped to 5.7% in 2005. In 2006, economic growth of 3.5% is expected, which should stimulate a more expansive monetary policy. Presidential elections in October are not expected to dampen the economic environment.

Peru: the Peruvian economy has continued to show one of the strongest performances in the region, with growth in 2005 of 6.7%, in line with its seven year growth trend. High export prices and prudent macroeconomic management of the economy have allowed Peru to maintain a stable fiscal situation, low inflation and solid external accounts. However, uncertainty surrounds the upcoming presidential run-off, which may eventually test the strength of Peruvian institutions as neither candidate steadfastly supports the economic program which has resulted in Peru's impressive growth since 1990.

Argentina: the Argentine economy experienced robust growth for the third consecutive year. In 2005, the economy grew by 9.2%, which represented nearly a 30% recovery in three years. Nonetheless, GDP per capita remains well below its 1998 level, which indicates that only in 2006 will the economy begin to experience real growth. Internal demand also grew rapidly in 2005, reaching 11.1%. In addition, Argentina prepaid its debt with the IMF and is now free of the restrictions imposed by that organization. GDP growth for 2006 is estimated at 7.5%. However, economic policy remains unstable, which has contributed to growing inflationary pressure and the lack of a comprehensive medium and long-term growth plan for investments, which could complicate the future development of the country.

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 2005, 23.0% 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. 2005, except percentages)

2003

2004

2005

Net Sales

252,378

100.0%

335,700

100.0%

365,488

100.0%

Cost of Goods Sold

(221,340)

-87.7%

(286,580)

85.4%

(313,548)

-85.8%

Gross Income

31,038

12.3%

49,120

14.6%

51,940

14.2%

SG&A Expenses

(23,120)

-9.2%

(23,038)

-6.8%

(24,099)

-6.6%

Operating Income

7,918

3.1%

26,082

7.8%

27,840

7.6%

Non-Operating Income

1,998

0.8%

2,504

0,7%

3,407

0.9%

Non-Operating Expenses

(27,289)

-10.8%

(17,060)

-5,0%

(14,297)

-3.9%

Price-Level Restatement (1)

1,847

0.7%

(260)

-0,1%

(2,752)

-0.8%

Net Non-Operating Results

(23,443)

-9.3%

(14,816)

-4.4%

(13,642)

-3.7%

Income Taxes

(1,691)

-0.7%

(1,598)

-0.5%

(1,467)

-0.4%

Minority Interest

(614)

-0.2%

(850)

-0.3%

(736)

-0.2%

Amortization of Negative Goodwill

59

0.0%

-

19

0.0%

Net Income (Loss)

(17,770)

-7.0%

8,819

2.6%

12,014

3.3%

(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)

2003

2004

2005

Wire & Cable

53,923

49.3%

62,866

51.0%

70,756

56.3%

Brass Mills

30,360

27.8%

33,319

27.1%

29,513

23.5%

Flexible Packaging

14,821

13.6%

16,361

13.2%

14,527

11.6%

Aluminum Profiles

10,211

9.3%

10,653

8.7%

10,819

8.6%

Total

109,315

100.0%

123,199

100%

125,615

100.0%

 

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 Dec. 2005, except percentages)

2003

2004

2005

Net Sales

Wire & Cable

117,366

46.5%

172,256

51.3%

212,062

58.0%

Brass Mills

59,655

23.6%

87,050

25.9%

79,908

21.9%

Flexible Packaging

44,321

17.6%

46,742

13.9%

44,159

12.1%

Aluminum Profiles

31,035

12.3%

29,652

8.8%

29,358

8.0%

Total

252.378

100.0%

335.700

100.0%

365,487

100.0%

Operating Income (Loss)

Wire & Cable

(1,087)

-13.7%

10,873

41.7%

19,390

69.6%

Brass Mills

1,539

19.4%

8,451

32.4%

2,024

7.3%

Flexible Packaging

3,459

43.7%

3,302

12.7%

3,426

12.3%

Aluminum Profiles

4,007

50.6%

3,456

13.2%

3,000

10.8%

Total

7,919

100.0%

26,082

100.0%

27,840

100.0%

 

2005 versus 2004

Consolidated financial results as of December 31, 2005 are positive, with revenue growth of 8.9% compared to the previous year. This increase reflects the higher price of raw materials as well as a change in product mix, with a substantial revenue increase in the Wire & Cable Business Unit, especially in Chile, Peru and Brazil, partially offset by a reduction in sales volumes and profitability in the Brass Mills unit.

Consolidated volume sales increased to 125,615 tonnes, up 2.0% compared to 2004. This is due mainly to a 12.6% growth (7,890 tonnes) in cable volume sales (including the conversion of optical fiber volume sale) , and due to a decrease of 11.4% (3,806 tonnes) in brass mills. Volume sales of flexible packaging fell 11.2% (1,834 tonnes), which was due to the sale of the Alufoil subsidiary in late 2004. Aluminum profiles sales increased by 1.6% (166 tonnes).

Gross margin grew to Ch$51,940 million in 2005, up 5.7% compared to the previous year (Ch$49,120 million), arising from an 8.9% increase in net sales and growth of 9.4% in cost of goods sold. The growth in cost of goods sold was due mainly to price increases in raw materials such as copper, aluminum and plastic materials. The average copper price on the London Metal Exchange increased 45.5%, from US$3,145/tonne to US$4,577/tonne, while aluminum increased 14.4%. Consequently, cost of goods sold grew due to an increase in total direct costs, which were up 17.3%, which was partially offset by a reduction in production costs of 11.8%. The consolidated operating margin in 2005 was down 0.4 percentage points to 14.2% compared to 14.6% the prior year.

The Company's operating income increased 6.7% in spite of sustained increases in the cost of raw materials such as copper, aluminum, plastics and resins, which were partially offset by selling price increases. In addition, the Company has continued its policy of reducing selling, general and administrative expenses, which increased by 4.6% compared to 2004 due to costs associated with implementing the ERP SAP software in the Brazilian subsidiary, among other projects.

 

Analysis of Operating Segment Performance 2005 versus 2004

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

Wire & Cable

Year 2005 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Optical Fiber

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

77,832

90,247

63,334

5,757

1,728

(26,836)

212,062

COGS

(71,395)

(74,863)

(53,935)

(5,019)

(1,485)

27,283

(179,414)

Gross Income

6,437

15,384

9,399

738

243

447

32,648

Gross Margin

8.3%

17.0%

14.8%

12.8%

14.1%

-1.7%

15.4%

SG&A

(1,813)

(7,432)

(2,268)

(420)

(196)

(1,129)

(13,258)

Operating Income

4,624

7,952

7,131

318

47

(682)

19,390

Operating Margin

5.9%

8.8%

11.3%

5.5%

2.7%

2.5%

9.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Optical Fiber

Inter-company

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

62,114

79,718

55,701

4,848

-

(30,125)

172,256

COGS

(55,889)

(70,017)

(48,552)

(4,352)

-

29,535

(149,275)

Gross Income

6,225

9,701

7,149

496

-

(590)

22,981

Gross Margin

10.0%

12.2%

12.8%

10.2%

-

2.0%

13.3%

SG&A

(2,019)

(6,194)

(2,231)

(335)

-

(1,329)

(12,108)

Operating Income

4,206

3,507

4,918

161

-

(1,919)

10,873

Operating Margin

6.8%

4.4%

8.8%

3.3%

-

6.4%

6.3%

2005 versus 2004 % change

 

Chile

Brazil

Peru

Argentina

Wire & Cable Unit

Revenues

25.3%

13.2%

13.7%

18.8%

23.1%

COGS

27.7%

6.9%

11.1%

15.3%

20.2%

Gross Income

3.4%

58.6%

31.5%

48.8%

42.1%

SG&A

-10.2%

20.0%

1.7%

25.4%

9.5%

Operating Income

9.9%

126.7%

45.0%

97.5%

78.3%

Revenues through December 2005 were Ch$212,062 million, up 23.1% compared to Ch$172,256 million in 2004. Volume sales grew 12.6%, led by Peru, up 31.4%, and to a lesser extent by Argentina and Chile with gains of 12.4% and 9.0% respectively. The Brazilian subsidiary experienced a decrease in volume sales of 2.4% due to a change in product mix, with aluminum cable increasing by 2.308 tonnes compared to 2004. Because aluminum is lighter than copper, if we consider aluminum sales in terms of equivalent copper material, there was an increase of 14.3% in volume sales.

Cost of goods sold rose 20.2% to Ch$179,414 million in 2005 compared to Ch$149,275 million in 2004. This increase reflects the 12.6% growth in volume sold and a 45.5% rise in the dollar price of copper.

The gross margin rose to 15.4% of sales from 13.3% in 2004, due mainly to the operations in Brazil, which had an increase of Ch$5,683 million, or 4.8 percentage points.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9.5% to Ch$13,258 million from Ch$12,108 million in 2004 because of increased marketing and operating expenses and due to the cost of implementing the ERP SAP software in the Brazilian subsidiary. However, as a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses fell to 6.3% compared to 7.0% in 2004.

Operating income increased in 2005 by Ch$8,517 million from an operating income of Ch$10,873 million in 2004 to an operating income of Ch$19,390 million in 2005.

Brass Mills

Year 2005 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

77,184

7,197

6,870

(11,343)

79,908

COGS

(72,329)

(6,188)

(6,273)

11,521

(73,269)

Gross Income

4,855

1,009

597

178

6,639

Gross Margin

6.3%

14.0%

8.7%

-1.6%

8.3%

SG&A

(3,181)

(655)

(410)

(369)

(4,615)

Operating Income

1,674

354

187

(191)

2,024

Operating Margin

2.2%

4.9%

2.7%

1.7%

2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

82,028

6,831

8,743

(10,552)

87,050

COGS

(70,754)

(5,839)

(8,500)

10,309

(74,784)

Gross Income

11,274

992

243

(243)

12,266

Gross Margin

13.7%

14.5%

2.8%

2.3%

14.1%

SG&A

(2,233)

(571)

(614)

(397)

(3,815)

Operating Income

9,041

421

(371)

(640)

8,451

Operating Margin

11.0%

6.2%

-4.2%

6.1%

9.7%

2005 versus 2004 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

-5.9%

5.4%

-21.4%

-8.2%

COGS

2.2%

6.0%

-26.2%

-2.0%

Gross Income

-56.9%

1.7%

145.7%

-45.9%

SG&A

42.5%

14.7%

-33.2%

21.0%

Operating Income

-81.5%

-15.9%

-

-76.1%

Revenues through December 2005 were down 8.2% to Ch$79,908 million compared to Ch$87,050 million in 2004. This was due mainly to lower volume sales in Madeco's operations in Chile and to lower exports from Chile, which together fell 12.7%. Volume sales to third parties in Argentina were up 3.5%.

Cost of goods sold fell 2.0% because of the decline in volume sales. As a percentage of sales, costs rose to 91.7% compared to 85.9% in 2004, due to higher copper prices and lower margins in the domestic market.

The gross margin fell to 8.3% of sales from 14.1%, due to increased competition in Chile from local suppliers, imports, and substitute products. Export margins also fell compared to 2004 due to the depreciation of the dollar.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 21.0% to Ch$4,615 million from Ch$3,815 million, and as a percentage of sales, rose to 5.8% in 2005 from 4.4% in 2004.

Operating income fell 76.1% or Ch$6,427 million in 2005 compared to the previous year. Similarly, operating margin fell in 2005 to 2.5% compared to 9.7% in the previous year.

Flexible Packaging

Year 2005 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

31,559

12,600

0

44,159

COGS

(26,895)

(10,854)

0

(37,749)

Gross Income

4,664

1,746

0

6,410

Gross Margin

14.8%

13.9%

0.0%

14.5%

SG&A

(1,987)

(799)

(198)

(2,984)

Operating Income

2,677

947

(198)

3,426

Operating Margin

8.5%

7.5%

0.0%

7.8%

 

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

34,594

12,148

0

46,742

COGS

(29,347)

(10,477)

0

(39,824)

Gross Income

5,247

1,671

0

6,918

Gross Margin

15.2%

13.8%

0.0%

14.8%

SG&A

(2,481)

(698)

(437)

(3,616)

Operating Income

2,766

973

(437)

3,302

Operating Margin

8.0%

8.0%

0.0%

7.1%

 

 

2005 versus 2004 % change

 

Chile

Argentina

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

-8.8%

3.7%

-5.5%

COGS

-8.4%

3.6%

-5.2%

Gross Income

-11.1%

4.5%

-7.3%

SG&A

-19.9%

14.5%

-17.5%

Operating Income

-3.2%

-2.7%

3.8%

Revenues fell 5.5% to Ch$44.159 million from Ch$46.742 million. Operations in Chile experienced a reduction in volume sales of 17.7%, while Argentine operations saw an increase of 5.7%. Total volume sales were down 11.2%. The reduction in volume sales was due mainly to the absence of Alufoil, the Chilean subsidiary of Alusa, which ceased operations in late 2004, and to a lesser extent, to the fact that Alusa carried out a rationalization of its client portfolio, as well as the greater tendency in the market to use lighter packaging materials. The reduction in volume sales was offset in part by higher average prices due to increases in raw material costs, and a readjustment in the client portfolio.

Cost of goods sold fell 5.2% to Ch$37,749 million from Ch$39,824 million. This change reflects an increase in the price of raw materials and the growth in volume sales in each country. Cost of goods sold in Chile were down 8.4%, but rose 3.6% in Argentina. As a percentage of sales, costs rose to 85.5% from 85.2%.

The gross margin fell to 14.5% from 14.8%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses fell 17.5% to Ch$2,984 million from Ch$3,616 million, reflecting the discontinuation of Alufoil operations (flexible packaging for household use) in late 2004, and the efforts made in the second half of 2005 to rationalize the business unit's operations and make them more efficient.

The Company's Flexible Packaging operating income increased Ch$124 million, or 3.8%, in 2005 compared to the previous year.

 

Aluminum Profiles

Year 2005 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

29,358

29,358

COGS

(23,116)

(23,116)

Gross Income

6,242

6,242

Gross Margin

21.3%

21.3%

SG&A

(3,242)

(3,242)

Operating Income

3,000

3,000

Operating Margin

10.2%

10.2%

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

29,652

29,652

COGS

(22,697)

(22,697)

Gross Income

6,955

6,955

Gross Margin

23.5%

23.5%

SG&A

(3,499)

(3,499)

Operating Income

3,456

3,456

Operating Margin

11.7%

11.7%

 

 

 

2005 versus 2004 % change

 

Aluminum Profiles

Aluminum Profiles Unit

Revenues

-1.0%

-1.0%

COGS

1.8%

1.8%

Gross Income

-10.3%

-10.3%

SG&A

-7.3%

-7.3%

Operating Income

-13.2%

-13.2%

 

Revenues in 2005 fell 1.0% to Ch$29,358 from Ch$29,652 in 2004. This reduction was due to lower sales prices caused by the stiffer competition in 2005 compared to the previous year. Volume sales increased 1.6%.

Cost of goods sold rose 1.8% to Ch$23,116 million from Ch$22,697 million, due to growth in volume sales and an increase in the average price for raw materials, with the dollar price for aluminum rising 14.4%.

The gross margin as a percentage of sales fell to 21.3% from 23.5%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses fell 7.3% to Ch$3,242 million from Ch$3,499 million, and as a percentage of sales, to 11.0% in 2005 from 11.8% in 2004. This reduction was due primarily to the discontinuation of operations of Bolivian distributor Indalum S.A., which was partially offset by increased expenses for externally contracted services and maintenance.

The Company's aluminum profiles operating income decreased in 2005 by Ch$456 million, or 13.2%, while operating margins also decreased to 10.2% from 11.7% in the previous year.

The Company's Non-Operating Results

Non-operating loss was reduced by Ch$1,174 million to a loss of Ch$13,642 million in 2005, a reduction of 7.9% compared to the loss of Ch$14,816 million in 2004. 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$903 million, to Ch$3,407 million in 2005 from Ch$2,504 million in 2004. The increase in non-operating income is mostly due to the consolidation of Madeco's fiber optic subsidiary, Optel. The unfavorable arbitration decision in 2003, in which Madeco lost control of its interest in Optel in a lawsuit against Dow Corning International, was resolved to Madeco's favor in March 2005. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - History". In addition, idle assets, such as land and others were sold.
  • Non-Operating Expenses: The Company's non-operating expenses in 2005 decreased by Ch$2,763 million compared to the previous year due to a reduction in financial expenses and other non-operating expenses.

Financial expenses decreased by Ch$2,038 million. This was a result of reduction in debt, a lower average interest rate achieved through the issuance of series 'D' bonds in December 2004, the effect of exchange rate differences on dollar indexed debt, the prepayment of the syndicated loan of December 2002 using funds from the loan obtained on September 5 2005, and the partial debt prepayment, of more than Ch$44,017 million, using funds raised in the successful capital increase executed in late November 2005.

  • Price-Level Restatement: Price level restatement, which is made up of inflationary adjustments and currency fluctuations decreased by Ch$2,492 million in 2005 compared to the previous year. The price level restatement balance in 2005 reflected a net loss position of Ch$2,752 million compared to the net loss position of Ch$260 million in 2004. This was due to an increase in negative price level restatement of Ch$1,310 million, and an increase in expense related to exchange rate differences, net of hedge costs, of Ch$1,182 million. Losses due to exchange rate differences through December 2005 were, among other things, caused by the devaluation of the Brazilian real in December 2005 and the dollar debt of the Ficap subsidiary in that country.
  • Income Taxes: The Company had an income tax expense reduction of 8.2% in 2005 compared to the previous year. Income tax in 2005 and 2004 amounted to Ch$1,467 million and Ch$1,598 million, respectively.
  • Minority Interest: Minority interest in the Company reflects the portion of profit or loss that corresponds to the shares held by minority shareholders in the Alusa, Indeco and Indalum subsidiaries. Minority shareholder interest in 2005 was Ch$736 million, down 13.4% compared to Ch$850 million the previous year. This was due to the lower net income of the Alusa subsidiary, and because of the smaller percentage held by minority shareholders in Indeco of 5.99% in 2005 compared to 7.00% in 2004.

2004 versus 2003

Consolidated revenues for the year 2004 increased 33.0% or $83,322 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 $49,120 million in 2004 from $31,039 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

62,114

79,718

55,701

4,848

(30,125)

172,256

COGS

(55,889)

(70,017)

(48,552)

(4,352)

29,535

(149,275)

Gross Income

6,225

9,701

7,149

496

(590)

22,981

Gross Margin

10.0%

12.2%

12.8%

10.2%

2.0%

13.3%

SG&A

(2,019)

(6,194)

(2,231)

(335)

(1,329)

(12,108)

Operating Income

4,206

3,507

4,918

161

(1,919)

10,873

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

43,955

57,384

34,978

2,318

(21,269)

117,366

COGS

(42,139)

(53,142)

(31,488)

(2,005)

20,856

(107,918)

Gross Income

1,816

4,242

3,490

313

(413)

9,448

Gross Margin

4.1%

7.4%

10.0%

13.5%

1.9%

8.1%

SG&A

(2,184)

(4,552)

(2,072)

(390)

(1,337)

(10,535)

Operating Income

(368)

(310)

1,418

(77)

(1,751)

(1,087)

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 & 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$41,357 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 & 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$1,573 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$11,960 million from an operating loss of Ch$1,087 million in 2003 to an operating income of Ch$10,873 million in 2004.

Brass Mills

Year 2004 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

82,028

6,831

8,743

(10,552)

87,050

COGS

(70,754)

(5,839)

(8,500)

10,309

(74,784)

Gross Income

11,274

992

243

(243)

12,266

Gross Margin

13.7%

14.5%

2.8%

2.3%

14.1%

SG&A

(2,233)

(571)

(614)

(397)

(3,815)

Operating Income

9,041

421

(371)

(640)

8,451

Operating Margin

11.0%

6.2%

-4.2%

6.1%

9.7%

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Coins

Inter-company

Brass Mills Unit

Revenues

54,242

4,298

7,606

(6,492)

59,655

COGS

(47,975)

(3,809)

(7,920)

6,367

(53,337)

Gross Income

6,267

490

(314)

(124)

6,318

Gross Margin

11.6%

11.4%

-4.1%

1.9%

10.6%

SG&A

(2,985)

(570)

(859)

(365)

(4,779)

Operating Income

3,282

(81)

(1,174)

(489)

1,538

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$27,395 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$21,447 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$964 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$6,912 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

34,594

12,148

0

46,742

COGS

(29,347)

(10,477)

0

(39,824)

Gross Income

5,247

1,671

0

6,918

Gross Margin

15.2%

13.8%

0.0%

14.8%

SG&A

(2,481)

(698)

(437)

(3,616)

Operating Income

2,766

973

(437)

3,302

Operating Margin

8.0%

8.0%

0.0%

7.1%

Year 2003 (in Ch$ million, except percentages)

 

Chile

Argentina

Inter-company

Flexible Packaging Unit

Revenues

33,409

10,916

(4)

44,321

COGS

(28,028)

(9,318)

4

(37,342)

Gross Income

5,381

1,599

0

6,980

Gross Margin

16.1%

14.6%

0.0%

15.7%

SG&A

(2,325)

(731)

(464)

(3,520)

Operating Income

3,056

867

(464)

3,459

Operating Margin

9.1%

7.9%

0.0%

7.8%

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$2,421 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$2,482 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$3,520 million in 2003 to Ch$3,616 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$157 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

29,651

0

0

29,651

COGS

(22,697)

0

0

(22,697)

Gross Income

6,955

0

0

6,955

Gross Margin

23.5%

 

0.0%

23.5%

SG&A

(3,236)

(1)

(261)

(3,499)

Operating Income

3,718

(1)

(261)

3,456

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

30,610

425

1

31,035

COGS

(22,441)

(301)

0

(22,742)

Gross Income

8,169

123

1

8,293

Gross Margin

26.7%

29.0%

0.0%

26.7%

SG&A

(3,863)

(145)

(278)

(4,286)

Operating Income

4,306

(22)

(277)

4,007

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$1,384 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$87 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$551 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 $8,628 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$506 million, to Ch$2,504 million in 2004 from Ch$1,998 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$651 million, and the reversal of a provision related to potential costs from Optel's liquidation, which accounted for Ch$ 612 million. See "Item 4. Information on the Company - History and Development of the Company - History". The increase was partially offset by a Ch$473 million reduction in tax refunds from foreign subsidiaries and by a Ch$206 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$21 million compared to the previous year.
  • Non-Operating Expenses: The Company's non-operating expenses in 2004 decreased by Ch$10,229 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$8,210 million. The one-time charge relates to the recognition of a valuation provision that amounted to Ch$5,221 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$1,397 million in 2003 that were not present in 2004, and an incremental valuation provision related to the closure of the Uruguayan subsidiary of Ch$434 million in 2003.

The Company decreased interest expense by Ch$1,836 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$1,214 million, associated with the prepayment of the Company's Series A bonds.

Other non-operating expenses in 2004 amounted to Ch$3,814 million mostly due to depreciation charges related to unused fixed assets in Argentina, which amounted to Ch$2,324 million, asset adjustments to net realizable value for the sale of certain assets, which amounted to Ch$408 million, an obsolescence provision and the write-off of long-term assets, which amounted to Ch$389 million.

  • Price-Level Restatement: Price level restatement, which is made up of inflationary adjustments and currency fluctuations decreased by Ch$2,107 million in 2004 compared to the previous year. The price level restatement balance in 2004 reflected a net loss position of Ch$260 million compared to the net gain position of Ch$1,847 million in 2003. Net gains related to inflationary adjustments decreased by Ch$2,847 million in 2004 compared to the previous year. Currency fluctuations increased from a net loss position of Ch$310 million to a net gain position of Ch$430 million due to the Company's reduced U.S. dollar denominated debt position in 2004, lower currency fluctuation generated in Brazil of Ch$1,004 million in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, a currency loss in 2004 of Ch$145 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$1,598 million and Ch$1,691 million, respectively. During 2004 there was a tax refund of Ch$1,830 million for Madeco and an increase of Ch$1,139 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$850 million in 2004 compared to the Ch$614 million in the previous year.

 

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, 2005 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

24,752

38,776

7,248

12,694

1,229

269

84,968

Current Liabilities

21,150

7,812

2,688

5,866

857

584

38,956

Working Capital in Local Currencies

3,602

30,965

4,560

6,828

372

(315)

46,013

The above table only includes the current assets and current liabilities in foreign currencies held by the Company at December 31, 2005, 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. The Company believes 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 the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The most critical judgments that have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements include: estimates with respect to the extent to which allowances are required for doubtful accounts receivable and inventory obsolescence, estimates involved in impairment testing for property, plant and equipment and goodwill, estimates used in the valuation of derivatives and the determination as to whether valuation allowances are required against deferred income tax balances.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivables are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are recorded at the end of each period for those balances considered to be of doubtful recovery based on an analysis of aging of balances and the evaluation of customers' financial standing.

The Company believes that this accounting estimate is critical because estimates of future recoverability of accounts receivables may prove to be inaccurate, in which case the Company may have understated or overstated the allowance required for doubtful accounts receivables. Therefore, although the Company periodically reviews the aging of accounts receivables and evaluates customers' financial standing, any significant unanticipated change in the recoverability of accounts receivable could have a significant impact on the Company's reported operating results.

During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company's net charges to income for establishment (release) of allowances amount to ThCh$ (644,622), ThCh$ (691,555) and 141,576, respectively.

Allowance for inventory obsolescence

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 price-level restated cost. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and records an allowance for obsolescence based upon inventory turnover, aging, specific physical conditions by type of inventory considering current expectations of future product demands and production requirements. To the extent necessary, the Company establishes provisions for obsolescence based on a comparison of the carrying value and the net realizable value of finished goods and work-in-progress, using expected selling prices, evidenced by sales subsequent to the balance sheet date, customer contracts and estimations of the cost to complete or dispose of the respective inventory.

The Company believes that this accounting estimate is critical because estimates of future product demand may prove to be inaccurate, in which case the Company may have understated or overstated the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory. Therefore, although the Company periodically reviews the accuracy of its forecasts of future product demands, any significant unanticipated change in demands or technical developments could have a significant impact on the realizable value of its inventory and reported operating results.

During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company was able to sell certain products that were previously subject to the obsolescence provision, due to an increase in demand of certain products of the wire and cable segment, which resulted in lower cost of sales in the amount of ThCh$ 860,289, ThCh$ 1,225,374 and ThCh$ 255,296, respectively. Inventory values do not exceed their estimated net realizable value.

