Form 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

Commission File Number 1-898

AMPCO-PITTSBURGH CORPORATION

 

Pennsylvania  
(State of Incorporation)   25-1117717

 

600 Grant Street, Suite 4600

  I.R.S. Employer ID No.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219  
(Address of principal executive offices)   (412) 456-4400
  (Registrant’s telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $1 par value   New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

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

Yes       No   ü 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes       No   ü 

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   ü   No       

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T(§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes        No       

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer        Accelerated Filer  ü   Non-accelerated Filer        Smaller reporting company      

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes       No   ü 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock of Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2010 (based upon the closing price of the Registrant’s Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) on that date) was approximately $177 million.

As of March 14, 2011, 10,305,156 common shares were outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference: Part III of this report incorporates by reference certain information from the Proxy Statement for the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

 

   5    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


– PART I –

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation (the “Corporation”) was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1929. The Corporation, individually or together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is also referred to herein as the “Registrant”.

The Corporation classifies its businesses in two segments: Forged and Cast Rolls and Air and Liquid Processing.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS

The sales and operating profit of the Corporation’s two segments and the identifiable assets attributable to both segments for the three years ended December 31, 2010 are set forth in Note 19 (Business Segments) on page 51 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Forged and Cast Rolls Segment

Union Electric Steel Corporation produces forged hardened steel rolls used in cold rolling by producers of steel, aluminum and other metals throughout the world. It is headquartered in Carnegie, Pennsylvania with three manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania and one in Indiana. Union Electric Steel Corporation is one of the largest producers of forged hardened steel rolls in the world. In addition to several domestic competitors, several major European, South American and Asian manufacturers also compete in both the domestic and foreign markets. In 2007, a subsidiary company became a 49% partner in a joint venture in China which will manufacture large forged backup rolls and is expected to be fully operational in 2011 with manufacturing capacity utilization increasing through 2012.

Union Electric Steel UK Limited (formerly known as The Davy Roll Company Limited) produces cast rolls for hot and cold strip mills, medium/heavy section mills and plate mills in a variety of iron and steel qualities. It is located in Gateshead, England and is a major supplier of cast rolls to the metalworking industry worldwide. It primarily competes with European, Asian and North and South American companies in both the domestic and foreign markets. Union Electric Steel UK also has an investment in a Chinese producer of cast rolls.

Air and Liquid Processing Segment

Aerofin Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation produces finned tube and plate finned heat exchange coils for the commercial and industrial construction, process and utility industries and is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Buffalo Air Handling Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation produces large custom air handling systems used in commercial, institutional and industrial buildings and is located in Amherst, Virginia.

Buffalo Pumps Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation manufactures a line of centrifugal pumps for the refrigeration, power generation and marine defense industries and is located in North Tonawanda, New York.

All three of the divisions in this segment are principally represented by a common independent sales organization and have several major competitors.

In both segments, the products are dependent on engineering, principally custom designed, and are sold to sophisticated commercial and industrial users located throughout the world.

The Forged and Cast Rolls segment has one international customer which constituted approximately 12% of its sales in 2010. The loss of this customer would not be expected to have a significant adverse financial impact on the segment.

For additional information on the products produced and financial information about each segment, see page 4 and Note 19 (Business Segments) on page 51 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    6   


Raw Materials

Raw materials used in both segments are generally available from many sources and the Corporation is not dependent upon any single supplier for any raw material. Substantial volumes of raw materials used by the Corporation are subject to significant variations in price. The Corporation generally does not purchase or commit for the purchase of a major portion of raw materials significantly in advance of the time it requires such materials but does make substantial forward commitments for the supply of natural gas.

Patents

While the Corporation holds some patents, trademarks and licenses, in the opinion of management they are not material to either segment of the Corporation’s business, other than in protecting the goodwill associated with the names under which products are sold.

Backlog

The backlog of orders at December 31, 2010 was approximately $397 million compared to a backlog of $501 million at year-end 2009. In addition, certain companies in the Forged and Cast Rolls group have long-term supply agreements under which certain customers are committed to purchasing approximately $50 million (through 2014) of product for which specific orders have not yet been received. To better match the changing production levels of their customers, backlog remains subject to rescheduling including, in some situations, bringing forward orders previously deferred. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict accurately the proportion of backlog to ship in 2011 and thereafter; however, based on current estimates, approximately $137 million is expected to be released after 2011.

Competition

The Corporation faces considerable competition from a large number of companies in both segments. The Corporation believes, however, that it is a significant factor in each of the niche markets which it serves. Competition in both segments is based on quality, service, price and delivery. For additional information, see “Narrative Description of Business” on page 6 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Research and Development

As part of an overall strategy to develop new markets and maintain leadership in each of the industry niches served, the Corporation’s businesses in both segments incur expenditures for research and development. The activities that are undertaken are designed to develop new products, improve existing products and processes, enhance product quality, adapt products to meet customer specifications and reduce manufacturing costs. In the aggregate, these expenditures approximated $1.71 million in 2010, $1.35 million in 2009 and $1.35 million in 2008.

Environmental Protection Compliance Costs

Expenditures for environmental control matters were not material to either segment in 2010 and such expenditures are not expected to be material in 2011.

Employees

On December 31, 2010, the Corporation had 1,264 active employees.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

The Forged and Cast Rolls segment has a manufacturing operation in England and a small European sales and engineering support group in Belgium. For financial information relating to foreign and domestic operations see Note 19 (Business Segments) on page 51 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Corporation files annual, quarterly and current reports, amendments to those reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may access and read the Corporation’s filings without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document the Corporation files at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F. Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room.

The Corporation’s Internet address is www.ampcopittsburgh.com. The Corporation makes available, free of charge on its Internet website, access to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

   7    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The name, age, position with the Corporation(1) and business experience for the past five years of the Executive Officers of the Corporation are as follows:

Robert A. Paul (age 73). Mr. Paul was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation in 2004. Prior to that, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for more than five years. He has been a Director since 1970 and his current term expires in 2012. He is also President and a director of The Louis Berkman Investment Company. Mr. Paul has been a shareholder, officer and director of the Corporation for more than 40 years.

Rose Hoover (age 55). Ms. Hoover has been employed by the Corporation for more than thirty years. She has served as Senior Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation since April 2009 and prior to that served as Vice President Administration and Secretary of the Corporation since December 2006. Prior to December 2006, she was Vice President and Secretary of the Corporation.

Marliss D. Johnson (age 46). Ms. Johnson has been Vice President, Controller and Treasurer of the Corporation for eleven years. Ms. Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant with fourteen years of experience with a major accounting firm prior to joining the Corporation.

Robert F. Schultz (age 63). Mr. Schultz has been with the Corporation for thirty years, for twenty-one of which he has served as Vice President Industrial Relations and Senior Counsel. Prior to joining the Corporation, Mr. Schultz practiced law in a private practice law firm.

 

  (1) Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors and none of the listed individuals serves as a director of a public company, except that Mr. Paul is a director of the Corporation.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    8   


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

From time to time, important factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any future expected results based on performance expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements made by us, including known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are not possible to predict or control. Several of these factors are described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but the factors described in filings are not the only risks that are faced.

Roll Demand

An unprecedented increase in steel production prior to 2010, particularly in China and certain other developing countries, had created a severe shortage of rolling mill roll production capacity throughout the world. This shortage resulted in our Forged and Cast Rolls segment receiving orders and contracts for the supply of rolls for several years into the future. Cancellation of such orders and contracts or delays in acceptance of delivery of rolls by customers may result in potential adverse impact on financial results and be the subject of contract renegotiation or even litigation.

Cyclical Demand for Products/Economic Downturns

A significant portion of our sales consists of rolling mill rolls to customers in the global steel industry which can be periodically impacted by economic or cyclical downturns. Such downturns, the timing and length of which are difficult to predict, may reduce the demand for and sales of our forged and cast steel rolls both in the United States and the rest of the world. Lower demand for rolls may also adversely impact profitability as other roll producers, which compete with us, lower selling prices in the market place in order to fill their manufacturing capacity. Cancellation of orders or deferral of delivery of rolls may occur and produce an adverse impact on financial results.

Steel Industry Consolidation

Globally, the steel industry has undergone structural change by way of consolidation and mergers. In certain markets, the resultant reduction in the number of steel plants and the increased buying power of the enlarged steel producing companies may put pressure on the selling prices and profit margins of rolls.

Export Sales

Exports are a significant proportion of our sales. Historically, changes in foreign exchange rates, particularly in respect of the U.S. dollar and the Euro, have impacted the export of our products and may do so again in the future. Other factors which may adversely impact export sales and operating results include political and economic instability, export controls, changes in tax laws and tariffs and new indigenous producers in overseas markets. A reduction in the level of export sales may have an adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, exchange rate changes may allow foreign roll suppliers to compete in our home markets.

Capital Spending

Each of our businesses is susceptible to the general level of economic activity, particularly as it impacts industrial and construction capital spending. A downturn in capital spending in the United States and elsewhere may reduce demand for and sales of our air handling, power generation and refrigeration equipment, and rolling mill rolls. Lower demand may also reduce profit margins due to our competitors and us striving to maximize manufacturing capacity by lowering prices.

Prices and Availability of Commodities

We use certain commodities in the manufacture of our products. These include steel scrap, ferroalloys and energy. Any sudden price increase may cause a reduction in profit margins or losses where fixed-priced contracts have been accepted or increases cannot be obtained in future selling prices. In addition, there may be curtailment in electricity or gas supply which would adversely impact production. Shortage of critical materials while driving up costs may be of such severity as to disrupt production, all of which may impact sales and profitability.

Labor Agreements

We have several key operations which are subject to multi-year collective bargaining agreements with our hourly work force. While we believe we have excellent relations with our unions, there is the risk of industrial action at the expiration of an agreement if contract negotiations break down, which may disrupt manufacturing and impact results of operations.

 

   9    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Dependence on Certain Equipment

Our principal business relies on certain unique equipment such as electric arc furnaces and forge presses. If any such unique equipment is out of operation for an extended period, it may result in a significant reduction in our sales and earnings. Loss of certain subcontractors may have a similar impact.

Asbestos Litigation

Our subsidiaries, and in some cases, we, are defendants in numerous claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in certain products of our subsidiaries. Through year-end 2010, our insurance has covered a substantial majority of our settlement and defense costs. We believe that the estimated costs net of anticipated insurance recoveries of our pending and future asbestos legal proceedings for the next ten years will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity. However, there can be no assurance that our subsidiaries or we will not be subject to significant additional claims in the future or that our subsidiaries’ ultimate liability with respect to asbestos claims will not present significantly greater and longer lasting financial exposure than provided for in our consolidated financial statements. Similarly, although the Corporation believes that the assumptions employed in valuing its insurance coverage were reasonable, there are other assumptions that could have been employed that would have resulted in materially lower insurance recovery projections. The ultimate net liability with respect to such pending and any unasserted claims is subject to various uncertainties, including the following:

 

 

the number of claims that are brought in the future;

 

 

the costs of defending and settling these claims;

 

 

insolvencies among our insurance carriers and the risk of future insolvencies;

 

 

the possibility that adverse jury verdicts could require damage payments in amounts greater than the amounts for which we have historically settled claims;

 

 

possible changes in the litigation environment or federal and state law governing the compensation of asbestos claimants;

 

 

the risk that the bankruptcies of other asbestos defendants may increase our costs; and

 

 

the risk that our insurance will not cover as much of our asbestos liabilities as anticipated.

Because of the uncertainties related to such claims, it is possible that the ultimate liability could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity in the future.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to various domestic and international environmental laws and regulations that govern the discharge of pollutants and disposal of wastes and which may require that we investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at sites associated with past and present operations. We could incur substantial cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third party property damage or personal injury claims as a result of violations or liabilities under these laws or non-compliance with environmental permits required at our facilities.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Corporation has no unresolved staff comments.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    10   


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The location and general character of the principal locations in each segment, all of which are owned unless otherwise noted, are as follows:

 

Company and Location      Principal Use     

Approximate

Square Footage

   Type of Construction

FORGED AND CAST ROLLS SEGMENT

Union Electric Steel Corporation

Route 18

Burgettstown, PA 15021

    

 

Manufacturing facilities

    

 

296,800 on 55 acres

  

 

Metal and steel

726 Bell Avenue

Carnegie, PA 15106

     Manufacturing facilities and offices      165,900 on 8.7 acres    Metal and steel

U.S. Highway 30

Valparaiso, IN 46383

     Manufacturing facilities      88,000 on 20 acres    Metal and steel

1712 Greengarden Road

Erie, PA 16501

     Manufacturing facilities      40,000*    Metal and steel

Bosstraat 54

3560 Lummen

Belgium

     Sales and engineering      4,500*    Cement block

Union Electric Steel UK Limited (formerly The Davy Roll Company Limited)

Coulthards Lane

Gateshead, England

    

 

Manufacturing facilities and offices

    

 

274,000 on 10 acres

  

 

Steel framed, metal

and brick

AIR AND LIQUID PROCESSING SEGMENT

Air & Liquid Systems Corporation        

 

Aerofin Division

4621 Murray Place

Lynchburg, VA 24506

    

 

Manufacturing facilities and offices

    

 

146,000 on 15.3 acres

  

 

Brick, concrete and

steel

Buffalo Air Handling Division

Zane Snead Drive

Amherst, VA 24531

    

 

Manufacturing facilities and offices

    

 

89,000 on 19.5 acres

  

 

Metal and steel

Buffalo Pump Division

874 Oliver Street

N. Tonawanda, NY 14120

    

 

Manufacturing facilities and offices

    

 

94,000 on 9 acres

  

 

Metal, brick and

cement block

 

* Facility is leased.

The Corporate office space is leased, as are several small sales offices. All of the owned facilities are adequate and suitable for their respective purposes.

The Forged and Cast Rolls segment’s facilities were operated within 80% to 90% of their normal capacity during 2010. The facilities of the Air and Liquid Processing segment were operated within 60% to 70% of their normal capacity. Normal capacity is defined as capacity under approximately normal conditions with allowances made for unavoidable interruptions, such as lost time for repairs, maintenance, breakdowns, set-up, failure, supply delays, labor shortages and absences, Sundays, holidays, vacation, inventory taking, etc. The number of work shifts is also taken into consideration.

