GrafTech Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.

Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:05am EDT

PARMA, Ohio--(Business Wire)--
GrafTech International Ltd. (NYSE:GTI) today announced financial results for the
second quarter ended June 30, 2009. 

2009 Second Quarter Highlights (Quarter-over-quarter)

* Net sales increased 18 percent to $158 million over the first quarter 2009. 
* Gross profit improved $14 million to $46 million, or 29.0 percent of sales, a
margin expansion of more than five percentage points versus the first quarter
2009. 
* Operating income more than doubled to $19 million as compared to the prior
quarter. 
* Net debt was $48 million, an improvement of $29 million versus the first
quarter 2009.

2009 Second Quarter Highlights (Year-over-year)

* Net sales were $158 million, versus $320 million in the second quarter of
2008, primarily the result of lower volumes associated with significantly
reduced demand driven by the global economic recession. 
* Gross profit declined to $46 million or 29.0 percent of sales, as compared to
$114 million or 35.8 percent of sales in the second quarter of 2008. The
reduction in gross profit percentage was largely the result of unfavorable fixed
cost absorption associated with lower sales volumes. 
* Operating income was $19 million, versus $89 million in the second quarter of
2008. Operating income margin decreased to 12.3 percent of sales, from 27.7
percent in the same period in 2008. 
* Unfavorable business conditions at our non-consolidated affiliate, Seadrift
Coke L.P. (Seadrift), resulted in a $45 million, net of tax, non-cash impairment
in the value of our investment in the company. Including this impact, net loss
was $37 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, versus net income of $46 million,
or $0.41 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2008. 
* On an operating basis, net income before special items* was $15 million, or
$0.12 per diluted share, as compared to $57 million, or $0.51 per diluted share,
in the second quarter of 2008. 
* Net cash provided by operating activities improved $11 million to $46 million,
versus $35 million in the second quarter of 2008. 
* Net debt* was reduced by $115 million or 71 percent year-over-year to $48
million in the second quarter 2009.

Craig Shular, Chief Executive Officer of GrafTech, commented, "Previously
announced initiatives on salary and cost reductions, productivity improvements
and effective working capital management continue to gain traction and have
allowed us to remain cash flow positive in the first and second quarters of
2009. As a result, net debt has been reduced by $30 million since year end
2008." 

Industrial Materials Segment

The Industrial Materials segment`s net sales were $130 million in the 2009
second quarter, as compared to $275 million in the 2008 second quarter. Net
sales in the quarter increased $25 million from $105 million in the 2009 first
quarter, largely as a result of increased graphite electrode sales volume. 

Operating income for the Industrial Materials segment was $16 million, versus
$80 million in the same period in 2008. The decline was primarily due to lower
sales volume for graphite electrodes related to the sharp reduction in global
steel operating rates and inventory destocking. 

Engineered Solutions Segment

Net sales for the Engineered Solutions segment were $28 million in the 2009
second quarter, as compared to $44 million in the 2008 second quarter. Net sales
for the quarter declined $2 million as compared to $30 million in the first
quarter 2009. 

Operating income for the Engineered Solutions segment was $3 million, as
compared to $9 million in the 2008 second quarter. The decrease was largely the
result of lower sales volume across multiple product lines and an unfavorable
product mix. 

Corporate

Selling and administrative expenses declined $1 million to $23 million in the
2009 second quarter versus the same period last year as our team continues to
execute on previously announced cost savings initiatives. 

Research and development expenses were $3 million in the second quarter 2009 as
we continue to support organic growth opportunities and new product development.
On July 20, 2009, GrafTech was awarded the prestigious R&D 100 Award for our new
product line, GRAFIHX Flexible Heat Exchangers, a graphite solution uniquely
suited for radiant floor heating systems. The R&D 100 Award honors the 100 most
technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the
past year. This award marks GrafTech`s sixth R&D 100 Award in the past seven
years. 

Interest expense in the quarter was $1 million, versus $6 million in the second
quarter 2008. The reduction was driven primarily by the Company`s successful
deleveraging initiatives. 

Other expense, net, was $3 million in the 2009 second quarter, flat as compared
to the second quarter 2008. 