Property, Plant and Equipment

The Company estimates the useful lives of property, plant and equipment in order to determine the amount of depreciation expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The estimated useful lives are based on the historical experience with similar assets taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. If technological changes are expected to occur more rapidly or in a different way than previously anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be reduced, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expense in future periods.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its 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 reviewed 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 respective period to the extent the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the fair value of such asset. The Company believes that the accounting estimate related to asset impairment is critical because it requires management to make assumptions about future sales and cost of sales over the estimated useful life of its property, plant and equipment, and to estimate net realizable values of inactive assets classified in Other assets.

While the carrying values of property, plant and equipment may differ under Chilean GAAP and US GAAP, the impairment testing methodology is similar. During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company recorded charges for impairment related to its property, plant and equipment, including those assets which are temporarily inactive and underutilized production facilities, amounting to ThCh$ 2,951,029, ThCh$ 880,456 and ThCh$ 483,309, respectively. During 2005 the Company recorded a gain for the reversal of impairment related to its investment in Optel Ltda. of ThCh$ 509,281, this gain was eliminated under US GAAP. There were no reversal of impairments recorded during 2003 and 2004.

Investments

The Company evaluates also the recoverability of its equity method investments based on Technical Bulletin No. 72 "Business combinations: permanent investments and consolidation of financial statements" and APB 18 "The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock". The investments are reviewed 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 generally in absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. The Company believes that the accounting estimate related to impairment of investments is critical because it requires management to make assumptions about future profitability of the investments.

During 2005 the Company recorded under Chilean GAAP a gain for the reversal of impairment related to its investment in Optel Ltda. of ThCh$ 509,281 that was recognized in 2003. Since under US GAAP reversal of impairment losses are not allowed this gain was eliminated under US GAAP. There were no impairments or reversals of impairments recorded during 2003 and 2004.

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 indicate a possible inability to realize the carrying amount of the asset. 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 environment, 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 of Madeco). The first part of the test is a comparison, at the reporting unit level, of the fair value of each 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 five 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.

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, amongst other things, the ability of the Company to generate a sufficient level of future taxable income.

The Company believes that the accounting estimate related to valuation allowances against deferred tax assets is critical because the analysis requires management to make subjective judgments concerning estimates and timing of future taxable income, considering both positive and negative evidence including historical results of operations, losses realized in recent periods, and 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.

Derivative Instruments

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 provided 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. Notwithstanding the level of subjectivity inherent in determining fair value, the Company believes its estimates of fair value are adequate. The use of different models or assumptions could lead to changes in the Company's reported results.

U.S. GAAP Reconciliation

The Company prepares its 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 under Chilean GAAP and U.S. GAAP:

Year Ended December31,

2003

2004

2005

(in millions of constant Ch$ as of December 31, 2005)

Net (loss) income (Chilean GAAP)

(17,770)

8,819

12,014

Net (loss) income (U.S. GAAP)

(20,878)

9,924

14,071

Shareholders' equity (Chilean GAAP)

156,704

164,219

205,380

Shareholders' equity (U.S. GAAP)

138,924

149,099

192,662

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, staff severance indemnities, treatement of impairment losses and the acquisition of Optel Ltda.

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, 2005, the Company's total financial indebtedness was Ch$112,438 million (US$219.4 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$31,607 million (US$61.7 million), and its long-term financial indebtedness was Ch$48,827 million (US$95.3 million). With respect to the Company's other financial indebtedness, its short-term liabilities were Ch$26,471 million (US$51.7 million) and its long-term liabilities were Ch$5,532 million (US$10.8 million). The management understands that the Company's working capital is sufficient for the its present requirements.

Short Term Financing

At December 31, 2005, the Company's short-term bank debt (excluding the short-term portion of its long-term bank obligations) was Ch$24.429 million (equivalent to US$47.7 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005).

On September 5, 2005, Madeco prepaid all Credit Rescheduling Agreements to which the Company had subcribed on December 18, 2002. The Company entered into a Short Term Credit Contract with the BBVA Bank as of the same date. Upon the success of Madeco's capital increase in November 2005, by which the Company sold approximately 907 million shares, Madeco raised close to US$84 million used to pay off the above mentioned bridge loan. As a result, Madeco's financial situation was strengthened and its equity base substantially improved, putting the Company in an ideal position to undertake future growth.

As of March 31, 2006, the Company's total short-term bank debt (excluding the short-term portion of its long-term bank obligations) was Ch$37,354 million (equivalent to US$72.5 million at the Ch$514.97 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2006). This amount includes various short-term obligations with more than 20 banks, 10 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 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 December 31, 2005 was Ch$28,463 million (equivalent to US$55.5 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005).

The total amount of bonds outstanding on March 31, 2006 was Ch$28,718 million (equivalent to US$55.8 million at the Ch$514.97 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2005).

As of December 31, 2005 and for the first quarter 2006, 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 bank debt (including the short-term portion of these loans) outstanding as of December 31, 2005 was approximately Ch$27,132 million (equivalent to US$52.9 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31,2005).

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$31,022 million (equivalent to US$60.2 million at the Ch$514.97 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for March 31, 2006).

At December 31, 2005, 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$10.5 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005), with semi-annual payments. The principal provisions include a maximum leverage ratio of 0.75 times equity and a minimum equity of UF 1,765,000 (equivalent to US$61.9 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005). At December 31, 2005, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants. At April 31, 2005, the Company's subsidiary, Alusa S.A., obtained a loan agreement with Banco Security for an amount of UF163,000 (equivalent to US$5.7 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005). The initial terms of the loan were: annual interest rate of TAB for an 180 day period (interest at which banks lend to each other) plus 0.8% and a total payment period of 5 years (2010). Main covenant: Madeco must own over 50.1% of shares of common stock with voting power.

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. At the end of 2005, the total debt was Ch$5,500 million. The initial terms of the loan were: annual interest rate of TAB for an 180 day period (interest at which banks lend to each other) plus 1.55% and a total payment period of 5 years (2008). At the end of 2004, the annual interest rate was renegotiated to 180 day TAB plus 1.0%. In December 2005, the loan was renegotiated again, obtaining an annual interest rate of 180 day TAB plus 0.6%, and an extension of the total credit period of 2 more years ( 2010). The main covenants 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 (equivalent to US$57.1 million at the Ch$512.5 to US$1.00 Observed Exchange Rate for December 31, 2005).

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

During 2005 and the first quarter 2006, 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

Rating agencies evaluate Madeco's common shares and its debt. From 2003 to 2005, 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. These two rating agencies are registered with the Superintendence of Securities and Insurance (the Chilean securities and exchange commission).

In October 2004, Feller classified the Company's debt as BBB- and its shares as First Class, in May 2005 Fitch Chile also classified the Company's debt as BBB- and its shares as First Class. In their last credit rating reports, March 2006, these agencies classified the Company's debt as BBB+ and its shares as First Class Level 3.

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, 2005 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

102,208

53,464

29,512

13,883

5,349

Capital Lease Obligations

5,942

410

1,092

990

3,451

Operating Leases

527

273

178

51

25

Other Long-Term Obligations

675

-

675

-

-

Service Contracts

6,029

3,895

2,134

-

-

Scheduled interest payment obligations (*)

16,267

6,052

7,032

2,065

1,118

Severance Indemnities

3,652

1,226

848

120

1,458

Total Contractual Obligations

135,300

65,320

41,471

17,109

11,401

(*) Scheduled interest payments obligations related to long-term obligations were calculated using stated coupon rates for fixed debt and interest rates applicable at December 31, 2005, for variable rate debt.

At December 31, 2005, the Company had standby Commercial Commitments and Guarantees amounting to Ch$3,513 million with a number of lending institutions (see detail in Note 22 to the financial statements). Of these contingent commitments, guarantees of Ch$ 2,789 are scheduled to be released of within the upcoming 12 month period.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2006, the Company had Ch$6,126 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company's total short-term indebtedness with banks and financial institutions amounted to Ch$37,354 million, Ch$3,706 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$4,590 million of the current portion of long-term bond debt, Ch$410 million in other loans, Ch$26,058 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$8.548 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$27,316 million of long-term obligations with banks, Ch$24,129 million of long-term bond obligations and Ch$5,426 million of long-term accounts and notes.

As of December 31, 2005, the Company had Ch$7,791 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company's total short-term indebtedness with banks and financial institutions amounted to Ch$24,429 million, Ch$2,514 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$4,254 million of the current portion of long-term bond debt, Ch$410 million in other loans, Ch$18,029 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$8.442 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$24,618 million of long-term obligations with banks, $24,208 million of long-term bond obligations, Ch$5,532 million of long-term accounts and notes payable.

As of December 31, 2004, the Company had Ch$13,335 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company's total short-term indebtedness with banks and financial institutions amounted to Ch$18,244 million, Ch$5,061 million of the current portion of long-term bank debt, Ch$4,059 million of the current portion of long-term bond debt, Ch$938 million in other loans, Ch$25,235 million in various accounts and notes payable and Ch$360 million in payables to related parties. Long-term indebtedness (excluding the current portion thereof) included Ch$67,856 million of long-term obligations with banks, $28,327 million of long-term bond obligations, Ch$6,180 million of long-term accounts and notes payable and Ch$7,906 million of payables to related parties.

Cash Flow

At December 31, 2005, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling Ch$7,791 million versus Ch$13,335 million at December 31, 2004 and Ch$5,557 million at December 31, 2003.

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*

2003

2004

2005

Cash provided by (used in):

     

Operating activities

(6,035)

4,922

10,377

Financing activities

35,445

(23,405)

(4,077)

Investing activities

(32,401)

25,396

(11,541)

Effect of inflation on cash

427

665

(302)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

(2,564)

7,578

(5,544)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year

8,321

5,757

13,335

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

5,757

13,335

7,791

(*) Amounts are stated in million of constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2005

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".

Cash flow from operating activities in 2005 increased Ch$5,455 million compared to 2004.

The high positive cash flow from investment activities in 2004 was due to the liquidation of short-term financial instruments, specifically repurchase agreements bought from funds raised in the capital increase executed in 2003. Part of this cash flow went to pay the 'C' series bond at the end of the first half of 2004, which was reflected in the negative cash flow from financial activities.

Regarding the cash flow related to financial activities, in 2005 Ch$157,588 million were raised through the issuance of shares and bank loans, while Ch$156,389 million in bank loans were paid.

Cash flow from investment activities in 2005 is mainly due to the purchase of fixed assets for a total of Ch$10,398 million, and other expenditures of Ch$2,618 million with the main investment being a contribution of 10 million Real (Brazilian currency) from the Brazilian subsidiary Ficap to a securitization fund.

The following table summarises the Company's assets as well as the scheduled maturities of the Company's debt as of December 31, 2005:

 

At December 31, 2005 (in Ch$ million)

Expected Maturity Date

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011 & beyond

TOTAL

FAIR
VALUE

ASSETS

Fixed Rate

Time Deposits (BRL)

94

0

0

0

0

0

94

94

Average Interest Rate (%)

17.82%

0

0

0

0

0

17.82%

17.82%

Marketable securities (Non-Indexed Ch$)

150

0

0

0

0

0

150

150

Average Interest Rate (%)

2.52%

2.52%

2.52%

Other assets (Non-Indexed Ch$)

3,265

0

0

0

0

0

3,265

3,265

Average Interest Rate (%)

5.13%

5.13%

5.13%

V

DEBT

Fixed Rate

Bank Debt (SOL)

4,104

0

0

0

0

0

4,104

4,104

WAIR (%)(1)

4.63%

4.63%

4.63%

Bank Debt (US$)

5,613

1,533

0

0

0

0

7,145

7,145

WAIR (%) (1)

5.55%

2.16%

4.82%

4.82%

Bank Debt (Non-Indexed Ch$)

1,031

0

0

0

0

0

1,031

1,031

WAIR (%)

6.55%

6.55%

6.55%

Bank Debt (BRL)

145

1,447

0

0

0

0

1,592

1,592

WAIR (%)

22.1%

20.5%

20.63%

20.63%

Bank Debt (EUR)

77

0

0

0

0

0

77

77

WAIR (%)

3.22%

3.22%

3.22%

Bank Debt (other currencies)

581

0

0

0

0

0

581

581

WAIR (%)

1.5%

1.5%

1.5%

Bonds (UF)

4,254

4,381

4,600

4,830

5,072

5,325

28,463

28,714

WAIR (%)

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.00%

4.70%

Bank Debt (UF)

408

0

0

0

0

0

408

408

WAIR (%)

6.78%

6.78%

6.78%

Bank Debt (US$)

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

WAIR (%)

8.14%

8.14%

8.14%

Dividends payable (Non-Indexed Ch$)

3

0

0

0

0

0

3

3

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (Non-Indexed Ch$)

5,377

0

0

0

0

0

5,377

5,377

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (UF)

7

0

0

0

0

0

7

7

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (US$)

6,821

0

0

0

0

0

6,821

6,821

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (EUR)

780

0

0

0

0

0

780

780

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (ARS)

815

0

0

0

0

0

815

815

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (BRL)

3,009

0

0

0

0

0

3,009

3,009

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (SOL)

203

0

0

0

0

0

203

203

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Accounts payable (other currencies)

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

2

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Notes payables (US$)

607

0

0

0

0

0

607

607

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Notes payables (ARS)

54

0

0

0

0

0

54

54

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (UF)

0

419

443

473

505

3,451

5,291

5,291

WAIR (%)

0,00%

6.60%

6.53%

6.53%

6.53%

6.53%

6.54%

6.54%

Sundry Creditors (Non-Indexed Ch$)

58

0

0

0

0

0

58

58

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (US$)

179

218

12

12

0

0

420

420

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.42%

3.49%

3.49%

0.00%

0.00%

0.41%

0.41%

Sundry Creditors (ARS)

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Sundry Creditors (BRL)

115

0

0

0

0

0

115

115

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Due to related companies (Non-Indexed Ch$)

388

0

0

0

0

0

388

388

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Due to related companies (US$)

38

0

0

0

0

0

38

38

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (UF)

4

32

37

33

33

672

810

810

WAIR (%)

0.00%

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

7.00%

6.97%

6.97%

Provisions and Withholdings (Non-Indexed Ch$)

3,970

136

22

35

19

786

4,968

4,968

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.98%

0.98%

4.97%

4.97%

6.51%

1.12%

1.12%

Provisions and Withholdings (US$)

175

866

0

0

0

0

1,041

1,041

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (ARS)

882

212

0

0

0

0

1,093

1,093

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (BRL)

3,057

1,078

0

0

0

0

4,135

4,135

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (SOL)

1,001

0

0

0

0

0

1,001

1,001

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Provisions and Withholdings (other currencies)

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (BRL)

630

0

0

0

0

0

630

630

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (ARS)

9

0

0

0

0

0

9

9

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (SOL)

558

0

0

0

0

0

558

558

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Unearned income (US$)

260

0

0

0

0

0

260

260

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Deferred Taxes (Non-Indexed Ch$)

0

24

0

0

0

0

24

24

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Deferred Taxes (ARS)

0

34

0

0

0

0

34

34

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Deferred Taxes (SOL)

0

265

0

0

0

0

265

265

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Other liabilities (ARS)

927

337

0

0

0

0

1,264

1,264

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Other liabilities (BRL)

38

255

0

0

0

0

292

292

WAIR (%)

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

Variable Rate

Bank Debt (US$)

7,455

3,331

0

0

0

0

10,786

10,753

Interest Rate Based on

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

Libor

WAIR (%)

5.04%

6.16%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

5.39%

5.67%

Bank Debt (Non-Indexed Ch$)

4,901

750

0

0

0

0

5,650

5,661

Interest Rate Based on

WAIR (%)

6.79%

6.02%

6.69%

6.50%

Bank Debt (UF)

2,219

2,776

2,776

1,990

1,990

0

11,751

11,454

Interest Rate Based on

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

Tab

WAIR (%)

7.33%

6.39%

6.39%

5.25%

5.25%

0.00%

6.18%

7.22%

Bank Debt (BRL)

817

2,140

5,885

0

0

0

8,843

8,854

Interest Rate Based on

CDI

CDI

CDI

CDI

WAIR (%)

21.80%

21.74%

19.37%

20.16%

20.09%

Due to related companies (UF)

8,016

0

0

0

0

0

8,016

8,016

Interest Rate Based on

WAIR (%)

3.71%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

3.71%

3.71%

 

(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 25, 2006. 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$24,433 million for the period 2006 to 2008, and are broken down as follows:

 

Amounts in Ch$ million

Business Unit

2006

2007-2008

Total

Wire & Cable

5,925

7,200

13,125

Brass Mills

94

2,880

2,974

Flexible Packaging

3,098

3,120

6,218

Aluminum Profiles

676

1,440

2,116

Total

9,793

14,640

24,433

Wire & Cable Unit. The Company's expected investments for the Wire & Cable business unit include a total Ch$13,125 million over the next three years, including the ERP implementation of SAP in Peru, acquisition of machinery and equipment in Brazil, Peru and Chile.

Brass Mills Unit. The Company's investment plans for the Brass Mills unit amount to Ch$2,974million, 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$6,218 million which includes machinery and equipment in Chile and Argentina.

Aluminum Profiles Unit. Planned capital expenditures for the Aluminum unit amount to Ch$2,116 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

The 2003 - 2005 Business Plan developed in late 2002 was successfully completed last year. It focused on: 1) increasing sales, 2) improving production efficiency at plants, 3) reducing selling and administrative expenses, and 4) increasing the profitability of Company's assets. As a result of this Business Plan, in 2004 the Company was able to reverse the losses of the previous five years, and increase profit by 34% in 2005.

In late 2005, Madeco did an evaluation of the 2003 - 2005 Business Plan, which it used as a basis for defining the 2006 - 2008 Business Plan to efficiently align efforts to make the Company grow profitably. The main objectives of the new Business Plan follow: 1) to consolidate the activities of the Wire and Cable unit, 2) to diversify and search for growth and profit opportunities for the Tubes and Sheets unit, 3) to make the Flexible Packaging unit profitable, 4) to maintain leadership in the Aluminum Profiles unit, 5) to achieve operational excellence by searching for process homologation options and best practices in the different business units, 6) to implement a strategic management policy in human resources, 7) to consolidate the Company's financial position.

Development of the Business Plan will continue to have a positive impact on profitability at the operating level. Notwithstanding the successful implementation of the Business Plan, the Company is facing a permanent increase in the cost of its main raw material, copper. Though the Company has been able to transfer this cost increase to its customers so far, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to pass along increases in the cost of copper and/or aluminum to its customers in the future. Furthermore, as long as copper prices keep on rising, the Company will have to keep on investing in working capital needs.

Macroeconomic conditions in the main markets where the Company operates continue to be a key driver for results.  For additional discussion see Item 3. "Key Information - Risk Factors."

Wire & Cable

In Chile the Company expects that growth in the wire and cables industry will be driven by increased demand from the construction industry as well as the energy distribution sector. Our goal is to remain the leading provider of cables for power transmission lines, lines for energy distribution and telecom lines.  In Brazil, the challenge is to continue to invest in the Company in order to support market growth, particularly for copper and aluminum cables used for energy transmission lines and energy distribution lines.  In Peru, the Company expects to maintain its leading market share and take the necessary steps to meet the requirements of the mining, energy, telecom, and construction industries.  In Argentina, the Company expects to increase its production due to consolidation of demand. Growth is expected in sales of aluminum cables used for energy transmission lines and energy distribution lines.

PBS

In Chile, though the Company expects that growth in GDP will support demand, high copper prices and competition from local producers and imports will likely continue affecting its sales.  The Company expects to focus its marketing efforts towards the penetration of new foreign markets, particularly in the industrial pipes sector and thus mitigate its dependence on the construction sector. In Argentina, the Company expects to continue with its current level of production for the local market, developing markets such as the refrigerating tubes and industrial water pipes. The market has recovered.

Flexible Packaging

In the Chilean flexible packaging industry segment, management will continue focusing its growth efforts on the export market, with special emphasis on retorts pouch products.  To support this goal, the Company is making investments in Chile and Argentina. While raw material prices have increased and may continue to rise, the Company believes that these cost increases can be passed along to its customers, at least in the near term. On the other hand the Company has succesfully implemented plant restructurings, reducing operating costs and allowing for the development of more sophisticated products.  In Argentina, the Company expects the local market to continue recovering. In 2006, the Company will continue to focus its growth efforts on export markets particularly in those markets where the Company has some competitive advantages 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, specially from China, operating at marginal cost, will put pressure on prices and margins during 2006. 

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of December 31, 2005.

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.

Chairman, Viña San Pedro S.A.

Director, Banco de Chile

Director, Industria Nacional de Alimentos S.A.

Director, Antofagasta Minerals 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.

Chairman, Antofagasta Minerals S.A.

Vice-Chairman, Antofagasta Plc.

Vice-Chairman, Antofagasta Railway Company Plc.

Director, Quiñenco S.A.

Andronico Luksic Craig (1)

Director

1954

1980

Vice-Chairman, Banco de Chile

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, Empresa El Peñón S.A.

Director, Editorial Trineo S.A.

Director, Inversiones y Bosques S.A.

Eugenio Valck Varas (2) (3)

Director

1949

2001

CEO, VK Consultores S.A.

Director, Cintac S.A.

Felipe Joannon Vergara (2) (4)

Director

1959

2001

Chairman, Viña Tabalí S.A.

Director, Viña San Pedro S.A.

Director, Alusa S.A.

Director, Habitaria S.A.

Director, LQ Inversiones Financieras S.A.

Director, Inversiones Río Azul S.A.

Director, Inversiones LQ_SM S.A.

Director, Hoteles Carrera S.A.

Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres (4)

Honorary Chairman

1920

1970

Chairman, Alusa S.A.

 

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

(2) The Company's Director's 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. 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 (1)

Chief Executive Officer

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Ricardo Bartel (2)

Chief Financial Officer

July 2005

July 2005

Enrique Sotomayor

Legal Counsel and Secretary of the Board (3)

Sep. 1974

Sep. 1974

Julio Cordoba(1)

Director of Operations

Oct. 2002

Oct. 2002

Jorge Tagle

Business Unit Manager: Flexible Packaging

July 2005

Oct. 2002

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) Mr. Dall O lio's contract and Julio Cordoba's contrac with Madeco expire on September 30, 2007.

(2) Mr. Bartel resigned on March 15, 2006.

(3) 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).

Ricardo Bartel (born 1964). Mr. Ricardo Bartel has served as Chief Financial Officer of Madeco S.A. since July 2005. Prior to his current position, he was Chief Financial Officer at CCU and General Manager of Transportes CCU. Among other assignments in different areas, he was Sales and Brand Manager at CCU Chile. He received a degree in Civil Engineering from the Catholic University of Chile and an Executive Master's degree in business administration from the same university.

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. (1970-73); and A.A.P. Ahorromet (1973-74). 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).

Jorge Tagle (born 1969). Mr. Jorge Tagle joined the Company in October 2002 and was appointed as Business Unit Manager of the Flexible Packaging in July 2005. His previous work experience includes: Madeco's Chief Financial Officer (2002-2005), 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.

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 (1971-1975); Oficina Consultora RFA Ingenieros Ltda. (1975-1977); Forestal S.A. (1977-1979); Watt's Alimentos S.A. (1979-1981); Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A. (1981-1987); Citibank N.A. (1987-1989); and Vidrios Lirquén S.A. (1990-1995). Immediately prior to joining the Company, Mr. Puentes worked for 4 years as an independent consultant (1995-1999) in various industries. He received his degree in Civil Industrial Engineering from the Universidad de Chile and his Masters of Science from the University 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 from 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.

In March of 2006, Mr. Ricardo Bartel resigned as CFO of the Company and on April 17, 2006 Mr. Cristian Montes was appointed as his replacement. Mr. Cristian Montes received his degree in Commercial Engineering from the Universidad Católica de Chile. Prior to joining Madeco as CFO, he was the CEO of Construmart, an important local distributor of construction materials, for six years.

Compensation

For the year ending December 31, 2005, the total compensation paid by the Company to all directors was Ch$90 million and to all executive officers, Ch$3,736 million. The Company does not disclose to its shareholders, or otherwise make public, information regarding 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 Cordoba, for an additional two-year period. The two executives originally hired for a two-year period in October 2002, were given renewed contracts that expire on September 30, 2007. 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 hired for a two-year period in October 2002, for an additional one-year period ending in October 2005.

These executives were granted new stock options on May 20, 2005 to subscribe for shares of 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 was 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: i) 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; ii) 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; iii) Corporate Director of Operations, Giampiero Genesini, 10,000,000 shares, with the provision that the option be exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2005.

On August 31, 2005, the contracts on stock options signed on May 20, 2005 were declared null and void by mutual accord between Madeco S.A. and the above mentioned executives.

At its meeting on November 29, 2005, the Company`s Board of Directors agreed to set a new strike price for the stock options included in the compensation plan mentioned above at Ch$48.52 per share in order to equal this price to the issue price of the shares destined to be subscribed by the shareholders and corresponding to the same capital increase, agreed to in the Extraordinary Shareholders` Meeting of September 2, 2005. In the same Board of Directors meeting, a new compensation plan was devised for the placement of the remaining shares destined for this purpose.

In its meeting on May 30, 2006, the Board granted new stock options at Ch$48.52 per share to Mr. Tiberio Dall'Olio, for 100,000,000 shares and to Mr. Julio Cordoba, for 20,000,000 shares. Both options can be exercised between October 1 and November 12 of 2007. As of May 30, 2006, contracts for these options have not been signed yet.

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 2005 in thousands of Chilean pesos:

Director

2005

Guillermo Luksic Craig (1)

2,734

Andronico Luksic Craig (1)

583

Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona (1)

2,337

Hernan Büchi Buc

2,734

Alessandro Bizzarri Carvallo

6,623

Felipe Joannon Vergara

9,210

Eugenio Valck Varas

7,116

Oscar Ruiz-Tagle Humeres (2)

58,234

Total

89,571

 

    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.

Director's 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, 2006, approximately US$51.0 million) shall designate a Director's Committee (the "Director's Committee"). If the market capitalization falls below this threshold, there is no obligation to designate a Director's Committee. However, corporations which do not reach the threshold may voluntarily assume Director's Committee obligations, in which case they shall strictly follow the provisions of the Law.

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

The Director`s 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 Director`s 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 Director's 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 board 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 Director`s 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 Director`s 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 Director`s Committee shall, in the exercise of their duties, be jointly and severally liable for any damage caused to the corporation or the shareholders.

The Director`s 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 Director`s Committee, the Board of Directors shall elect the members of the Director`s Committee by unanimous vote. Should the Board fail to reach an agreement, the matter shall be decided by drawing. The Company's Director`s 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 Director`s Committee shall be remunerated. The amount of such remuneration shall be established annually by the shareholders, taking into consideration the duties that the Director`s Committee members shall perform. The remuneration of the members of the Company's Director`s Committee is UF15 (as of May 31, 2006, approximately US$510) per Director`s Committee meeting.