 

   11    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

LITIGATION

The Corporation and its subsidiaries are involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to their businesses. In addition, it is also subject to asbestos litigation as described below.

Asbestos Litigation

Claims have been asserted alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products of predecessors of the Corporation’s Air & Liquid Systems Corporation subsidiary (“Asbestos Liability”) and of an inactive subsidiary in dissolution and another former division of the Corporation. Those subsidiaries, and in some cases the Corporation, are defendants (among a number of defendants, typically over 50) in cases filed in various state and federal courts.

Asbestos Claims

The following table reflects approximate information about the claims for Asbestos Liability against the subsidiaries and the Corporation, along with certain asbestos claims asserted against the inactive subsidiary in dissolution and the former division, for the three years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

 

      2010     2009     2008       

Open claims at end of period

     8,081 (1)      8,168 (1)      9,354  (1)   

Gross settlement and defense costs (in 000’s)

   $   18,085      $  28,744      $  19,102     

Claims resolved

     1,377        3,336        1,015       

 

  (1) Included as “open claims” are approximately 1,791 claims in 2010, 1,938 claims in 2009 and 3,243 claims in 2008 classified in various jurisdictions as “inactive” or transferred to a state or federal judicial panel on multi-district litigation, commonly referred to as the MDL.

A substantial majority of the settlement and defense costs reflected in the above table were reported and paid by insurers. Because claims are often filed and can be settled or dismissed in large groups, the amount and timing of settlements, as well as the number of open claims, can fluctuate significantly from period to period. In 2006, for the first time, a claim for Asbestos Liability against one of the Corporation’s subsidiaries was tried to a jury. The trial resulted in a defense verdict. Plaintiffs appealed that verdict and in 2008 the California Court of Appeals reversed the jury verdict and remanded the case back to the trial court.

Asbestos Insurance

Certain of the Corporation’s subsidiaries and the Corporation have an arrangement (the “Coverage Arrangement”) with insurers responsible for historical primary and some first-layer excess insurance coverage for Asbestos Liability (the “Paying Insurers”). Under the Coverage Arrangement, the Paying Insurers accept financial responsibility, subject to the limits of the policies and based on fixed defense percentages and specified indemnity allocation formulas, for pending and future claims for Asbestos Liability. The claims against the Corporation’s inactive subsidiary that is in dissolution proceedings, numbering approximately 400 as of December 31, 2010, are not included within the Coverage Arrangement. The one claim filed against the former division also is not included within the Coverage Arrangement. The Corporation believes that the claims against the inactive subsidiary in dissolution and the former division are immaterial.

The Coverage Arrangement includes an acknowledgement that Howden North America, Inc. (“Howden”) is entitled to coverage under policies covering Asbestos Liability for claims arising out of the historical products manufactured or distributed by Buffalo Forge, a former subsidiary of the Corporation (the “Products”). The Coverage Arrangement does not provide for any prioritization on access to the applicable policies or monetary cap other than the limits of the policies, and, accordingly, Howden may access the policies at any time for any covered claim arising out of a Product. In general, access by Howden to the policies covering the Products will erode the coverage under the policies available to the Corporation and the relevant subsidiaries for Asbestos Liability alleged to arise out of not only the Products but also other historical products of the Corporation and its subsidiaries covered by the applicable policies.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    12   


On August 4, 2009, Howden filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. In the lawsuit Howden raised claims against certain insurance companies that allegedly issued policies to Howden that do not cover the Corporation or its subsidiaries, and also raised claims against the Corporation and two other insurance companies that issued excess insurance policies covering certain subsidiaries of the Corporation (the “Excess Policies”), but that were not part of the Coverage Arrangement. In the lawsuit, Howden seeks, as respects the Corporation, a declaratory judgment from the court as to the respective rights and obligations of Howden, the Corporation and the insurance carriers under the Excess Policies. One of the excess carriers and the Corporation filed cross-claims against each other seeking declarations regarding their respective rights and obligations under Excess Policies issued by that carrier. The Corporation’s cross-claim also sought damages for the carrier’s failure to pay certain defense and indemnity costs. The Corporation and that carrier concluded a settlement generally consistent with the Coverage Arrangement, and all claims between that carrier and the Corporation were dismissed with prejudice on December 8, 2010. The litigation remains pending with respect to the other carrier that issued one of the Excess Policies.

On February 24, 2011, the Corporation and its Air & Liquid Systems Corporation subsidiary filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against thirteen domestic insurance companies, certain underwriters at Lloyd’s, London and certain London market insurance companies, and Howden. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment regarding the respective rights and obligations of the parties under excess insurance policies not included within the Coverage Arrangement that were issued to the Corporation from 1981 through 1984 as respects claims against the Corporation and its subsidiary for Asbestos Liability and as respects asbestos bodily-injury claims against Howden arising from the Products.

Asbestos Valuations

In 2006, the Corporation retained Hamilton, Rabinovitz & Associates, Inc. (“HR&A”), a nationally recognized expert in the valuation of asbestos liabilities, to assist the Corporation in estimating the potential liability for pending and unasserted future claims for Asbestos Liability. HR&A was not requested to estimate asbestos claims against the inactive subsidiary in dissolution or the former division, which the Corporation believes are immaterial. Based on this analysis, the Corporation recorded a reserve for Asbestos Liability claims pending or projected to be asserted through 2013 as at December 31, 2006. HR&A’s analysis was updated in 2008, and additional reserves were established by the Corporation as at December 31, 2008 for Asbestos Liability claims pending or projected to be asserted through 2018. HR&A’s analysis was most recently updated in 2010, and additional reserves were established by the Corporation as at December 31, 2010 for Asbestos Liability claims pending or projected to be asserted through 2020. The methodology used by HR&A in its projection in 2010 of the operating subsidiaries’ liability for pending and unasserted potential future claims for Asbestos Liability, which is substantially the same as the methodology employed by HR&A in the 2006 and 2008 estimates, relied upon and included the following factors:

 

 

HR&A’s interpretation of a widely accepted forecast of the population likely to have been exposed to asbestos;

 

 

epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases;

 

 

HR&A’s analysis of the number of people likely to file an asbestos-related injury claim against the subsidiaries and the Corporation based on such epidemiological data and relevant claims history from January 1, 2008 to August 30, 2010;

 

 

an analysis of pending cases, by type of injury claimed and jurisdiction where the claim is filed;

 

 

an analysis of claims resolution history from January 1, 2008 to August 30, 2010 to determine the average settlement value of claims, by type of injury claimed and jurisdiction of filing; and

 

 

an adjustment for inflation in the future average settlement value of claims, at an annual inflation rate based on the Congressional Budget Office’s ten year forecast of inflation.

Using this information, HR&A estimated in 2010 the number of future claims for Asbestos Liability that would be filed through the year 2020, as well as the settlement or indemnity costs that would be incurred to resolve both pending and future unasserted claims through 2020. This methodology has been accepted by numerous courts.

In conjunction with developing the aggregate liability estimate referenced above, the Corporation also developed an estimate of probable insurance recoveries for its Asbestos Liabilities. In developing the estimate, the Corporation considered HR&A’s projection for settlement or indemnity costs for Asbestos Liability and management’s projection of associated defense costs (based on the current defense to indemnity cost ratio), as well as a number of additional factors . These additional factors included the Coverage Arrangement, self-insured retentions, policy exclusions, policy limits, policy provisions regarding coverage for defense costs, attachment points, prior impairment of policies and gaps in the coverage, policy exhaustions, insolvencies among certain of the insurance carriers, the nature of the underlying claims for Asbestos Liability asserted against the subsidiaries and the Corporation as reflected in the Corporation’s asbestos claims database, as well as estimated erosion of insurance limits on account of claims against Howden arising out of the Products. In addition to consulting with the Corporation’s outside legal counsel on these insurance matters, the Corporation retained in 2010 a nationally-recognized

 

   13    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


insurance consulting firm to assist the Corporation with certain policy allocation matters that also are among the several factors considered by the Corporation when analyzing potential recoveries from relevant historical insurance for Asbestos Liabilities. Based upon all of the factors considered by the Corporation, and taking into account the Corporation’s analysis of publicly available information regarding the credit-worthiness of various insurers, the Corporation estimated the probable insurance recoveries for Asbestos Liability and defense costs through 2020. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions employed in the insurance valuation were reasonable and previously consulted with its outside legal counsel and insurance consultant regarding those assumptions, there are other assumptions that could have been employed that would have resulted in materially lower insurance recovery projections.

Based on the analyses described above, the Corporation’s reserve at December 31, 2010 for the total costs, including defense costs, for Asbestos Liability claims pending or projected to be asserted through 2020 was $218 million, of which approximately 85% was attributable to settlement costs for unasserted claims projected to be filed through 2020 and future defense costs. While it is reasonably possible that the Corporation will incur additional charges for Asbestos Liability and defense costs in excess of the amounts currently reserved, the Corporation believes that there is too much uncertainty to provide for reasonable estimation of the number of future claims, the nature of such claims and the cost to resolve them beyond 2020. Accordingly, no reserve has been recorded for any costs that may be incurred after 2020.

The Corporation’s receivable at December 31, 2010 for insurance recoveries attributable to the claims for which the Corporation’s Asbestos Liability reserve has been established, including the portion of incurred defense costs covered by the Coverage Arrangement, and the probable payments and reimbursements relating to the estimated indemnity and defense costs for pending and unasserted future Asbestos Liability claims, was $142 million ($115 million as of December 31, 2009). The insurance receivable recorded by the Corporation does not assume any recovery from insolvent carriers, and substantially all of the insurance recoveries deemed probable were from insurance companies rated A – (excellent) or better by A.M. Best Corporation. There can be no assurance, however, that there will not be further insolvencies among the relevant insurance carriers, or that the assumed percentage recoveries for certain carriers will prove correct. The $76 million difference between insurance recoveries and projected costs at December 31, 2010 is not due to exhaustion of all insurance coverage for Asbestos Liability. The Corporation and the subsidiaries have substantial additional insurance coverage which the Corporation expects to be available for Asbestos Liability claims and defense costs the subsidiaries and it may incur after 2020. However, this insurance coverage also can be expected to have gaps creating significant shortfalls of insurance recoveries as against claims expense, which could be material in future years.

The amounts recorded by the Corporation for Asbestos Liabilities and insurance receivables rely on assumptions that are based on currently known facts and strategy. The Corporation’s actual expenses or insurance recoveries could be significantly higher or lower than those recorded if assumptions used in the Corporation’s or HR&A’s calculations vary significantly from actual results. Key variables in these assumptions are identified above and include the number and type of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of each such new claim, average annual defense costs, the resolution of coverage issues with insurance carriers, and the solvency risk with respect to the relevant insurance carriers. Other factors that may affect the Corporation’s Asbestos Liability and ability to recover under its insurance policies include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, reforms that may be made by state and federal courts, and the passage of state or federal tort reform legislation.

The Corporation intends to evaluate its estimated Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivables as well as the underlying assumptions on a regular basis to determine whether any adjustments to the estimates are required. Due to the uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation and insurance, these regular reviews may result in the Corporation incurring future charges; however, the Corporation is currently unable to estimate such future charges. Adjustments, if any, to the Corporation’s estimate of its recorded Asbestos Liability and/or insurance receivables could be material to operating results for the periods in which the adjustments to the liability or receivable are recorded, and to the Corporation’s liquidity and consolidated financial position.

ENVIRONMENTAL

With respect to environmental matters, the Corporation is currently performing certain remedial actions in connection with the sale of real estate previously owned and has been named a Potentially Responsible Party at two third-party landfill sites (a third location was settled on a de minimis basis in 2009). In addition, as a result of the sale of a segment, the Corporation retained the liability to remediate certain environmental contamination and has agreed to indemnify the buyer against third-party claims arising from the discharge of certain contamination. Environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including lack of reliable data, the multiplicity of possible solutions, the years of remedial and monitoring activity required, and identification of new sites. However, in the opinion of management, the potential liability for all environmental proceedings based on information known to date has been adequately reserved.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    14   


– PART II –

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The shares of common stock of Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol AP). Cash dividends have been paid on common shares in every year since 1965.

 

          2010 Per Share         2009 Per Share
           

        Common Stock Price        

                  

        Common Stock Price        

    
Quarter         

High

   Low         

Dividends

Declared

         High    Low   

Dividends

Declared

First

      $  32.72    $  22.01       $  0.18       $  24.96    $  7.64    $  0.18

Second

      27.10    20.45       0.18       29.50    12.69    0.18

Third

      25.50    19.89       0.18       29.90    20.07    0.18

Fourth

      29.80    23.61       0.18       33.27    26.48    0.18

Year

        32.72    19.89         0.72         33.27    7.64    0.72

The number of shareholders at December 31, 2010 and 2009 equaled 507 and 545, respectively.

 

   15    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return

Standard & Poors 500, NYSE Composite and Morningstar’s Steel Industry

(Performance results through December 31, 2010)

LOGO

Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding January 1, 2006 in Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation common stock, Standard & Poors 500 Index, NYSE Composite Index and Morningstar’s Steel Industry group.

*Cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.

In prior years, the Corporation used the Standard & Poors 500 Index as a broad equity market index for purposes of its stock performance graphs. Beginning this year, the Corporation instead intends to use the NYSE Composite Index because the Corporation believes it is broader in scope and more representative of the market as a whole than the Standard & Poors 500 Index.

In the above graph, the Corporation has used Morningstar’s Steel Industry group for its peer comparison. The diversity of products produced by subsidiaries of the Corporation made it difficult to match to any one product-based peer group. Although not totally comparable, the Steel Industry group was chosen because the largest percentage of the Corporation’s sales is to the global steel industry.