In the second quarter, we recorded a $53 million non-cash impairment charge,
against the valuation of our investment in Seadrift. On an after tax basis, the
charge equates to $45 million, or approximately $0.38 per diluted share. The
global economic recession has lead to historic declines in steel demand and
record low capacity utilization rates. The reassessment of the valuation of our
investment in Seadrift arose from its very low 2009 operating rates and the
uncertainty regarding the timing of a global market recovery. 

On July 2, 2009, we entered into an agreement with Seadrift to lend up to $8.5
million. Seadrift currently has borrowed $6 million under this agreement, which
will be used to reduce its existing revolving credit facility balance. The
senior subordinated notes bear interest at 10 percent which is payable quarterly
in arrears. 

Aggressive working capital management, successful productivity initiatives and
cost reductions have enabled Seadrift to generate $13 million of free cash flow1
in the five months ended May 31, 2009. Seadrift has effectively leveraged its
cash position, reducing total liabilities by $17 million from year end 2008 to
$25 million at the end of May 2009, of which $20 million was outstanding debt. 

"The dramatic destocking that has occurred throughout the steel supply chain has
led to an extremely challenging operating environment for many companies,
including Seadrift," commented Mr. Shular. "Seadrift is a strategic long-term
investment as the world`s second largest producer of petroleum needle coke and
we remain confident in the company`s long-term profitability." 

The effective income tax rate in the second quarter 2009, excluding other
special charges, was 19 percent, approximately twelve percentage points better
year-over-year due to favorable jurisdictional profitability mix and effective
tax planning initiatives. The lower tax rate in the second quarter 2009 resulted
in a benefit to the quarter of approximately $0.02 per diluted share, relative
to the prior year tax rate. For the full year 2009, we currently expect the
effective tax rate to be in the range of 22 percent to 25 percent. 

1Free cash flow is defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures. 

Outlook

Based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections and other economic
forecasts, the global recession is beginning the bottoming process. Weak end
market demand is expected to persist and the pace of recovery is anticipated to
be slow. As a result, steel producers continue to operate at very low rates in
order to reduce inventory levels to match current market demand. 

We continue to expect 2009 to be very challenging for both of our business
segments. Second quarter results came in better than expected due to the timing
of shipments and a lower tax rate. Given the favorable timing of shipments
experienced in the second quarter and the third quarter demand seasonality, we
believe third quarter results will be below the second quarter and closer to
those in the first quarter of the year. As anticipated, third quarter graphite
electrode sales volume will be adversely impacted by low European steel
operating rates due to the normal European August holiday season. 

While a high degree of uncertainty around forward looking projections remains,
we expect an improvement in fourth quarter results as customers should have
largely completed inventory destocking initiatives. The fourth quarter should
represent the strongest quarter of the year. 

Based on the first half of the year results and anticipation of a moderate
improvement in the second half 2009, GrafTech expects the following full year
2009 results:

* Operating income targeted to be in the range of $60 million to $70 million; 
* Capital expenditures to be approximately $50 million to $55 million; 
* Depreciation expense to be approximately $35 million; 
* The effective tax rate to be in the range of 22 percent to 25 percent
(previous guidance was 28 percent to 32 percent).

In conjunction with this earnings release, you are invited to listen to our
earnings call being held today at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.The call will be
webcast and available at www.graftech.com, in the investor relations section.A
conference call will also be available.The dial-in number is 888-857-6931 for
domestic and 719-457-2640for international. The rebroadcast webcast will be
available following the call, and for 30 days thereafter, at www.graftech.com,
in the investor relations section.GrafTech also makes its complete financial
reports that have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
available at www.graftech.com. This includes its quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the period reported. Upon request, GrafTech will provide its stockholders
with a hard copy of its complete financial statements free of charge.

GrafTech International Ltd. is one of the world`s largest manufacturers and
providers of high quality synthetic and natural graphite and carbon based
products and technical and research and development services, with customers in
70 countries engaged in the manufacture of steel, automotive products and
electronics.We manufacture graphite electrodes, products essential to the
production of electric arc furnace steel.We also manufacture thermal management,
fuel cell and other specialty graphite and carbon products for, and provide
services to, the electronics, power generation, solar, oil and gas,
transportation, petrochemical and other metals markets.We operate 11
manufacturing facilities strategically located on four continents. For
additional information on GrafTech International Ltd., call 216-676-2000, or
visit our website at www.graftech.com.

NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:This news release and related discussions may
contain forward-looking statements about such matters as: our preliminary
unaudited results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009 and outlook for
2009; regional and global economic and industry market conditions, including our
expectations concerning their impact on the markets we serve and, our
profitability, cash flow, and liquidity; conditions and changes in the global
financial and credit markets and their impact on us and our customers and
suppliers; the impact of actions being taken to improve our cost competitiveness
and liquidity; estimated future capital expenditures and their impact on product
quality and efficiencies; changes in production capacity in our operations and
our customers' operations or possible suspensions thereof; growth rates for,
future prices and sales of, and demand for our products and our customers
products; costs of materials and production, including anticipated changes
therein; our position in markets we serve; investments and acquisitions that we
have made or may make in the future; tax rates and the effects of jurisdictional
mix and nonrecurring and other items; future operational and financial
performance; strategic plans; currency exchange and interest rates; financing
(including factoring and supply chain financing) activities; stock repurchase
plans; raw material and supply chain management; future sales, costs, working
capital, revenues, business opportunities; operational and financial
performance; and debt levels.We have no duty to update these statements.Our
expectations and targets are not predictions of actual performance and
historically our performance has deviated, often significantly, from our
expectations and targets. Actual future events, circumstances, performance and
trends could differ materially, positively or negatively, from those set forth
in these statements due to various factors, including: the extent of any
adjustments to our preliminary 2009 second quarter results; the actual timing of
the filing of our Form 10-Q with the SEC and potential effects of delays in such
filing; the adoption of government fiscal and monetary stimulus and
stabilization plans that could significantly impact us and our industry; further
downturns, production suspensions, or changes in steel and other markets we
serve or that our customersserve that could result in additional loss of
revenue, profitability, and cash flow; a protracted regional or global financial
or economic crisis that could cause us not to achieve our growth and
diversification plans or meet market expectations, or to lose market share;
challenging economic conditions may lead to more intensified price competition
and price or margin decreases; reductions in capacity or production by us and
our customers; delays in customer destocking activities or failure of demand to
increase thereafter; graphite electrode manufacturing capacity increases;
differences between actual graphite electrode prices and spot or announced
prices; changes in inventory management and utilization or in supply chain
management; consolidation of steel producers; limitations on the amounts of or
delays in the timing of our capital expenditures; absence of successful
development and commercialization of new or improved products or subsequent
displacement thereof by other products or technologies; failure to expand
manufacturing capacity to meet growth in demand, if any; investments and
acquisitions that we make or may make in the future, failure to successfully
integrate into our business or the failure of such investments and acquisitions
to provide the performance or returns expected; inability to protect our
intellectual property rights or infringement of intellectual property rights of
others; unanticipated developments in legal proceedings or litigation;
non-realization of anticipated benefits from organizational changes and
restructurings; significant changes in our provision for income taxes and
effective income tax rate; unanticipated developments relating to health, safety
or environmental compliance or remediation obligations or liabilities to third
parties, changes in labor relations; significant changes in the availability or
cost of key and other raw materials, including petroleum based coke, or energy;
changes in market prices of our securities, or other events that affect our
financing and capital structure plans or limit our ability to obtain financing
for working capital, growth, or other initiatives on acceptable terms; changes
in interest or currency exchange rates or competitive conditions, including
growth by producers in developing countries and the mix, distribution, and
pricing of their products; inflation or deflation; changes in appropriation of
or failure to satisfy conditions to government grants; failure to achieve
earnings or other estimates; business interruptions adversely affecting our
ability to supply our products; and other risks and uncertainties, including
those detailed in our SEC filings, as well as future decisions by us. This news
release does not constitute an offer or solicitation as to any securities.
References to street or analyst earnings estimates mean those published by First
Call.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
 GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   At December 31,       At June 30,  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   2008                  2009         
                 ASSETS                                                                                                                                                                                                                            (as adjusted)                      
 Current Assets:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                 Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                                                                                      $  11,664             $  17,629       
                 Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,110 at December 31, 2008 and $5,042 at June 30, 2009                                                                                                  146,986               92,208       
                 Inventories                                                                                                                                                                                                                       290,397               275,773      
                 Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                                                                                                                                                         14,376                6,199        
                 Total current assets                                                                                                                                                                                                              463,423               391,809      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                 Property, plant and equipment                                                                                                                                                                                                     873,932               927,115      
                 Less: accumulated depreciation                                                                                                                                                                                                    536,562               572,061      
                 Net property, plant and equipment                                                                                                                                                                                                 337,370               355,054      
                 Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                                             1,907                 8,366        
                 Goodwill                                                                                                                                                                                                                          7,166                 8,573        
                 Other assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                      12,887                13,486       
                 Investment in non-consolidated affiliate                                                                                                                                                                                          118,925               65,413       
                 Restricted cash                                                                                                                                                                                                                   1,451                 1,470        
                 Total assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                   $  943,129            $  844,171      
                 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS` EQUITY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 Current liabilities:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                 Accounts payable                                                                                                                                                                                                               $  55,132             $  38,980       
                 Interest payable                                                                                                                                                                                                                  953                   967          
                 Short-term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                                   9,347                 12,019       
                 Accrued income and other taxes                                                                                                                                                                                                    34,861                22,964       
                 Other accrued liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                         140,330               55,052       
                 Total current liabilities                                                                                                                                                                                                         240,623               129,982      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Long-term debt:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                 Principal value                                                                                                                                                                                                                   50,328                53,514       
                 Fair value adjustments for hedge instruments                                                                                                                                                                                      191                   165          
                 Unamortized bond premium                                                                                                                                                                                                          38                    33           
                 Total long-term debt                                                                                                                                                                                                              50,557                53,712       
                 Other long-term obligations                                                                                                                                                                                                       118,272               121,251      
                 Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                                                                                             29,087                28,727       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
 Stockholders` equity:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
                 Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued                                                                                                                                                        -                     -            
                 Common stock, par value $.01, 150,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2008 and 225,000,000 authorized at June 30, 2009, 122,634,854 shares issued at December 31, 2008 and 123,894,101 shares issued at June 30, 2009       1,226                 1,239        
                 Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                                                                                                                        1,290,381             1,296,494    
                 Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                                                                                                              (355,960)             (327,500)    
                 Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                                                                                                               (317,752)             (346,373)    
                 Less: cost of common stock held in treasury, 3,974,345 shares at December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009                                                                                                                              (112,511)             (112,511)    
                 Less: common stock held in employee benefit and compensation trusts, 55,728 shares at December 31, 2008 and 68,809 shares at June 30, 2009                                                                                        (794)                 (850)        
 Total stockholders` equity                                                                                                                                                                                                                         504,590               510,499      
                 Total liabilities and stockholders` equity                                                                                                                                                                                     $  943,129            $  844,171      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      