The shareholders shall determine the budget of the Director`s Committee and those of its advisors, and the Director`s 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 Director`s 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 Director`s Committee and its advisors is UF2,000 per year (as of May 31, 2006, approximately US$60,041).

Audit Committee

Pursuant to NYSE Rule 303A.06, in 2005, Madeco designated an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and the additional requirements under NYSE Rule 303A. The Audit Committee is currently composed of Eugenio Valck.

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 affiliates 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.

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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 as well as at March 31, 2006:

Total Number of Employees (1)

Country

Dec 31, 2003

Dec 31, 2004

Dec 31, 2005

March 31, 2006

Chile

1,705

1,659

1,634

1,662

Brazil

540

589

618

634

Peru

255

245

308

320

Argentina

235

283

298

310

Bolivia(2)

16

1

0

0

Total

2,751

2,777

2,858

2,926

    1. The Table includes Optel's workforce in Madeco's consolidation, 26 employess at December 31, 2003, 9 employess at December 31, 2004, 5 employess at December 31, 2005 and 5 employess at March 31, 2006.
    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.

At December 31, 2005, a total of 1,248 employees, or 43.7% 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 264 temporary employees who were hired for specific time periods to satisfy 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's administrative 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 2003, the Company closed the production operations of its Brazilian subsidiary Optel. In June, 2004, the Company terminated its aluminum profile operations in Bolivia. In October 2005, the Company reduced its workforce by 120 employees in the Brass Mills business unit facilities located in Chile.

.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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 as well as at March 31, 2006:

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

December 31, 2003

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills(1)

26

246

1,617

1,889

Flexible Packaging

9

30

551

590

Aluminum Profiles

8

30

234

272

Madeco Consolidated

43

306

2,402

2,751

December 31, 2004(2)

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills(1)

34

414

1,469

1,917

Flexible Packaging

8

153

417

578

Aluminum Profiles

7

76

199

282

Madeco Consolidated

49

643

2,085

2,777

December 31, 2005

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

35

475

1,512

2,022

Flexible Packaging

7

147

400

554

Aluminum Profiles

7

84

191

282

Madeco Consolidated

49

706

2,103

2,858

March 31, 2006

Wire & Cable and Brass Mills

35

507

1,538

2,080

Flexible Packaging

6

151

408

565

Aluminum Profiles

7

84

190

281

Madeco Consolidated*

48

742

2,136

2,926

(1) Figures for Wire & Cable and Brass Mills employees presented above differ from those presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2004 and 2003. Considering that the Company consolidated with Optel in 2005, figures for prior years include employees of Optel for comparative purposes.

(2) 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, 2005 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, 2005

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Chile

13

128

816

957

Brazil

15

85

518

618

Peru

4

234

70

308

Argentina

3

28

108

139

Total

35

475

1512

2,022

In Chile, the Company had 957 permanent employees and 8 temporary employees. A total of 550 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. By the end of 2005 Cotelsa signed a collective bargaining agreement with its 42-member workers' union following a legal 30-day strike that partially paralyzed operations.

In Brazil, the Company had 618 permanent employees and 34 temporary employees. A total of 264 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 308 permanent employees and 73 temporary employees, none of which were members of labor unions, in 2005. The Company has experienced no strikes in Peru since 1993.

In Argentina, the Company had 139 permanent employees and did not hire any temporary employees. A total of 122 employees were represented by 3 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, 2005 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, 2005

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Chile

5

107

283

395

Argentina

2

40

117

159

Total

7

147

400

554

In Chile, the Company had 395 permanent employees and 96 temporary employees. A total of 242 employees were represented by three labor unions. In 2003, the Company entered into a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the three unions. The last work stoppage, which occurred on August 1998, lasted 20 days and included 130 employees.

In Argentina, the Company had 159 permanent employees and 8 temporary employees. A total of 3 employees were represented by one labor union. On October 2005, Aluflex signed a collective bargaining agreement with a union that represented 140 company employees.

Aluminum Profiles. The following table sets forth the Company's personnel at December 31, 2005 for the Aluminum Profiles unit. Personnel are broken down by employment category.

Aluminum Unit: Employees at December 31, 2005

Executives

Professionals

Employees

Total

Total

7

84

191

282

The Aluminum Profiles division in Chile had 282 permanent and 34 temporary employees. A total of 67 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 equivalent 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, 2006 with respect to each shareholder known to Madeco to own more than 4% 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)

2,557,280,402

46.15%

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa

273,660,227

4.93%

Bolsa Electronica de Chile Bolsa de Valores

252,882,898

4.56%

The Bank of New York

248,352,530

4.48%

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

104,381,137

1.88%

(1) The controlling shareholder of Madeco S.A. is the open stock corporation Quiñenco S.A. Quiñenco is an open stock corporation in accordance with Chilean Law.

(2) Excludes the 2,557,280,402 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.

Quiñenco S.A. is controlled by the Luksic Group, whose principal members are The Luksburg Foundation, Andrónico Luksic Craig, Guillermo Luksic Craig and Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona. Until his death in August 2005, the Luksic Group also included Andronico Luksic Abaroa, the father of Andronico Luksic Craig, Guillermo Luksic Craig and Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona. As of the date of this Annual Report, certain members of the Luksic Group beneficially own 82.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Quiñenco. Jean-Paul Luksic Fontbona does not directly or indirectly own any shares of Quiñenco but exercises control through memberships on boards of directors and managing councils of Luksic Group companies.

Control by the Luksic Group is exercised through the Luksic Group's control of Andsberg Inversiones Ltda., Ruana Copper A.G. Agencia Chile, Inversiones Orengo S.A., Inversiones Consolidadas S.A., Inversiones Salta S.A and Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Río Claro S.A., which are the Luksic Group companies that hold shares of Quiñenco. The Luksburg Foundation beneficially owns approximately 94.6% of the total equity interest in Andsberg Inversiones Limitada, 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Ruana Copper A.G. Agencia Chile and 97.3% of the common shares of Inversiones Orengo S.A., entities which jointly hold approximately 56.0% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Quiñenco.

Although there are no formal agreements as to the voting or disposition of shares known to Quiñenco, Quiñenco believes that the members of the Luksic Group generally consult with each other regarding actions to be taken by shareholders of Quiñenco. Consequently, the Luksic Group has the power to elect a majority of Quiñenco's directors and to determine the outcome of substantially all matters to be decided by a vote of shareholders.

Quiñenco's only outstanding voting securities are its shares of common stock. There was no significant change in the share ownership of Quiñenco in 2003, 2004 or 2005. The following table sets forth certain information concerning ownership of the shares with respect to the Luksic Group's companies at December 31, 2005:

Title of Class

Identity of Person or Group

Amount Owned

Percent of Class

Common Stock

Andsberg Inversiones Ltda.

364,163,159

33.7%

 

Ruana Copper A.G. Agencia Chile

Inmobiliaria e Inversiones Río Claro S.A.

Inversiones Consolidadas S.A..

240,938,000

143,427,860

125,427,859

22.3%

13.3%

11.6%

 

Inversiones Salta S.A.

18,000,000

1.7%

In addition, the Fundación Andrónico Luksic A., a charity foundation, owned 1,348,247 shares of Quiñenco equivalent to a 0.1% interest, and Inversiones Carahue S.A., a company owned by Paola Luksic Fontbona, owned 7,730 shares as of December 31, 2005. Davor and Andrónico Luksic Lederer, sons of Andrónico Luksic Craig, each own 128 shares of Quiñenco.

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 as of May 31, 2006 an aggregate of 46.15% of the outstanding shares (2,557,280,402 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, 2005, 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005:

2003

2004

2005

Common Stock

(number of shares authorized and paid)

4,120,088,408

4,441,192,887

5,348,390,129

The following table includes each of the Company's shareholders that had an ownership interest exceeding 1.0% at December 31, for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005, demonstrating the significant changes in ownership percentages during the past three years:

Shareholder

December 31, 2003

December 31, 2004

December 31, 2005

Quiñenco S.A.

2,275,124,453

55.22%

2,275,240,329

51.23%

2,557,141,629

47.81%

Bolsa de Comercio de Santiago Bolsa de Valores

101,931,074

2.47%

105,719,363

2.38%

283,819,492

5.31%

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

238,905,148

5.80%

244,429,015

5.50%

254,852,902

4.77%

The Bank of New York

143,913,630

3.49%

117,492,630

2.65%

210,112,530

3.93%

Bolsa Electrónica de Chile Bolsa de Valores

365,839,732

8.88%

258,861,782

5.82%

151,685,754

2.84%

Celfin Capital S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

142,689,620

2.67%

A.F.P. Provida S.A.

97,119,432

2.36%

71,273,843

1.60%

88,927,032

1.66%

Larrain Vial S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

52,260,708

1.27%

62,935,356

1.42%

85,107,691

1.59%

A.F.P. Habitat S.A.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

82,908,314

1.55%

BICE Corredores de Bolsa S. A.

19,747,506

0.48%

28,569,469

0.64%

69,752,274

1.30%

Ureta y Bianchi Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

16,632,312

0.40%

8,575,100

0.19%

63,064,242

1.18%

Deutsche Securities Corredores de Bolsa Ltda.

2,026,500

0.05%

14,273,835

0.32%

61,831,647

1.16%

Dall Olio Tiberio

N/A

N/A

49,720,565

1.12%

61,056,097

1.14%

Consorcio Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

4,054,273

0.10%

33,228,833

0.75%

54,957,651

1.03%

Bolsa de Corredores - Bolsa de Valores

1,740,370

0.04%

31,531,459

0.71%

53,469,212

1.00%

Others

800,793,270

19.44%

1,139,341,308

25.65%

1,127,014,042

21.07%

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, 2006, The Bank of New York, as depositary for Madeco's ADS facility, was the record owner of 248,352,530 shares of Common Stock in the form of 2,483,525 ADSs. These ADSs represented 4.48% 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, 2006, approximately US$68,041) and exceeds 1% of the consolidated assets of the corporation, or if the amount exceeds UF20,000 (as of May 31, 2006, approximately US$680,413) 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 request 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005 were not material to Madeco, individually or in the aggregate. 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 2003, 2004 and 2005 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, 2006, approximately US$12.1 million). In October 2002, the Company signed a new loan agreement with Quiñenco for an amount totaling UF84,879 (as of May 31, 2006, approximately US$2.9 million). The total amount outstanding as of December 31, 2005 was Ch$8,016 million. The loan has an annual interest rate equivalent to the tasa activa bancaria (Chilean inter-bank rate, or "TAB") plus 1.75. On June 5, 2006 the Company prepaid the total amount , approximately US$12.1 million, of this debt to Quiñenco.

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

2003

2004

2005

Volume

% total

Volume

% total

Volume

% total

Metallic Cable (in tons)

10,598

19.1%

11,805

18.8%

13,132

19.1%

Optical Fiber Cable (in kms)

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

13,586

15.1%

Wire & Cable (in equivalent tons)(2)

10,599

19.1%

11,805

18.8%

13,441

19.0%

Pipes Bars and Sheets (in tons)

15,923

58.2%

18,618

60.3%

16,044

57.4%

Coins (in tons)

2,914

97.6%

2,351

96.0%

1,557

99.4%

Brass Mills (in tons)

18,837

62.1%

20,969

62.9%

17,601

59.6%

Flexible Packaging (in tons)

1,730

11.8%

2,323

14.2%

2,118

14.6%

Aluminum Profiles (in tons)

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

474

4.4%

Total (in equivalent tons)

31,165

31.6%

35,097

31.2%

33,634

26.8%

 

Export (1) Revenues

2003

2004

2005

Ch$ million

% total

Ch$ million

% total

Ch$ million

% total

Metallic Cable

15,096

12.9%

24,175

14,0%

30,743

14,6%

Optical Fiber Cable

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

323

18,7%

Total Wire & Cable

15,096

12.9%

24,175

14,0%

31,066

14.6%

Pipes Bars and Sheets

27,452

52.4%

41,599

52.5%

39,752

54.0%

Coins

6,553

90.8%

7,087

90.4%

5,269

83.6%

Brass Mills

34,005

57.0%

48,686

55.9%

45,021

56.3%

Flexible Packaging

5,376

12.1%

6,544

14.0%

6,216

14.1%

Aluminum Profiles

1,187

3.8%

1,833

6.2%

1,609

5.5%

Total

55,664

22.1%

81,238

24.2%

83,912

23.0%

 

(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.

(2) 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 2005, the Wire & Cable business unit generated export sales, which amounted to 13,132 tons or 19.1% of the total business unit volume sales. In terms of revenue, exports amounted to Ch$30,743 million, representing 14.6% of the total business unit revenue. The copper wire rod is the primary exported product (81.5% of Wire & Cable exports) to South American countries where the Company does not have a subsidiary.

PBS. In 2005, the PBS division of the Brass Mill business unit generated export sales, which amounted to 16,044 tons or 57.4% of the total business unit volume sales. Export revenue as a percentage of the PBS division amounted to 52.4%, 52.5% and 54.0% in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Coins. In 2005, export volume sales amounted to 1,557 tons or 99.4% 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 60.5% of total exports.

Flexible Packaging. In 2005, export volume sales amounted to 2,118 tons or 14.6% of the Flexible Packaging business unit's total volume sales. Export sales as a percentage of total in revenues represent 14.1%. 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. In 2005, export volume sales amounted to 474 tons or 4.4% of the Aluminum Profiles business unit's total volume sales.

Legal Proceedings

Madeco S.A. and its subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda. filed an arbitration claim in New York City before the American Arbitration Association, against Corning International Corporation ("Corning Inc.") based on the allegation that Corning Inc. had tried to terminate its agreements with Madeco S.A. relating to Optel Ltda. ("Optel"), a Brazilian company in which Corning Inc. and Madeco Brasil Ltda. were joint owners. Corning, in turn, made a counter-claim against Madeco S.A. seeking, among other things, that Corning be allowed to terminate its agreements with Madeco S.A.

Madeco S.A. was notified of the tribunal's judgment in 2003 which, inter alia, declared that the investment agreement, signed between the parties on June 12, 1999 and its amendments, be terminated. This meant that Madeco S.A. lost its put option to sell its shares in Optel Ltda. (Brazil) to Corning Inc. at a price of US$18 million.

At December 31, 2003, Madeco S.A., through its subsidiary Metal Overseas S.A., made an allowance against income for that year for the total of its 50% holding in Optel (through Madeco Brasil Ltda.) and provisions for other expenses, because of the unfavorable judgment given.

On March 31, 2005, Madeco S.A., through its indirect subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda., signed an agreement with Corning International Corporation whereby it acquired, for a nominal price of one real, the 50% holding of Corning Inc. in Optel, thus settling the effects of the arbitration decision in New York, before the American Arbitration Association. On the same date, an agreement was also signed with the two principal creditor banks of Optel canceling all its debts, equivalent to 7.3 million US dollars, through the payment of a total of 2 million US dollars.

There are two lawsuits pending in Brazil brought by the State Secretary of Finance (Rio de Janeiro) against the previous owner of Ficap S.A., dating from before the time that Madeco S.A. bought the company in 1997. The total damages amount to approximately 6,950 thousand Real at December 31, 2005. 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.

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. See Note 22 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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".

Due to the existence of accumulated financial losses the Company did not pay dividends from net income generated in 2004 and 2005.

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)

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

2005

40.9

61.4

7.77

11.72

         

Quarters

       

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

51.5

59.2

8.79

10.44

Third Quarter

48.8

61.4

8.99

11.72

Fourth Quarter

40.9

50.1

7.77

9.70

2006

       

First Quarter

41.0

45.4

7.67

9.21

Second Quarter through May 31

44.0

51.4

8.37

10.51

         

Months

       

December 2005

40.9

47.5

7.77

9.35

January 2006

41.0

44.2

7.80

9.00

February 2006

42.9

45.4

7.86

8.70

March 2006

41.8

44.7

7.67

9.21

April 2006

44.0

47.2

8.37

9.25

May 2006

47.3

51.4

8.40

10.51

 

(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 2002.

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, 2006, approximately US$68,041) and exceeds 1% of the assets of the corporation, or if the amount exceeds UF20,000 (as of May 31, 2006, approximately US$680,413) 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 request 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 and except in the case the Company has unabsorbed prior year losses. 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 stock 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, matters that 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 is sufficient).

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.

In September 2005, Madeco prepaid all the Credit Rescheduling Agreements subscribed by the Company with its creditor banks on December 18, 2002, freeing it from the restrictions pertaining to the agreements. In November, the Company launched a successful capital increase, raising aproximately US$84 millon, which was used to pay debt.

On June 5, 2006 the Company refinanced a total of US$50 million of its financial debt by means of a 5-year term syndicate bank loan. Approximately US$12 million of this financing was used to prepay liabilities of the Company with Quiñenco.

 

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, Madeco 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, Madeco 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 April 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 Madeco 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 Madeco to the Central Bank that any applicable tax had been withheld was 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 that 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 Madeco 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 adjusted 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$6,804) 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 1986, 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 should 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 Company 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 interest 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 adjusted 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 section "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, 2005.

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 issued by the Chilean Association 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$11,261 million.

The Company's net exposure to foreign currencies (principally U.S. dollar) exchange rate risk in Chilean pesos at December 31, 2005 was Ch$3,363 million (equivalent to US$6.56 million). Assuming a 10% increase during 2006 of the Chilean peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate with respect to 2005 year-end balances, the result would be a pre-tax accounting profit of approximately Ch$336 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 2006 would result in a net loss of Ch$2,336 million.

As of December 31, 2005, approximately 39.97% 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 net foreign investment. See Note 2(s) 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 2006 of the Chilean peso/U.S. dollar exchange rate with respect to 2005 year-end balances, the result would be a pre-tax gain of approximately Ch$4,513 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, 2005, approximately 59.6% of the Company's total debt was represented by floating rate debt. The Company's net exposure to interest rate risk as of December 31, 2005 was Ch$56.211 million. Assuming a 100 basis point, or "b.p.", increase during 2006 in the weighted average interest rate with respect to 2005 year-end balances, the result would be an increase in net annual interest expenses of approximately Ch$388 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.

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. The Company does not enter into long-term purchase commitmens or derivative contracts to cover the price risk related to commodities.

During 2005, the Company sold on a consolidated basis 85,700 tons of copper and 20,628 tons of aluminum. As of December 31, 2005, the Company held inventories of copper and aluminum of 16,280 and 7,449 tons, respectively.

The following table presents the commodity inventories held by the Company for non-trading purposes at December 31, 2005.

 

At December 31, 2005

 

Carrying Amount

Fair Value

Copper

Tons

16,280

Value (in Ch$ million)

36,241

36,241

Aluminum

Tons

7,449

Value (in Ch$ million)

8,887

8,887

 

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.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. 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−15(e) and 15d−15(e)). These controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in its Form 20-F is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. Based on such evaluation, the Company's CEO and CFO concluded that as of December 31, 2005, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during 2005 which materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16.

Reserved

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Pursuant to NYSE Rule 303A.06, Madeco has an Audit Committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and certain additional requirements under NYSE Rule 303A. Mr. Eugenio Valck serves as our audit committee financial expert.

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 during 2005, 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 2005.

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

In 2004 and 2005, the Company hired Ernst & Young as independent auditors. The table below sets forth the total amount billed by Ernst & Young for services performed in the years 2005 and 2004, respectively:

 

(in thousands of Ch$)

 

2005

2004

Audit Fees

264,336

143,888

Audit-Related Fees

21,107

32,742

Tax Fees

9,585

32,347

All Other Fees

32,503

33,951

Total Fees

327,531

242,928

Audit Fees

Audit fees are fees billed for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements.

Audit-Related Fees

Audit-related fees in 2004 and 2005 including consultation fees associated with our annual report on Form 20-F.

Tax Fees

Tax fees in 2004 and 2005 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 service provided by Ernst & Young that is not specifically included within the scope of the audit is 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 2005, 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, 2005, 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-96

ITEM 19. Exhibits

Exhibit Description

1.1* Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws

4.1* - Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2002, among Madeco S.A. as Borrower, and Bank of America, N.A. and Bankboston N.A., Nassau Branch as Lenders

4.2* - Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2002, among Madeco S.A. as Borrower, and 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, as Lenders.

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 Executive 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, 2006

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.

 

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of

December 31, 2004 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005

together with the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries

Index to the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Ernst & Young Ltda.

F - 1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Deloitte & Touche

F - 2

   

Consolidated Financial Statements:

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2004 and 2005

F - 3

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005

F - 5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005

F - 6

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F - 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

ThBR - Thousands of Brazilian Reals



Application of Constant Chilean Pesos

The December 31, 2003 and 2004 consolidated financial statements have been restated for general price-level changes and expressed in constant Chilean pesos of December 31, 2005 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 sheets of Madeco S.A. and Subsidiaries ("the Company") as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for each of the two years 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 audits.

We conducted our audits 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 believe that our audits provide 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 at December 31, 2004 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years 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 24, 2006

(Except for Notes 28 and 32 for which the date is June 8, 2006)

 

 


 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders of

Madeco S.A.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and of cash flows of Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries (the "Company") for the year 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 audit.

We conducted our audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Madeco S.A. and subsidiaries for the year 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 the year ended 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 8, 2006

 

 

 

 


 

 

     

As of December 31,

     

2004

 

2005

 

2005

ASSETS

Notes

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThUS$

             

(Note 2 (c))

Current assets:

             

Cash

   

3,101,210

 

4,281,988

 

8,355

Time deposits

5

 

4,215,479

 

94,128

 

184

Marketable securities

6

 

46,092

 

150,000

 

293

Accounts receivable, net

7

56,664,044

61,914,435

120,809

Notes and accounts receivable from related companies

24

 

1,156,713

 

941,655

 

1,837

Inventories, net

8

 

73,298,759

 

74,293,061

 

144,962

Recoverable taxes, net

19

 

3,609,369

 

6,242,745

 

12,181

Prepaid expenses

   

454,524

 

402,171

 

785

Deferred income taxes, net

19

 

2,604,550

 

3,326,386

 

6,490

Other current assets

9

 

11,490,139

 

7,275,805

 

14,197

Total current assets

   

156,640,879

 

158,922,374

 

310,093

               

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

10

 

155,676,533

 

144,864,028

 

282,662

               

Other assets:

             

Long-term notes and accounts receivable

from related companies

24

 

598,721

 

-

 

-

Investments in related companies

11

 

8,566,597

 

8,060,828

 

15,728

Investments in other companies

   

29,747

 

2,666,058

 

5,202

Goodwill, net

12

 

22,537,097

 

18,490,060

 

36,078

Negative goodwill, net

12

 

-

 

(490,183)

 

(956)

Long-term notes and accounts receivable

   

803,854

 

347,302

 

678

Deferred income taxes, net

19

 

312,600

 

-

 

-

Intangible assets, net

   

333,609

 

369,160

 

720

Other

13

 

9,755,403

 

11,108,055

 

21,674

Total other assets

42,937,628

40,551,280

79,124

Total assets

355,255,040

344,337,682

671,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

As of December 31,

2004

2005

2005

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Notes

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThUS$

             

(Note 2 (c))

Current liabilities:

             

Short-term bank loans

14

 

18,244,391

 

24,428,720

 

47,666

Current portion of long-term bank loans

14

 

5,060,686

 

2,514,163

 

4,906

Current portion of bonds payable

17

 

4,059,239

 

4,254,251

 

8,301

Long-term obligations, current portion Long term obligations, current portion

   

938,154

 

409,818

 

800

Dividends payable

   

2,636

 

2,543

 

5

Accounts and notes payable

   

25,235,002

 

18,029,241

 

35,179

Notes and accounts payable to related companies .....

24

360,375

8,442,155

16,472

Accrued liabilities and provisions .....

15

8,691,040

7,171,302

13,993

Withholdings

   

1,976,874

 

1,816,939

 

3,545

Unearned revenues

   

143,650

 

1,457,600

 

2,844

Other current liabilities

   

1,191,562

 

964,665

 

1,882

Total current liabilities

   

65,903,609

 

69,491,397

 

135,593

Long-term liabilities:

             

Long-term debt

17

 

67,856,414

 

24,618,328

 

48,036

Bonds payable

17

 

28,326,635

 

24,208,382

 

47,236

Miscellaneous payables

18

 

6,180,020

 

5,532,453

 

10,795

Accrued liabilities and provisions

15

 

3,204,569

 

3,960,591

 

7,728

Notes and accounts payable to related companies .....

24

 

7,905,813

 

-

 

-

Deferred income taxes .....

19

 

-

 

347,588

 

678

Other long-term liabilities .....