Historical stock price performance shown on the above graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    16   


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

     Year Ended December 31,  

(dollars, except per share amounts, and shares

outstanding in thousands)

     2010         2009         2008         2007         2006   

Net sales

     $  326,886         $  299,177         $  394,513         $  346,834         $  301,780   

Net income(1)

     15,456         27,677         12,575         39,231         16,635   

Total assets(2)

     526,963         471,825         488,981         404,392         381,211   

Shareholders’ equity

     196,777         179,202         144,987         187,730         140,204   

Net income per common share:

              

Basic(1)

     1.51         2.71         1.24         3.90         1.69   

Diluted

     1.50         2.71         1.24         3.88         1.67   

Per common share:

              

Cash dividends declared

     0.72         0.72         0.72         0.60         0.40   

Shareholders’ equity

     19.10         17.49         14.25         18.45         14.25   

Market price at year end

     28.05         31.53         21.70         38.13         33.48   

Weighted average common shares outstanding

     10,254         10,200         10,177         10,046         9,828   

Number of shareholders

     507         545         566         593         629   

Number of employees

     1,264         1,231         1,306         1,323         1,324   

 

  (1) Net income includes:

2010 – An after-tax charge of $12,931 or $1.26 per common share for estimated costs of asbestos-related litigation through 2020 net of estimated insurance recoveries (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

2009 – An after-tax charge of $2,831 or $0.28 per common share associated with the write-off of goodwill deemed to be impaired at one of the divisions of the Air and Liquid Processing segment and a reduction in the effective state income tax rate for which certain net deferred income tax assets will be realized.

2008 – An after-tax charge of $31,006 for estimated costs of asbestos-related litigation through 2018 net of estimated insurance recoveries (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements) offset by the release of $411 of tax-related valuation allowances associated with capital loss carryforwards for a net decrease to net income of $30,595 or $3.01 per common share.

2007 – A tax benefit of $714 or $0.07 per common share for the release of tax-related valuation allowances associated with capital loss carryforwards.

2006 – An after-tax charge of $15,888 for estimated costs of asbestos-related litigation through 2013 net of estimated insurance recoveries (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements) offset by the release of $6,500 of tax-related valuation allowances primarily associated with the U.K. operation for a net decrease to net income of $9,388 or $0.96 per common share.

 

  (2) Total assets include asbestos-related insurance receivables of $142,089 for 2010, $115,430 for 2009, $136,176 for 2008, $94,548 for 2007 and $114,548 for 2006 (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

   17    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF

OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation operates in two business segments – the Forged and Cast Rolls segment and the Air and Liquid Processing segment. The Forged and Cast Rolls segment consists of Union Electric Steel Corporation (Union Electric Steel or UES) and Union Electric Steel UK Limited, formerly known as The Davy Roll Company Limited (UES-UK). Union Electric Steel is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of forged-hardened steel rolls with principal operations in Pennsylvania and Indiana whereas UES-UK produces cast iron and steel rolls in England. Rolls are supplied to manufacturers of steel and aluminum throughout the world. The Air and Liquid Processing segment includes Aerofin, Buffalo Air Handling and Buffalo Pumps, all divisions of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation. Aerofin produces highly-engineered heat-exchange coils for a variety of users including electric utility, HVAC, power generation, industrial process and other manufacturing industries. Buffalo Air Handling makes custom-designed air handling systems for commercial, institutional and industrial building markets. Buffalo Pumps manufactures centrifugal pumps for the defense, refrigeration and power-generation industries. The segment has operations in Virginia and New York with headquarters in Pennsylvania. The segment distributes a significant portion of its products through a common independent group of sales offices located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In 2010, the Forged and Cast Rolls group achieved strong earnings in a recovering global metals industry. Aided by a robust government stimulus in the western world and the continued need for steel products by developing countries, particularly China and India, demand for roll products was significantly better than in 2009. The group also benefited from long-term supply agreements in place with its major steel and aluminum producers who, in turn, placed a higher-than-normal percentage of business with the Forged and Cast Rolls group to meet its contractual requirements. All of these events resulted in improved operating levels compared to 2009. There are signs that excessive inventories of rolling mill rolls throughout the world are being reduced as production begins to return to pre-2009 levels. Expectations for 2011 are for a modest increase in roll consumption and, for us, a gradual improvement in production levels. Additionally, we expect to continue to benefit from a weak U.S. dollar and British pound; however, pricing pressures from our customers will likely remain.

In 2010, results of the Air and Liquid Processing segment were impacted by a pre-tax charge of $19,980 for the increase in estimated settlement and defense costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of estimated insurance recoveries. The claims result from alleged personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured decades ago by certain former subsidiary companies (now operated as divisions) within the Air and Liquid Processing group. With the help of experts in asbestos liability valuation and insurance recovery modeling, we determined that litigation costs net of insurance recoveries could be reasonably estimated through 2020 causing the additional charge (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements). Notwithstanding the asbestos charge of $19,980, the Air and Liquid Processing segment had disappointing operating results when compared to 2009. The backlog at the beginning of 2010 was well below the prior year which forced the segment to rely on quick-turn business which in many cases was at lower margins. The power generation and new construction spending by the institutional markets has yet to exhibit any significant signs of a recovery. The focus for these companies is to continue to search for new product lines and to strengthen their sales distribution networks.

Operating results for the Corporation for 2011 are expected to be comparable to those of 2010, excluding the additional asbestos charge. Additionally, we are financially liquid with over $70,000 in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2010.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    18   


CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

The Corporation

 

      2010              2009              2008          

Net Sales:

                 

Forged and Cast Rolls

   $ 240,345         74%       $ 191,316         64%       $ 282,934         72%   

Air and Liquid Processing

     86,541         26%         107,861         36%         111,579         28%   

Consolidated

   $ 326,886         100%       $ 299,177         100%       $ 394,513         100%   

Income (Loss) from Operations:

                 

Forged and Cast Rolls

   $ 48,674               $ 45,282               $ 63,754           

Air and Liquid Processing(1)

     (12,605)                 11,389                 (41,020))           

Corporate costs

     (11,342)                 (9,940)                 (9,126)           

Consolidated

   $ 24,727               $ 46,731               $ 13,608           

Backlog:

                 

Forged and Cast Rolls

   $ 350,978         88%       $ 468,500         93%       $ 635,884         92%   

Air and Liquid Processing

     46,052         12%         32,811         7%         54,843         8%   

Consolidated

   $ 397,030         100%       $ 501,311         100%       $ 690,727         100%   

 

(1) Income (loss) from operations for the Air and Liquid Processing segment includes a provision for asbestos-related costs of $19,980 and $51,018 for 2010 and 2008, respectively, (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

After being adversely impacted by the global economic downturn beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, consolidated net sales began to rebound during the current year due to improved demand for forged and cast rolls. Notwithstanding the additional asbestos charge of $19,980 and $51,018 for 2010 and 2008, respectively, consolidated income from operations for 2010 decreased when compared to the earlier years principally due to higher costs for raw materials. A more detailed synopsis by segment is included below. The increase in corporate costs over the previous years is primarily attributable to stock-based compensation and higher pension-related costs and professional fees.

Gross margin, excluding depreciation, as a percentage of net sales was 29.8%, 32.2% and 29.0% for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The improvement in 2009 is primarily attributable to lower raw material costs and reduced labor charges related to decreases in employment and temporary layoffs. Raw material costs increased in the current year and, for the Forged and Cast Rolls group, manning levels began to return to more historical levels.

Selling and administrative expenses totaled $44,168 (13.5% of net sales), $39,722 (13.3% of net sales) and $42,867 (10.9% of net sales) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in 2010 from 2009 is primarily attributable to escalating pension-related expenses, stock-based compensation associated with a 2010 grant of stock options, and higher commissions and freight costs attributable to higher sales. While pension-related expenses and stock-based compensation costs for 2009 increased over 2008 amounts, the effect was more than offset by lower commissions and freight costs.

Depreciation expense increased in 2010 as a result of the completion of a significant portion of our capital investment program for the Forged and Cast Rolls group including the installation of a forged press and manipulator at one of its domestic operations.

The goodwill impairment charge in 2009 represents the write-off of goodwill associated with one of the divisions of the Air and Liquid Processing segment. We do not have any other material intangible assets.

The charge for asbestos litigation in 2010 represents an extension of the estimated costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of additional insurance recoveries, to the end of 2020. The charge for asbestos litigation in 2008 represented an extension of the estimated costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of additional insurance recoveries, from 2013 through the end of 2018. The claims result from alleged personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured decades ago by certain of our former subsidiary companies (now operated as divisions) within the Air and Liquid Processing group (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Investment-related income increased in 2010 when compared to 2009 due to higher dividends from our Chinese cast-roll joint venture company which approximated $1,084, $812 and $800 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Investment-related income decreased in 2009 against 2008 due to lower average interest rates during the year.

 

   19    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Interest expense for 2010 and 2009 decreased from 2008 as a result of lower interest rates on our variable-rate Industrial Revenue Bonds.

Other (expense) income fluctuated primarily as a result of foreign exchange gains in 2010 versus foreign exchange losses in 2009 and 2008. Additionally, provisions were made in 2010 and 2009 of $871 and $475, respectively, for environmental costs estimated to be incurred relating to the remediation of real estate previously owned whereas 2008 benefited from a $960 reduction in an accrual for environmental remediation for unrelated locations which were previously sold.

Our statutory income tax rate equals 35% which compares to an effective income tax rate of 35.3%, 38.0% and 15.1% for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. For 2010, although the effective income tax rate was favorably impacted by beneficial permanent differences for our domestic operations and reversal of a valuation allowance previously provided against deferred income tax assets associated with foreign tax credit carryforwards, tax consequences related to certain foreign-sourced income and changes in state income tax rates offset the expected improvement. For 2009, the income tax provision includes an additional charge to recognize a reduction in the effective state income tax rate for which certain net deferred income tax assets will be realized. For 2008, beneficial permanent differences for our domestic operations favorably impacted the effective income tax rate. In addition, for 2008, the effective income tax rate was reduced by the reversal of a valuation allowance previously provided against deferred income tax assets associated with capital loss carryforwards.

Equity losses in Chinese joint venture represent Union Electric Steel’s share (49%) of the losses of UES-MG (see Note 2 to Consolidated Financial Statements). Since production by the joint venture is in its early stages, operating results have been insignificant.

As a result of the above, we earned $15,456 or $1.51 per common share for 2010, $27,677 or $2.71 per common share for 2009 and $12,575 or $1.24 per common share for 2008. Net income for 2010 includes an after-tax charge of $12,931 or $1.26 per common share for estimated costs of asbestos-related litigation through 2020. Net income for 2009 includes an after-tax charge of $2,831 or $0.28 per common share for the write-off of goodwill associated with one of the divisions of the Air and Liquid Processing segment and adjustment of net deferred income tax assets to their realizable amount. Net income for 2008 includes an after-tax charge of $30,595 or $3.01 per common share for estimated costs of asbestos-related litigation through 2018 offset by the release of tax-related valuation allowances associated with capital loss carryforwards.

Forged and Cast Rolls

 

     2010        2009        2008  

Net sales

   $     240,345         $ 191,316         $     282,934   

Operating income

   $ 48,674         $ 45,282         $ 63,754   

Backlog

   $ 350,978         $     468,500         $ 635,884   

Net sales for the current year improved from the prior year due to an increase in the volume of shipments, particularly to our international customers. The expected contribution to operating income from the additional sales was offset by lower revenues from the variable-index surcharge program and higher costs for direct and indirect materials and fuels. Additionally, as sales and production returned to more normal levels during 2010, commissions and employee-related costs increased and, with the completion of a significant portion of its capital investment program, depreciation expense was higher. Pension-related expenses also continued to increase.

Net sales for 2009 declined when compared to 2008 primarily due to the weak economy and worldwide recession resulting in a lower consumption of rolling mill rolls and the deferral of orders by customers, particularly for the cast roll business in England. By comparison, the global steel and aluminum industries were operating at or near capacity in 2008. Additionally, in 2009, revenues from the variable-index surcharge program were less than that in 2008. While reduced shipment levels negatively impacted operating income, the effect was minimized from lower raw material costs, lower employee-related costs resulting from temporary layoffs and reductions in manning, and a decrease in commission expense and freight costs. Deterioration in the weighted-average exchange rates used to translate sales and operating income of UES-UK from the British pound to the U.S. dollar also reduced sales and operating income for 2009 when compared to 2008 by $8,402 and $551, respectively.

With respect to the variable-index surcharge, a majority of customer orders include a provision allowing the selling price to be increased or decreased, as applicable, for corresponding changes in the published index cost of certain raw materials (e.g., steel scrap and ferroalloys) utilized in the manufacturing process. While this variable-index surcharge program helps to protect us and our customers against unpredictable changes in the cost of commodities used in the manufacturing process against the base cost of commodities used to establish selling prices at the time of order placement, there is a lag in timing of approximately six months between the recognition of these changes in our costs of products sold and in our revenues.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    20   


The ongoing decline in backlog from the previous periods is a result of shipments outpacing new orders. Historically, the norm for the level of backlog was 6 to 12 months. However, the surge in global steel production coupled with the then existing shortage of supply caused customers to place orders for rolling mill rolls out several years. The resultant high level of backlog at the end 2008 has been declining and becoming more in line with our historical pattern. As of December 31, 2010, approximately $136,000 of the backlog is expected to be released after 2011. In addition, we have commitments of roughly $50,000 from customers under long-term supply arrangements which will be included in backlog upon receipt of specific purchase orders closer to the requirement dates for delivery.

Air and Liquid Processing

Income (loss) from operations for 2010 and 2008 includes a charge for asbestos litigation of $19,980 and $51,018, respectively, relating to claims resulting from alleged personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing equipment manufactured decades ago (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements). In addition, uninsured legal and case management and valuation costs associated with asbestos litigation approximated $173, $845 and $671 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. In 2009, due to uncertainties in the industry, including when business activity would return to historical levels, and excess capacity in the market place, we determined that the goodwill associated with one of the divisions of this segment was impaired and recorded a pre-tax charge of $2,694.