                                                                                                                                                                                         
 GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                                                                                  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                                                                                                                                                         
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)                                                                                                                                      
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                   For the                                                For the                                        
                                                                                   Three Months Ended                                     Six Months Ended                               
                                                                                   June 30,                                               June 30,                                       
                                                                                   2008                           2009                 2008                         2009           
                                                                                   (as adjusted)                                       (as adjusted)                               
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Net sales                                                                      $  319,538                 $     157,774          $  609,540                $    291,800       
 Cost of sales                                                                     205,188                       112,086             387,089                     214,018       
 Gross profit                                                                      114,350                       45,688              222,451                     77,782        
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Research and development                                                          1,835                         3,109               4,100                       5,177         
 Selling and administrative                                                        23,688                        23,095              46,279                      44,730        
 Restructuring charges                                                             190                           -                   342                         (32      )    
 Operating income                                                                  88,637                        19,484              171,730                     27,907        
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Equity in losses and write-down of investment in non-consolidated affiliate       -                             54,602              -                           53,390        
 Other expense (income), net                                                       2,919                         3,270               23,954                      (2,264   )    
 Interest expense                                                                  5,782                         1,421               13,432                      3,068         
 Interest income                                                                   (206     )                    (184     )          (578     )                  (301     )    
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Income (loss) before provision for income taxes                                   80,142                        (39,625  )          134,922                     (25,986  )    
 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes                                         34,285                        (2,534   )          52,383                      2,636         
 Net income (loss)                                                              $  45,857                  $     (37,091  )       $  82,539                 $    (28,622  )    
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Basic income (loss) per common share:                                                                                                                                             
 Net income (loss) per share                                                    $  0.43                    $     (0.31    )       $  0.79                   $    (0.24    )    
 Weighted average common shares outstanding                                        106,050                       119,893             104,161                     119,402       
                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:                                                                                                                                         
 Net income (loss) per share                                                    $  0.41                    $     (0.31    )       $  0.75                   $    (0.24    )    
 Weighted average common shares outstanding                                        119,521                       119,893             118,581                     119,402       
                                                                                                                                                                               