   

954,894

 

592,060

 

1,155

Total long-term liabilities

   

114,428,345

 

59,259,402

 

115,628

               

Minority interest

25

 

10,704,097

 

10,206,822

 

19,916

Contingencies and commitments

22

 

-

 

-

 

-

               

Shareholders' equity:

20

           

Paid-in capital, no par value

   

205,638,326

 

249,372,391

 

486,580

Reserves

   

50,738,335

 

36,151,019

 

70,539

Accumulated deficit

   

(100,976,484)

 

(92,157,672)

 

(179,820)

Net income for the year

   

8,818,812

 

12,014,323

 

23,443

Total Shareholders' equity

   

164,218,989

 

205,380,061

 

400,742

Total liabilities and Shareholders' equity

355,255,040

344,337,682

671,879

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

For the year ended December 31,

Note

2003

2004

2005

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

(Note 2 (c))

Operating income:

Net sales

252,377,559

335,700,215

365,487,500

713,146

Cost of sales

(221,339,660)

(286,579,800)

(313,547,675)

(611,800)

Gross profit

31,037,899

49,120,415

51,939,825

101,346

Administrative and selling expenses

(23,119,553)

(23,038,065)

(24,099,429)

(47,023)

Operating income

7,918,346

26,082,350

27,840,396

54,323

 

 

 

 

Non-operating income and expense:

Interest income

1,183,246

977,368

805,116

1,571

Other non-operating income

23

774,408

1,505,920

2,320,581

4,528

Equity participation in income of related companies

11

40,838

20,597

281,074

548

Interest expense

(13,233,058)

(11,397,565)

(9,359,495)

(18,262)

Equity participation in losses of related companies

11

(74,427)

(44,438)

-

-

Amortization of goodwill

12

(1,957,847)

(1,804,141)

(1,659,957)

(3,239)

Other non-operating expenses

23

(12,023,529)

(3,813,465)

(3,277,408)

(6,395)

Price-level restatement, net

3

2,156,797

(689,759)

(1,999,829)

(3,902)

Foreign exchange (loss) gain, net

4

(309,384)

429,881

(752,074)

(1,467)

Non-operating loss

(23,442,956)

(14,815,602)

(13,641,992)

(26,618)

(Loss) income before income taxes, minority interest and amortization of negative goodwill

(15,524,610)

11,266,748

14,198,404

27,705

Income taxes

19

(1,690,982)

(1,597,767)

(1,466,780)

(2,862)

(Loss) income before minority interest and amortization of negative goodwill

(17,215,592)

9,668,981

12,731,624

24,843

Minority interest

25

(614,020)

(850,169)

(736,399)

(1,437)

(Loss) income before amortization of negative goodwill

(17,829,612)

8,818,812

11,995,225

23,406

Amortization of negative goodwill

12

59,434

-

19,098

37

Net (loss) income

(17,770,178)

8,818,812

12,014,323

23,443

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

For the years ended December 31,

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

(Note 2 (c))

Cash flow from operating activities:

Collection of accounts receivable

289,581,820

390,035,217

428,521,944

836,140

Financial income received

1,540,109

1,048,110

2,209,037

4,310

Other income received

728,978

2,182,798

372,096

727

Payments to suppliers and personnel

(274,172,673)

(369,799,334)

(400,546,288)

(781,554)

Interest paid

(13,497,189)

(11,791,637)

(13,466,022)

(26,275)

Income taxes paid

(469,854)

(485,395)

(2,280,517)

(4,450)

Other expenses

(2,016,722)

(214,476)

(594,512)

(1,160)

Value added taxes and other similar items paid

(7,729,589)

(6,053,445)

(3,839,119)

(7,491)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(6,035,120)

4,921,838

10,376,619

20,247

Cash flow from investing activities:

Proceeds from sales of investments

21,587,330

29,697,097

213,391

416

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

1,137,897

1,021,981

305,524

596

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(3,694,158)

(6,668,922)

(10,397,948)

(20,289)

Investments in other companies

(19,039)

(8,297)

(183,787)

(359)

Investments in financial instruments

(51,780,433)

-

-

-

Decrease in accounts receivable

from related companies

-

22,940

51,699

101

Other investing activities (net)

367,189

1,331,260

1,088,066

2,125

Other disbursements for investment

-

-

(2,618,180)

(5,109)

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(32,401,214)

25,396,059

(11,541,235)

(22,519)

Cash flow from financing activities:

Borrowings from banks and others

39,984,845

35,323,142

113,658,374

221,772

Proportion of dividends paid to minority shareholders

(45,870)

(157,796)

(38,021)

(74)

Payments of loans

(91,931,700)

(40,086,668)

(156,389,288)

(305,150)

Increase in bonds payable

-

31,689,550

-

-

Decrease in bonds payable

(12,869,459)

(60,578,552)

(4,462,466)

(8,707)

Capital increase in subsidiaries contributed

by minority shareholders

100,306,509

10,405,494

43,154,417

84,204

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

35,444,325

(23,404,830)

(4,076,984)

(7,955)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,992,009)

6,913,067

(5,241,600)

(10,227)

Effect of price-level restatement on cash and cash equivalents

427,313

665,223

(302,321)

(590)

Net (decrease) increase of cash and cash equivalents

(2,564,696)

7,578,290

(5,543,921)

(10,817)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year

8,321,354

5,756,658

13,334,948

26,019

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year

5,756,658

13,334,948

7,791,027

15,202

 

The accompanying Notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

For the years ended December 31,

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

(Note 2 (c))

Reconciliation of net (loss) income for the year to net cash from operating activities:

Net (loss) income for the year

(17,770,178)

8,818,812

12,014,323

23,443

Items that do not represent cash flows:

Depreciation

11,757,867

11,173,196

11,243,246

21,938

Amortization of goodwill

1,957,847

1,804,141

1,659,957

3,239

Amortization of negative goodwill

(59,434)

-

(19,098)

(37)

Minority interest

614,020

850,169

736,399

1,437

Price-level restatement, net

(2,156,797)

689,759

1,999,829

3,902

Foreign exchange loss (gain), net

309,384

(429,881)

752,074

1,467

Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment

(148,541)

(59,737)

(193,045)

(377)

Equity participation in net losses (income)

of investments under equity method, net

33,589

23,841

(281,074)

(548)

Gains on sales of investments

(7,827)

(6,456)

-

-

Write-offs and provisions

4,629,665

820,282

835,887

1,631

Other charges to income which do not

represent cash flows

12,179,032

7,742,492

4,640,555

9,055

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Increase in accounts and notes receivable

(10,018,411)

(10,222,500)

(7,646,808)

(14,921)

Increase in inventories

(1,855,574)

(18,483,054)

(2,650,059)

(5,171)

Increase in other assets

(5,837,397)

(723,754)

(7,657,366)

(14,941)

Increase (decrease) in accounts and notes payable

106,528

3,169,661

(5,595,401)

(10,918)

Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities

231,107

(245,133)

537,200

1,048

Net cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities

(6,035,120)

4,921,838

10,376,619

20,247

For the years ended December 31,

2003

2004

2005

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThUS$

(Note 2 (c))

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)

(13,497,189)

(11,791,637)

(13,466,022)

(26,275)

Income taxes paid

(469,854)

(485,395)

(2,280,517)

(4,450)

Assets acquired under capital leases

(23,881)

(120,831)

-

-

 

 

 

 

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, respectively. 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 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, and in addition it exerts significant influence over its equity investment in Peru that operates in the same business. The fourth operating segment of the Company is Aluminum Profiles. The aluminum profiles produced by the Company in Chile are used in the residential and the non-residential construction sector as well as in the production of industrial durable goods.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies

  1. Basis of preparation, presentation and consolidation of the consolidated financial statements

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 ("US GAAP"). A reconciliation of Chilean GAAP to US 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, 2004 and 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 include the following subsidiaries:

     

    As of December 31,

     

    2003

     

    2004

     

    2005

     

    %

     

    %

     

    %

    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)

    92.92

     

    93.00

     

    94.01

    Madeco Overseas S.A. (Cayman Islands)

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Soinmad S.A. and Subsidiaries

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Metalúrgica Industrial S.A. and Subsidiaries (Argentina)

    100.00

    100.00

    100.00

    Metal Overseas S.A. and Subsidiaries (Cayman Islands)

    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 cumulative inflation rate in Chile as measured by the Chilean Consumer Price Index ("CPI") for the three-year period ended December 31, 2005 was approximately 7.3%.

Chilean GAAP requires that the financial statements be restated to reflect the full effects of changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso on the financial position and results of operations of reporting entities. The method described below is based on a model that enables calculation of net inflation gains or losses caused by monetary assets and liabilities exposed to changes in the purchasing power of local currency. The model 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.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

b) Price-level restatement, continued

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

The resulting gain or loss included in net income reflects the effects of Chilean inflation on the monetary assets and liabilities held by the Company (Note 3).

The restatements were calculated using the official consumer price index of the National Institute of Statistics and based on the "prior-month rule," in which the inflation adjustments are based on the CPI at the close of the month preceding the close of the respective period or transaction. This index is considered by the business community, the accounting profession and the Chilean government to be the index that most closely complies with the technical requirement to reflect the variation in the general level of prices in Chile, and consequently it is widely used for financial reporting purposes.

The values of the Chilean consumer price indices used to reflect the effects of the changes in the purchasing power of the Chilean peso ("price-level restatement") are as follows:

 

Index

Change over Previous November 30,

November 30, 2003 .....

100.00

1.0%

November 30, 2004 .....

102.48

2.5%

November 30, 2005 .....

106.19

3.6%

By way of comparison, the actual values of the Chilean consumer price indices as of the balance sheet dates are as follows:

 

Index

Change over Previous December 31,

December 31, 2003 .....

100.00

1.1%

December 31, 2004 .....

102.42

2.4%

December 31, 2005 .....

106.18

3.7%

The above-mentioned price-level restatements do not purport to represent 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 or loss 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.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

b) Price-level restatement, continued

Index-linked assets and liabilities

Assets and liabilities that are denominated in index-linked units of account are stated at the year-end values of the respective units of account. The principal index-linked unit used in Chile is the Unidad de Fomento ("UF"), which is adjusted daily to reflect the changes in Chile's CPI. Certain of the Company's investments are linked to the UF. As the Company's indexed liabilities exceed its indexed assets, the increase in the index results in a net loss. Values for the UF are as follows (historical Chilean pesos per UF):

Ch$

December 31, 2003 .....

16,920.00

December 31, 2004 .....

17,317.05

December 31, 2005 .....

17,974.81

Comparative financial statements

For comparative purposes, the historical December 31, 2003 and 2004 consolidated financial statements and their accompanying notes have been presented in constant Chilean pesos as of December 31, 2005. Amounts previously presented in constant Chilean pesos as of each balance sheet date have been adjusted by the percentage changes in the CPI to December 31, 2005 as follows:

Year

Change in Index

2003.....

6.2% (1)

2004.....

3.6% (2)

(1) Equivalent to the amounts for 2003 multiplied by the change in the CPI for 2004, then by the change in the CPI for 2005.

(2) Equivalent to the amounts for 2004 multiplied by the change in the CPI for 2005.

 

This updating does not change the prior years' statements or information in any way except to update the amounts to constant Chilean pesos of similar purchasing power.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

c) Currency translation

Balances denominated in foreign currencies 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 2003, 2004 and 2005 the foreign exchange rates of most relevant foreign currencies were as follows:

   

As of December 31,

   

2003

 

2004

 

2005

Currency

           

United States dollar (US$)

 

593.80

 

557.40

 

512.50

Argentine peso (AR$)

 

202.32

 

187.36

 

169.42

Brazilian real (BR$)

 

205.59

 

209.99

 

219.35

Peruvian sol (S$)

 

171.42

 

169.78

 

149.77

The net effect of foreign exchange translation in income is detailed in Note 4.

Convenience translation to US dollars

The financial statements are stated in Chilean pesos. The translations of Chilean pesos into US dollars are included solely for the convenience of the reader, using the observed exchange rate reported by the Chilean Central Bank as of December 31, 2005 of Ch$ 512.50 for US$ 1.00. The convenience translations should not be construed as representations that the Chilean peso amounts have been, could have been, or could in the future be, converted into US dollars at this or any other exchange rate.

d) Cash and cash equivalents

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,

   

2003

 

2004

 

2005

   

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Cash and Cash Equivalents

           

Cash

 

2,164,133

 

3,101,210

 

4,281,988

Time deposits (Note 5)

 

3,259,065

 

4,215,479

 

94,128

Mutual funds (Note 6)

 

333,460

 

46,092

 

150,000

Securities purchased under resell agreements (Note 9)

 

-

 

5,972,167

 

3,264,911

Total

 

5,756,658

 

13,334,948

 

7,791,027

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

e) Time deposits and marketable securities

Time deposits denominated in UF are stated at cost plus interest and 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.

f) Accounts receivable and allowance for accounts receivable

Accounts receivables are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Allowances are recorded at the end of each period for those balances considered to be of doubtful recovery based on an analysis of aging of balances and the evaluation of customers' financial standing.

g) Inventories

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. Reductions in inventory are valued using the weighted average method. The related obsolescence allowances have been presented as a deduction from inventories.

Inventories with a turnover exceeding one year are classified as Other long-term assets and are presented net of respective obsolescence allowances.

h) Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost plus price-level restatement. In accordance with instructions issued by the SVS, property, plant and equipment include also effects of the revaluation increment arising from the technical appraisals of certain assets which were carried out in 1979 and 1986.

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.

Property, plant and equipment are presented net of accumulated depreciation and impairment write-downs.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is determined using straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets. In accordance with Circular No. 1529 issued by the SVS depreciation amounts include respective portion of the technical appraisal revaluation.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

h) Property, plant and equipment, continued

The estimated useful lives of the principal categories of property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Estimated years of useful lives

Assets group

 

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

Depreciation of temporarily inactive property, plant and equipment is classified under other non-operating expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying amount of its property, plant and equipment in relation to the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets. An impairment loss is recognized in the event that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable, when compared to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected from its use and its eventual disposition. The Company has temporarily inactive or underutilized production facilities which are tested for impairment when the Company's management believes such underutilization constitutes a triggering event for the impairment test.

i) Investments in related companies

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 (loss) of each investee is recognized in the non-operating income or expense 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.

j) Other investments

Investments in equity instruments of entities in which the Company has not more than 20% of the voting stock and 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.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

k) Securities purchased under resell agreements

Securities purchased under resell agreements are valued at placement value plus accrued interest and indexation at year-end. These investments are presented in Other current assets.

l) Goodwill and negative goodwill

Prior to January 1, 2004, goodwill was recognized as 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. Chilean GAAP also provided at that time 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 No. 72 of the Chilean Association of Accountants, which prospectively changed the basis for determining amounts of goodwill and negative goodwill generated in transactions after January 1, 2004. This new standard requires allocation of the purchase price based on the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and identifiable liabilities assumed. Both goodwill and negative goodwill are amortized over the expected period of return of the investment that corresponds to a useful life of 5 to 20 years.

Goodwill and negative goodwill may also be recorded in the purchase of investments accounted for by the equity method.

m) Intangibles

Trademarks are recorded at historical cost plus price-level restatement, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period in which they are expected to benefit the Company; however no longer than 40 years in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 55 of the Chilean Association of Accountants.

n) Bonds payable

Bonds payable are included in liabilities at their par value plus accrued indexation 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. The amount of the interest recognized does not differ materially from amounts that would have been recognized under the effective rate method.

o) Staff severance indemnities

The Company has obligations for staff severance indemnities which are recognized using an accrued cost of the benefit method, i.e. calculating present value of the estimated future payments of the benefits and assuming real annual discount rates.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

p) Accrued vacation expense

The cost of employee vacations is recognized in the financial statements on an accrual basis.

q) Current and deferred income taxes

Current income tax provisions are recognized by the group companies on the basis of respective tax regulations in each jurisdiction where the Company operates.

The Company records income taxes in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 60 ("BT 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 of BT 60, 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.

r) Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognized when goods are delivered to customers or the services are rendered. Unearned revenues related to sales that the Company has invoiced and collected in advance is not recognized until the related goods are delivered.

s) Translation of foreign currency financial statements

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.

 

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

s) Translation of foreign currency financial statements, continued

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, except for such accounts that are calculated using historical rates (e.g. depreciation and amortization) 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.

Investments in foreign subsidiaries and equity method investees are price-level restated, the effects of which are reflected in income, while the effects of the foreign exchange gains or losses between the Chilean peso and the US dollar on the foreign investment measured in US dollars, are reflected in equity in Cumulative translation adjustment.

In addition as permitted by the Technical Bulletin No. 64, the Company designated certain debt instruments as hedges of net foreign investments. Exchange gains and losses resulting from translation of hedging instruments are recorded directly in Shareholders' equity in the Cumulative translation adjustment.

t) 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 and changes in the interest rates. 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 income.

u) Share issuance costs

The costs of stock issuance and placement related to capital increases have been recorded in Shareholders' equity under the caption Contributed surplus.

Note 2 - Summary of significant accounting policies, continued

v) Stock based compensation plans

Effective January 1, 2005 the company accounts for stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standard No. 2 Share-based payment, showing the effect of recording the fair value of the options granted as administrative and selling expenses on a straight-line basis over the period between the date of granting of these options to the date that these become vested.

With respect to compensation plans implemented prior to December 31, 2004, the Company did not record any effect at the time of granting the option and only recognized the eventual increase in capital once the respective options were exercised and the payment of the capital increase has been received in the amount represented by the option strike price. This accounting treatment was based on the provisions of International Accounting Standard No. 19, as Chilean GAAP had not established any rules on this subject.

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,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Property, plant and equipment, net

894,685

 

2,042,652

 

2,855,755

Inventories, net

2,396,509

 

555,064

 

504,536

Other current assets

(14,388)

 

213,858

 

313,691

Other assets

1,632,517

 

3,414,363

 

4,167,307

Other foreign currency denominated liabilities

(424,161)

 

(332,180)

 

(404,982)

Shareholders' equity, net

(1,295,828)

 

(3,914,094)

 

(5,619,968)

Income and expense accounts in constant Chilean pesos

as of year end as

278,249

 

(267,545)

 

(294,253)

Net adjustment of assets and liabilities indexed to UF

(1,310,786)

 

(2,401,877)

 

(3,521,915)

Price-level restatement, net

2,156,797

 

(689,759)

 

(1,999,829)

 

Note 4 - Foreign exchange differences

Foreign exchange differences are summarized as follows:

Credit (charge) as of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cash and short-term investments

(1,209,657)

 

(117,716)

 

(54,098)

Accounts receivable

(885,917)

 

(1,070,599)

 

(982,598)

Other assets

(1,382,557)

 

133,915

 

(271,836)

Bank loans

1,790,286

 

366,189

 

460,273

Other liabilities

(48,701)

 

591,856

 

841,480

Loss on hedging transactions

(1,495,073)

 

(989,397)

 

(1,828,477)

Translation adjustments in foreign subsidiaries, net

2,922,235

 

1,515,633

 

1,083,182

Net foreign exchange (losses) gains

(309,384)

 

429,881

 

(752,074)

Note 5 - Time deposits

Time deposits are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Time deposits in Chilean pesos

307,128

 

-

Time deposits in US dollars

3,908,351

 

-

Time deposits in other foreign currencies

-

 

94,128

Total time deposits

4,215,479

 

94,128

Note 6 - Marketable securities

Marketable securities are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Mutual funds

46,092

 

150,000

Total marketable securities

46,092

 

150,000

Note 7 - Accounts receivable

a) Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts, are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Trade accounts receivable

53,902,888

 

59,580,777

Allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable

(4,803,510)

 

(4,063,996)

Notes receivable

6,529,183

 

5,284,974

Allowance for doubtful notes receivables

(1,127,065)

 

(804,825)

Other accounts receivable

2,335,277

 

5,257,720

Allowance for doubtful other accounts

(172,729)

 

(3,340,215)

Total accounts receivable, net

56,664,044

 

61,914,435

b) Changes in short-term allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at the beginning of the year

11,594,255

 

10,881,513

 

6,103,304

Price-level restatement

(114,827)

 

(278,041)

 

(155,398)

Effect of devaluation of foreign currencies

(111,918)

 

(132,211)

 

(649,747)

Reclassification (to) from long-term (1)

-

 

(1,551,269)

 

3,184,963

Allowance established (released), net

10,047

 

(691,555)

 

141,576

Write-offs

(496,044)

 

(2,125,133)

 

(415,662)

Balance at the end of the year

10,881,513

 

6,103,304

 

8,209,036

(1) Amount was reclassified (to) from the long-term allowance consistent with the corresponding balance of account receivable that was reclassified (to) from the long-term.

  1. Changes in long-term allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:
 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at the beginning of year

2,402,440

 

1,748,353

 

3,299,622

Price-level restatement

582

 

-

 

(114,659)

Reclassification from (to) short term (1)

-

 

1,551,269

 

(3,184,963)

Charged to expenses

(654,669)

 

-

 

-

Balance at the end of year

1,748,353

 

3,299,622

 

-

(1) Amount was reclassified to (from) the short-term allowance for doubtful accounts consistent with the corresponding balance of account receivable that was reclassified to (from) the short-term.

Note 8 - Inventories

a) Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Raw materials

22,559,919

 

21,390,152

Finished goods

20,420,132

 

27,203,872

Work-in-progress

17,787,516

 

16,308,489

Consumable materials

7,524,783

 

6,137,243

Supplies in transit

3,524,986

 

3,172,684

Supplies

4,505,593

 

2,855,298

Sub-total

76,322,929

 

77,067,738

Allowance for obsolescence

(3,024,170)

 

(2,774,677)

Inventories, net

73,298,759

 

74,293,061

b) Changes in the allowance for obsolescence for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Balance at beginning of year

4,600,029

 

4,039,768

 

3,024,170

Price-level restatement

(45,556)

 

(98,531)

 

(105,087)

Effect of devaluation of foreign currencies

(40,982)

 

(2,674)

 

(45,020)

Reclassification

427,900

 

-

 

-

Allowance established

398,092

 

363,970

 

288,131

Allowance released (1)

(860,289)

(1,225,374)

(255,296)

Write-offs

(439,426)

 

(52,989)

 

(132,221)

Balance at end of year

4,039,768

 

3,024,170

 

2,774,677

  1. Corresponds to the reversal of the allowance for obsolescence previously recorded for slow moving inventories that have been sold during the period. Such reversal is recognized as an adjustment to the cost basis of the item sold.

Note 9 - Other current assets

Other current assets are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Securities purchased under resell agreements (3)

5,972,167

 

3,264,911

Deposit in guarantee (1)

277,998

 

714,784

Property, plant and equipment to be disposed of, net (2) (Note 10a)

4,968,553

 

2,913,535

Discount on bond issuance

153,952

 

154,246

Other

117,469

 

228,329

Total

11,490,139

 

7,275,805

(1) Relates to time deposits held in custody as a result of the sale of a plant by the subsidiary Alufoil S.A., which is being registered in the property register.

(2) Shown net of allowances for adjustments to realization value of ThCh$ 1,124,091 as of December 31, 2005 (ThCh$ 2,005,038 as of December 31, 2004).

(3) Details provided in the table below.

Note 9 - Other current assets, continued

The detail of securities purchased under resell agreements to resell as of December 31, 2004 is as follows:

Original

Transaction

Interest

Final

Market

Purchase Date

Maturity Date

Counterpart

currency

amount

rate

value

Description of Instrument

value

 

 

 

ThCh$

%

ThCh$

ThCh$

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

4,138

3.00

4,142

Non-indexed promissory note

4,141

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

102

3.00

102

Non-indexed promissory note

102

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

455,634

3.00

456,051

Non-indexed promissory note

455,937

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

107,305

3.00

107,403

Non-indexed promissory note

107,376

December 23, 2004

January 3, 2005

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

220,182

3.00

220,384

Non-indexed promissory note

220,329

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

89

2.88

89

Non-indexed promissory note

89

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

8,341

2.88

8,346

Non-indexed promissory note

8,344

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

94,327

2.88

94,380

Non-indexed promissory note

94,357

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

173,537

2.88

173,635

Non-indexed promissory note

173,593

December 27, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

759,706

2.88

760,132

Non-indexed promissory note

759,950

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

1,169

3.12

1,170

Non-indexed promissory note

1,170

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

1,670

3.12

1,672

Non-indexed promissory note

1,672

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

6,407

3.12

6,415

Non-indexed promissory note

6,413

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

12,860

3.12

12,875

Non-indexed promissory note

12,872

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

15,214

3.12

15,232

Non-indexed promissory note

15,228

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

19,220

3.12

19,244

Non-indexed promissory note

19,239

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

137,278

3.12

137,445

Non-indexed promissory note

137,409

December 20, 2004

January 3, 2005

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

3,950,183

3.12

3,954,974

Non-indexed promissory note

3,953,946

 

 

 

 

Total

5,972,167

Note 9 - Other current assets, continued

The detail of securities purchased under resell agreements to resell as of December 31, 2005 is as follows:

Original

Transaction

Interest

Final

Market

Purchase Date

Maturity Date

Counterpart

currency

amount

rate

value

Description of Instrument

value

 

 

 

ThCh$

%

ThCh$

ThCh$

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

2,138

5.52

2,140

Non-indexed promissory note

2,139

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

2,617

5.52

2,619

Non-indexed promissory note

2,619

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

2,093

5.52

2,095

Non-indexed promissory note

2,094

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

2,172

5.52

2,174

Non-indexed promissory note

2,173

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

31,494

5.52

31,523

Non-indexed promissory note

31,513

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

1,414

5.52

1,415

Non-indexed promissory note

1,414

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

606,134

5.52

606,692

Non-indexed promissory note

606,508

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

51,144

5.52

51,191

Non-indexed promissory note

51,175

December 27, 2005

January 7, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

100,794

5.52

100,887

Non-indexed promissory note

100,856

December 30, 2005

January 2, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

677,262

3.6

677,465

Non-indexed promissory note

677,331

December 30, 2005

January 2, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

2,738

3.6

2,739

Non-indexed promissory note

2,738

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

BBVA, Corredores de Bolsa BHIF S.A.

Ch$

104,045

5.4

104,123

Non-indexed promissory note

104,091

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

100,796

5.4

100,872

Non-indexed promissory note

100,842

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

119,513

5.4

119,603

Non-indexed promissory note

119,567

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

140,663

5.4

140,767

Non-indexed promissory note

140,725

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

35,430

5.4

35,457

Non-indexed promissory note

35,446

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

9,652

5.4

9,659

Non-indexed promissory note

9,656

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

66,451

5.4

66,501

Non-indexed promissory note

66,481

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

48,203

5.4

48,240

Non-indexed promissory note

48,225

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

71,368

5.4

71,422

Non-indexed promissory note

71,400

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

27,567

5.4

27,588

Non-indexed promissory note

27,579

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

16,958

5.4

16,971

Non-indexed promissory note

16,966

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

14,101

5.4

14,112

Non-indexed promissory note

14,108

December 28, 2005

January 2, 2006

Valores Security S.A. Corredores de Bolsa

Ch$

45,253

5.4

45,287

Non-indexed promissory note

45,273

December 30, 2005

January 9, 2006

BANCHILE, Corredores de Bolsa S.A.

Ch$

186,000

5.04

186,260

Non-indexed promissory note

186,026

December 28, 2005

January 10, 2006

Banco de Chile S.A.

Ch$

400,800

4.32

401,425

Non-indexed promissory note

400,918

December 30, 2005

January 6, 2006

Banco de Chile S.A.

Ch$

282,000

4.32

282,236

Non-indexed promissory Note

282,034

December 30, 2005

January 6, 2006

Banco Security S.A.

Ch$

45,000

3.96

45,034

Non-indexed promissory Note

45,005

December 30, 2005

January 6, 2006

Banco Security S.A.