 

        2010      2009        2008  

Net sales

     $       86,541       $     107,861         $     111,579   

Operating (loss) income

     $ (12,605    $ 11,389         $ (41,020

Backlog

     $ 46,052       $ 32,811         $ 54,843   

Notwithstanding the additional charge for asbestos litigation in 2010 and 2008, sales and operating income for the segment for the current year decreased when compared to the two prior years. The lack of new-construction spending has adversely impacted all three divisions. With respect to Buffalo Pumps, sales and operating income for 2010 were less than 2009 due to a reduction in the volume of business activity particularly from power generation customers and U.S. Navy shipbuilders. The expected impact to operating income was minimized as a result of improved margins. While sales for 2010 were less than sales for 2008, operating income was comparable due to better margins and lower raw material costs. Regarding Aerofin, sales and operating income for the current year were less than each of the prior years attributable to a reduced volume of shipments, particularly to customers in the utility industry. Additionally, operating income for 2009 benefited from a shift in product mix with higher portion of shipments to electric utility customers offset by a reduction in lower-margin sales to original equipment manufacturers. For Buffalo Air Handling, sales and operating results for 2010 were less than that for 2009 and 2008 due to lower business activity. Construction projects for pharmaceutical companies and universities continue to be adversely impacted by the weak economy and lack of funding.

The improvement in backlog at December 31, 2010 against 2009 is principally attributable to Buffalo Air Handling (due to receipt of one large order for a customer in the medical industry) and Buffalo Pumps (due to additional orders for the U.S. Navy). When compared to December 31, 2008, backlog for Buffalo Pumps and Aerofin has been affected by conservative spending from its customers due to the weak economy and in anticipation of future energy policies by the U.S. Government. The majority of the year-end backlog is currently scheduled to ship in 2011.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash flows provided by operating activities for 2010 equaled $42,951 compared to $39,671 and $46,496 for 2009 and 2008, respectively. While the charges for asbestos litigation recorded in 2010 and 2008 reduced earnings, they did not impact cash flows for those years by those amounts. Instead, the asbestos liability, net of insurance recoveries, will be paid over a number of years and will be subject to tax benefits. Net asbestos-related payments equaled $5,129, $9,175 and $5,354 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are expected to approximate $7,000 in 2011. Also, the goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2009 does not impact net cash flows provided by operating activities. Contributions to our pension and other postretirement plans approximated $7,000 in 2010 (of which $5,000 were voluntary contributions), $12,000 in 2009 (of which $10,000 were voluntary contributions) and $10,000 in 2008 (of which $8,000 were voluntary contributions). While required minimum contributions to our pension and other postretirement plans are expected to approximate $4,349 in 2011, further voluntarily contributions may be made. Additionally, the estimated minimum contribution to the U.S. pension plan in 2011 may have been higher if voluntary contributions would not have been made to the plan.

Accounts receivable increased as of December 31, 2010 when compared to 2009 as a result of stronger fourth quarter sales. By comparison, accounts receivable decreased at the end of 2009 against 2008 due to weaker fourth quarter to fourth quarter sales. The increase in inventories at December 31, 2010 and 2009 against December 31, 2008 is principally associated with higher levels of raw materials (particularly steel scrap, ferroalloys and other commodities) associated with improved business

 

   21    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


activity. The increase in accounts payable at year end 2010 against year end 2009 is attributable to timing of payments and outstanding amounts relating to purchases of equipment.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $33,163, $50,200 and $24,886 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, the majority of which represents expenditures relating to the capital investment program for the Forged and Cast Rolls group. In 2010, UES-UK was awarded a governmental grant of up to $1,325 (£850) toward the purchase and installation of certain machinery and equipment of which $226 (£145) was received during the year. As of December 31, 2010, anticipated future capital expenditures are expected to approximate $12,423, the majority of which will be spent in 2011. During 2009, Union Electric Steel made its final contribution to the Chinese joint venture. Additionally, in 2009, monies were deposited in escrow and are being held as collateral for the outstanding foreign currency sales contracts of UES-UK. A portion of these monies were returned in 2010 and 2009 in connection with diminishing exposure and no further deposits have been required to date.

Net cash outflows from financing activities represent primarily the payment of dividends of $0.72 per common share during each of the years. During 2010 and 2009, stock options were exercised resulting in proceeds from the issuance of common stock and excess tax benefits. No options were exercised during 2008.

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents is primarily attributable to the fluctuation of the British pound against the U.S. dollar.

As a result of the above, cash and cash equivalents increased by $3,580 in 2010 and ended the year at $70,021 in comparison to $66,441 and $81,607 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Funds on hand and funds generated from future operations are expected to be sufficient to finance the operational and capital expenditure requirements. We also maintain short-term lines of credit in excess of the cash needs of our businesses. The total available at December 31, 2010 was approximately $9,200 (including £3,000 in the U.K. and €400 in Belgium).

We had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2010:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
      Total      <1 year      1–3 years      3–5 years      >5 years      Other  

Industrial Revenue Bond Debt(1)

   $ 13,311       $       $       $       $ 13,311       $   

Operating Lease Obligations

     3,134         793         1,399         887         55           

Capital Expenditures

     12,423         10,301         2,122                           

Pension and Other Postretirement

                 

Benefit Obligations(2)

     60,308         4,349         21,643         20,114         14,202           

Purchase Obligations(3)

     22,352         10,086         7,562         4,704                   

Unrecognized Tax Benefits(4)

     786         33                                 753   

Total

   $   112,314       $   25,562       $   32,726       $   25,705       $   27,568       $   753   

 

  (1) Amount represents principal only. Interest is not included since it is variable; interest rates averaged less than 1% in the current year. The Industrial Revenue Bonds begin to mature in 2020; however, if the bonds are unable to be remarketed they will be refinanced under a separate facility. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  (2) Represents estimated contributions to our pension and other postretirement plans. Actual required contributions are contingent on a number of variables including future investment performance of the plans’ assets and may differ from these estimates. See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Contributions to the U.S. defined benefit plan are based on the projected funded status of the plan including anticipated normal costs, amortization of unfunded liabilities and an 8% expected return on plan assets. With respect to the U.K. defined benefit plan, the Trustees and UES-UK have agreed to a recovery plan that estimates the amount of employer contributions, based on U.K. regulations, necessary to eliminate the funding deficit of the plan over an agreed period.

 

  (3) Represents primarily commitments by one of our Forged and Cast Rolls subsidiaries for the purchase of natural gas through 2015 covering approximately 56% of anticipated needs to meet orders in backlog. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

  (4) Represents uncertain tax positions. Amount included as “Other” represents portion for which the period of cash settlement cannot be reasonably estimated. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

With respect to environmental matters, we are currently performing certain remedial actions in connection with the sale of real estate previously owned and have been named a Potentially Responsible Party at two third-party landfill sites. In addition, as a result of a sale of a segment, we retained the liability to remediate certain environmental contamination and have agreed to indemnify the buyer against third-party claims arising from the discharge of certain contamination, the cost for which was accrued at the time of sale. Environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including lack of reliable data, the multiplicity of possible solutions, the years of remedial and monitoring activity required and the identification of new sites. However, we believe the potential liability for all environmental proceedings of approximately $1,433 accrued at December 31, 2010 is considered adequate based on information known to date (see Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    22   


The nature and scope of our business brings us into regular contact with a variety of persons, businesses and government agencies in the ordinary course of business. Consequently, we, our subsidiaries and our divisions from time to time are named in various legal actions. Generally, we do not anticipate that our financial condition or liquidity will be materially affected by the costs of known, pending or threatened litigation. However, we, our subsidiaries and our divisions are involved in multiple claims for alleged personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components used in certain products and there can be no assurance that future claims will not present significantly greater and longer lasting financial exposure than presently contemplated (see Note 17 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

While inflationary and market pressures on costs are likely to be experienced in 2011, it is anticipated that price adjustments, ongoing improvements in manufacturing efficiencies and cost savings efforts will mitigate the effects of inflation on 2011 operating results. Product pricing for the Forged and Cast Rolls segment is reflective of current costs with a majority of orders subject to a variable-index surcharge program which helps to protect the segment and its customers against the volatility in the cost of certain raw materials. Additionally, long-term labor agreements exist at each of the key locations and commitments have been executed for natural gas usage to cover a significant portion of orders in the backlog.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We have identified critical accounting policies that are important to the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations and involve the most complex or subjective assessments. Critical accounting policies relate to accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits, assessing recoverability of long-lived assets, litigation, environmental matters, income taxes and stock-based compensation.

Accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided well into the future and attributing that cost over the time period each employee works. To accomplish this, input from our actuary is evaluated and extensive use is made of assumptions about inflation, long-term rate of return on plan assets, mortality, rates of increases in compensation, employee turnover and discount rates.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is an estimate of average rates of earnings expected to be earned on funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. Since these benefits will be paid over many years, the expected long-term rate of return is reflective of current investment returns and investment returns over a longer period. Also, consideration is given to target and actual asset allocations, inflation and real risk-free return. We believe the expected long-term rate of return of 8% for our domestic plan and 6% for our foreign plan to be reasonable. Actual returns on plan assets for 2010 and 2009, respectively, approximated 15.93% and 23.79% for our domestic plan and 10.27% and 17.44% for our foreign plan.

The discount rates used in determining future pension obligations and other postretirement benefits for each of our plans are based on rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension and other postretirement benefits. High-quality fixed-income investments are defined as those investments which have received one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency with maturities of 10+ years. We believe the assumed discount rates of 5.75% and 5.40% as of December 31, 2010 for our domestic and U.K. plans, respectively, to be reasonable.

We believe that the amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements related to pension and other postretirement benefits are based on appropriate assumptions although actual outcomes could differ. A percentage point decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would increase annual pension expense by approximately $1,500. A 1/4 percentage point decrease in the discount rate would increase projected and accumulated benefit obligations by approximately $6,500. Conversely, an increase in the expected long-term rate of return would decrease annual pension expense and an increase in the discount rate would decrease projected and accumulated benefit obligations (see Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the long-lived assets may not be recoverable. If the undiscounted cash flows generated from the use and eventual disposition of the assets are less than their carrying value, then the asset value may not be fully recoverable potentially resulting in a write-down of the asset value. Estimates of future cash flows are based on expected market conditions over the remaining useful life of the primary asset(s). Accordingly, assumptions are made about pricing, volume and asset-resale values. Actual results may differ from these assumptions. We believe the amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for property, plant and equipment are recoverable and are not impaired as of December 31, 2010.

 

   23    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Litigation and loss contingency accruals are made when it is determined that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Specifically, we and certain of our subsidiaries and divisions are involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to their businesses. In addition, claims have been asserted alleging Asbestos Liability and alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products of an inactive subsidiary in dissolution and a former division of the Corporation. Other than an accrual for certain deductible features of relevant insurance policies, prior to 2006, we had not accrued for settlement or defense costs for pending Asbestos Liability claims or Asbestos Liability claims that may be asserted in the future since we did not have sufficient information to make a reasonable estimate. To assist us in determining whether an estimate could be made of the potential liability for pending and unasserted future claims for Asbestos Liability along with applicable insurance coverage, and the amounts of any estimates, we hired nationally-recognized asbestos-liability experts and insurance consultants. The experts were not requested to estimate asbestos claims against the inactive subsidiary in dissolution or the former division, which we believe are immaterial. Based on their analyses, in 2006 and 2008, we established reserves for the probable and reasonably estimable costs of Asbestos Liabilities, including defense costs, through 2013 and 2018, respectively, and also established receivables for the insurance recoveries that were deemed probable. These amounts relied on assumptions which were based on currently known facts and strategy.

In 2010, we undertook another review of our Asbestos Liability claims, defense costs and the likelihood for insurance recoveries and determined that litigation costs net of insurance recoveries could be reasonably estimated through December 2020 causing an additional provision of $19,980. Actual expenses or insurance recoveries could be significantly higher or lower than those recorded if assumptions used in the calculations vary significantly from actual results. Key variables in these assumptions are summarized in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and include the number and type of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of each new claim, average annual defense costs, the resolution of coverage issues with insurance carriers, and the solvency risk with respect to the relevant insurance carriers. Other factors that may affect our Asbestos Liability and ability to recover under our insurance policies include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, reforms that may be made by state and federal courts, and the passage of state or federal tort reform legislation.

We intend to evaluate our estimated Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivables as well as the underlying assumptions on a regular basis to determine whether any adjustments to the estimates are required. Due to the uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation and insurance, these regular reviews may result in the incurrence of future charges; however, we are currently unable to estimate such future charges. Adjustments, if any, to our estimate of our recorded Asbestos Liability and/or insurance receivables could be material to the operating results for the periods in which the adjustments to the liability or receivable are recorded, and to our liquidity and consolidated financial position.

Environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons including lack of reliable data, the multiplicity of possible solutions, the years of remedial and monitoring activity required and the identification of new sites. We believe the potential liability for all environmental proceedings based on information known to date has been adequately reserved (see Note 18 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Accounting for income taxes includes management’s evaluation of the underlying accounts, permanent and temporary differences, our tax filing positions and interpretations of existing tax law. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred income tax assets to reduce them to the amount that is “more likely than not” to be realized. In doing so, assumptions are made about the future profitability of our operations and the nature of that profitability. Actual results may differ from these assumptions. If we determined we would not be able to realize all or part of the deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be established resulting in a charge to net income. Likewise, if we determined we would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in excess of the net amount recorded, we would release a portion of the existing valuation allowance resulting in an increase in net income. As of December 31, 2010, we have deferred income tax assets approximating $57,026 and a valuation allowance of $1,853.

We do not recognize a tax benefit in the financial statements related to a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return unless it is “more likely than not” that the tax authorities will sustain the tax position solely on the basis of the position’s technical merits. Consideration is given primarily to legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law as well as their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position when assessing the sustainability of the tax position. In the event a tax position no longer meets the “more likely than not” criteria, we would reverse the tax benefit by recognizing a liability and recording a charge to earnings. Conversely, if we subsequently determined that a tax position meets the “more likely than not” criteria, we would recognize the tax benefit by reducing the liability and recording a credit to earnings. As of December 31, 2010, based on information known to date, we believe the amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $786 for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return which may be challenged by the tax authorities is adequate.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    24   


See Note 13 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting for stock-based compensation is based on the fair value of the stock options on the date of grant. The fair value is affected by our stock price and various assumptions including assumptions about the expected term of the options, volatility, dividends and the risk-free interest rate. If the fair value of granted stock options was re-determined, on a date other than the date of grant, the resulting fair value would differ. Accordingly, the fair value of stock options granted to date is not indicative of the fair value of stock options to be granted in the future (see Note 9 to Consolidated Financial Statements).

RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance replacing the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation with a more qualitative approach for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable-interest entity. The new guidance also adds an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable-interest entity and ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary. The new guidance became effective on January 1, 2010 and did not affect our operating results, financial position or liquidity.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which addresses the accounting and revenue recognition of sales contracts with multiple products and/or services when such products and/or services are provided to the customer at different points in time or over different time periods. ASU 2009-13 requires the sales consideration to be allocated, at the inception of the arrangement, to each deliverable and/or service using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified on or after January 1, 2011 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our operating results, financial position or liquidity.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of us. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of the Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance.

Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “forecasts” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made, are not guarantees of future performance or expectations, and involve risks and uncertainties. For us, these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, there may be events in the future that we are not able to predict accurately or control which may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise.

 

   25    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We view our primary market risk exposures to relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. To manage certain foreign currency exchange exposures, our policy is to hedge a portion of our foreign currency denominated sales and receivables, primarily U.S. sales denominated in Euros and U.K. sales denominated in U.S. dollars and Euros. Although strengthening of the U.S. dollar could result in a lower volume of exports from the U.S. and at reduced margins, it is expected that some exports of our foreign operation may increase and gross margins might improve. Additionally, strengthening of the British pound could result in a lower volume of exports from the U.K. and at reduced margins; however, it is expected that exports for our domestic operations may increase and gross margins might improve. Accordingly, a 10% strengthening of either of the entities’ functional currency (the U.S. dollar and the British pound) is not expected to have a significant effect on our consolidated financial statements.

To reduce the effect of price changes for certain of our raw materials and energy, we enter into contracts for particular commodities (copper and aluminum) and purchase a portion of our energy usage in advance. Based on estimated annual purchases, a 10% fluctuation in commodity prices (including electricity, natural gas not purchased in advance, steel scrap and ferroalloys) would have an impact of approximately $8,500 and $7,000 in 2010 and 2009, respectively, with the increase between the two years partially being attributable to higher raw material costs in 2010. There is no guarantee that fluctuations in commodity prices will be limited to 10%. The ability to pass on increases in the price of commodities to the customer is contingent upon current market conditions with us potentially having to absorb some portion of such increase. However, a sales price surcharge mechanism is in place with a majority of the customers of the Forged and Cast Rolls segment which helps to protect us against such commodity price increases.

See also Note 11 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    26   


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

             December 31,  

(in thousands, except par value)

     2010           2009   

Assets

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 70,021         $ 66,441   

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $176 in 2010 and $428 in 2009

     46,734           39,621   

Inventories

     68,822           69,975   

Insurance receivable – asbestos

     18,000           20,000   

Other current assets

     13,656           13,790   

Total current assets

     217,233           209,827   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     145,591           119,940   

Insurance receivable – asbestos

     124,089           95,430   

Deferred income tax assets

     20,148           25,953   

Investments in joint ventures

     14,160           14,867   

Other noncurrent assets

     5,742           5,808   
     $   526,963         $   471,825   

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable

   $ 20,137         $ 15,799   

Accrued payrolls and employee benefits

     11,690           10,497   

Industrial Revenue Bond debt

     13,311           13,311   

Asbestos liability – current portion

     25,000           30,000   

Other current liabilities

     19,582           19,898   

Total current liabilities

     89,720           89,505   

Employee benefit obligations

     44,114           52,373   

Asbestos liability

     193,603           147,093   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     2,749           3,652   

Total liabilities

     330,186           292,623   

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 8)

       

Shareholders’ Equity:

       

Common stock – par value $1; authorized 20,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,305 shares in 2010 and 10,246 shares in 2009

     10,305           10,246   

Additional paid-in capital

     121,074           116,396   

Retained earnings

     124,872           116,804   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (59,474        (64,244

Total shareholders’ equity

     196,777           179,202   
     $ 526,963         $ 471,825   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   27    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For The Year Ended December 31,  

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

     2010           2009           2008   

Net sales

   $ 326,886         $ 299,177         $ 394,513   

Operating costs and expenses:

            

Costs of products sold (excluding depreciation)

     229,528           202,769           280,091   

Selling and administrative

     44,168           39,722           42,867   

Depreciation

     8,565           7,150           6,988   

Goodwill impairment charge

               2,694             

Charge for asbestos litigation

     19,980                     51,018   

(Gain) loss on disposition of assets

     (82        111           (59
       302,159           252,446           380,905   

Income from operations

     24,727           46,731           13,608   

Other (expense) income:

            

Investment-related income

     1,183           1,039           2,263   

Interest expense

     (324        (312        (511

Other – net

     (964        (2,569        (545
       (105        (1,842        1,207   

Income before income taxes and equity losses in Chinese joint venture

     24,622           44,889           14,815   

Income tax provision

     (8,687        (17,050        (2,240

Equity losses in Chinese joint venture

     (479        (162          

Net income

   $ 15,456         $ 27,677         $ 12,575   

Net income per common share:

            

Basic

   $ 1.51         $ 2.71         $ 1.24   

Diluted

     1.50           2.71           1.24   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

            

Basic

     10,254           10,200           10,177   

Diluted

     10,291           10,204           10,180   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    28   


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

             Common Stock                              
(in thousands, except per share amounts)    Stated
Capital
     Additional
Paid-in
Capital
     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss( a)
     Total  

Balance January 1, 2008

   $ 10,177       $ 111,897       $ 91,233        $        (25,577)       $ 187,730   

Stock-based compensation

        1,574              1,574   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income

           12,575           12,575   

Other comprehensive loss(a)

             (49,565)         (49,565
                   

Comprehensive loss

                (36,990

Cash dividends ($0.72 per share)

                       (7,327              (7,327

Balance December 31, 2008

     10,177         113,471         96,481        (75,142)         144,987   

Stock-based compensation

        1,806              1,806   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income

           27,677           27,677   

Other comprehensive income(a)

             10,898         10,898   
                   

Comprehensive income

                38,575   

Issuance of common stock including excess tax benefits of $276

     69         1,119              1,188   

Cash dividends ($0.72 per share)

                       (7,354              (7,354

Balance December 31, 2009

     10,246         116,396         116,804        (64,244)         179,202   

Stock-based compensation

        3,267              3,267   

Comprehensive income:

             

Net income

           15,456           15,456   

Other comprehensive income(a)

             4,770         4,770   
                   

Comprehensive income

                20,226   

Issuance of common stock including excess tax benefits of $681

     59         1,411              1,470   

Cash dividends ($0.72 per share)

                       (7,388              (7,388

Balance December 31, 2010

   $ 10,305       $ 121,074       $ 124,872        $        (59,474)       $ 196,777   

 

  (a)    The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive income (loss) and accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income tax where appropriate:

 

      Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
   

Unrecognized
Components of

Employee Benefit

Plans

    Derivatives    

Unrealized

Holding Gains

(Losses) on

Securities

   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Loss

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

   $ 8,607      $ (31,786   $ (2,591   $ 193      $ (25,577

Reclassification adjustments

     —          562        1,189        198        1,949   

Changes

     (19,092     (33,047     1,209        (584     (51,514

Balance at December 31, 2008

     (10,485     (64,271     (193     (193     (75,142

Reclassification adjustments

     —          2,056        351        73        2,480   

Changes

     6,716        758        537        407        8,418   

Balance at December 31, 2009

     (3,769     (61,457     695        287        (64,244

Reclassification adjustments

     —          3,085        (840     23        2,268   

Changes

     (1,620     2,511        1,344        267        2,502   

Balance at December 31, 2010

   $ (5,389   $ (55,861   $ 1,199      $ 577      $ (59,474

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

   29    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

                   For The Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)      2010        2009        2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

              

Net income

     $ 15,456         $ 27,677         $ 12,575   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

              

Depreciation

       8,565           7,150           6,988   

Charge for asbestos litigation

       19,980                     51,018   

Deferred income taxes

       2,345           7,176           (14,067

Pension and other postretirement benefits – expense in excess of contributions (contributions in excess of expense)

       1,563           (5,889        (8,536

Stock-based compensation

       3,267           1,806           1,574   

Change in provisions for bad debts and inventories

       186           551           (231

Provision for environmental liabilities

       871           475           (960

Provision for warranties net of settlements

       260           (41        (596

Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options

       (681        (276          

Goodwill impairment charge

                 2,694             

Equity losses in Chinese joint venture

       479           162             

Loss (gain) on sale of marketable securities

       35           112           (471

Other – net

       649           1,722           (1,304

Changes in assets/liabilities:

              

Receivables

       (7,476        15,273           2,316   

Inventories

       385           (5,344        (205

Other assets, including insurance receivable - asbestos

       11,213           1,619           9,114   

Accounts payable

       4,204           (1,001        (941

Accrued payrolls and employee benefits

       909           (4,716        (2,906

Other liabilities, including asbestos liability

       (19,259        (9,479        (6,872

Net cash flows provided by operating activities

       42,951           39,671           46,496   

Cash flows from investing activities:

              

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

       (35,001        (39,245        (22,636

Investment in Chinese joint venture

                 (8,820        (2,940

Collateral for outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 11)

                 (4,326          

Return of collateral for outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts (Note 11)

       1,543           2,163             

Purchases of long-term marketable securities

       (497        (910        (1,173

Proceeds from the sale of long-term marketable securities

       454           819           1,030   

Proceeds from U.K. governmental grant

       226                       

Purchases of short-term marketable securities

                           (68,206

Proceeds from the sale of short-term marketable securities

                           68,834   

Other

       112           119           205   

Net cash flows used in investing activities

       (33,163        (50,200        (24,886

Cash flows from financing activities:

              

Dividends paid

       (7,378        (7,341        (7,022

Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

       790           912             

Excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options

       681           276             

Net cash flows used in financing activities

       (5,907        (6,153        (7,022

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

       (301        1,516           (4,608

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

       3,580           (15,166        9,980   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

       66,441           81,607           71,627   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     $         70,021         $         66,441         $         81,607   

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

              

Income tax payments

     $ 8,362         $ 11,433         $ 13,649   

Interest payments

       324           326           534   

Non-cash investing activities:

              

Purchases of property, plant and equipment in accounts payable

     $ 2,201         $ 1,145         $ 1,525   

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    30   


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Description of Business

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation (the Corporation) operates in two business segments. The Forged and Cast Rolls segment consists of Union Electric Steel Corporation (Union Electric Steel or UES) and Union Electric Steel UK Limited, formerly known as The Davy Roll Company Limited (UES-UK). Union Electric Steel is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of forged-hardened steel rolls with principal operations in Pennsylvania and Indiana whereas UES-UK produces cast iron and steel rolls in England. Rolls are supplied to manufacturers of steel and aluminum throughout the world. The Air and Liquid Processing segment includes Aerofin, Buffalo Air Handling and Buffalo Pumps, all divisions of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Corporation. Aerofin produces highly-engineered heat-exchange coils for a variety of users including electric utility, HVAC, power generation, industrial process and other manufacturing industries. Buffalo Air Handling makes custom-designed air handling systems for commercial, institutional and industrial building markets. Buffalo Pumps manufactures centrifugal pumps for the defense, refrigeration and power-generation industries. The segment has operations in Virginia and New York with headquarters in Pennsylvania. The segment distributes a significant portion of its products through a common independent group of sales offices located throughout the U.S. and Canada.

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

The Corporation’s accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure 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. Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include valuing the assets and obligations related to employee benefit plans, assessing the carrying value of long-lived assets, accounting for loss contingencies associated with claims and lawsuits, estimating environmental liabilities, accounting for income taxes and estimating the fair value of stock options granted. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Corporation is presented below.

Consolidation

All subsidiaries are wholly owned and are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Investments in joint ventures whereby the Corporation owns 20% to 50% of the voting stock and has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the joint venture are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in joint ventures whereby the Corporation does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the joint venture are accounted for using the cost method of accounting.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Securities with purchased original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. The Corporation maintains cash and cash equivalents at various financial institutions which may exceed federally insured amounts.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes the cost of raw materials, direct labor and overhead for those items manufactured but not yet sold or for which title has not yet transferred. Fixed production overhead is allocated to inventories based on normal capacity of the production facilities. Costs for abnormal amounts of spoilage, handling costs and freight costs are charged to expense when incurred. Cost of domestic raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventories is primarily determined by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Cost of domestic supplies and foreign inventories is determined primarily by the first-in, first-out method.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost with depreciation computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: land improvements – 15 to 20 years, buildings – 25 to 50 years and machinery and equipment – 3 to 25 years. Expenditures that extend economic useful lives are capitalized. Routine maintenance is charged to expense. Gains or losses are recognized on retirements or disposals. Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If the undiscounted cash flows generated from the use and eventual disposition of the assets are less than their carrying value, then the asset value may not be fully recoverable potentially resulting in a write-down of the asset value. Estimates of future cash flows are based on expected market conditions over the remaining useful life of the primary asset(s). Proceeds from governmental grants are recorded as a reduction in the purchase price of the underlying assets and amortized against depreciation over the lives of the related assets.

 

   31    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Product Warranty

Provisions for product warranties are recognized at the time the underlying sale is recorded. The provision is based on historical experience as a percentage of sales adjusted for potential claims when a liability is probable and for known claims.

Employee Benefit Plans

Funded Status

If the fair value of the plan assets exceeds the projected benefit obligation, the over-funded projected benefit obligation is recognized as an asset (prepaid pensions) on the consolidated balance sheet. Conversely, if the projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, the under-funded projected benefit obligation is recognized as a liability (employee benefit obligations) on the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses arising from the difference between actuarial assumptions and actual experience and unamortized prior service costs are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and presented net of income tax.

Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Costs

Net periodic pension and other postretirement costs includes service cost, interest cost, expected rate of return on the market-related value of plan assets, amortization of prior service costs and recognized actuarial gains or losses. When actuarial gains or losses exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligations or the market-related value of plan assets, they are amortized to net periodic pension and other postretirement costs over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans. When the gains or losses are less than 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligations or the market-related value of plan assets, they are included in net periodic pension and other postretirement costs indirectly as a result of lower/higher interest costs arising from a decrease/increase in the projected benefit obligation. The market-related value of plan assets is determined using a five-year moving average which recognizes 20% of unrealized capital gains and losses.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in assets and liabilities from non-owner sources including foreign currency translation adjustments, changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and effective as cash flow hedges, unrealized holding gains and losses on securities designated as available for sale, and unamortized prior service costs and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses associated with employee benefit plans. Certain components of other comprehensive income (loss) are presented net of income tax. Foreign currency translation adjustments exclude the effect of income taxes since earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are deemed to be reinvested for an indefinite period of time.