                                                                                                                                                                                                         
 GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                                                                                                  
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                                                                                                                                                        
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                                                                                                                                       
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                For the                                                 For the                                          
                                                                                                Three Months Ended                                      Six Months Ended                                 
                                                                                                June 30,                                                June 30,                                         
                                                                                                2008                            2009                 2008                          2009            
                                                                                                (as adjusted)                                        (as adjusted)                                 
 Cash flow from operating activities:                                                                                                                                                              
 Net income (loss)                                                                           $  45,857                   $     (37,091  )       $  82,539                  $    (28,622   )    
 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:                                                                                                             
 Depreciation and amortization                                                                  8,858                          8,174               17,416                       16,202         
 Deferred income taxes                                                                          10,205                         (838     )          11,092                       848            
 Equity in losses and write-down of investment in non-consolidated affiliate                    -                              54,602              -                            53,390         
 Gain on redemption of Debentures                                                               (4,060    )                    -                   (4,060    )                  -              
 Currency (gains) losses                                                                        (1,922    )                    5,479               14,313                       (3,682    )    
 Post retirement and pension plan changes                                                       1,128                          3,983               1,581                        5,398          
 Stock based compensation, including incentive compensation paid in company stock               1,212                          4,441               2,373                        4,958          
 Interest expense                                                                               3,935                          331                 6,969                        660            
 Other (credits) charges, net                                                                   (1,051    )                    7,085               2,617                        12,599         
 Dividends from non-consolidated affiliate                                                      -                              -                   -                            122            
 (Increase) decrease in working capital1                                                        (29,248   )                    1,795               (35,002   )                  3,403          
 Decrease (increase) in long-term assets and liabilities                                        300                            (1,854   )          2,523                        (4,845    )    
 Net cash provided by operating activities                                                      35,214                         46,107              102,361                      60,431         
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash flow from investing activities:                                                                                                                                                              
 Capital expenditures                                                                           (18,165   )                    (17,327  )          (27,554   )                  (29,964   )    
 Proceeds from derivative instruments                                                           -                              682                 224                          263            
 Investment in non-consolidated affiliate, net of $388 cash received                            (134,611  )                    -                   (134,611  )                  -              
 Proceeds from sale of assets                                                                   (33       )                    52                  18                           69             
 Change in restricted cash                                                                      10                             (79      )          (166      )                  (19       )    
 Net cash used in investing activities                                                          (152,799  )                    (16,672  )          (162,089  )                  (29,651   )    
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Cash flow from financing activities:                                                                                                                                                              
 Short-term debt borrowings, net                                                                (894      )                    (1,068   )          14,993                       2,529          
 Revolving Facility borrowings                                                                  85,000                         51,754              155,625                      114,715        
 Revolving Facility reductions                                                                  (4,133    )                    (64,000  )          (70,810   )                  (112,000  )    
 Long-term debt reductions                                                                      155                            -                   (124,508  )                  (129      )    
 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation                                               12,083                         -                   12,136                       10             
 Supply chain financing                                                                         -                              (5,419   )          -                            (30,115   )    
 Long-term financing obligations                                                                -                              (261     )          -                            (536      )    
 Purchase of treasury shares                                                                    (4,320    )                    -                   (5,323    )                  -              
 Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                        36,148                         3                   36,315                       57             
 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                                            124,039                        (18,991  )          18,428                       (25,469   )    
                                                                                                                                                                                                   
 Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                           6,454                          10,444              (41,300   )                  5,311          
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                   135                            1,072               122                          654            
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                               6,974                          6,113               54,741                       11,664         
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                  $  13,563                   $     17,629           $  13,563                  $    17,629         
                                                                                                                                                                                                  