Ch$

70,000

3.96

70,054

Non-indexed promissory Note

70,009

 

 

 

 

Total

3,264,911

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are presented net of write-downs of ThCh$ 1,591,026 and ThCh$ 1,911,072 as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and are summarized as follows:

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Land

10,454,397

 

10,239,855

Buildings and Infrastructure

     

Buildings and infrastructure

55,361,282

 

50,790,008

Accumulated depreciation

(16,766,018)

 

(17,072,851)

Subtotal buildings and infrastructure, net

38,595,264

 

33,717,157

Machinery and Equipment

     

Machinery and equipment

209,338,022

 

205,943,256

Accumulated depreciation

(130,323,960)

 

(130,249,767)

Subtotal machinery and equipment, net

79,014,062

 

75,693,489

Other Property, Plant and Equipment

     

Leased assets

14,901,965

 

13,806,546

Furniture and fixtures

5,180,452

 

4,807,160

Office equipment

5,488,511

 

6,750,423

Tools and others

2,169,617

 

2,086,468

Other property, plant and equipment

2,723,898

 

2,379,478

Accumulated depreciation (1)

(12,818,743)

 

(12,724,996)

Subtotal other property, plant and equipment, net

17,645,700

 

17,105,079

Revaluation from technical appraisals

     

Land

3,184,014

 

3,002,238

Buildings and infrastructure

9,718,776

 

7,983,755

Machinery and equipment

2,209,273

 

2,193,943

Accumulated depreciation

(5,144,953)

 

(5,071,488)

Subtotal revaluation from technical appraisals, net

9,967,110

 

8,108,448

Total property, plant and equipment, net

155,676,533

 

144,864,028

(1) The total accumulated depreciation includes accumulated depreciation of leased assets of ThCh$ 1,287,723 and ThCh$ 1,376,076 as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

Depreciation expense is summarized as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

Included within the following income statement caption:

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cost of sales

11,147,142

 

10,619,811

 

10,606,468

Administrative and selling expenses

610,725

 

553,385

 

636,778

Sub total

11,757,867

 

11,173,196

 

11,243,246

           

Non-operating expense

1,912,154

 

2,232,564

 

1,335,417

Total

13,670,021

 

13,405,760

 

12,578,663

No financing costs were capitalized to property, plant and equipment during 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Company recorded impairment losses related to its property, plant and equipment amounting to ThCh$ 2,306,690, ThCh$ 472,660 and ThCh$ 240,944 during 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

 

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

a) Assets to be disposed of

Property, plant and equipment to be disposed of consist mainly of land and buildings which are not in Madeco's core business. The Company is in the process of disposing those assets normally by sale taking decision about selling based on the real estate market conditions.

As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, the detail of property, plant and equipment held for sale, after adjustments to net realizable value was as follows:

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Land and building at Vicuña Mackenna 2935 - 2858 (Chile)

1,349,906

 

1,302,999

Land at Vicuña Mackenna 4665 (Chile)

954,664

 

-

Land and building at Ureta Cox 723 (Chile)

25,757

 

-

Building Andrés Bello (Chile)

17,219

 

17,253

Building Vitacura (Chile)

1,002,856

 

1,004,775

Carampangue 1620 plant (Chile)

814,594

 

-

Machinery and equipment (Chile)

103,038

 

-

Land in Lincoln (Santiago, Chile)

49,740

 

14,803

Other

650,779

 

573,705

Subtotal current assets (Note 9)

4,968,553

 

2,913,535

       

Santa Marta plant (Chile)

1,733,557

 

1,673,318

Land at Vicuña Mackenna 4665 (Chile)

-

 

961,128

Land and building at Ureta Cox 723 (Chile)

-

 

27,757

Land and building at Lomas de Zamora (Argentina)

3,639,874

 

1,181,704

San Luis plant (Argentina)

237,691

 

210,950

Land at Via Matoim 902 (Aratú plant) (Brazil)

539,261

 

1,103,938

Fiber optic machinery and equipment of Optel Ltda. (Brazil)

-

 

1,965,614

Carampangue 1620 plant (Chile)

-

 

808,129

Land and building Aisén 244 (Chile)

986,742

 

-

Other

72,104

 

549,250

Subtotal non-current assets (Note 13)

7,209,229

 

8,479,788

Total property, plant and equipment to be disposed of, net

12,177,782

 

11,393,323

Property, plant and equipment to be disposed of are shown adjusted to reflect their net realizable values. Such allowances (write-downs) amounted to ThCh$ 2,005,038 as of December 31, 2004 and ThCh$ 1,124,091 as of December 31, 2005.

During 2005, the Company restarted the operations of its Lomas de Zamora plant in Argentina that was out of service and classified as held-for-sale before. Consequently, certain assets amounting to ThCh$ 2,048,675 were reclassified from Other assets back to Property, plant and equipment.

During 2005, the assets related to the plant at Vicuña Mackenna Street 4665 and Carampangue Street 1620 (both in Santiago, Chile) were reclassified from current to non-current assets.

 

Note 10 - Property, plant and equipment, continued

In December 2005, certain inactive property, plant and equipment of the Aratú plant of the subsidiary Ficap amounting to ThCh$ 652,925 were reclassified from Property, plant and equipment to Other non-current assets.

During 2005 the Company acquired the remaining 50% of Optel Ltda. (see Note 11). Assets acquired included among others certain machinery and equipment for manufacturing optic fiber cables amounting to ThCh$ 1,965,614 and that were classified to Other non-current assets.

In March 2005, the subsidiary Indalum S.A. sold its property at Aysén Street 244 for ThCh$ 946,422, generating a gain on sale of ThCh$ 91,467 which was recorded in Other non-operating income.

During the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company recorded charges for impairment (realization values) related to its property, plant and equipment to be disposed of, amounting to ThCh$ 644,339, ThCh$ 407,796 and ThCh$ 242,365, respectively.

b) Leaseback transactions

In connection with the restructuring of its liabilities, on March 30, 2001, the subsidiary Alusa S.A., entered into a sale and leaseback contract for certain assets located in Quilicura (Santiago, Chile) with Corpbanca. The main features of the contract are as follows:

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 : 6.53% semiannual (variable)

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. that later changed its name to Optel Argentina S.A.

 

 

 

 

Note 11 - Investments in related companies, continued

In 2002 the Company filed an arbitration claim with American Arbitration Association in New York 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, the Company lost certain rights regarding the appointment of Optel Ltda.'s management and the Company was required to initiate the liquidation of Optel Ltda. as demanded by Corning.

Consequently, the Company deconsolidated Optel Ltda. as of the date of arbitration and also recorded in December 2003 a provision for impairment of ThCh$ 5,221,877 for its entire equity participation in Optel Ltda. and the expected costs related to the litigation with Corning and the forced liquidation of Optel Ltda.

On March 31, 2005, Madeco S.A., through its indirect subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda., signed an agreement with Corning whereby it acquired, for a nominal price of one Brazilian Real, the 50% holding of Corning Inc. in Optel Ltda., thus resolving the effects of the arbitration sentence given by American Arbitration Association.

As a result, since April 1, 2005 Optel Ltda. has been included in the consolidated financial statements of Madeco S.A.

The participation owned and carrying values of investments in related companies as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

 

Percentage owned

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

%

 

%

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Related company

             

Peruplast S.A.

25.00%

 

25.00%

 

3,799,278

 

3,578,468

Tech Pak S.A.

25.61%

 

25.61%

 

2,604,450

 

2,370,390

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

41.00%

 

41.00%

 

1,480,087

 

1,480,894

Cobrecon Peru S.A.

33.33%

 

33.33%

 

682,782

 

631,076

Total

       

8,566,597

 

8,060,828

 

 

Note 11 - Investments in related companies, continued

The Company's equity participation in the net income (loss) of the investees is as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Related company

         

Proportional share in equity of net income:

         

Peruplast S.A.

40,838

 

-

 

199,037

Tech Pak S.A.

-

 

20,171

 

56,121

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

-

 

426

 

808

Cobrecon Peru S.A.

-

 

-

 

25,108

Subtotal

40,838

 

20,597

 

281,074

Proportional share in equity of net loss:

-

 

-

 

-

Peruplast S.A.

-

 

(21,801)

 

-

Tech Pak S.A.

(51,848)

 

-

 

-

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

(20,406)

 

-

 

-

Cobrecon Peru S.A.

(2,173)

 

(22,637)

 

-

Subtotal

(74,427)

 

(44,438)

 

-

Total

(33,589)

 

(23,841)

 

281,074

Note 12 - Goodwill and Negative goodwill

a) Goodwill as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 and related amortization charges in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

Amortization for the year ended December 31,

Net Balance as of December 31,

Company

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

                   

Alumco S.A.

85,691

 

85,695

 

85,692

 

867,091

 

781,399

Alupack S.A. (1).

5,861

 

5,861

 

10,452

 

52,261

 

41,809

Ficap S.A.

1,627,180

 

1,490,179

 

1,322,530

 

18,875,599

 

15,429,517

Indeco S.A.

167,233

 

153,151

 

135,924

 

2,020,647

 

1,657,367

Peruplast S.A.

20,745

 

18,998

 

16,861

 

213,731

 

172,824

Tech Pak S.A.

10,462

 

9,583

 

8,505

 

107,803

 

87,171

Vigaflex S.A.(1)

40,675

 

40,674

 

79,993

 

399,965

 

319,973

Total

1,957,847

 

1,804,141

 

1,659,957

 

22,537,097

 

18,490,060

  1. Effective January 1, 2005, the amortization period of goodwill was changed from 10 to 5 years. The change resulted in an additional charge to income of ThCh$ 43,910 for the year ended December 31, 2005. All other amortization periods remained unchanged and amount to 20 years.

 

Note 12 - Goodwill and Negative goodwill, continued

b) Negative goodwill as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 and related amortization in the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

 

Amortization for the year ended December 31,

 

Net Balance as of December 31,

Company

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

                   

Optel Brasil Ltda.

-

 

-

 

19,098

 

-

 

490,183

Emaplast S.A.

59,434

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Total

59,434

 

-

 

19,098

 

-

 

490,183

Note 13 - Other non-current assets

Other non-current assets are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Recoverable tax incentives in Argentina (1)

497,607

 

337,014

Discount on bond issuance

915,156

 

762,663

Property, plant and equipment to be disposed of (held-for-sale), net (2)

7,209,229

 

8,479,788

Lawsuit deposits

463,220

 

788,556

Recoverable VAT in Argentina

311,719

 

219,707

Inventories, net (3)

269,987

 

293,694

Other ....

88,485

 

226,633

Total other non-current assets

9,755,403

 

11,108,055

  1. These amounts are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of ThCh$ 1,638,716 as of December 31, 2005 (ThCh$ 1,374,678 as of December 31, 2004).
  2. These amounts are presented net of realization adjustments of ThCh$ 4,806,992 as of December 31, 2005 (ThCh$ 5,006,567 as of December 31, 2004).
  3. These inventories have a rotation of more than one year and are presented at net realizable values.

 

 

Note 14 - Short-term bank loans

a) Short-term bank loans are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Payable in:

     

Chilean pesos

1,288,022

 

5,669,895

United States dollars

11,166,614

 

13,034,052

Loans in Euros

-

 

77,449

Other foreign currencies

5,789,755

 

5,647,324

Total short-term bank loans

18,244,391

 

24,428,720

Total outstanding principal

18,048,126

 

20,189,596

 

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

%

 

%

       

Year-end weighted average interest rates:

     

Loans in Chilean pesos

3.86

 

6.78

Loans in United States dollars

4.08

 

5.26

Loans in Euros

-

 

3.22

Loans in other foreign currencies

21.19

 

14.02

Weighted average annual interest rate %

9.42

 

6.33

b) Current portion of long-term liabilities is summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Payable in:

     

Chilean pesos

267,729

 

283,348

Inflation-linked units (UF)

3,234,488

 

2,197,407

United States dollars

495,828

 

33,408

Other foreign currencies

1,062,641

 

-

Total current portion of long-term bank loans

5,060,686

 

2,514,163

Total outstanding principal

4,335,635

 

2,440,884

Average annual interest rate %

6.16

 

7.20

 

 

 

Note 15 - Accrued liabilities and provisions

a) Current accrued liabilities and provisions are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Accrued employee vacation expenses

1,625,240

 

1,684,331

Provisions for pending lawsuits (1)

1,572,878

 

-

Remuneration and consulting services

1,062,990

 

1,453,230

Staff severance indemnities

999,745

 

959,032

Project expenses, suppliers and other

889,796

 

473,470

Municipal taxes and others

577,566

 

842,447

Freight

465,896

 

319,153

Provisions for the liquidation of Optel Brazil

445,695

 

-

Electricity consumed and other basic services

354,669

 

805,247

Import and export costs

156,366

 

136,073

Legal fees

26,781

 

-

Lawsuits pending (Argentina)

-

 

267,155

Others

513,418

 

231,164

Total current accrued liabilities and provisions

8,691,040

 

7,171,302

b) Long-term accrued liabilities and provisions are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Staff severance indemnities

942,887

 

866,013

Provisions for pending lawsuits (1)

1,661,791

 

1,559,720

Municipal taxes and others

411,005

 

615,578

Customs obligations

-

 

865,892

Other

188,886

 

53,388

Total long-term accrued liabilities and provisions

3,204,569

 

3,960,591

  1. This item includes mainly provision for pending lawsuits and unpaid settlements with current and former employees. Part of this obligation that relates to current employees will be paid at their retirement, while semi-annual payments were made to satisfy former employees. The fourth and final payment to former employees was made during 2005. The long-term liability related to current employees is stated at present value applying an annual discount rate of 7% and considering the years remaining to retirement dates.

 

 

Note 16 - Staff severance indemnities

Staff severance indemnities are presented as described in Note 2 o) and are summarized as follow:

As of December 31,

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

Balance at the beginning of period

1,803,760

1,942,632

Price-level restatement

(13,086)

44,806

Provisions established

1,376,495

1,850,006

Payments during the period

(1,224,537)

(2,012,399)

Balance at the period-end

1,942,632

1,825,045

Presented in balance sheet in:

Current liabilities - accrued liabilities and provisions

999,745

959,032

Long-term liabilities - accrued liabilities and provisions

942,887

866,013

Total

1,942,632

1,825,045

 

Note 17 - Long-term debt and bonds payable

a) Long-term liabilities with banks and financial institutions as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 are as follows:

Average

Total

Total

Bank

Currency or

annual

More than 1

More than 2

More than 3

More than

as of December

as of December

or financial institution

indexation

interest rate

up to 2 years

up to 3 years

up to 5 years

5 years

31, 2005

31, 2004

%

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Banks in Chile

Banco Estado de Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

7.33

269,622

877,073

506,742

-

1,653,437

7,857,196

Citibank

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

6,036,827

CorpBanca

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

2,760,723

CorpBanca

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

847,956

Banco de Crédito e Inversiones

Indexed Chilean Pesos

7.11

231,388

231,388

115,694

-

578,470

9,560,104

BICE

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

3,521,480

Bank Boston

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

4,378,578

Banco de Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

7.40

1,146,694

539,244

347,082

-

2,033,020

6,888,044

Banco del Desarrollo

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

3,521,480

Dresdner Banque

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

1,360,577

Bank of America

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

2,151,208

Banco Santander Chile

Indexed Chilean Pesos

-

-

-

-

-

7,255,625

Scotiabank

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

2,509,747

Banco Security

Chilean Pesos

6.02

749,542

-

-

-

749,542

1,036,562

Banco Security

Indexed Chilean Pesos

4.76

1,128,159

1,128,159

3,011,207

-

5,267,525

1,727,764

Banks in Argentina:

Bank Boston

US dollars

6.16

3,331,250

-

-

-

3,331,250

3,753,532

Banks in Brazil:

Banco Itaú

Other currency

19.37

-

5,885,348

-

-

5,885,348

-

Itaú Finame

Other currency

20.75

963,665

-

-

-

963,665

-

ABN AMRO Bank

Other currency

20.5

1,447,093

-

-

-

1,447,093

-

Sudameris

US dollars

4.45

516,808

-

-

-

516,808

-

Unibanco

US dollars

1.00

1,015,898

-

-

-

1,015,898

-

Unibanco

Other currency

22.55

1,176,272

-

-

-

1,176,272

-

Banks in other countries:

BankBoston - Cayman Islands

US dollars

-

-

-

-

-

-

2,689,011

 Total

 

 

11,976,391

8,661,212

3,980,725

-

24,618,328

67,856,414

Note 17 - Long-term debt and bonds payable, continued

b) Bonds have been issued and are payable by the following Group companies:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

     

Madeco

32,385,874

 

28,462,633

Total

32,385,874

 

28,462,633

Less: Current portion

(4,059,239)

 

(4,254,251)

Long-term portion

28,326,635

 

24,208,382

Madeco S.A. issued the bonds in December 2004 under the following terms:

Amount issued : UF 1,800,000 composed of 360 Series D bonds of UF 5,000 each.

Term : Seven years.

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.

The scheduled principal payments on long-term debt and bonds payable at December 31, 2005 are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2005

 

ThCh$

Principal payments during the fiscal years ending December 31,

 

2006

7,178,232

2007

17,586,111

2008

13,716,553

2009

7,305,551

2010

7,567,135

2011 and thereafter

8,775,873

Total

62,129,455

Note 18 - Miscellaneous payables

Miscellaneous long-term payables as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 are summarized as follows:

As of December 31,

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

Customs duty

26,101

-

Capital lease obligations

6,153,919

5,532,453

Total

6,180,020

5,532,453

Note 19 - Income taxes and other taxes

a) Net recoverable taxes are summarized as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Income taxes payable

(2,031,326)

 

(3,077,290)

Monthly income tax payments

1,153,663

 

1,334,133

Other credits against income taxes

4,208,110

 

7,789,786

Other recoverable taxes (1)

278,922

 

196,116

Recoverable income taxes, net

3,609,369

 

6,242,745

  1. The balance of other recoverable taxes is shown net of a allowance for unrecoverable taxes in Uruguay and Argentina for ThCh$ 298,099 as of December 31, 2005 (ThCh$ 307,112 as of December 31, 2004).

b) The net income tax charge to the consolidated statement of income for each year is summarized as follows:

 

For the year ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Current year provision for income tax

(683,408)

 

(1,992,504)

 

(3,032,664)

Income tax from previous year

14,525

 

(50,969)

 

1,524,570

Deferred income tax

(107,883)

 

(1,718,025)

 

(1,834,931)

Tax benefit from (use of) tax loss carry forwards

7,227,729

 

4,930,676

 

2,579,224

Amortization of complementary accounts

205,336

 

2,278,669

 

954,309

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

(8,272,440)

 

(4,507,127)

 

(1,930,932)

Other

(74,841)

 

(538,487)

 

273,664

Net income tax expense

(1,690,982)

 

(1,597,767)

 

(1,466,780)

The income tax provision has been determined based on current tax laws in each country in which the Company operates.

 

Note 19 - Income taxes and other taxes, continued

c) Deferred income taxes

 

As of December 31,

 

Current portion

 

Long-term portion

Timing differences

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

               

Accrued vacation expense

113,875

 

122,663

 

-

 

11,177

Unearned revenues

-

 

10,013

 

-

 

-

Allowance for doubtful accounts

522,708

 

370,607

 

1,026,261

 

788,238

Allowance for obsolescence of inventories

525,331

 

644,268

 

187,020

 

91,386

Property, plant and equipment held for sale

184,413

 

28,557

 

56,574

 

41,515

Write-downs of property, plant and equipment

-

 

20,469

 

311,344

 

188,981

Impairment of investment in Brazil

8,172,660

 

6,943,427

 

-

 

-

Allowances for other current and long-term receivables

-

 

575,198

 

1,113,511

 

405,051

Adjustment to realization value of property, plant and equipment

-

 

-

 

64,713

 

54,607

Deferred foreign currency exchange differences

-

 

303,265

 

527,116

 

140,786

Other provisions

752,808

 

404,533

 

749,605

 

609,314

Property, plant and equipment in leasing

-

 

-

 

(3,213,187)

 

(3,324,704)

Accelerated depreciation of property, plant and equipment

-

 

-

 

(4,128,690)

 

(3,305,824)

Staff severance indemnities

-

 

-

 

(565,062)

 

(537,728)

Production costs

(502,641)

 

(511,547)

 

-

 

-

Negotiation of bonds

(36,134)

 

(14,547)

 

(1,057)

 

-

Bond issuance costs

-

 

-

 

(181,749)

 

(155,873)

Other

(12,905)

 

(2,274)

 

(134,551)

 

(143,489)

Subtotal

9,720,115

 

8,894,632

 

(4,188,152)

 

(5,136,563)

Complementary accounts, net of amortization

-

 

-

 

3,010,235

 

4,062,489

Valuation allowance

(10,796,140)

 

(9,041,987)

 

(19,146,821)

 

(21,448,718)

Tax loss carry forwards

3,680,575

 

3,473,741

 

20,637,338

 

22,175,204

Total deferred income taxes, net

2,604,550

3,326,386

312,600

(347,588)

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity

a) The changes in Shareholders' equity during each of the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 in historical Chilean pesos 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, 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, 2005 constant pesos

-

 

199,602,291

 

35,473,958

 

9,835,810

 

12,767,968

 

(83,206,307)

 

(17,770,179)

 

156,703,541

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

Restatement of December 31, 2004 balances to December 31, 2005 constant pesos

-

 

205,638,326

 

39,843,179

 

9,835,813

 

1,059,343

 

(100,976,484)

 

8,818,812

 

164,218,989

Balances as of January 1, 2005

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

Allocation of 2004 net income

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8,512,367

 

(8,512,367)

 

-

Capital increase

907,197,242

 

44,017,210

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

44,017,210

Share issuance expenses

-

 

-

 

(774,759)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(774,759)

Stock options issued

-

 

-

 

-

 

263,500

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

263,500

Reclassification of capital increase year

-

 

(195,111)

 

195,111

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

Price-level restatement of equity accounts

-

 

7,057,699

 

1,386,063

 

341,785

 

36,810

 

(3,202,389)

 

-

 

5,619,968

Cumulative translation adjustments, net

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(14,272,719)

 

-

 

-

 

(14,272,719)

Net income for the year

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

12,014,323

 

12,014,323

Balances as of December 31, 2005

5,348,390,129

 

249,372,391

 

39,265,083

 

10,099,313

 

(13,213,377)

 

(92,157,672)

 

12,014,323

 

205,380,061

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

b) Dividends

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.

There are no additional restrictions on the payments of dividends under the terms of the various loan agreements with banks and other financial institutions.

c) Cumulative translation adjustment

Certain US 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 adjustment account. The detail of the cumulative translation adjustment for foreign currency gains and losses on liabilities and net investments measured in currencies other than the Chilean peso as of December 31, of each year are as follows:

(Charges) / credits for the year ended December 31,

Balance as of

December 31,

Item

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

                   

Alusa S.A.

(3,478,017)

 

(1,373,904)

 

(1,715,559)

 

(976,640)

 

(2,692,199)

Comercial Madeco S.A. (Argentina).

(6,190)

 

(108,980)

 

(132,134)

 

(112,365)

 

(244,499)

Indeco S.A. (Peru).

(4,280,869)

 

(1,545,068)

 

(2,177,240)

 

488,215

 

(1,689,025)

Metalúrgica e Industrial S.A. (Argentina).

(449,746)

 

(660,613)

 

(409,847)

 

10,642,283

 

10,232,436

Metal Overseas S.A. (Cayman Islands).

(19,654,916)

 

(7,028,124)

 

(8,536,511)

 

8,235,623

 

(300,888)

Indalum S.A.

-

 

-

 

(164,479)

 

166,402

 

1,923

Decker-Indelqui S.A. (Argentina)

(4,423,167)

 

(1,039,302)

 

(1,058,505)

 

272,547

 

(785,958)

Indeco S.A. goodwill (Peru).

(564,815)

 

(199,851)

 

(227,327)

 

136,960

 

(90,367)

Exchange gain (loss) on debt .

597,273

 

247,218

 

148,883

 

(17,793,682)

 

(17,644,800)

Total

(32,260,447)

 

(11,708,624)

 

(14,272,719)

 

1,059,343

 

(13,213,377)

d) Capital increases

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

(3) 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.

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

d) Capital increases, continued

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) On November 25, 2005 907,197,242 shares were subscribed and paid for a total of ThCh$ 44,017,210 at a value of Ch$ 48.52 per share.

e) Contributed surplus

The detail of contributed surplus in historic values is as follows:

 

For years ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Issuance of shares registered under the number 679 of the SVS

28,251,570

 

3,196,005

 

-

Issuance of shares registered under the number 684 of the SVS

-

 

1,092,887

 

-

Issuance of shares in 2005

-

 

-

 

195,111

Share issuance costs (Note 2 u))

(882,608)

 

(113,944)

 

(774,759)

Total

27,368,962

 

4,174,948

 

(579,648)

f) Stock 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 allocated to a capital increase for that purpose.

On April 3, 2003, at an Extraordinary Board of Directors meeting, it was agreed 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 shares 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 v) 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 allocated shares, setting a price of Ch$ 60 per share.

 

 

 

Note 20 - Shareholders' equity, continued

f) Stock options for the compensation plans, continued

On January 25, 2005, the Board of Directors granted a group of executives an option to subscribe for a total of 130,000,000 shares of the total shares issued for this purpose at a price of Ch$ 60 per share. This was formalized on May 20, 2005 through the signing of share subscription contracts which include the following terms:

- The first share subscription could have been exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2005.

- The second share subscription may have been exercised between September 30 and November 30, 2006.

- The beneficiary must have been an employee of Madeco on the date the right to exercise the option begins, i.e. September 30, 2005 and 2006 respectively.

- The option was transferable only between September 30 and November 30, 2005 and 2006 (the periods for exercising the respective options).

- Should the controller sell a third of its control of Madeco, the beneficiaries had the right to exercise the option within 60 days of the sale date.

- In the event of the death of the beneficiary prior to September 30, 2005, the right to subscribe would have been extinguished should the death have occurred after October 1, 2005, the heirs would have had the option to subscribe and pay for the respective shares within 6 months of the date of death.

- The option could have been exercised for all or part of the shares and must be paid for in cash.

- While the shares remain un-subscribed, they grant no economic or voting rights in the company and would not have been considered for quorum purposes at shareholders' meetings.

Theses options were recorded at the date of grant at their fair value of ThCh$ 263,500 determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton model. Volatility was estimated using historical data as it was not possible to estimate empirically in the absence of a market for these options. The fair value determined was to be amortized on a straight line basis as a charge to remunerations cost and credit to Other reserves in Shareholders' equity over the period between the granting of the options and the date that these became vested.

On August 31, 2005, the share subscription contracts signed on May 20, 2005 between Madeco S.A. and its executives were cancelled. The unamortized amount of the stock options was fully charged to income for the year.

 

Note 21 - Foreign currency, UF indexed and CPI restated assets and liabilities

Balances denominated or measured in foreign currencies (principally US dollars) at December 31, 2004 and 2005 are included in these financial statements in thousands of Chilean pesos equivalents as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Assets

     

Cash and time deposits

6,541,199

 

3,984,089

Accounts receivable, net

35,855,167

 

42,952,795

Inventories, net

31,492,907

 

33,471,736

Other current assets

4,670,141

 

4,559,652

Property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary assets

113,952,610

 

102,650,171

Other monetary assets

456,787

 

305,078

Total assets

192,968,811

 

187,923,521

Liabilities

     

Short-term bank loans and current portion of long-term liabilities

18,516,820

 

18,794,138

Accounts and notes payable

17,693,023

 

12,624,463

Other current liabilities

5,761,872

 

7,536,957

Long-term debt

19,280,006

 

15,169,430

Other long-term liabilities

1,345,596

 

2,455,485

Total liabilities

62,597,317

 

56,580,473

Net asset position

130,371,494

 

131,343,048

The inventories, property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary asset balances presented above relate to assets of foreign investments for which the financial statements are translated to US dollars in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 64 as described in Note 2 s). Accordingly, from an accounting perspective only, there is an exposure to changes in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Chilean peso.