Reclassification adjustments are amounts which are realized during the year and, accordingly, are deducted from other comprehensive income (loss) in the period in which they are included in net income or when a transaction no longer qualifies as a cash flow hedge. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included in net income upon sale or upon complete or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are included in net income when the projected sale occurs or, if a foreign currency purchase contract, over the estimated useful life of the underlying asset. Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities are included in net income when the underlying security is sold. Unamortized prior service costs and unrecognized actuarial gains and losses associated with employee benefit plans are included in net income either indirectly as a result of lower/higher interest costs arising from a decrease/increase in the projected benefit obligation or over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from sales is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement identifies the final understanding between the parties as to the specific nature and terms of the agreed-upon transaction that creates enforceable obligations. It can be in the form of an executed purchase order from the customer, sales agreement issued by the Corporation or a similar arrangement deemed to be normal and customary business practice for that particular customer or class of customer (collectively, a sales agreement).

Delivery and performance is considered to have occurred when the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and rewards of ownership of the product. Typically this occurs when the product is shipped to the customer (i.e., FOB shipping point), delivered to the customer (i.e., FOB destination), or, for foreign sales, in accordance with trading guidelines known as Incoterms. Incoterms are standard trade definitions used in international contracts and are developed, maintained and promoted by the ICC Commission on Commercial Law and Practice.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    32   


The sales price required to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable from the sales agreement. It is not subject to refund or adjustment except for a variable-index surcharge provision which increases or decreases, as applicable, the selling price of a rolling mill roll for corresponding changes in the published index cost of certain raw materials. The variable-index surcharge is recognized as revenue when the corresponding revenue for the inventory is recognized. Likelihood of collectability is assessed prior to acceptance of an order. There are no customer-acceptance provisions other than customer inspection and testing prior to shipment. Post-shipment obligations are insignificant.

Amounts billed to the customer for shipping and handling are recorded within net sales and the related costs are recorded within costs of products sold (excluding depreciation). Amounts billed for taxes assessed by various governmental authorities (e.g. sales tax, value-added tax, etc.) are excluded from the determination of net income and instead are recorded as a liability until remitted to the government authority.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of the Corporation’s foreign operations are translated at year-end exchange rates and the statements of operations are translated at the average exchange rates for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are accumulated as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.

Financial Instruments

Derivative instruments which include forward exchange (for foreign currency sales and purchases) and futures contracts are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at their fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the use of the derivative. To the extent that a derivative is designated and effective as a cash flow hedge of an exposure to future changes in value, the change in fair value of the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Any portion considered to be ineffective, including that arising from the unlikelihood of an anticipated transaction to occur, is reported as a component of earnings (other income/expense) immediately.

Upon occurrence of the anticipated sale, the foreign currency sales contract designated and effective as a cash flow hedge is de-designated as a fair value hedge and the change in fair value previously deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reclassified to earnings (net sales) with subsequent changes in fair value recorded as a component of earnings (other income/expense). Upon occurrence of the anticipated purchase, the foreign currency purchase contract is settled and the change in fair value deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reclassified to earnings (depreciation expense) over the life of the underlying assets. Upon settlement of a futures contract, the change in fair value deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is reclassified to earnings (costs of products sold, excluding depreciation) when the corresponding inventory is sold and revenue is recognized. To the extent that a derivative is designated and effective as a hedge of an exposure to changes in fair value, the change in the derivative’s fair value will be offset in the statement of operations by the change in the fair value of the item being hedged and is recorded as a component of earnings (other income/expense). Cash flows associated with the derivative instruments are recorded as a component of operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Corporation does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and, therefore, holds no derivative instruments for trading purposes.

Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. A hierarchy of inputs is used to determine fair value measurements with three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and are considered the most reliable evidence of fair value. Level 2 inputs are observable prices that are not quoted on active exchanges. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs used for measuring the fair value of assets or liabilities.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense is recognized for stock-based compensation awards over the requisite service period based on the estimated fair value of the award as of the date of grant calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Fair value is affected by the Corporation’s stock price and various assumptions including assumptions about the expected term of the options, volatility, dividends and the risk-free interest rate. The expected life of the options is estimated by considering historical exercise experience of the employee group and the vesting period of the awards. The expected volatility is based on the historical prices of the Corporation’s stock and dividend amounts over the expected life of the stock options. The expected dividend yield is based on a dividend amount giving consideration to the Corporation’s past pattern and future expectations of dividend increases over the expected life of the options. The risk-free interest rate is equal to the yield

 

   33    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues at the date of grant with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options.

Legal Costs

Legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies are accrued when such costs are probable and estimable.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are recognized during the year in which transactions enter into the determination of financial statement income. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities including net operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided against a deferred income tax asset when it is “more likely than not” the asset will not be realized. Similarly, if a determination is made that it is “more likely than not” the deferred income tax asset will be realized, the related valuation allowance would be reduced and a benefit to earnings would be recorded. Penalties and interest are recognized as a component of the income tax provision.

Tax benefits are recognized in the financial statements for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is “more likely than not” that the tax authorities will sustain the tax position solely on the basis of the position’s technical merits. Consideration is given primarily to legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law as well as their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position when assessing the sustainability of the tax position. In the event a tax position no longer meets the “more likely than not” criteria, the tax benefit is reversed by recognizing a liability and recording a charge to earnings. Conversely, if a tax position subsequently meets the “more likely than not” criteria, a tax benefit would be recognized by reducing the liability and recording a credit to earnings.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The computation of diluted earnings per common share is similar to basic earnings per common share except that the denominator is increased to include the dilutive effect of the net additional common shares that would have been outstanding assuming exercise of outstanding stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method. The weighted average number of common shares outstanding assuming exercise of the stock options was 10,290,824 for 2010, 10,204,292 for 2009 and 10,179,644 for 2008.

Recently Implemented Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance replacing the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation with a more qualitative approach for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable-interest entity. The new guidance also adds an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable-interest entity and ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary. The new guidance became effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2010 and did not have an effect on its operating results, financial position or liquidity.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which addresses the accounting and revenue recognition of sales contracts with multiple products and/or services when such products and/or services are provided to the customer at different points in time or over different time periods. ASU 2009-13 requires the sales consideration to be allocated, at the inception of the arrangement, to each deliverable and/or service using the relative selling price method. ASU 2009-13 will become effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified on or after January 1, 2011 and is not expected to have a significant impact on the operating results, financial position or liquidity of the Corporation.

NOTE 2 – INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES:

In 2007, a subsidiary of UES entered into an agreement with Maanshan Iron & Steel Company Limited (Maanshan) to form a joint venture company in China. UES owns 49% of the joint venture company and Maanshan owns 51%. Both companies contributed cash for its respective interests. The joint venture company principally manufactures and sells forged backup rolling-mill rolls of a size and weight currently not able to be produced by UES. Limited production began in 2010. UES has exclusive marketing and sales rights. UES has not guaranteed any of the obligations of the joint venture; accordingly, its maximum exposure of loss is limited to its investment. Since UES is the minority shareholder and allocation of earnings and voting rights are proportional to ownership interests, UES is not considered the primary beneficiary and, accordingly, accounts for its 49% interest in the joint venture under the equity method of accounting.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    34   


During 2010 and 2009, the Corporation recognized $(479) and $(162), respectively, equal to its share of losses from the joint venture through September 30 of the respective years. The following table summarizes the assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, and results of operations of the joint venture which have been derived from its financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30.

 

      2010     2009  

Assets:

    

Current assets

   $         11,987      $         12,138   

Noncurrent assets

     26,651        18,241   

Total assets

   $ 38,638      $ 30,379   

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:

    

Current liabilities

   $ 934      $ 75   

Noncurrent liabilities

     7,808          

Shareholders’ Equity

     29,896        30,304   

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 38,638      $ 30,379   

Net loss

   $ (979   $ (331

The Corporation also has a 25% investment in a Chinese cast-roll joint venture company which is recorded at cost, or $1,340. The Corporation does not participate in the management or daily operation of the joint venture company, has not guaranteed any of its obligations and has no ongoing responsibilities to it. Dividends may be declared by the Board of Directors of the joint venture company after allocation of after-tax profits to various “funds” equal to the minimum amount required under Chinese law. Dividends declared and received approximated $1,084 in 2010, $812 in 2009 and $800 in 2008.

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES:

 

      2010      2009  

Raw materials

   $         17,900       $         18,274   

Work-in-progress

     32,169         33,178   

Finished goods

     7,619         8,075   

Supplies

     11,134         10,448   
     $ 68,822       $ 69,975   

At December 31, 2010 and 2009 approximately 60% and 65%, respectively, of the inventories was valued using the LIFO method. The LIFO reserve approximated $(22,031) and $(15,330) at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During each of the years, inventory quantities decreased resulting in a liquidation of LIFO layers which were at lower costs. The effect of the liquidations was to decrease costs of products sold (excluding depreciation) by approximately $645, $274 and $646 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, which increased net income by approximately $420 or $0.04 per common share for 2010, $178 or $0.02 per common share for 2009 and $420 or $0.04 per common share for 2008.

NOTE 4 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

 

      2010     2009  

Land and land improvements

   $     4,910      $     4,766   

Buildings

     41,341        31,387   

Machinery and equipment

     211,439        155,528   

Construction-in-process

     11,938        45,188   

Other

     7,782        7,417   
     277,410        244,286   

Accumulated depreciation

     (131,819     (124,346
     $     145,591      $     119,940   

Land and buildings of UES-UK (equal to approximately $1,300 at December 31, 2010) are held as collateral by the trustees of the UES-UK contributory defined benefit pension plan (see Note 7).

 

   35    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


NOTE 5 – OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

      2010      2009  

Customer-related liabilities

   $ 9,903       $ 10,111   

Forward currency exchange contracts

             1,171   

Accrued sales commissions

     2,266         1,852   

Other

     7,413         6,764   
     $       19,582       $       19,898   

Customer-related liabilities include liabilities for product warranty claims and deposits received on future orders. The following summarizes changes in the liability for product warranty claims for each of the years ended December 31.

 

      2010     2009     2008  

Balance at the beginning of the year

   $ 4,929      $ 4,724      $ 6,156   

Satisfaction of warranty claims

     (1,727     (1,861     (3,633

Provision for warranty claims

     1,987        1,820        3,037   

Other, primarily impact from changes in foreign currency exchange rates

     (76     246        (836

Balance at the end of the year

   $       5,113      $       4,929      $       4,724   

NOTE 6 – BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS:

The Corporation maintains short-term lines of credit of approximately $9,200 (including £3,000 in the U.K. and €400 in Belgium). No amounts were outstanding under these lines of credit as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.

As of December 31, 2010, the Corporation had the following Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) outstanding: (1) $4,120 tax-exempt IRB maturing in 2020, interest at a floating rate which averaged 0.32% during the current year; (2) $7,116 taxable IRB maturing in 2027, interest at a floating rate which averaged 0.30% during the current year and (3) $2,075 tax-exempt IRB maturing in 2029, interest at a floating rate which averaged 0.34% during the current year. The IRBs are remarketed periodically at which time interest rates are reset. The IRBs are secured by letters of credit of equivalent amounts. The letter of credit agreements require, among other things, maintenance of a minimum net worth and prohibit a leverage ratio in excess of a stipulated amount. The Corporation was in compliance with the applicable bank covenants as of December 31, 2010.

Despite principal not beginning to become due until 2020, the IRBs can be put back to the Corporation on short notice if, although considered remote by the Corporation and its bankers, the bonds cannot be remarketed. At that time, the bondholders can seek reimbursement from the letters of credit. As provided by a separate agreement with its bank, funding of the letters of credit, if so drawn against, would be satisfied with equal and immediate borrowings under a separate IRB Standby Letter of Credit facility (the Facility). The Facility expires on August 1, 2012 and is expected to be renewed annually to provide for a continual term of greater than one year. However, the Facility includes language regarding “material adverse change” to the Corporation’s business which could result in it being called or cancelled at the bank’s discretion; accordingly, the IRBs remain classified as a current liability. The availability under the Facility is $13,566, equal to the letters of credit, and as of December 31, 2010 no amounts were outstanding.

NOTE 7 – PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS:

Pension Plans

The Corporation has a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of its U.S. employees. Generally, benefits are based on years of service multiplied by either a fixed amount or a percentage of compensation. For its U.S. pension plan covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the Corporation’s policy is to fund at least the minimum actuarially computed annual contribution required under ERISA. Although no minimum contributions were required, voluntary contributions of $5,000 and $10,000 were made in 2010 and 2009, respectively. Minimum contributions for the 2011 Plan year are expected to approximate $1,500 but may differ from the actual amount required as a result of plan’s asset performance. Additionally, such amount may have been higher if the voluntary contributions to the plan would not have been made. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years are $8,780 for 2011, $9,007 for 2012, $9,103 for 2013, $9,351 for 2014, $9,530 for 2015 and $54,017 for 2016 – 2020. The fair value of the plan’s assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 approximated $135,730 and $119,466, respectively, in comparison to accumulated benefit obligations of $142,591 and $136,689 for the same periods.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    36   


Employees of UES-UK participate in a contributory defined benefit pension plan that was curtailed effective December 31, 2004 and replaced with a defined contribution pension plan. The UES-UK plans are non-U.S. plans and therefore are not covered by ERISA. Instead, the Trustees and UES-UK have agreed to a recovery plan that estimates the amount of employer contributions, based on U.K. regulations, necessary to eliminate the funding deficit of the plan over an agreed period with such estimates subject to change based on the future investment performance of the plan’s assets. Employer contributions to the contributory defined benefit pension plan approximated $1,420, $1,431 and $1,400 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are expected to approximate $1,659 in 2011. The fair value of the plan’s assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 approximated $34,836 (£22,332) and $32,427 (£20,062), respectively, in comparison to accumulated benefit obligations of $47,009 (£30,136) and $45,027 (£27,858) for the same periods. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years are $860 for 2011, $1,313 for 2012, $965 for 2013, $1,233 for 2014, $1,492 for 2015 and $10,577 for 2016 – 2020. Contributions to the defined contribution pension plan approximated $337, $275 and $466 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are expected to approximate $450 in 2011.