 1Net change in working capital due to the following components:                                                                                                                                  
 (Increase) decrease in current assets:                                                                                                                                                            
 Accounts and notes receivable                                                               $  (22,233   )              $     4,601            $  (48,186   )             $    73,693         
 Effect of factoring on accounts receivable                                                     (6,845    )                    51                  23,773                       (15,818   )    
 Inventories                                                                                    (9,052    )                    26,418              (5,559    )                  30,467         
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                      (1,860    )                    (1,250   )          (976      )                  (841      )    
 Restructuring payments                                                                         (683      )                    (5       )          (816      )                  (11       )    
 Decrease (increase) in accounts payable and accruals                                           10,289                         (28,517  )          3,276                        (84,101   )    
 Decrease (increase) in interest payable                                                        1,136                          497                 (6,514    )                  14             
 (Increase) decrease in working capital                                                      $  (29,248   )              $     1,795            $  (35,002   )             $    3,403          
                                                                                                                                                                                               


                                                                                                           
 GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                    
 
SEGMENT DATA SUMMARY                                                                                           
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                                         
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                    
                                                                                                           
                                For the                                 For the                            
                                Three Months Ended                      Six Months Ended                   
                                June 30,                                June 30,                           
                                2008                   2009          2008                   2009     
                                                                                                     
 Net sales:                                                                                          
 Industrial Materials        $  275,121         $      129,834    $  523,410         $      234,355  
 Engineered Solutions           44,417                 27,940        86,130                 57,445   
 Net sales                   $  319,538         $      157,774    $  609,540         $      291,800  
                                                                                                     
 Operating income:                                                                                   
 Industrial Materials        $  79,646          $      16,369     $  154,311         $      23,158   
 Engineered Solutions           8,991                  3,115         17,419                 4,749    
 Operating income            $  88,637          $      19,484     $  171,730         $      27,907   
                                                                                                     
 Operating income margin:                                                                            
 Industrial Materials           28.9%                  12.6%         29.5%                  9.9%     
 Engineered Solutions           20.2%                  11.1%         20.2%                  8.3%     
 Operating income margin        27.7%                  12.3%         28.2%                  9.6%     
                                                                                                     


                                                               
 GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                       
 
SELECTED FIRST QUARTER 2009 DATA                                  
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                            
 
(Unaudited)                                                       
                                                               
                                          For the              
                                          Three Months Ended   
                                          March 31,            
                                          2009                 
 Net sales                             $  134,026              
 Industrial Material Net Sales         $  104,521              
 Engineered Solutions Net Sales        $  29,505               
 Gross Profit                          $  32,094               
 Gross Margin                             23.9%                
 Operating Income                      $  8,423                
 Net Debt                              $  76,451               
                                                               


                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES                                                                                                                                                                              
 
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                                                                                                              
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)                                                                                                                                                                             
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 Net Income and Earnings per Share Reconciliation                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                For the                                              For the                                         
                                                                                                                Three Months Ended                                   Three Months Ended                              
                                                                                                                June 30, 2008                                        June 30, 2009                                   
                                                                                                                Income                      EPS Impact            Income                      EPS Impact       
 Net Income                                                                                                   $  45,857               $     0.41              $  (37,091  )           $     (0.31   )       
 Adjustments, net of tax, per diluted share                                                                                                                                                                 
                         - Equity in losses of and write-down of investment in non-consolidated affiliate       -                          -                    47,035                     0.39            
                         - Valuation allowance                                                                  -                          -                    4,814                      0.04            
                         - Adjustment to reserves for uncertain tax positions                                   (959     )                 (0.01   )            (1,080   )                 (0.01   )       
                         - Accounting pronouncement 14-1 impact                                                 5,841                      0.05                 -                          -               
                         - Restructuring and Other (income) expense, net                                        6,851                      0.06                 1,100                      0.01            
 Net Income before special items                                                                              $  57,590               $     0.51              $  14,778               $     0.12            
                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                For the                                             For the                                         
                                                                                                                Six Months Ended                                    Six Months Ended                                
                                                                                                                June 30, 2008                                       June 30, 2009                                   
                                                                                                                Income                      EPS Impact            Income                      EPS Impact       
 Net Income                                                                                                   $  82,539               $     0.75              $  (28,622  )           $     (0.24   )       
 Adjustments, net of tax, per diluted share                                                                                                                                                                 
                         - Equity in losses of and write-down of investment in non-consolidated affiliate       -                          -                    46,187                     0.39            
                         - Valuation allowance                                                                  -                          -                    4,877                      0.04            
                         - Adjustment to reserves for uncertain tax positions                                   628                        -                    (962     )                 (0.01   )       
                         - Accounting pronouncement 14-1 impact                                                 5,841                      0.05                 -                          -               
                         - Restructuring and Other (income) expense, net                                        28,290                     0.24                 (1,878   )                 (0.02   )       
 Net Income before special items                                                                              $  117,298              $     1.04              $  19,602               $     0.16            
                                                                                                                                                                                                            