Balances denominated in UFs or indexed based on variations in Chilean CPI are included in the financial statements as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Assets

     

Time deposits and marketable securities

821,581

 

542,027

Accounts receivable, net

21,965,590

 

19,903,295

Inventories, net

41,805,852

 

40,821,325

Other current assets

13,550,895

 

12,687,455

Property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary assets

83,795,244

 

82,417,835

Other assets

347,067

 

42,224

Total assets

162,286,229

 

156,414,161

Liabilities

     

Short-term bank loans and current portion of long-term liabilities

5,726,411

8,558,563

Bonds payable

4,059,239

 

4,254,251

Accounts and notes payable

7,904,990

 

13,849,476

Other current liabilities

6,241,254

 

3,873,549

Long-term debt

91,943,770

 

39,781,793

Other long-term liabilities

1,858,973

 

1,852,694

Total liabilities

117,734,637

 

72,170,326

Net asset position in UF or indexed to Chilean CPI

44,551,592

 

84,243,835

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies

The Company and its subsidiaries are party to various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management and its legal advisers consider it unlikely that any losses associated with the pending lawsuits described below 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.

Madeco S.A.

a) Debt covenants

Madeco S.A. is subject to certain financial covenants and restrictions as of December 31, 2005, the most restrictive of which are the following:

a.1) Bonds Series D:

The Company is obliged to:

  • Maintain a current ratio of greater than 1.0.
  • Maintain minimum shareholders' equity equivalent to UF 7 million.
  • Maintain 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.
  • Quiñenco S.A. has 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.

a.2) Bank loans:

On September 5, 2005, the Company prepaid the whole outstanding amount of the debt resulting from loan restructuring agreements signed with financing banks on December 18, 2002. The Company obtained the funds necessary to repay the debt based on a short-term loan agreement with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Chile. In accordance with that loan agreement the Company is obliged to:

- Maintain its ownership of the following subsidiaries and their respective essential assets: Alusa S.A., Indalum S.A., Ficap S.A. and Indeco S.A.

- Grant an exclusive mandate to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, Chile, to structure the refinancing of the loan on market conditions should it not be possible to repay the bridge financing on maturity, i.e. June 30, 2006.

The Company is also not allowed to:

- Sign liquidation, dissolution or division agreements without the prior consent of the Bank.

- Change the nature of its principal business line.

- Give present or future creditors collateral that impairs the Bank's position with respect to those creditors.

On December 5, 2005, the Company repaid part of the loan due to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria and the remaining debt was redenominated from UF to Ch$. The total amount outstanding at December 31, 2005 is ThCh$ 7,932,485.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

b) Tax contingencies

At December 31, 2005, Madeco S.A. has received settlements from the Chilean Internal Revenue Service (SII) for the tax years 2001, 2002 and 2003 concerning income tax differences, reimbursement of income and special Clause 21 tax for a total of ThCh$ 3,331,253 (amount of the tax).

The Company's management, in accordance with the time periods for lodging appeals, has begun the first instance administrative appeal procedures, together with its lawyers, before the Tax Tribunal, as the settlements are considered to be inappropriate.

The Company is also requesting the refund of ThCh$ 1,613,597 with respect to the fiscal year 2004, relating to a remaining balance withheld by the Chilean Internal Revenue Service of ThCh$ 3,038,789 originally requested, for the absorption of accumulated tax losses.

Metal Overseas and Subsidiaries

There is a pending lawsuit in Brazil brought by the State Secretary of Finance (Rio de Janeiro) against the previous owner of Ficap S.A., dating from before the time that Madeco S.A. bought the company in 1997. The total claim amounts to approximately ThBR$ 6,950 as of December 31, 2005. Madeco S.A. has personal guarantees from the previous owner of Ficap S.A. to indemnify the Company should the Brazilian subsidiary be affected by such legal actions.

In 2002 Madeco S.A. and its subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda. filed an arbitration claim in New York City before the American Arbitration Association, against Corning International Corporation ("Corning Inc.") based on the allegation that Corning Inc. had tried to terminate its joint venture agreements with Madeco relating to Optel Ltda. ("Optel"), a Brazilian company in which Corning Inc. and Madeco Brasil Ltda. were joint owners. Corning, in turn, made a counter-claim against Madeco seeking, among other things, that Corning be allowed to terminate its agreements with Madeco.

Madeco was notified of the tribunal's judgment in 2003 which, inter alia, declared that the investment agreement, signed between the parties on June 12, 1999 and its amendments, be terminated. This meant that Madeco S.A. lost the right of administration over Optel and its put option to sell its shares in Optel Ltda. (Brazil) to Corning Inc. at a price of US$ 18 million.

As of December 31, 2003, Madeco through its subsidiary Metal Overseas S.A., recognized allowance for total of its 50% holding in Optel and provisions for other expenses, expected to be incurred as a result of the unfavorable judgment given.

As described in Note 11, on March 31, 2005, Madeco through its indirect subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda., signed an agreement with Corning Inc. whereby it acquired, for a nominal price of one Brazilian real, the 50% holding of Corning Inc. in Optel, thus settling the effects of the arbitration decision in New York, before the American Arbitration Association. On the same date, an agreement was also signed with the two principal creditor banks of Optel extinguishing all its debts, equivalent to US$ 7.3 million, through the payment of a total of US$ 2 million.

 

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

Indalum S.A.

a) Debt covenants

Following negotiations with financing banks: Banco de Chile (a related party), Banco Crédito Inversiones, Banco del Estado and Banco Security, on December 29, 2003 Indalum S.A. is obliged to comply with the following restrictions until December 26, 2010 in relation to its bank debt:

  • Maintain at June 30 and December 31 each year the following financial limitations (on the basis of the consolidated financial statements): (i) a debt ratio or leverage of no more than 1.2.and (ii) a minimum restated capital of the equivalent of UF 1,630,000.
  • Maintain ownership of the property, plant and equipment necessary for the normal development of its business and maintain its ownership of the subsidiary Alumco S.A.
  • Not to grant pledges, mortgages or any kind of encumbrance or right over any of the property, plant and equipment of Indalum S.A. or its subsidiaries, except for those granted over goods acquired in the future to cover their financing.
  • Not to give any personal guarantees to cover any obligation, debt, liability or commitment of a person or entity other than Indalum S.A. or its subsidiary companies, without the prior written consent of the creditors.
  • Not to pay or distribute dividends exceeding 30% of the net income for each year, except with the prior written consent of the creditors.
  • Not to grant direct financing to third parties outside the line of business. Trade accounts receivables of Indalum S.A. due from its customers are not included in the direct financing concept, nor loans to the executives and personnel of Indalum S.A. or its subsidiaries.
  • In the event of the disposal of properties located at Avenida Vitacura 2736, Office 301, Santiago, Chile and at Santa Marta Street 1313, Maipú, Santiago, Chile Indalum S.A. must use the proceeds from sale of these properties to the pro rata prepayment of the balance of the restructured obligations. For this calculation, the principal outstanding on loans due to Madeco S.A. at the date of the sale is to be added to the obligations restructured. For this last purpose, the sum that Madeco S.A. has lent and which, at December 31, 2005 amounts to ThCh$ 873,951, shall be considered as financial debt.
  • To pay the financial loan currently owed to Madeco S.A., provided Indalum S.A. is in compliance with the terms of all the loans owed to banks and has fulfilled its all obligations and negative covenants assumed under the contract, or should the proceeds come from the sale of the previously indicated real estate.
  • Madeco S.A. must have direct or indirect control over the ownership of Indalum S.A. during the term of the contract, or have at least a 50.1% shareholding.

As of December 31, 2005, Indalum S.A. had fully complied with all the mentioned restrictions.

b) Tax contingencies

At December 31, 2005, the subsidiary Ingewall S.A. is involved in a lawsuit with the Chilean Internal Revenue Service concerning VAT refunds for the periods from July to December 1999, and February and August 2001. Net amounts of claims based on the first instance court's sentence amount to ThCh$ 261,288.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

Alusa S.A.

a) Debt covenants

a.1) Syndicated loan from Banco de Chile (a related party) and Banco Estado for UF 300,000.

As a condition of the loan, Alusa S.A. must comply with the following covenants:

- Maintain the following financial indicators in its individual and consolidated financial statements: leverage, whereby total liabilities must not exceed 0.75 times equity, equity being defined as equity net of intangible assets and technical appraisals of assets.

- Maintain a minimum Shareholders' equity amounting to UF 1,765,000.

- In the event of the disposal of the properties at Avenida Vicuña Mackenna 2935 and 2585, Santiago, Chile Alusa S.A. must use at least 35% of the sale proceeds to prepay the banks participating in the syndicated loan on a pro rata basis.

- Not to constitute liens over its assets or personal guarantees in favor of other creditors than the participating banks without their prior written consent unless those guarantees are also granted in favor of the participating banks on the same conditions and equal degree of preference as the remaining creditors. Excluded from this prohibition are real guarantees that Alusa S.A. may constitute over assets acquired in the future in order to finance their acquisition.

- Not to maintain accounts receivable with its Argentine subsidiary, Aluflex S.A. corresponding to transactions outside entities' line of business, except with the prior written consent of the participating banks. The trading accounts receivable with its subsidiary Aluflex S.A. may not be for total amounts exceeding US$ 600,000 without the prior written consent of the participating banks.

At December 31, 2005, the Company met all these covenants.

a.2) Export advances, Banco Security for UF 163,000.

Alusa S.A. should comply with the following: Madeco S.A. should be the direct or indirect holder of at least 50.1% of the share capital with voting rights of Alusa S.A. during the term of the credit facility.

b) Tax contingencies

At December 31, 2005, Alusa S.A. has received two settlements for income taxes for the years 2001 and 2002, relating to income tax differences and reimbursement of income, for ThCh$ 94,085 and ThCh$ 42,195 (amount of the tax) respectively. The Company's management, in accordance with the period of time allowed for an appeal, has followed the administrative procedures, together with its lawyers, to lodge an appeal.

Note 22 - Commitments and contingencies, continued

Direct Guarantees

 

Type of

Balances pending payment as of December 31,

Scheduled release of Guarantees

Creditor of Guarantee

Name

guarantee

Book value

2005

2004

2006

2007

2008

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Dirección de Vialidad

Indalum S.A.

Guarantee

-

784

812

784

-

-

Aurea Seg/Bco. Santos/ Interatlántico/Banrisul/ABC

Ficap S.A.

Insurance

1,045,753

1,045,753

1,620,509

823,271

222,482

-

Sudameris/Santander

Ficap S.A.

Contract

56,939

56,939

1,212

56,939

-

-

Safra

Ficap S.A.

Contract

-

-

53,296

-

-

-

Safra

Ficap S.A.

Fixed Asset

551,863

551,863

508,655

551,863

-

-

Casa de Moneda Rep. Argentina

Armat S.A.

Collateral

174,250

174,250

-

174,250

-

Casa de Moneda Rep. Argentina

Armat S.A.

Collateral

256,250

256,250

-

256,250

-

-

Codelco

Armat S.A.

Collateral

1,153

1,153

-

1,153

-

-

Casa de Moneda Rep. Argentina

Armat S.A.

Collateral

7,303

7,303

-

7,303

-

-

Codelco

Armat S.A.

Collateral

960

960

-

960

-

Banco Central Costa Rica

Armat S.A.

Collateral

20,756

20,756

-

20,756

-

-

Treasury Department

Armat S.A.

Check

-

.-

113,402

-

-

-

Casa de Moneda de Chile

Armat S.A.

Collateral

1,948

1,948

727

1,948

-

-

Agusas Andinas S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

19,123

19,123

20,720

19,123

-

Casa de Moneda de Chile

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

2,730

3,900

-

3,900

-

-

Cía. Americana de Multiservicios

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

708,663

708,663

25,525

500,124

208,539

-

Corporación Nacional del Cobre

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

7,805

7,805

-

7,805

-

-

Cía. Americana de Multiservicios

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

44,201

22,653

255,119

22,653

-

Cia. de Tel. de Chile S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

528,680

270,949

267,498

270,949

-

-

Cía. Minera Riochilex S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

21,124

10,826

-

-

10,826

-

CMPC Celulosa S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

98,296

50,377

-

50,377

-

-

Corporación Nacional del Cobre

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

424,640

217,628

4,324

2,562

215,066

Fam. América Latina

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

124,223

63,664

-

-

63,664

-

HQI Transelec Chile

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

4,992

2,558

-

2,558

-

-

Minera Escondida Ltda.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

9,421

4,828

-

4,828

-

-

Minera Espence S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

6,127

3,140

-

-

3,140

Outukumpu

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

16,767

8,593

-

8,593

-

-

Cía. General de Electricidad

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

-

-

43,997

-

-

-

Enami

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

-

-

518

-

-

-

Emel S.A.

Madeco S.A.

Collateral

-

-

5,180

-

-

-

Total

4,133,967

3,512,666

2,921,494

2,788,949

723,717

-

 

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,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Non-operating income

         

Gain on sale of investments in other companies

7,827

 

6,456

 

-

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

148,541

 

59,737

 

193,045

Reversal of allowance for receivables due from Optel Ltda.

-

 

-

 

347,772

Recovery of tax benefits in foreign subsidiaries

517,033

 

43,299

 

502,210

Reversal of allowance for investment in Optel Ltda.

-

 

-

 

509,281

Release of provision for expenses related to Optel Ltda.

-

 

612,622

 

661,004

Gain on sale of Alufoil trademarks

-

 

650,765

 

-

Other

101,007

 

133,041

 

107,269

Total

774,408

 

1,505,920

 

2,320,581

Non-operating expenses

         

Staff severance indemnity payments related to restructuring

-

 

-

 

272,622

Obsolescence and write-offs of other long-term assets

1,784,667

 

388,473

 

240,944

Adjustment to realizable value of assets held for sale (Note 10)

644,339

 

407,796

 

242,365

Provision for closure and valuation on assets Ingewall and Uruguay

513,040

 

79,178

 

38,985

Provision for lawsuit

48,840

 

46,984

 

98,395

Accrual for contingent liabilities and lawsuits

356,756

 

219,703

 

-

Valuation allowance (write-down) for property, plant

and equipment - Argentina

522,023

 

84,187

 

-

Valuation allowance (write-down) for other assets - Argentina

350,003

 

209,077

 

-

Depreciation of inactive assets - Argentina (1)

2,106,959

 

2,323,396

 

1,353,459

Allowance for investment in Optel Ltda. and related provisions

5,221,877

 

-

 

-

Government fines, taxes and interest from foreign subsidiaries

-

 

-

 

908,431

Other

475,025

 

54,671

 

122,207

Total

12,023,529

 

3,813,465

 

3,277,408

(1) Corresponds to depreciation of property, plant and equipment (Note 10) and inactive 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,

     

2004

 

2005

Company

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Cobrecon S.A.

Equity method investment

Loan

33,337

 

85,953

Electromecánica Industrial S.A. (2)

Member of Group

of Minority Shareholder

Sales

19,096

 

-

Embotelladoras Chilenas Unidas S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales

98,712

 

172,903

Sodimac S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales

826,143

 

368,945

C.N.T Telefónica del Sur S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales

32,895

 

-

Calaf S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales

56,491

 

24,361

Alte S.A.

Member of Group

of Minority Shareholder

Sales

42,905

 

31,066

Inversiones Ontario S.A. (3)

Investee of Shareholder

Loan

11,590

 

227,940

Other related Companies

Various

Various

35,544

 

30,487

Total

   

1,156,713

 

941,655

b) Long-term assets

     

As of December 31,

     

2004

 

2005

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Cobrecon S.A.

Equity method investment

Loan

112,891

 

-

Electromecánica Industrial S.A. (2)

Member of Group

of Minority Shareholder

Loan

261,274

 

-

Inversiones Ontario S.A. (3)

Investee of Shareholder

Loan

224,556

 

-

Total

   

598,721

 

-

c) Current liabilities

     

As of December 31,

     

2004

 

2005

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Equity method investment

Commercial

196,534

 

286,338

Minera Michilla S.A.

Shareholder

Commercial

60,164

 

75,870

Quiñenco S.A. (1)

Parent Company

Loan

81,773

 

8,016,455

Other related Companies

Various

Various

21,904

 

63,492

Total

   

360,375

 

8,442,155

 

 

 

Note 24 - Balances and transactions with related parties, continued

d) Long-term liabilities

     

As of December 31,

     

2004

 

2005

 

Nature of relationship

Nature of transaction

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

         

Quiñenco S.A. (1)

Parent Company

Loan

7,905,813

 

-

Total

   

7,905,813

 

-

(1) Liabilities due to Quiñenco S.A. (Parent Company) correspond to a loan denominated in UF at an interest rate of TAB + 1.75%. This loan was originally maturing in March 2010, however during 2005 the maturity was changed to 2007.

(2) 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 allowances with respect to the recoverability of those balances.

(3) Balances receivable from Inversiones Ontario S.A. do not accrue interest as that company is in judicial collections. The Company has made all the relevant allowances with respect to the recoverability of those balances.

Short-term receivables and payables correspond to current accounts and do not accrue interest. Transactions with all related companies are conducted under market conditions at prevailing rates on their realization dates.

Liabilities due to banks and financial institutions, long-term obligations maturing within one year, other payables and cash include balances of transactions which are carried out with Banco de Chile S.A. and its related companies. Banco de Chile S.A. is a related company under common control.

 

Note 24 - Balances and transactions with related parties, continued

e) Significant transactions with related parties are summarized as follows:

     

Revenue (Expenses) for the years ended December 31,

 

Nature of relationship

Transaction

2003

 

2004

 

2005

     

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Company

             

Alte S.A.

Member of Group

of Minority Shareholder

Services

(9,737)

 

-

 

(20)

   

Sales of products and services

147,084

 

163,361

 

125,570

Artikos Chile S.A. .

Member of Controlling Group

Products purchase

-

 

-

 

(1,325)

Banchile Corredores de Bolsa.

Member of Controlling Group

Interest

-

 

-

 

21,503

Banco de Chile

Member of Controlling Group

Interest from investments

(288,751)

 

(387,130)

 

(331,960)

Calaf S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

-

 

95,701

 

55,117

CNT Telefónica del Sur S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

130,670

 

325,387

 

135,888

Colada Continua Chilena S.A.

Equity method investment

Sales of products and services

85,520

 

37,579

 

84,280

Electromecánica Industrial S.A.

Member of Group

of Minority Shareholder

Sales of products and services

64,100

 

-

 

-

   

Services

(50,158)

 

-

 

-

   

Interest

15,366

 

-

 

-

Embotelladoras Chilenas
Unidas S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

808,850

 

817,109

 

647,619

   

Services

(6,289)

 

(8,012)

 

(7,977)

Falabella S.A.C.I.

Member of Controlling Group

Services

-

 

-

 

(1,697)

Gianfranco Zechetto

Member of Controlling Group

Sales

-

 

-

 

27

Sodimac S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

-

 

5,112,285

 

4,120,570

Minera El Tesoro

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

127,470

 

70,641

 

49,500

Minera Los Pelambres S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

344,777

 

425,578

 

182,938

Minera Michilla S.A.

Shareholder

Sales of products and services

101,829

 

70,164

 

61,688

   

Interest and expenses

(1,774)

 

(2,732)

 

-

Quiñenco S.A.

Parent Company

Loan indexation

-

 

(159,779)

 

(289,855)

   

Interest and expenses

(266,629)

 

(250,397)

 

(286,121)

Transportes CCU Ltda.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

115,796

 

3,352

 

-

Viña San Pedro S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

63,263

 

91,482

 

122,232

   

Products purchase

-

 

-

 

(1,930)

               

Inmobiliaria Norte Verde S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Services

(15,248)

 

(38,755)

 

(21,474)

Lucchetti Chile S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

91,731

 

10,495

 

-

Peruplast S.A.

Equity method investment

Purchase of inventories

66,874

 

-

 

-

Entel S.A.

Member of Controlling Group

Sales of products and services

21,358

 

8,793

 

-

   

Services

(22,355)

 

(31,258)

 

(50,799)

Others

Member of Group of Minority Shareholder

Various

27,074

 

26,626

 

51,603

 

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 shareholders' investment participation in the shareholders' equity of the Company's subsidiaries as of each year-end is as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Balance Sheet

     

Alusa S.A.

8,994,612

 

8,774,869

Indalum S.A.

213,440

 

229,174

Indeco S.A.

1,494,228

 

1,202,779

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

1,817

 

-

Total

10,704,097

 

10,206,822

The equity participation of minority shareholders' in the net results from operations of the Company's subsidiaries for each year is as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

Income Statement

         

Alusa S.A.

(535,398)

 

(625,968)

 

(511,329)

Distribuidora Boliviana Indalum S.A.

10,830

 

15,016

 

307

Indalum S.A.

(19,915)

 

(16,275)

 

(17,146)

Indeco S.A.

(69,419)

 

(222,576)

 

(208,231)

Inversiones Alusa S.A.

(118)

 

(366)

 

-

Minority interest participation in net loss

(614,020)

 

(850,169)

 

(736,399)

Note 26 - Expenses for issuance and placement of shares and debt instruments

The expenses related to the issuance of shares that were charged to Shareholders' equity are as follows:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Commission for capital stock issuance

113,944

 

671,931

Financial advisory expenses

-

 

83,365

Fee with SVS registry

-

 

14,652

Other expenses

-

 

4,811

Total expenses (1)

113,944

 

774,759

(1) Amounts presented in historical Chilean pesos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note 27 - Derivative Contracts

As of December 31, 2004 and 2005 the details of derivative contracts, recorded in conformity with Note 2 t), are as follows:

As of December 31, 2004

Type

Nominal amount

Period of maturity

Item

Sales / Purchase

Hedged item

Amount

Effect in Income

US$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Forward

6,116,351

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

Purchase

Inventory

6,336,540

(269,932)

Forward

179,629

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

186,096

(10,252)

Swap

3,019,616

1st Quarter 05

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

3,128,322

(175,201)

Swap

668,880

2nd Quarter 05

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

692,960

(50,488)

Swap

692,045

3rd Quarter 05

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

716,959

(39,685)

Total

(545,558)

 

As of December 31, 2005

Type

Nominal amount

Period of maturity

Item

Sales / Purchase

Hedged item

Amount

Effect in Income

US$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Forward

7,628,000

1st Quarter 06

Exchange rate

Purchase

Inventory

3,909,353

70,837

Swap

5,657,543

1st Quarter 06

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

2,899,491

15,637

Swap

257,856

1st Quarter 06

Interest rate

Purchase

Loans

132,151

30

Swap

3,302,144

2nd Quarter 06

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

1,692,349

22,218

Swap

950,000

4th Quarter 06

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

486,975

4,716

Swap

1,977,077

1st Quarter 07

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

1,013,252

(8,155)

Swap

1,000,000

2nd Quarter 07

Exchange rate

Purchase

Loans

512,500

4,887

Swap

2,948,111

4 th Quarter 07

Interest rate

Purchase

Loans

1,510,907

(7,574)

Total

102,596

Note 28 - Subsequent events

There have been no significant events between January 1, 2006 and the date of the financial statements.

 

Note 29 - Guarantees received from third parties

As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, the Company holds the following guarantees from third parties:

Guarantor

Relationship

Type of guarantee

As of December 31,

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

Alucenter

Customer

Mortgage

16,576

16,000

Angel Aravena

Customer

Pledge

31,287

30,200

Arriaza Romo Luis Anjenol

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

10,360

10,000

Carlos Navaja

Customer

Pledge

10,149

-

Cristales y Aluminios S.A.

Customer

Promissory note

170,972

172,558

Daniel Valverde

Customer

Industrial Pledge

114,094

114,312

Dinavit Ltda.

Customer

Mortgage

-

18,187

Electromecánica Industrial

Customer

Rental Guarantee

7,124

7,190

Elfle Comercial Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

72,520

70,000

Ernesto Retamal

Customer

Mortgage

2,834

2,736

Ferbras S.A.

Customer

Checks

124,320

120,000

Garantía de Business Recovery Ltda.

Customer

Rental guarantee

7,770

7,500

Ind. Casali y Cía. Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

31,080

30,000

Industria de Radiadores Gallardo Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

31,080

30,000

Ind. Nac. de Piezas y Partes Metalur Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

39,457

38,086

Ingewall Chile S.A.

Customer

Promissory notes

26,985

-

Ivan Maturana

Customer

Pledge

2,072

2,000

Jorge Lopez

Supplier

Promissory notes

51,254

-

Jose Miguel Prieto

Customer

Mortgage

296,507

-

Juan C. Inostroza Carrasco

Customer

Checks

6,216

6,000

Kitchen Pak Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

84,126

81,203

Luigi Lotito y Cía. Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit Pledge

40,423

35,935

Nelida Patricia olave Herrera

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

6,838

6,600

Pedro Gajardo

Customer

Mortgage

-

2,691

Ruben Riojas

Customer

Pledge

1,036

1,000

Sialum

Customer

Mortgage

2,485

2,399

Soc.Comercial Liar

Customer

Mortgage

41,474

40,032

Soc. e Ing. y Construcción

Customer

Mortgage

37,952

36,633

Tito Alvarado

Supplier

Promissory notes

90,829

91,672

Vitrotec

Customer

Pledge

51,594

-

Wood-Es Ing. Plásticos Ltda.