For 2008, the non-GAAP earnings per diluted share includes 13.6 million shares
underlying our previously outstanding contingently convertible debentures and
excludes approximately $3 million (before and after tax) in the second quarter
of 2008 and $6 million (before and after tax) through June 19, 2008 of
contingently convertible debenture interest expense. 

NOTE ON RECONCILIATION OF EARNINGS DATA: Income (loss) excluding the items
mentioned above is a non-GAAP financial measure that GrafTech calculates
according to the schedule above, using GAAP amounts from the Consolidated
Financial Statements. GrafTech believes that the excluded items are not
primarily related to core operational activities. GrafTech believes that income
(loss) excluding items that are not primarily related to core operational
activities is generally viewed as providing useful information regarding a
company`s operating profitability. Management uses income (loss) excluding these
items as well as other financial measures in connection with its decision-making
activities. Income (loss) excluding these items should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for net income (loss), income (loss) from
continuing operations or other consolidated income data prepared in accordance
with GAAP. GrafTech`s method for calculating income (loss) excluding these items
may not be comparable to methods used by other companies.

                                                                                                                            
 RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES                                                                                          
 
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES                                                                                          
 
(Dollars in thousands)                                                                                                                
 
(Unaudited)                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                            
 Net Debt Reconciliation                                                                                                                
                                                    At June 30,       At December 31,       At March 31,       At June 30,  
                                                    2008              2008                  2009               2009         
 Long-term debt                                  $  161,352        $  50,557             $  65,375          $  53,712       
 Short-term debt                                    16,358            9,347                 11,985             12,019       
 Supply chain financing                             -                 30,115                5,418              -            
 Total debt                                      $  177,710        $  90,019             $  82,778          $  65,731       
                                                                                                                            
 Less:                                                                                                                      
 Fair value adjustments for hedge instruments       814               191                   178                165          
 Unamortized bond premium                           162               38                    36                 33           
 Cash and cash equivalents                          13,563            11,664                6,113              17,629       
 Net Debt                                        $  163,171        $  78,126             $  76,451          $  47,904       
                                                                                                                            


NOTE ON NET DEBT RECONCILIATION: Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure that
GrafTech calculates according to the schedule above, using GAAP amounts from the
Consolidated Financial Statements. GrafTech excludes the unamortized bond
premium from its sale of $150 million aggregate principal amount of additional
senior notes in May 2002 at a price of 104.5% of principal amount. The premium
received in excess of principal amount is amortized to reduce interest expense
over the term of the senior notes. GrafTech also excludes the fair value
adjustments for hedge instruments, which includes interest rate swaps that have
been marked-to-market and realized gains or (losses) on interest rate swaps.
GrafTech believes that net debt is generally accepted as providing useful
information regarding a company`s indebtedness and that net debt provides
meaningful information to investors to assist them to analyze leverage.
Management uses net debt as well as other financial measures in connection with
its decision-making activities. Net debt should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for total debt or total debt and other long-term obligations
calculated in accordance with GAAP. GrafTech`s method for calculating net debt
may not be comparable to methods used by other companies and is not the same as
the method for calculating net debt under its senior secured revolving credit
facility. GrafTech does not forecast the fair value adjustment for hedging
instruments. 

*Non-GAAP financial measures. See attached reconciliations.

GTI-G 



GrafTech International Ltd.
Kelly Taylor, 216-676-2000
Manager, Investor Relations 

Copyright Business Wire 2009

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20090730005501/en

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