Customer

Credit limit guarantee

20,720

20,000

Total

1,430,134

992,934

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency

As of December 31, 2004 and 2005, foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are as follows:

As of December 31,

Currency of

2004

2005

Measurement

ThCh$

ThCh$

Cash

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

468,361

 

392,027

 

US dollars

2,041,329

 

2,477,987

 

Argentine pesos

124,975

 

256,393

 

Brazilian real

152,915

 

763,058

 

Peruvian sol

306,833

 

178,728

 

Euros

-

 

194,389

 

Other currencies

6,797

 

19,406

Time Deposits

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

307,128

 

-

 

US dollars

3,908,351

 

-

 

Brazilian real

-

 

94,128

Marketable securities

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

46,092

 

150,000

Trade accounts receivable, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

15,920,795

 

15,335,779

 

US dollars

16,719,390

 

20,511,319

 

Argentine pesos

774,417

 

877,597

 

Brazilian real

15,246,822

 

17,203,137

 

Peruvian sol

233,922

 

544,033

 

Euros

191,372

 

1,034,535

 

Other currencies

12,660

 

10,381

Notes receivable, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

4,219,262

 

3,242,273

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

167,403

 

40,754

 

US dollars

454,590

 

404,211

 

Argentine pesos

521,697

 

763,479

 

Other currencies

39,166

 

29,432

Other receivables, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

479,823

 

227,762

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

54,931

 

201,025

 

US dollars

465,567

 

293,379

 

Argentine pesos

224,014

 

254,948

 

Brazilian real

669,383

 

677,186

 

Peruvian sol

268,804

 

263,205

 

Other currencies

26

 

-

Notes and accounts receivables from related companies

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,092,690

 

855,702

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

30,685

 

-

 

US dollars

33,338

 

85,953

Inventories, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

41,805,852

 

40,821,325

 

US dollars

4,649,587

 

883,608

 

Argentine pesos

4,264,673

 

4,849,097

 

Brazilian real

13,077,260

 

16,474,009

 

Peruvian sol

9,501,387

 

11,265,022

Recoverable taxes, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,520,144

 

4,444,361

 

Brazilian real

1,404,846

 

1,170,381

 

Peruvian sol

476,205

 

418,334

 

Other currencies

208,174

 

209,669

Prepaid expenses

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

277,018

 

89,833

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

56,248

 

39,054

 

Argentine pesos

47,525

 

100,658

 

Brazilian real

35,150

 

147,845

 

Peruvian sol

37,862

 

24,781

 

Other currencies

721

 

-

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

As of December 31,

Currency of

2004

2005

Measurement

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred income taxes, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

563,608

 

1,067,417

 

Argentine pesos

311,414

 

133,201

 

Brazilian real

1,729,528

 

2,125,768

Other current assets

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

10,663,584

 

6,698,811

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

407,840

 

347,979

 

US dollars

132,988

 

95,523

 

Argentine pesos

117,324

 

12,538

 

Brazilian real

133,465

 

120,954

 

Other currencies

34,938

 

-

Total current assets

 

156,640,879

 

158,922,374

         

Land

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

3,764,988

 

3,478,517

 

US dollars

6,689,410

 

6,761,338

Buildings and infrastructure

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

21,792,327

 

21,698,271

 

US dollars

33,568,955

 

29,091,737

Machinery and equipment

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

90,837,965

 

94,879,596

 

US dollars

118,500,057

 

111,063,660

Others property, plant and equipment

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

21,471,415

 

20,099,145

 

US dollars

8,993,028

 

9,730,930

Revaluation from technical appraisals

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

5,665,343

 

5,650,014

 

US dollars

9,446,719

 

7,162,853

 

Brazilian real

-

 

367,069

Depreciation (less)

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

(67,347,920)

 

(71,273,853)

 

US dollars

(97,705,754)

 

(93,706,087)

 

Brazilian real

-

 

(139,162)

Total property, plant and equipment, net

 

155,676,533

 

144,864,028

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

As of December 31,

Currency of Measurement

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

Investments in related companies

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,480,087

 

1,480,894

 

US dollars

6,403,728

 

5,948,858

 

Peruvian sol

682,782

 

631,076

Investments in others companies

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

16,827

 

15,546

 

Brazilian real

-

 

2,639,045

 

Peruvian sol

12,920

 

11,467

Goodwill, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,319,318

 

1,143,180

 

US dollars

21,217,779

 

17,346,880

Negative goodwill, net

US dollars

-

 

(490,183)

Long-term notes and accounts receivable

Non-indexes Chilean pesos

333,631

 

42,224

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

13,435

 

-

 

US dollars

21,348

 

-

 

Argentine pesos

19,138

 

9,286

 

Brazilian real

416,302

 

295,792

Long-term notes and accounts receivables from related companies

Indexed Chilean pesos

485,830

 

-

 

US dollars

112,891

 

-

Long-term deferred taxes

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

108,753

 

-

 

Argentine pesos

203,848

 

-

Intangible assets, net

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

444,152

 

310,899

 

US dollars

82,954

 

6,284

 

Brazilian real

40,267

 

49,945

 

Peruvian sol

-

 

181,280

Amortization (less)

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

(216,736)

 

(147,577)

 

US dollars

(17,028)

 

(3,879)

 

Soles

-

 

(27,792)

Others

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

3,120,192

 

4,320,541

 

Indexed Chilean pesos

915,156

 

762,662

 

US dollars

3,790,861

 

2,545,798

 

Argentine pesos

789,968

 

222,583

 

Brazilian real

1,138,069

 

3,255,702

 

Other currencies

1,157

 

769

Total others assets

 

42,937,628

 

40,551,280

Total assets

 

355,255,040

 

344,337,682

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Currency of measurement

90 days

90 days to 1 year

Current liabilities

As of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2005

As of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2005

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

Short-term bank loans

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

1,288,022

3.85

1,030,760

6.55

-

4.07

4,639,135

6.83

US dollars

7,994,177

4.08

8,091,628

5.45

3,172,437

-

4,942,424

4.95

Argentine pesos

9,725

9.00

-

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

3,865,079

21.37

149,169

22.09

1,914,951

0.82

813,113

21.77

Peruvian Sol

-

-

2,066,943

4.08

-

-

2,036,890

5.20

Euros

-

-

77,449

3.22

-

-

-

-

Other currency

-

-

-

-

-

-

581,209

1.50

Current portion of long-term bank loans

Indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

3,234,488

2.75

2,219,046

7.33

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

267,729

1.39

261,709

-

US dollars

22,104

-

33,408

-

473,724

2.13

-

-

Other currency

39,490

14.75

-

-

1,023,151

16.68

-

-

Current portion of bonds payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

-

-

-

-

4,059,239

5.00

4,254,251

5.00

Current portion of long-term obligations

Indexed Chilean pesos

219,307

4.10

100,574

6.84

636,885

4.00

307,339

6.76

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

19,623

5.00

-

-

60,359

5.00

-

-

US dollars

480

8.10

462

8.14

1,500

8.10

1,443

8.14

Dividends payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

2,636

-

2,543

-

-

-

-

-

Accounts payable

Indexed Chilean pesos

23,179

-

6,774

-

-

-

-

-

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

7,366,590

-

5,359,434

-

-

-

17,830

-

US dollars

5,347,997

-

6,820,728

-

-

-

-

-

Euros

117,408

-

779,933

-

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

256,843

-

815,203

-

677

-

-

-

Brazilian real

-

-

3,009,446

-

-

-

-

-

Peruvian Sol

29,497

-

203,414

-

-

-

-

-

Other currency

28,283

-

2,410

-

-

-

-

-

Notes payable

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

87,064

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

6,888,945

0.08

604,890

-

-

-

2,286

12.25

Argentine pesos

42,400

-

54,018

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

2,470,939

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

Indexed Chilean pesos

2,110

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

63,035

-

58,483

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

2,152,401

-

178,662

-

101,023

-

-

Argentine pesos

14,066

-

544

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

9,759

-

115,186

-

-

-

-

-

Peruvian Sol

232,786

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Currency of measurement

90 days

90 days to 1 year

Current liabilities

As of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2005

As of December 31, 2004

As of December 31, 2005

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

ThCh$

Rate %

Notes and accounts payable to related parties

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

278,602

-

387,957

-

-

-

-

-

Indexed
Chilean pesos

81,773

-

8,016,455

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

-

-

37,743

-

-

-

-

-

Accrued liabilities and provisions

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

3,555,847

-

2,810,674

-

216,995

-

244,560

-

Indexed
Chilean pesos

1,577,162

-

3,737

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

665,004

-

175,486

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

612,513

-

618,922

-

55,061

-

-

-

Brazilian real

1,330,872

-

2,463,598

-

-

-

-

-

Peruvian sol

677,586

-

854,325

-

-

-

-

-

Withholdings

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

667,756

-

814,578

-

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

212,500

-

262,864

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

987,305

-

593,054

-

-

-

-

-

Other currency

316

-

41

-

-

-

-

-

Peruvian sol

108,997

-

146,402

-

-

-

-

-

Unearned revenues

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

102,614

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Argentine pesos

4,985

-

9,024

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

-

-

630,397

-

-

-

-

-

Peruvian sol

2,598

-

557,713

-

-

-

-

-

US dollars

33,453

-

260,466

-

-

-

-

-

Other current liabilities

Argentine pesos

383,673

-

927,021

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

687,010

-

37,644

-

-

-

-

-

Non-indexed Chilean pesos

120,879

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Total current liabilities

50,685,390

49,170,162

15,218,219

20,321,235

 

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Long term liabilities as of December 31, 2005

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 debt

Non-indexed Chilean peso

749,542

6.02

-

-

-

-

-

-

Indexed Chilean peso

5,551,727

6.38

3,980,725

5.24

-

-

-

US dollar

4,863,956

4.90

-

-

-

-

-

-

Brazilian real

9,472,378

21.17

-

-

-

-

-

-

Bonds payable

Indexed Chilean peso

8,981,269

5.00

9,901,850

5.00

5,325,263

5.00

-

-

Miscellaneous payables

Indexed Chilean peso

862,463

6.57

978,344,

6.53

3,083,404

6.53

367,206

6.53

US dollar

229,269

0.42

11,767

3.49

-

-

-

-

Accrued liabilities and provisions

Non-indexed Chilean peso

157,687

0.98

54,596

4.97

68,699

7.00

717,691

6.46

68,849

7.00

65,237

7.00

115,690

7.00

556,241

7.00

US dollar

865,892

Argentine peso

211,690

-

-

Brazilian real

1,078,319

-

-

-

Deferred income taxes

Non-indexed Chilean peso

24,081

-

-

23,923

Argentine peso

34,431

-

-

-

Peruvian sol

265,153

-

-

Other long-term liabilities

Argentine peso

337,471

-

-

-

Brazilian real

254,589

-

-

-

Total long-term liabilities

34,008,766

14,992,519

8,593,056

1,665,061

Note 30 - Local and foreign currency, continued

Long term liabilities as of December 31, 2004

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 debt

Indexed Chilean peso

15,313,034

3.15

21,410,376

3.22

11,853,643

3.21

Non-indexed Chilean peso

1,036,562

3.62

-

-

-

US dollar

7,429,080

3.89

6,534,315

4.26

4,279,404

4.26

-

Bonds payable

Indexed Chilean peso

8,537,245

5.00

9,412,314

5.00

10,377,076

5.00

-

Miscellaneous payables

US dollar

5,435

12.25

-

-

-

Indexed Chilean peso

1,258,300

3.58

1,009,293

2.77

2,782,285

2.77

912,740

2.77

Non-indexed Chilean peso

135,090

-

-

-

-

-

US dollar

76,877

2.53

-

-

-

Notes and accounts payable to related companies

Indexed Chilean peso

-

-

7,905,813

3.21

-

Accrued liabilities and provisions

Non-indexed Chilean peso

170,242

1.03

43,683

7.00

77,467

7.00

768,922

6.48

Indexed Chilean peso

85,118

5.48

63,146

7.00

111,982

7.00

538,413

7.00

Brazilian real

977,637

-

-

-

Other currency

6,713

-

-

-

Argentine peso

361,246

-

-

-

Other long-term liabilities

Argentine peso

954,894

-

-

-

Total long-term liabilities

36,347,473

38,473,127

37,387,670

2,220,075

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

Chilean GAAP varies in certain important respects from US GAAP. Such differences involve certain methods for measuring the amounts shown in the financial statements.

  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 (loss) 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.

a) Inflation accounting

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 Foreign Permanent Investments (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 US GAAP included under paragraph (1.q) below.

b) Revaluation of property, plant and equipment

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 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.q) 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

c) 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.

Beginning 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 assets or liabilities are being amortized to income over the estimated average reversal periods corresponding to the underlying temporary differences to which the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate.

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 carry-forwards.
    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 balance of deferred tax assets is 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

c) 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.q) below. Additional disclosures required under SFAS 109 are further described in paragraph (2.b) below.

d) 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 acquired company generates sufficient income to absorb the additional amortization in any given year. The adoption of BT 72 did not change the amortization period for goodwill, but instead requires measurement of acquired assets and liabilities in their fair values for all acquisitions after January 1, 2004.

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. The Company adopted SFAS No. 142 Goodwill and other Intangible Assets ("SFAS 142") as of January 1, 2002. SFAS 142 applies to all goodwill and identified intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Under this standard, beginning January 1, 2002, all goodwill, including amounts acquired before initial application of SFAS No. 142, and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but must be tested for impairment at least annually.

For 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$ 6,305,562, related to a goodwill impairment in its Wire and Cable Unit, specifically related to the Ficap plant in Brazil. The goodwill assigned to the Wire and Cable Unit was ThCh$ 29,126,315 prior to the impairment charge and ThCh$ 22,820,753 thereafter. The effect of this difference is included in the reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.q) below.

For the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, the Company performed the annual impairment test of goodwill required by the standard and determined that no impairment existed under either Chilean GAAP or US GAAP.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

d) Goodwill, continued

The following effects are included in the net income (loss) and Shareholders' equity reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.q) below:

(i) 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;

(ii) 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, 2003, 2004 and 2005, by segment of operation is as follows:

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

36,595,734

-

(1,634,806)

(6,305,562)

(5,834,614)

22,820,752

Flexible Packaging

1,134,641

-

-

-

(98,719)

1,035,922

Aluminum Profiles

1,146,476

-

-

-

-

1,146,476

Total

38,876,851

-

(1,634,806)

(6,305,562)

(5,933,333)

25,003,150

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

22,820,752

-

-

-

(2,268,716)

20,552,036

Flexible Packaging

1,035,922

-

-

-

(35,687)

1,000,235

Aluminum Profiles

1,146,476

-

-

-

-

1,146,476

Total

25,003,150

-

-

-

(2,304,403)

22,698,747

January 1, 2005

Acquisitions

Goodwill reclassified to investment (1)

Impairments

Currency translation adjustment

December 31, 2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Wire and Cable

20,552,036

-

-

-

(2,254,151)

18,297,885

Flexible Packaging

1,000,235

-

-

-

(47,454)

952,781

Aluminum Profiles

1,146,476

-

-

-

-

1,146,476

Total

22,698,747

-

-

-

(2,301,605)

20,397,142

(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

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

e) Acquisition of 50% participation in Optel Ltda.

As described in Note 11, Madeco held a 50% participation in the fiber-optic company Optel Ltda. ("Optel") joint venture with Corning International Corporation. In November 2003 based on arbitration ruling the joint venture agreement was declared lawfully terminated. As a result, Madeco lost the ability to appoint Optel's management and was required to initiate the liquidation of Optel. The Company deconsolidated this entity and recorded a write-down of its investment in Optel in December 2003 and provided for expected costs related to the litigation with Corning and the forced liquidation of Optel.

On March 31, 2005, Madeco S.A., through its indirect subsidiary Madeco Brasil Ltda., signed an agreement with Corning whereby it acquired, for the nominal price of 1 Brazilian real, Corning's 50% interest in Optel and also renegotiated and repaid indebtedness owed by Optel to its creditors. Under Chilean GAAP, as a result of that step acquisition the Company once again gained control over Optel and reversed through 2005 net income the impairment previously recorded in 2003. Under Technical Bulletin No. 72 the excess of the net assets acquired over the cost of acquisition referred to as "negative goodwill" was recorded in the step acquisition of an additional 50% interest in Optel in 2005. This negative goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 20 years.

Under US GAAP the impairment write-offs on investments are not be reversed for improvements in the situation affecting the underlying investment, also the negative goodwill determined on the step acquisition of an additional 50% interest in Optel in 2005 would have been allocated as a reduction of the non-current assets (property, plant and equipment) in accordance with SFAS 141 Business Combinations..

In addition under Chilean GAAP certain payables due to Madeco Group companies were considered identifiable liabilities assumed during the additional 50% step acquisition in Optel. Those payables resulted principally from reimbursements payable for expenses incurred by other entities controlled by Madeco on behalf of Optel during the period when this investment was not controlled by the Company. In addition, as a result of regaining control and renegotiating Optel's indebtedness the Company released into income the allowances against receivables due from Optel that were recorded in the moment of losing control over it in 2003. Under US GAAP purposes the above mentioned payables represented no additional benefit or incremental liability to the acquirer and therefore no portion of the purchase price would be allocated to such amounts. Consequently the amount of the net assets acquired under US GAAP is different than under Chilean GAAP. This difference also affected the determination of the amount of excess of the net assets acquired over the cost of acquisition that reduced the amount of property, plant and equipment.

The differences between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP related to the accounting for the acquisition of 50% participation in Optel are included in paragraph (1.q) below and are as follows:

  1. The reversal of negative goodwill and its amortization recorded under Chilean GAAP;

(ii) The reversal of the impairment write-up recognized under Chilean GAAP;

(iii) The effects of reducing depreciation expense, due to the proportionate allocation of the excess of acquisition cost (including effect of elimination of intercompany balances and its effect in income) to property, plant and equipment.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

f) Minimum dividend

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 before amortization of negative goodwill 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 amount of the minimum dividend required to be distributed represents a liability. No liability has been recorded in the reconciliation in paragraph (1.q) since the Company had unabsorbed losses from prior years.

g) Staff severance indemnities

The Company and certain subsidiaries record a provision for staff severance indemnities when rights to such benefits have been formally guaranteed to employee groups. These severance indemnity plans are unfunded. Under Chilean GAAP these obligations are recorded using the present value of the liability determined at the end of each year based on the current salary and the estimated remaining number of years of service of each employee, as described in Note 2 o) using an interest rate of 7%. Under US GAAP based on EITF 88-1 such severance indemnities may be recorded based on the vested benefits to which the employees are entitled if their employment terminated immediately (settlement basis). The effect of this difference in accounting for staff severance benefits between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP is included in the reconciliation to US GAAP under paragraph (1.q) below.

h) Revenue recognition

Under Chilean GAAP, revenue is recognized at the time that goods are shipped. Revenue which the Company has billed and collected in advance is deferred until the related goods are shipped. Under US 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 delivery as well as other revenue recognition criteria were met during 2003 and consequently the sales were recognized for US GAAP in the year ended December 31, 2003. Subsequent to the issuance of Technical Bulletin 71 Recognition of revenues from sales of goods and rendering of services, in general differences between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP were eliminated. The effect of the difference related to the prior years is shown in the reconciliation of net income (loss) under paragraph (1.q) below.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

i) Provision for restructuring costs

During 2002, the Company recorded under Chilean GAAP provisions related to the restructuring of a portion of its operations. The provisions were made mainly for the costs of future relocation of plant facilities and termination indemnity payments. Under US GAAP, such expenses are recognized in income as incurred.

Actual payments related to the restructuring costs were expensed under US GAAP in the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 and consequently as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, no differences between Chilean and US GAAP existed for this concept in Shareholders' equity reconciliation. The effects of the difference in the net income (loss) reconciliation are shown under paragraph (1.q) below.

j) Derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations and changes in the 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 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 in accordance with Technical Bulletin No. 57 issued by the Chilean Association of Accountants, as follows:

(i) 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.

(ii) Derivatives that are designated and are effective as hedges of existing assets or liabilities are valued, together with the item being hedged based on the closing spot rate. If the net change in 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 in the value of the derivative instrument and the hedge item results in a gain, the net difference is recorded as unrealized gains and is deferred in balance sheet.

(iii) 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.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

j) Derivative instruments and hedging activities, continued

Under US GAAP in accordance with SFAS 133 Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities ("SFAS 133"), 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 the fair values of derivative instrument depends on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge. The standard requires 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 derivative contracts 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 US GAAP. Due to the short-term nature of all derivative instruments held by the Company as of December 31, 2004 and 2005, the differences between Chilean GAAP and US GAAP are 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 US GAAP purposes in accordance with SFAS 133, 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 measures 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.q) below.

k) Share issuance expenses

For Chilean GAAP purposes, share issuance expenses may be expensed or recorded in shareholders' equity. For US GAAP purposes, these amounts are offset against the capital increase recorded as a result of the share issuance. For the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company recorded under Chilean GAAP share issuance expenses in the income statement; however, no adjustment to US GAAP was made because the difference was not significant. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 share issuance expenses were recorded in equity for both Chilean and US GAAP purposes.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

l) Reversal of impairment loss

Under Chilean GAAP, during 2001 the Company recorded an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment 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, as permitted by Chilean GAAP, the amount of ThCh$ 7,177,457 related to previously recognized impairment losses. For US GAAP purposes, SFAS 144 does not allow the reversal of impairment losses. Therefore, the provision amount reversed for Chilean GAAP purposes is treated as a reconciling item in the US GAAP reconciliation under paragraph (1.q) below.

For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, the Company reversed for US GAAP purposes the depreciation of the assets included in the reversed impairment loss under Chilean GAAP.

m) Allowance for recoverable taxes

At December 31, 2003, under Chilean GAAP Madeco S.A. provided for the amount of the tax refund resulting from the 2003 tax loss carry-forward, 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.

In June, 2004, the Chilean Internal Revenue Service authorized the partial refund of the request submitted for 2003 amounting to ThCh$ 1,613,445. 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 carry-forward based on the new evidence available. Under Chilean GAAP, this refund was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2004.

n) Stock option plan

At the Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders held on November 14, 2002, the shareholders approved a stock option plan, which was adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on January 28, 2003. This 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.

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

n) Stock option plan, continued

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. On October 29, 2004, the executives exercised the portion of the stock options and subscribed 182,147,724 shares 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 v) the corresponding capital increase of ThCh$ 4,371,545 (historic value) 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 authorized shares destined to such compensation plan, setting a price of Ch$ 60 per share.

On January 25, 2005 the Board of Directors agreed to a separate stock option plan of 130,000,000 shares for certain executives. The exercise price was set at Ch$ 60 per share. This plan commenced on May 20, 2005 when the stock option contracts were issued. Under Chilean GAAP the stock options were recognized in accordance with accounting criteria described in the Note 2 v) at the fair value of ThCh$ 263,500 determined using the "Black-Scholes-Merton" model as of the grant date (January 25, 2005).

On August 31, 2005, the above mentioned contracts signed on May 20, 2005 were nullified and the Company recorded in income the unamortized amount of the fair value of the options.

A summary of stock option activity for the plan is as follows:

For the years ended December 31,

Authorized Options

Granted Options (thereof)

2003

2004

2005

2003

2004

2005

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Number

Balance as of January 1

493,334,000

493,334,000

311,186,276

-

182,147,724

-

Granted during the period

-

-

-

182,147,724

-

130,000,000

Cancelled during the period

-

-

-

-

-

(130,000,000)

Exercised during the period

-

(182,147,724)

-

-

(182,147,724)

-

Balance as of December 31,

493,334,000

311,186,276

311,186,276

182,147,724

-

-

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

n) Stock option plan, continued

Under US GAAP, the Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees 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. Consequently, amount recorded in income under Chilean GAAP was reversed in the US GAAP reconciliation under paragraph (1.q) below.

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 for the year ended December 31, 2003 would have been increased to the pro-forma amounts indicated below:

 

Pro-forma net loss

for the year ended December 31, 2003

 

ThCh$

   

Net loss attributable to common shareholders, as reported in accordance with US GAAP

(20,877,660)

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

(4,054,663)

Pro-forma net loss

(24,932,323)

Pro-forma loss per share

(8.73)

As reported

(7.31)

The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during 2003 was ThCh$ 26.82. This amount was determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton 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%.

o) Minority interest

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.q) below.

p) Elimination of discontinued operations

Under Chilean GAAP the Company records divestitures of investments or assets in the year in which they occur and no restatement to the financial statement information presented in previous years is required after a divestiture has occurred. Under US GAAP, in accordance with SFAS 144 Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets the discontinued operations of a component must be retroactively separated from the continuing operations of an entity, when the operations and cash flows of a component will be eliminated from the ongoing operations of an entity as a result of a disposal or a sale transaction, and the entity will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operations of the component after the disposal transaction.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

p) Elimination of discontinued operations, continued

During 2004 and 2005 the Company disposed substantially all of its assets of subsidiary Alufoil S.A. that produced in Chile mass consumer flexible packaging products such as aluminum foil, trash bags and plastic wrap and did not maintain any continuing involvement in the operations of this component after the disposal transaction.

As a result of the disposal, the results of operations of that component have been eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company. The effect of restating discontinued operations is included in the reconciliation of net income to US GAAP, and is presented net of tax (benefit) expenses of ThCh$ (12,472), ThCh$ 226,560, and ThCh$ 38 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, and net of minority interest of ThCh$ 37,669, ThCh$ 148,227 and ThCh$ (244) for the year ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively under paragraph (1.q) below.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

q) Effects of conforming to US GAAP

The adjustments to the reported consolidated net income (loss) required to conform to US GAAP are as follows:

For the years ended December 31,

2003

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Net (loss) income in accordance with Chilean GAAP

(17,770,178)

8,818,812

12,014,323

Reversal of depreciation on revaluation increment of fixed assets (par. 1b)

121,447

(18,415)

224,959

Deferred income taxes (par. 1c)

c.i Reversal of amortization of complementary accounts

374,811

525,015

477,938

c.ii Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

(922,101)

289,666

167,204

Amortization of goodwill (par. 1d)

1,898,414

1,804,141

1,659,957

Acquisition of Optel (par. 1e)

e.i Reversal of negative goodwill amortization

-

-

(19,098)

e.ii-iii Reversal of impairment write-up and allowances

-

-

(1,343,849)

e.iii Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

-

-

51,911

Staff severance indemnities (par. 1g).

(1,104,231)

(371,209)

257,650

Revenue recognition (par. 1h)

775,179

-

-

Provision for restructuring costs (par. 1i)

(525,133)

(449,508)

-

Derivative instruments (par. 1j)

169,475

-

-

Reversal of impairment loss (par. 1l)

784,302

754,352

365,585

Allowance for recoverable taxes (par. 1m)

1,613,445

(1,613,445)

-

Impairment of goodwill Ficap (par. 1d)

(6,305,562)

-

-

Stock option plan (par. 1n)

-

-

263,500

Minority interest (par. 1o)

37,669

559,713

(49,576)

Elimination of discontinued operations (par. 1p)

(144,219)

(843,146)

977

Net (loss) income from continuing operations in accordance

with US GAAP

(20,996,682)

9,455,976

14,071,481

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

and minority interest (par. 1p)

119,022

468,359

(771)

Net (loss) income in accordance with US GAAP

(20,877,660)

9,924,335

14,070,710

Other comprehensive income:

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes

-

1,553,717

608,647

Loss on hedge of the foreign currency exposure of net investment

in foreign operations

(32,260,447)

(11,708,624)

(14,272,719)

Comprehensive (loss) income in accordance with US GAAP

(53,138,107)

(230,572)

406,638

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

q) Effects of conforming to US GAAP, 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,

   

2004

 

2005

   

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

         
         

Shareholder's Equity in accordance with Chilean GAAP

 

164,218,989

 

205,380,061

Reversal of revaluation of property, plant and equipment (par. 1b)

       

b.i Property, plant and equipment

 

(5,665,343)

 

(5,650,014)

b.ii Accumulated depreciation

 

2,864,543

 

3,074,173

Deferred income taxes (par. 1c)

       

c.i Reversal of complementary accounts

 

(5,751,332)

 

(5,177,333)

c.ii Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

 

662,346

 

829,512

Amortization of goodwill (par. 1d)

 

5,936,315

 

7,032,083

Acquisition of Optel (par. 1e)

       

e.i Reversal of negative goodwill amortization

 

-

 

(19,098)

e.i Reversal of negative goodwill

 

-

 

509,281

e.ii-iii New basis of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

(1,853,130)

e.iii Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

51,911

Staff severance indemnities (par. 1g)

 

(3,896,149)

 

(3,638,499)

Reversal of impairment loss (par. 1l)

 

(3,906,410)

 

(3,101,351)

Impairment of goodwill Ficap (par. 1d)

 

(5,774,665)

 

(5,125,001)

Minority interest (par. 1n)

 

410,608

 

348,912

Shareholder's Equity in accordance with US GAAP

 

149,098,902

 

192,661,507

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

q) Effects of conforming to US GAAP, continued

The following summarizes the changes in shareholders' equity under US GAAP during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005:

As of December 31,

2003

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Balance at January 1,

91,733,799

138,924,214

149,098,902

Capital increase

100,328,522

10,405,260

43,155,967

Cumulative translation adjustment

(32,260,447)

(10,154,907)

(13,664,072)

Net (loss) income for the year

(20,877,660)

9,924,335

14,070,710

Balance at December 31,

138,924,214

149,098,902

192,661,507

 

  1. Additional disclosure requirements

  1. Earnings (loss) per share
  2.  

    For the years ended December 31,

     

    2003

     

    2004

     

    2005

     

    Ch$

     

    Ch$

     

    Ch$

               

    (Loss) earnings per share from continuing operations

    (US GAAP)

    (7.35)

     

    2.24

     

    3.26

    Earnings per share from discontinued operations

    (US GAAP)

    0.04

     

    0.11

     

    -

    (Loss) earnings per share (US GAAP)

    (7.31)

     

    2.35

     

    3.26

    (Loss) earnings per share (Chilean GAAP)

    (6.22)

     

    2.09

     

    2.78

               

    Weighted average number of common stock

             

    outstanding (in thousands)

    2,857,098

     

    4,221,196

     

    4,317,188

    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 year ended December 31, 2003

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

(Loss) income before income taxes and minority interest

under Chilean GAAP

(11,240,187)

(2,514,107)

1,689,297

(3,400,179)

(15,465,176)

Current income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

(8,267)

-

(675,142)

-

(683,409)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

(482,439)

(212,594)

(32,981)

(279,559)

(1,007,573)

Subtotal

(490,706)

(212,594)

(708,123)

(279,559)

(1,690,982)

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects of applying SFAS No. 109

(136,124)

274,506

-

236,429

374,811

Allowance for recoverable taxes

1,613,445

-

-

-

1,613,445

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

90,280

(826,550)

-

(173,359)

(909,629)

Reclassification of income of discontinued operations

(12,472)

-

-

-

(12,472)

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

1,064,423

(764,638)

(708,123)

(216,489)

(624,827)

For the year ended December 31, 2004

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

(Loss) income before income taxes and minority interest

under Chilean GAAP

7,270,667

(2,431,109)

1,402,753

5,024,437

11,266,748

Current income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

(94,095)

-

(1,778,882)

(119,527)

(1,992,504)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

159,235

(252,221)

(67,649)

555,372

394,737

Subtotal

65,140

(252,221)

(1,846,531)

435,845

(1,597,767)

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects of applying SFAS No. 109

286,893

274,506

(36,384)

-

525,015

Recoverable taxes

(1,613,445)

-

-

-

(1,613,445)

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

63,106

-

-

-

63,106

Reclassification of income taxes of discontinued operations

226,560

-

-

-

226,560

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

(971,746)

22,285

(1,882,915)

435,845

(2,396,531)

For the year ended December 31, 2005

Chile

Argentina

Peru

Brazil

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

(Loss) income before income taxes and minority interest

under Chilean GAAP

3,385,732

(376,884)

6,159,444

5,049,210

14,217,502

Current income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

(219,268)

-

(2,440,850)

(372,546)

(3,032,664)

Deferred income taxes as determined under Chilean GAAP

2,033,583

(623,345)

(242,193)

397,839

1,565,884

Subtotal

1,814,315

(623,345)

(2,683,043)

25,293

(1,466,780)

US GAAP adjustments:

Deferred tax effects of applying SFAS No. 109

402,105

-

75,833

-

477,938

Deferred tax effects of US GAAP adjustments

(43,801)

-

-

210,967

167,166

Reclassification of income taxes of discontinued operations

38

-

-

-

38

Expense (benefit) for the year under US GAAP

2,172,657

(623,345)

(2,607,210)

236,260

(821,638)

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:

Short-term

Long-term

Deferred tax under Chilean GAAP

SFAS No. 109 applied to US GAAP adjustments

Deferred tax under US GAAP

Deferred tax under Chilean GAAP

SFAS No. 109 applied to US GAAP adjustments

Deferred tax under US GAAP

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred tax assets

Allowance for doubtful accounts

522,708

-

522,708

1,026,261

-

1,026,261

Tax loss carry forwards

3,680,575

-

3,680,575

17,896,240

-

17,896,240

Valuation allowance

(10,796,140)

-

(10,796,140)

(19,146,821)

(1,367,243)

(20,514,064)

Accrued vacation expense

113,875

-

113,875

-

-

-

Property, plant and equipment

held for sale

184,413

-

184,413

56,574

-

56,574

Deferred foreign currency exchange

differences

-

-

-

527,116

-

527,116

Impairment of investment in Decker

-

-

-

-

1,367,243

1,367,243

Impairment of investment in Brazil

8,172,660

-

8,172,660

-

-

-

Adjustment to realizable value

for property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

64,713

-

64,713

Allowance for obsolescence

of inventories

525,331

-

525,331

187,020

-

187,020

Allowances for other current

and long-term receivables

-

-

-

560,936

-

560,936

Write-downs of property, plant

and equipment

62,453

-

62,453

311,344

-

311,344

Provision for unused property,

plant and equipment

-

-

-

515,424

37,151

552,575

Other

752,808

-

752,808

671,683

77,925

749,608

Gross deferred tax assets

3,218,683

-

3,218,683

2,670,490

115,076

2,785,566

Deferred tax liabilities

Property, plant and equipment in

leasing and accelerated

depreciation

-

-

-

1,740,131

5,664,199

7,404,330

Manufacturing expenses

502,641

-

502,641

-

-

-

Staff Severance Indemnities

-

-

-

397,476

(397,476)

-

Negotiation of bonds

36,134

-

36,134

1,057

-

1,057

Bond issuance costs

-

-

-

181,749

-

181,749

Other

12,905

-

12,905

99,930

(62,661)

37,269

Gross deferred tax liabilities

551,680

-

551,680

2,420,343

5,204,062

7,624,405

Net assets (liabilities) deferred taxes

2,667,003

-

2,667,003

250,147

(5,088,986)

(4,838,839)

 

 

 

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, 2005 are as follows:

Short-term

Long-term

Deferred tax under Chilean GAAP

SFAS No. 109 applied to US GAAP adjustments

Deferred tax under US GAAP

Deferred tax under Chilean GAAP

SFAS No. 109 applied to US GAAP adjustments

Deferred tax under US GAAP

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Deferred tax assets

Allowance for doubtful accounts

370,607

228,617

599,224

788,238

-

788,238

Tax loss carry forwards

3,473,741

-

3,473,741

21,060,360

-

21,060,360

Valuation allowance

(9,041,987)

-

(9,041,987)

(21,448,718)

(1,085,473)

(22,534,191)

Accrued vacation expense

122,663

-

122,663

11,177

-

11,177

Property, plant and equipment

held for sale

28,557

-

28,557

41,515

-

41,515

Deferred foreign currency exchange

differences

303,265

-

303,265

140,786

-

140,786

Impairment of investment in Decker

-

-

-

-

1,085,473

1,085,473

Impairment of investment in Brazil

6,943,427

-

6,943,427

-

-

-

Adjustment to realizable value

for property, plant and equipment

-

-

-

54,607

-

54,607

Allowance for obsolescence

of inventories

644,268

-

644,268

91,386

-

91,386

Allowances for other current

and long-term receivables

575,198

-

575,198

-

-

-

Write-downs of property, plant

and equipment

20,469

-

20,469

188,981

-

188,981

Provision for unused property, plant

and equipment

-

-

-

104,261

34,013

138,274

Other

414,546

-

414,546

811,814

64,277

876,091

Gross deferred tax assets

3,854,754

228,617

4,083,371

1,844,407

98,290

1,942,697

Deferred tax liabilities

Property, plant and equipment in

leasing and accelerated

depreciation

-

-

-

1,505,732

5,142,446

6,648,178

Manufacturing expenses

511,547

-

511,547

-

-

-

Staff Severance Indemnities

-

-

-

386,901

(386,901)

-

Negotiation of bonds

14,547

-

14,547

-

-

-

Bond issuance costs

-

-

-

155,873

-

155,873

Other

2,274

-

2,274

143,489

(80,817)

62,672

Gross deferred tax liabilities

528,368

-

528,368

2,191,995

4,674,728

6,866,723

Net assets (liabilities) deferred taxes

3,326,386

228,617

3,555,003

(347,588)

(4,576,438)

4,924,026

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Income taxes, continued

A reconciliation of the Chilean Statutory income tax rate to the Company's effective tax rate on net income calculated in accordance with US GAAP is as follows:

For the years ended December 31,

2003

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Pretax (loss) income in accordance with US GAAP

(19,761,915)

12,166,803

15,398,020

Statutory tax rate

16.5%

17.0%

17.0%

Statutory tax rate applied to pretax (loss) income

3,260,716

(2,068,357)

(2,617,663)

Effect on tax and financial equity restatement (1)

628,375

440,738

691,990

Non-taxable income

1,796,221

(167,309)

544,358

Non-deductible expenses

(3,303,791)

1,521,881

557,552

Adjustments for application of BT 64

5,161,672

3,115,626

3,732,080

Other local taxes

180,368

-

-

Foreign taxes in excess of domestic rate

(267,368)

(1,423,385)

(1,922,146)

Valuation allowance changes affecting the provision

for income taxes

(8,272,440)

(3,314,445)

(1,802,977)

Reclassification of income taxes related to

discontinued operations

(12,472)

226,560

38

Other

203,892

(727,840)

(4,870)

At effective tax rate

(624,827)

(2,396,531)

(821,638)

(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.

Expiration dates of the tax loss carry-forwards as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:

Country

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

Total

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Argentina (1)

2,400,753

1,523,488

78,203

589,829

52,886

23,175,159

Brazil (2)

-

-

-

-

-

10,216,884

Chile (3)

-

-

-

-

-

82,659,265

Total

2,400,753

19,523.488

78,203

589,829

582,886

116,051,308

(1) Tax-loss carry-forwards in Argentina expire in 5 years under current tax legislation.

(2) Tax-loss carry-forwards in Brazil under current tax legislation do not expire but the deduction from taxable income is limited to 30% of the taxable income.

(3) Tax loss carry-forwards do not expire in Chile under current tax legislation.

  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 amounted to approximately 77.4% and 78.66% as of December 31, 2004 and 2005 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.

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  3. Collective bargaining agreements
  4. As of December 31, 2005, approximately 74.79% of the Company's employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Of the employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, 54.63% of the agreements will expire within one year.

  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, 2005 were as follows:

    As of December 31, 2005

    ThCh$

    2006

    409,818

    2007

    636,553

    2008

    455,179

    2009

    485,016

    2010

    505,095

    Due after 5 years

    3,450,610

    Total

    5,942,271

    Operating lease and related future minimum payments as of December 31, 2005 are presented as follows:

    As of December 31, 2005

    ThCh$

    Due within 1 year

    273,014

    Due after 1 year but within 2 years

    153,064

    Due after 2 years but within 3 years

    25,287

    Due after 3 years but within 4 years

    25,287

    Due after 4 years but within 5 years

    25,287

    Due after 5 years

    25,287

    Total

    527,226

    Cash paid for operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2005 was ThCh$ 312,570.

     

    Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  7. Advertising Costs
  8. The Company expenses advertising costs when the related advertising has been published or aired. Advertising expenses amounted to ThCh$ 545,415, ThCh$ 523,847 and ThCh$ 391,629 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

  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 on amounts reported in accordance with Chilean GAAP. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments at December 31, 2004 and 2005, for which it is practicable:

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and Cash Equivalent are stated at the carrying amounts, which approximate fair values.

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 is 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, 2004, and 2005 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

g) Fair value of financial instruments, continued

The following represent the company's required disclosures regarding the fair value of financial instruments under US GAAP as of December 31, 2004 and 2005,

As of December 31,

2004

2005

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Amount

value

Amount

Value

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Assets:

Cash

3,101,210

3,101,210

4,281,988

4,281,988

Time deposits and marketable securities

4,261,571

4,261571

244,128

244,128

Other current assets

5,972,167

5,972,167

3,264,937

3,264,937

Derivative financial instruments

-

-

118,325

118,325

Financial assets:

Investments in other companies

29,747

29,747

2,666,058

2,666,058

Long-term accounts receivable

803,854

803,854

347,302

347,302

Short-term debt:

Short-term bank borrowings (includes current portion

of long-term liability)

23,305,077

23,227,154

26,942,883

26,943,011

Current portion of bonds payable

4,059,239

4,101,688

4,254,251

4,263,322

Current portion of long-term liabilities

938,154

938,154

409,818

409,818

Other current liabilities

646,004

646,004

964,665

964,665

Long-term debt:

Bonds payable

28,326,635

29,311,907

24,208,382

24, 450,716

Long-term bank borrowings:

Long-term liabilities

67,856,414

67,629,529

24,618,328

24,309,280

Derivative financial instruments

545,558

545,558

15,729

15,729

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

h) Restrictions on net assets

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 proportional share in restricted net assets in consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:

 

Proportionate share
of restricted net assets

Legal Entity

as of December 31, 2005

 

ThCh$

   

Alusa S.A.

24,098,720

Indalum S.A.

29,052,829

The consolidated retained earnings which represent undistributed earnings of investees accounted for using the equity method as of December 31, 2005 amounts to ThCh$ 701,130.

i) Comprehensive income (loss)

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, 2003, 2004 and 2005:

For the year ended 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

44,987,779

-

-

44,987,779

Credit (charge) for the period

-

(32,260,447)

-

(32,260,447)

Ending balance

44,987,779

(32,260,447)

-

12,727,332

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

i) Comprehensive income (loss), continued

For the year ended 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

12,727,332

-

-

12,727,332

Credit (charge) for the period

-

(11,708,624)

1,553,717

(10,154,907)

Ending balance

12,727,332

(11,708,624)

1,553,717

2,572,425

 

For the year ended December 31, 2005

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

2,572,425

-

-

2,572,425

Credit (charge) for the period

-

(14,272,719)

608,647

(13,664,072)

Ending balance

2,572,425

(14,272,719)

608,647

(11,091,648)

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

        1. Reclassifications for US GAAP purposes

Under Chilean GAAP, the following income and expenses are classified as non-operating expenses whereas under US GAAP they would be classified as operating income and expenses:

Charge/(credit)

For the years ended December 31,

2003

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

(148,541)

(59,737)

(193,045)

Recovery of tax benefits in foreign subsidiaries

-

-

(502,210)

Other non-operating income

-

-

(107,269)

Amortization of goodwill

1,957,847

1,804,141

1,659,957

Staff severance indemnity payments related to restructuring

-

-

272,622

Obsolescence and write-offs of other long-term assets

1,784,667

388,473

240,944

Provision for lawsuits settlements

48,840

46,984

98,395

Adjustment to realizable value of assets held for sale

644,339

407,796

242,365

Depreciation of inactive assets (Argentina)

2,106,959

2,323,396

1,353,459

Government fines, taxes and interest from foreign subsidiaries

-

-

908,431

Valuation allowance for fixed and other assets (Argentina)

872,026

293,264

-

Accrual for contingent liabilities and lawsuits

356,756

219,703

-

Provision for subsidiary in liquidation Optel Ltda.

5,221,877

-

-

Allowance for closure and valuation of assets

in foreign subsidiaries (Ingewall and Uruguay)

513,040

79,178

38,985

Other non-operating expense

475,025

54,671

103,109

Total

13,832,835

5,557,869

4,115,743

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

  1. Reclassifications for US GAAP purposes, continued

The condensed consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31 under US GAAP are presented as follows:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Sales

248,114,594

331,799,212

365,249,894

Cost of sales

(229,016,928)

(286,968,178)

(314,532,513)

Gross Margin

19,097,666

44,831,034

50,717,381

Administrative and selling expenses

(22,914,907)

(22,796,843)

(24,328,877)

Operating (loss) income......

(3,817,241)

22,034,191

26,388,504

Non-operating income and expenses, net

(15,944,674)

(9,867,388)

(10,990,484)

Net (loss) income before income taxes

and minority interest interest

(19,761,915)

12,166,803

15,398,020

Income taxes

(624,827)

(2,396,531)

(821,638)

Equity in participation on (loss) income

of related companies, net

(33,589)

(23,841)

281,074

(Loss) income before minority interest

(20,420,331)

9,746,431

14,857,456

Minority interest

(576,351)

(290,455)

(785,975)

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

(20,996,682)

9,455,976

14,071,481

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

119,022

468,359

(771)

Net (loss) income

(20,877,660)

9,924,335

14,070,710

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Loss on hedge of the foreign currency exposure

of net investment in foreign operations

(32,260,447)

(11,708,624)

(14,272,719)

Cumulative translation adjustment

-

1,553,717

608,647

Comprehensive net (loss) income

(53,138,107)

(230,572)

406,638

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

j) Reclassifications for US GAAP purposes, continued

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,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Current assets

152,145,967

 

156,083,210

Property, plant, and equipment

313,080,888

 

302,351,883

Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment

(164,739,158)

 

(165,503,414)

Property, plant, and equipment, net

148,341,730

 

136,848,469

Goodwill, net

22,698,747

 

20,397,142

Other assets

20,280,099

 

21,600,924

Total assets

343,466,543

 

334,929,745

       

Current liabilities

65,749,656

 

69,337,151

Long-term liabilities

118,324,496

 

63,073,177

Minority interest

10,293,489

 

9,857,910

Shareholders' equity

149,098,902

 

192,661,507

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' equity

343,466,543

 

334,929,745

k) Cash flow information

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,

2003

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities under Chilean GAAP

(6,035,120)

4,921,838

10,376,619

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities under US GAAP

(6,035,120)

4,921,838

10,282,491

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities under Chilean GAAP

35,444,325

(23,404,830)

(4,076,984)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities under US GAAP

35,444,325

(23,404,830)

(4,076,984)

Cash used in investing activities under Chilean GAAP

(32,401,214)

25,396,060

(11,541,235)

Purchase of investments

(333,460)

-

-

Cash used in investing activities under US GAAP

(32,734,674)

25,396,060

(11,541,235)

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

k) Cash flow information, continued

The detail of cash and cash equivalents in US GAAP is a follows:

As of December 31,

2004

2005

ThCh$

ThCh$

Cash in banks

3,101,210

4,281,988

Time deposits

4,215,479

-

Marketable securities

46,092

150,000

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

5,972,167

3,264,911

Total

13,334,948

7,696,899

l) Segment reporting

The Company 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. The Company operates in four business segments including Wire and Cable, Brass Mills, Flexible Packaging and Aluminum Profiles.

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 or multiple strand (wire), twisted strands (cable), bare or insulated, type of material used for insulation, and magnetic or non-magnetic.

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

l) Segment reporting, continued

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 countries 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 S.A. and Tech Pak S.A. that operate in that business. Financial information of these investees is not considered as part of segment data reviewed by the chief operating decision maker and consequently these investees are not included in the segment information presented below.

Aluminum Profiles

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.

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

l) Segment reporting, continued

Segment Reporting

The Company presents segment information in accordance with Chilean GAAP. Disclosure of segment data and a reconciliation of the total amounts reported by reportable segments to the consolidated amounts in the financial statements are as follows:

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

117,368,903

59,653,508

44,320,600

31,034,548

-

-

252,377,559

Intersegment sales

21,267,464

6,494,101

4,340

-

-

(27,765,905)

-

Total revenues

138,636,367

66,147,609

44,324,940

31,034,548

-

(27,765,905)

252,377,559

Interest expense

4,933,412

6,154,553

904,187

1,240,906

-

-

13,233,058

Income taxes

(1,159,049)

(198,293)

204,282

(537,922)

-

-

(1,690,982)

Depreciation expense

(6,223,546)

(2,657,266)

(2,226,111)

(650,944)

-

-

(11,757,867)

Operating income

(1,082,612)

1,536,144

3,459,373

4,005,441

-

-

7,918,346

Identifiable assets at December 31, 2003

187,477,891

76,020,369

60,393,773

36,160,798

15,515,490

-

375,568,321

Capital expenditures

378,133

429,434

2,461,777

424,814

-

-

3,694,158

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

172,254,729

87,051,757

46,741,860

29,651,869

-

-

335,700,215

Intersegment sales

30,127,533

10,550,551

512

-

-

(40,678,596)

-

Total revenues

202,382,262

97,602,308

46,742,372

29,651,869

-

(40,678,596)

335,700,215

Interest expense

4,940,606

4,993,002

518,100

945,857

-

-

11,397,565

Income taxes

(1,085,957)

1,001,193

(551,668)

(961,335)

-

-

(1,597,767)

Depreciation expense

(5,735,205)

(2,560,821)

(2,195,059)

(682,111)

-

-

(11,173,196)

Operating income

10,870,215

8,453,125

3,301,863

3,457,147

-

-

26,082,350

Identifiable assets at December 31, 2004

187,991,813

67,954,604

59,793,536

39,008,299

506,788

-

355,255,040

Capital expenditures

1,585,285

441,886

4,050,949

590,802

-

-

6,668,922

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

l) Segment reporting, continued

For the year ended December 31, 2005

Wire and

Brass

Flexible

Cable

Mills

Packaging

Aluminum

Unallocated

Elimination

Consolidated

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

ThCh$

Sales to external customers

212,061,404

79,908,600

44,158,962

29,358,534

-

-

365,487,500

Intersegment sales

26,838,534

11,342,123

-

-

-

(38,180,657)

-

Total revenues

238,899,938

91,250,723

44,158,962

29,358,534

-

(38,180,657)

365,487,500

Interest expense

5,168,207

3,002,886

397,320

791,082

-

-

9,359,495

Income taxes

(2,062,034)

1,652,235

(318,909)

(738,072)

-

-

(1,466,780)

Depreciation expense

(5,564,989)

(2,504,102)

(2,219,691)

(954,464)

-

-

(11,243,246)

Operating income

19,390,555

2,023,288

3,425,901

3,000,652

-

-

27,840,396

Identifiable assets at December 31, 2005

184,888,942

63,505,019

56,643,044

36,963,558

2,337,119

-

344,337,682

Capital expenditures

2,513,346

811,146

5,281,945

1,791,511

-

-

10,397,948

The following represents sales data for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and property, plant and equipment information by geographic area as of December 31, 2004 and 2005:

             

Property, plant

 

Sales

 

and equipment

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

                   

Chile

154,486,311

 

195,989,332

 

167,795,893

 

76,184,119

 

74,531,690

Brazil

54,200,346

 

74,502,084

 

87,643,502

 

42,431,435

 

36,465,993

Argentina

17,358,469

 

22,915,519

 

52,609,926

 

24,607,225

 

23,087,600

Peru

26,332,433

 

42,293,280

 

57,438,179

 

12,453,754

 

10,778,745

Total

252,377,559

 

335,700,215

 

365,487,500

 

155,676,533

 

144,864,028

 

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

m) Discontinued Operation

As described in Note 32 par. q) during 2005 the Company disposed substantially all of its assets of subsidiary Alufoil S.A. that was accounted for as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS 144, accordingly, amounts in the reconciliation of net income to US GAAP and the additional disclosure notes required under US GAAP for all periods shown, reflect discontinued accounting.

The following major classes of discontinued combined assets and combined liabilities included in the Madeco S.A. consolidated balance sheet under US GAAP:

 

As of December 31,

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

       

Current assets

3,203,833

 

2,796,096

Property, plant, and equipment

942,109

 

128,103

Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment

(314,516)

 

(128,103)

Property, plant, and equipment, net

627,593

 

-

Total assets

3,831,426

 

2,796,096

       

Current liabilities

1,038,425

 

4,111

Shareholders' equity

2,793,001

 

2,791,985

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

3,831,426

 

2,796,096

The following major classes of revenues and expenses are included in the Madeco S.A. consolidated income statement under US GAAP, presented net of taxes as discontinued operations:

 

For the years ended December 31,

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

 

ThCh$

           

Sales

4,262,964

3,901,003

237,606

Costs of sales

(3,539,047)

(3,078,921)

(271,891)

Gross Margin

723,917

822,082

(34,285)

Administrative and selling expenses

(533,696)

(612,431)

(17,983)

Operating (loss) income......

190,221

209,651

(52,268)

Non-operating income and expenses, net

(46,002)

633,495

51,291

Net (loss) income before income taxes and minority interest

144,219

843,146

(977)

Income taxes

12,472

(226,560)

(38)

(Loss) income before minority interest

156,691

616,586

(1,015)

Minority interest

(37,669)

(148,227)

244

Net income (loss) from discontinued operations

119,022

468,359

(771)

 

Note 32 - Differences between Chilean and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, continued

n) Recent accounting pronouncements

Stock Based Compensation

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment ("SFAS 123(R)"), 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 123(R) 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 proforma disclosures previously permitted under SFAS 123 no longer will be an alternative to financial statement recognition. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 123(R), beginning January 1, 2006. Under SFAS 123(R), 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 used 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 123(R),while the retroactive 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 123(R) and expects that the adoption of SFAS 123(R) will have an impact on its consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. The impact of adoption of SFAS 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 SFAS 123(R) in prior periods the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS 123 as described in the disclosure of pro-forma net income and earnings per share in Note 32 1n) to the consolidated financial statements.