The Corporation also maintains a nonqualified defined benefit pension plan to provide supplemental retirement benefits for selected executives in addition to benefits provided under the Corporate-sponsored pension plans. The assets are held in a grantor tax trust known as a “Rabbi” trust; accordingly, the assets are subject to claims of the Corporation’s creditors, but otherwise must be used only for purposes of providing benefits under the plan. No contributions were made to the trust in 2008–2010 and none are expected in 2011. The fair market value of the trust at December 31, 2010 and 2009, which is included in other noncurrent assets, was $3,097 and $2,606, respectively. Changes in the fair market value of the trust are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). The plan is treated as a non-funded pension plan for financial reporting purposes. Accumulated benefit obligations approximated $1,785 and $1,007 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years are approximately $165 for 2011, $161 for 2012, $178 for 2013, $174 for 2014, $170 for 2015, and $845 for 2016–2020, assuming normal retirement of the participants.

Employees at one location participate in a multi-employer plan in lieu of the defined benefit pension programs. The Corporation contributed approximately $232, $187 and $214 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, to this plan.

Other Postretirement Benefits

The Corporation provides postretirement health care benefits principally to the bargaining groups of one subsidiary (the Plan). The Plan covers participants and their spouses and/or dependents who retire under the existing pension plan on other than a deferred vested basis and at the time of retirement have also rendered 15 or more years of continuous service irrespective of age. Other health care benefits are provided to retirees under plans no longer being offered by the Corporation. Retiree life insurance is provided to substantially all retirees. Postretirement benefits with respect to health care are subject to certain Medicare offsets. The Corporation also provides health care and life insurance benefits to former employees of certain discontinued operations. This obligation had been estimated and provided for at the time of disposal. The Corporation’s postretirement health care and life insurance plans are not funded or subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements. Estimated benefit payments for subsequent years, which would represent Corporate contributions, are approximately $1,026 for 2011, $1,039 for 2012, $1,037 for 2013, $1,027 for 2014, $1,015 for 2015 and $5,184 for 2016 – 2020.

 

   37    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Reconciliations

The following provides a reconciliation of projected benefit obligations, plan assets, the funded status of the plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets for the Corporation’s defined benefit plans calculated using a measurement date as of the end of the respective years.

 

    

U.S. Pension

Benefits(a)

   

Foreign Pension

Benefits

   

Other Postretirement

Benefits

 
       2010        2009        2010        2009        2010        2009   

Change in projected benefit obligations:

            

Projected benefit obligations at January 1

   $     147,190      $     135,916      $   45,027      $     35,395      $     14,469      $     13,868   

Service cost

     2,868        2,799                      482        423   

Interest cost

     8,525        8,403        2,482        2,323        924        812   

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

                   (1,545     4,571                 

Actuarial loss (gain)

     1,894        6,585        2,157        3,872        1,808        (27

Participant contributions

                                 474        468   

Benefits paid from plan assets

     (6,837     (6,471     (1,112     (1,134              

Benefits paid by the Corporation

     (45     (42                   (1,099     (1,075

Projected benefit obligations at December 31

   $ 153,595      $ 147,190      $ 47,009      $ 45,027      $ 17,058      $ 14,469   

Change in plan assets:

            

Fair value of plan assets at January 1

   $ 119,466      $ 93,694      $ 32,427      $ 24,311      $      $   

Actual return on plan assets

     18,101        22,243        3,206        4,627                 

Foreign currency exchange rate changes

                   (1,105     3,192                 

Corporate contributions

     5,045        10,042        1,420        1,431        625        607   

Participant contributions

                                 474        468   

Gross benefits paid

     (6,882     (6,513     (1,112     (1,134     (1,099     (1,075

Fair value of plan assets at December 31

   $ 135,730      $ 119,466      $ 34,836      $ 32,427      $      $   

Funded status of the plans:

            

Fair value of plan assets

   $ 135,730      $ 119,466      $ 34,836      $ 32,427      $      $   

Less benefit obligations

     153,595        147,190        47,009        45,027        17,058        14,469   

Funded status at December 31

   $ (17,865   $ (27,724   $ (12,173   $ (12,600   $ (17,058   $ (14,469

 

(a) Includes the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan.

 

    

U.S. Pension

Benefits

   

Foreign Pension

Benefits

   

Other Postretirement

Benefits

 
       2010        2009        2010        2009        2010        2009   

Amounts recognized in the balance sheets:

                                                

Employee benefit obligations:

            

Accrued payrolls and employee benefits (current)

   $ (160   $ (96   $ (1,953   $ (1,619   $ (984   $ (880

Employee benefit obligations (noncurrent)

     (17,705     (27,628     (10,220     (10,981     (16,074     (13,589
     $ (17,865   $ (27,724   $ (12,173   $ (12,600   $ (17,058   $ (14,469

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax):

            

Net actuarial loss

   $     54,428      $     64,547      $     20,903      $     21,271      $     3,085      $     1,418   

Prior service cost

     3,328        3,984                      389        475   

Total (pre-tax)

   $ 57,756      $ 68,531      $ 20,903      $ 21,271      $ 3,474      $ 1,893   

Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2010 expected to be recognized in net periodic pension and other postretirement costs in 2011 include:

 

     

U.S. Pension

Benefits

  

Foreign Pension

Benefits

  

Other Postretirement

Benefits

Net actuarial loss

   $    3,833    $    482    $    113

Prior service cost

           656            —            86
     $    4,489    $    482    $    199

Investment Policies and Strategies

The investment policies and strategies are determined and monitored by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors for the U.S. pension plan and by the Trustees (as appointed by UES-UK and the employees of UES-UK) for the foreign pension plan, each of whom employ their own investment managers to manage the plan’s assets in accordance with the policy guidelines. Pension assets are invested with the objective of maximizing long-term returns while minimizing material losses to meet future benefit obligations as they become due. Investments in equity securities are primarily in common stocks

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    38   


of publicly-traded U.S. and international companies across a broad spectrum of industry sectors. Investments in fixed-income securities are principally A-rated or better bonds with maturities of less than ten years, preferred stocks and convertible bonds. The Corporation believes there are no significant concentrations of risk associated with the Plans’ assets.

Attempts to minimize risk include allowing temporary changes to the allocation mix in response to market conditions, diversifying investments among asset categories (e.g., equity securities, fixed-income securities, hedge and absolute return funds, cash and cash equivalents) and within these asset categories (e.g., economic sector, industry, geographic distribution, size) and consulting with independent financial and legal counsels to assure that the investments and their expected returns and risks are consistent with the goals of the Investment Committee or Trustees.

With respect to the U.S. pension plan, the following investments are prohibited unless otherwise approved by the Investment Committee: stock of the Corporation, venture capital, private placements, future and options except for hedging purposes, unregistered or restricted stock, warrants, margin trading, limited partnerships, short-selling, real estate excluding public or real estate partnerships and commodities including art, jewelry and gold. The foreign plan invests in specific funds. Any investments other than those specifically identified would be considered prohibited.

The following summarizes target asset allocations and major asset categories.

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits   Foreign Pension Benefits
     

 

Target
Allocation

Dec. 31, 2010

 

 

Percentage of Plan

Assets

 

 

Target
Allocation

Dec. 31, 2010

 

 

Percentage of Plan
Assets

     2010   2009     2010   2009

Equity Securities

   65-75%   74%   65%   50%   53%   57%

Fixed-Income Securities

   15-30%   19%   19%   40%   38%   43%

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

   5-15%   5%   4%   10%   9%  

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents)

   0-5%   2%   12%      

Fair Value Measurement of Plan Assets

Equity securities and mutual funds are actively traded on exchanges and price quotes for these investments are readily available. Similarly, corporate debt and preferred securities consist of fixed income securities of U.S. and U.K. corporations and price quotes for these investments are readily available. Common collective trust and commingled funds are not traded publicly, but the underlying assets (such as stocks and bonds) held in these funds are traded on active markets and the prices for the underlying assets are readily observable.

Investment Strategies

The significant investment strategies of the various funds are summarized below.

 

     
Fund    Investment Strategy    Primary Investment Objective
Temporary Investment Funds    Invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade money market instruments.    Achieve a high level of current income while maintaining stability of principal and liquidity.
Various Equity Funds    Each fund maintains a diversified holding in common stock of applicable companies (e.g. common stock of small capitalization companies if a small-cap fund, common stock of medium capitalization companies if a mid-cap fund, common stock of foreign corporations if an international fund, etc.).    Outperform the fund’s related index.
Pooled Funds    Invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities of issuers organized or conducting business in countries other than the United States.    Exceed the return of the corresponding Morgan Stanley Index.
Various Growth and Value Funds    Invests primarily in common stocks and other equity securities generally traded on a major United States exchange or via the NASDAQ Stock Market.    Exceed the return of the Russell 2500 Growth Index or Value Index, as applicable, over a market cycle.
Return Fund    Invests at least 65% of its assets in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities of varying maturities.    Outperform the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index.
Hedge and Absolute Return Funds    Invests in a diversified portfolio of alternative investment styles and strategies.    Generate long-term capital appreciation while maintaining a low correlation with the traditional global financial markets.

 

   39    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


Categories of Plan Assets

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the Plans’ assets as of December 31, 2010 are summarized below.

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits  
     

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Inputs

(Level 1)

    

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

U.S.

           

Bank and financial services

   $ 1,975       $       $       $ 1,975   

Basic industries

     1,746                         1,746   

Chemicals

     1,689                         1,689   

Commercial property

     2,043                         2,043   

Common collective trust funds

             22,854                 22,854   

Consumer non-durables

     2,939                         2,939   

Consumer services

     1,515                         1,515   

Limited partnerships

     5,464                         5,464   

Mutual funds

     34,041                         34,041   

Oil and gas

     2,073                         2,073   

Technology

     2,719                         2,719   

Other (represents 17 business sectors)

     12,619                         12,619   

International

           

Energy

     1,653                         1,653   

Other (represents 5 business sectors)

     2,604                         2,604   

Commingled funds

             4,836                 4,836   

Total Equity Securities

     73,080         27,690                 100,770   

Fixed-Income Securities:

           

Preferred (represents 4 business sectors)

     7,580                         7,580   

Mutual funds

     3,231                         3,231   

Corporate debt (represents 2 business sectors)

     1,183                         1,183   

Commingled funds

             14,160                 14,160   

Total Fixed-Income Securities

     11,994         14,160                 26,154   

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

                     5,951         5,951   

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents):

           

Mutual funds

     1,918                         1,918   

Commingled funds

             777                 777   

Other (a)

     160                         160   

Total Other

     2,078         777                 2,855   
     $ 87,152       $ 42,627       $ 5,951       $     135,730   

(a) Includes accrued receivables and pending broker settlements.

  

  
     Foreign Pension Benefits  
      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
    

Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

   $ 5,225       $       $       $ 5,225   

Commingled Funds (International)

     13,242                         13,242   

Total Equity Securities

     18,467                         18,467   

Fixed Income Securities:

           

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

     13,133                         13,133   

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

                     3,211         3,211   

Cash and cash equivalents

     25                         25   
     $ 31,625       $       $ 3,211       $ 34,836   

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    40   


The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 plan assets for U.S. and foreign pension plans for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

      Hedge and Absolute Return Funds      
     U.S. Pension Benefits    Foreign Pension Benefits     

Fair value as of January 1, 2010

   $        5,365    $            —     

Acquisitions

                —             3,155   

Change in unrealized gain

               586                 56     

Fair value as of December 31, 2010

   $        5,951    $        3,211     

Asset categories based on the nature and risks of the Plans’ assets as of December 31, 2009 are summarized below.

 

     U.S. Pension Benefits  
     

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Inputs

(Level 1)

   

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

          

U.S.

          

Capital goods

   $ 2,004      $       $       $ 2,004   

Common collective trust funds

            11,870                 11,870   

Consumer non-durables

     2,987                        2,987   

Consumer services

     2,449                        2,449   

Energy

     3,333                        3,333   

Mutual funds

     29,036                        29,036   

Technology

     2,000                        2,000   

Other (represents 12 business sectors)

     12,268                        12,268   

International

          

Other (represents 7 business sectors)

     2,793                        2,793   

Commingled funds

            8,904                 8,904   

Total Equity Securities

     56,870        20,774                 77,644   

Fixed-Income Securities:

          

Preferred (represents 4 business sectors)

     7,383                        7,383   

Mutual funds

     6,604                        6,604   

Corporate debt (represents 2 business sectors)

     1,782                        1,782   

Commingled funds

            6,765                 6,765   

Total Fixed-Income Securities

     15,769        6,765                 22,534   

Hedge and Absolute Return Funds

                    5,365         5,365   

Other (primarily cash and cash equivalents):

          

Mutual funds

     6,605                        6,605   

Commingled funds

            7,666                 7,666   

Other (a)

     (348                     (348

Total Other

     6,257        7,666                 13,923   
     $ 78,896      $ 35,205       $ 5,365       $     119,466   

(a) Includes accrued receivables and pending broker settlements.

  

  
     Foreign Pension Benefits  
      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Inputs
(Level 1)
   

Significant Other
Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Equity Securities:

          

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

   $ 6,688      $       $       $ 6,688   

Commingled Funds (International)

     11,818                        11,818   

Total Equity Securities

     18,506                        18,506   

Fixed Income Securities:

          

Commingled Funds (U.K.)

     13,846                        13,846   

Cash and cash equivalents

     75                        75   
     $ 32,427      $       $       $ 32,427   

 

   41    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 plan assets for the U.S. pension plan for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

      Hedge and Absolute
Return Funds
     

Fair value as of January 1, 2009

        $ 4,438        

Acquisitions

     2,000        

Dispositions

     (2,000     

Change in unrealized gain

     927            

Fair value as of December 31, 2009

        $ 5,365            

Net Periodic Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs

The actual return on the fair value of plan assets is included in determining the funded status of the plans. In determining net periodic pension costs, the expected long-term rate of return on the market-related value of plan assets is used. Differences between the actual return on plan assets and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets are classified as part of unrecognized actuarial gains or losses which are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheet. When these gains or losses exceed 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligations or the market-related value of plan assets, they are amortized to net periodic pension and other postretirement costs over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans. When the gains or losses are less than 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligations or the market-related value of plan assets, they are included in net periodic pension and other postretirement costs indirectly as a result of lower/higher interest costs arising from a decrease/increase in the projected benefit obligation.

Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs include the following components for the year ended

December 31:

 

    

U.S. Pension

Benefits

   

Foreign Pension

Benefits

   

Other Postretirement

Benefits

 
      2010     2009     2008     2010     2009     2008     2010      2009      2008  

Service cost

   $     2,868      $     2,799      $     2,681      $      $      $      $ 482       $ 423       $ 405   

Interest cost

     8,525        8,403        7,953            2,482            2,323            2,464        924         812         785   

Expected return on plan assets

     (9,572     (10,262     (11,198     (1,885     (1,480     (2,612                       

Amortization of prior service cost

     656        656        633                             86         86         69   

Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)

     3,484        1,958        (110     464        463        292        140         10         56   

Net cost (income)

   $ 5,961      $ 3,554      $ (41   $ 1,061      $ 1,306      $ 144      $     1,632       $     1,331       $     1,315   

Assumptions

Assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is an estimate of average rates of earnings expected to be earned on funds invested or to be invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. Since these benefits will be paid over many years, the expected long-term rate of return is reflective of current investment returns and investment returns over a longer period. Consideration is given also to target and actual asset allocations, inflation and real risk-free return. The discount rates used in determining future pension obligations and other postretirement benefits for each of the plans are based on rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension and other postretirement benefits. High-quality fixed-income investments are defined as those investments which have received one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency with maturities of 10+ years.

The following assumptions were used to determine the benefit obligations as of December 31:

 

     U.S. Pension
Benefits
         Foreign Pension
Benefits
         Other Postretirement
Benefits
 
      2010     2009           2010     2009           2010     2009  

Discount rate

     5.75     6.00        5.40     5.80        5.75     6.00

Rate of increases in compensation

     4.00     4.00                                      

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    42   


The following assumptions were used to determine net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs for the year ended December 31:

 

     U.S. Pension
Benefits
     Foreign Pension
Benefits
     Other Postretirement
Benefits
     2010      2009      2008      2010      2009      2008      2010      2009      2008

Discount rate

   6.00%      6.25%      6.25%      5.80%      6.10%      5.65%      6.00%      6.25%      6.25%

Expected long-term rate

of return on plan assets

   8.00%      8.00%      8.00%      6.00%      5.53%      6.91%         —         —         —

Rate of increases in compensation

   4.00%      4.00%      4.00%         —         —         —         —         —         —

In addition, the assumed health care cost trend rate at December 31, 2010 for other postretirement benefits is 8% for 2011 gradually decreasing to 4.75% in 2015. In selecting rates for current and long-term health care assumptions, the Corporation considers known health care cost increases, the design of the benefit programs, the demographics of its active and retiree populations and expectations of inflation rates in the future. A one percentage point increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would change the postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 2010 and the annual benefit expense for 2010 by approximately $1,900 and $200, respectively.

NOTE 8 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:

Outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit as of December 31, 2010 approximated $19,898, the majority of which serve as collateral for the IRBs.

In 2010, UES-UK was awarded a governmental grant of up to $1,325 (£850) toward the purchase and installation of certain machinery and equipment of which $226 (£145) was received during the year. Under the agreement, the grant is repayable if certain conditions are not met including achieving and maintaining a targeted level of employment through 2017. UES-UK’s level of employment currently exceeds and is expected to continue to exceed the targeted level of employment; accordingly, no liability has been recorded.

Approximately 52% of the Corporation’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. There are six bargaining agreements which have expiration dates ranging from August 2011 to May 2014.

See Note 17 regarding litigation and Note 18 for environmental matters.

NOTE 9 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

In April 2008, the shareholders of the Corporation approved the adoption of the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (Incentive Plan). Awards under the Incentive Plan may include incentive non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares and restricted stock units, performance awards, other stock-based awards, short-term cash incentive awards or any other award made under the Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors who has the authority to determine, within the limits of the express provisions of the Incentive Plan, the individuals to whom the awards will be granted; the nature, amount and terms of such awards; and the objectives and conditions for earning such awards.

The Compensation Committee granted non-qualified stock options in each of the years as outlined below. The options have a ten-year life with one-third vesting at the date of grant, one-third vesting on the first anniversary date of the date of grant and one-third vesting on the second anniversary date of the date of grant. The exercise prices are equal to the closing prices of the Corporation’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the dates of grant. The fair values of the options as of the dates of grant were calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the assumptions outlined below.

 

      Grant Date  
     2010      2009      2008  

Options granted

         325,000                 322,500                 322,500   

Exercise price

   $ 25.77       $ 13.37       $ 37.89   

Assumptions:

        

Expected life in years

     6         6         6   

Risk-free interest rate

     2.98%         2.72%         3.33%   

Expected annual dividend yield

     3.00%         6.33%         2.51%   

Expected volatility

     55.12%         43.81%         33.71%   

Grant date fair value

   $ 10.77       $ 3.17       $ 10.98   

Resulting stock-based compensation expense

   $ 3,500       $ 1,023       $ 3,542   

 

   43    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


The resulting stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period and approximated $3,267, $1,806 and $1,574 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The related income tax benefit recognized in the statements of operations was $1,143, $632 and $551 for the respective years. Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense equaled $1,418 and $1,185 as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Stock option activity during 2008 – 2010 was as follows:

 

      Shares
Under
Options
          Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
           Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

     5,000                   $ 12.24   

Granted

     322,500             $ 37.89         

Exercised

                                  

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

     327,500                   $ 37.50   

Granted

     322,500             $ 13.37         

Exercised

     (68,430            $ 13.32                 

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

     581,570                   $ 26.96   

Granted

     325,000             $ 25.77         

Exercised

     (59,229            $ 13.33                 

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

     847,341                             $ 27.46   

Exercisable at December 31, 2010

     523,174                             $ 31.05   

Stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2010 were as follows:

 

      Weighted Average
Shares Under Options
         Weighted Average
Exercise Price Per Share
         Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years

2008 Grant

   322,500       $    37.89       7.7

2009 Grant

   199,841             13.37       8.2

2010 Grant

   325,000               25.77         9.2

Outstanding at December 31, 2010

   847,341         $    27.46         8.4

Exercisable at December 31, 2010

   523,174         $    31.05         8.1

Status and activity of nonvested stock options during 2008 – 2010 is summarized below.

 

      2008 Grant           2009 Grant            2010 Grant            Total  

Nonvested at January 1, 2008

                                     

Granted

     322,500                               322,500   

Vested

     (107,500                                  (107,500

Nonvested at December 31, 2008

     215,000                               215,000   

Granted

               322,500                     322,500   

Vested

     (107,500          (107,500                      (215,000

Nonvested at December 31, 2009

     107,500           215,000                     322,500   

Granted

                         325,000           325,000   

Vested

     (107,500          (107,500          (108,333          (323,333

Nonvested at December 31, 2010

                 107,500             216,667             324,167   

NOTE 10 – OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

Foreign currency translation adjustments exclude the effect of income taxes since earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries are deemed to be reinvested for an indefinite period of time. The tax (expense) benefit associated with changes in the unrecognized components of employee benefit plans was approximately $(2,219), $(1,601) and $20,610 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $(1,745), $(1,155) and $(312) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the reclassification adjustments. The tax (expense) benefit associated with changes in the fair value of derivatives was approximately $(801), $(318) and $(737) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and approximately $503, $(213) and $(734) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the reclassification adjustments. The tax (expense) benefit associated with changes in the unrealized holding gains and losses on securities was $(144), $(219) and $314 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $(12), $(39) and $(107) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for the reclassification adjustments.

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    44   


NOTE 11 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Forward Foreign Exchange and Futures Contracts

Certain of the Corporation’s operations are subject to risk from exchange rate fluctuations in connection with sales in foreign currencies. To minimize this risk, foreign currency sales contracts are entered into which are designated as cash flow or fair value hedges. As of December 31, 2010, approximately $31,164 of anticipated foreign-denominated sales has been hedged of which $4,316 is covered by cash flow contracts settling at various dates through June 2012. The remaining $26,848 of anticipated foreign-denominated sales is covered by fair value contracts settling at various dates through September 2013. As of December 31, 2010, the fair value of foreign currency sales contracts designated as cash flow hedges expecting to settle within the next 12 months approximated $547 and is recorded as other current assets. The fair value of the remaining cash flow contracts equaled $65 and is recorded as other noncurrent assets. The change in the fair value of the contracts is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and approximated $281, net of income taxes, as of December 31, 2010. During 2010, approximately $951, net of income taxes, was recognized as comprehensive income (loss). The change in the fair value will be reclassified to earnings when the projected sales occur with approximately $381 expected to be released to pre-tax earnings in 2011. Approximately $999, $(559) and $(2,619) was released to pre-tax earnings in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

As of December 31, 2010, the fair value of foreign currency sales contracts designated as fair value hedges expecting to settle within the next 12 months approximated $4 and is recorded as other current assets. (The fair value of the related hedged item, recorded as other current assets, approximated $53.) The fair value of the remaining fair value hedges equaled $285 and is recorded as other noncurrent assets. (The fair value of the related hedged item, recorded as other noncurrent liabilities, approximated $266.) The fair value of assets held as collateral as of December 31, 2010 approximated $780.

No portion of the existing cash flow or fair value hedges is considered to be ineffective, including any ineffectiveness arising from the unlikelihood of an anticipated transaction to occur. Additionally, no amounts have been excluded from assessing the effectiveness of the hedge.

Gains (losses) on foreign exchange transactions approximated $655, $(1,960) and $(1,228) for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and are included in other income (expense).

In May 2009, the Corporation entered into foreign currency purchase contracts to manage the volatility associated with Euro-denominated progress payments to be made for certain machinery and equipment. As of December 31, 2010, all contracts had been settled. The change in the fair value of the contracts is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and approximated $329, net of income taxes, as of December 31, 2010. During 2010, approximately $(245), net of income taxes, was recognized as comprehensive income (loss). During 2010, the underlying fixed assets were placed in service and approximately $16 was released to pre-tax earnings (as an offset to depreciation expense). Approximately, $25 is expected to be released to pre-tax earnings in 2011.

At December 31, 2010, the Corporation has purchase commitments covering approximately 56% of the anticipated natural gas usage at one of its Forged and Cast Rolls subsidiaries. The commitments qualify as normal purchases and, accordingly, are not reflected on the consolidated balance sheet. Payments for subsequent years are $5,380 for 2011, $4,130 for 2012, $2,637 for 2013, $2,139 for 2014 and $2,005 for 2015.

Additionally, certain of the Corporation’s divisions are subject to risk from increases in the price of commodities (copper and aluminum) used in the production of inventory. To minimize this risk, futures contracts are entered into which are designated as cash flow hedges. At December 31, 2010, approximately 54% or $3,572 of anticipated copper purchases over the next ten months and 63% or $844 of anticipated aluminum purchases over the next six months are hedged. The fair value of these contracts approximated $721 and the fair value of settled contracts approximated $224 as of December 31, 2010. The change in the fair value of the contracts designated as cash flow hedges is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and approximated $589, net of income taxes, as of December 31, 2010. During 2010, approximately $639, net of income taxes, was recognized as comprehensive income (loss). The change in the fair value will be reclassified to earnings when the projected sales occur with approximately $945 expected to be released to pre-tax earnings over the next 12 months. Approximately $328, $(76) and $(337) was released to pre-tax earnings in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The fair value of assets held as collateral as of December 31, 2010 approximated $455.

The Corporation does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and, therefore, holds no derivative instruments for trading purposes.

 

   45    ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report


NOTE 12 — FAIR VALUE:

The Corporation’s financial assets and liabilities that are reported at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

 

2010   

Quoted Prices
in Active

Markets for

Identical Inputs

(Level 1)

    

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Investments

           

Other noncurrent assets

   $ 3,097       $       $       $     3,097   

Foreign currency exchange sale contracts

           

Other current assets

             604                 604   

Other noncurrent assets

             350                 350   

Other current liabilities

                               

Other noncurrent liabilities

             266                 266   

 

2009

 

        

Investments

           

Other noncurrent assets

   $ 2,606       $       $       $     2,606   

Foreign currency exchange (sale and purchase) contracts

           

Other current assets

             1,345                 1,345   

Other noncurrent assets

             962                 962   

Other current liabilities

             1,171                 1,171   

Other noncurrent liabilities

             973                 973   

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The investments held as other noncurrent assets represent assets held in the “Rabbi” trust for the purpose of providing benefits under the non-qualified defined benefit pension plan. The fair value of the investments is based on quoted prices of the investments in active markets. The fair value of foreign currency exchange (sale and purchase) contracts is determined based on the fair value of similar contracts with similar terms and remaining maturities. The fair value of futures contracts is based on market quotations. The fair value of the variable-rate IRB debt approximates its carrying value. Additionally, the fair value of trade receivables and trade payables approximates their carrying value.

NOTE 13 — INCOME TAXES:

At December 31, 2010, the Corporation has state net operating loss carryforwards of $32,428 which begin to expire in 2018 through 2030 and capital loss carryforwards of $636 which begin to expire in 2014. The Corporation is subject to taxation in the U.S., various states and foreign jurisdictions, and remains subject to examination by tax authorities for tax years 2007 – 2010.

Income before income taxes and equity losses in Chinese joint venture was comprised of the following:

 

      2010      2009      2008  

Domestic

   $     17,664       $     42,435       $ (531

Foreign

     6,958         2,454         15,346   
     $ 24,622       $ 44,889       $     14,815   

 

ampco pittsburgh | 2010 annual report    46   


The provision (benefit) for taxes on income consisted of the following:

 

      2010     2009     2008  

Current:

      

Federal

   $     4,983      $     8,794      $     12,322   

State

     995        1,097        1,316   

Foreign

     364        (17     2,669   
       6,342        9,874        16,307   

Deferred:

      

Federal

     2,210        5,556        (13,227

State

     (494     1,138        (1,792

Foreign

     1,284        482        1,363   

Reversal of valuation allowance

     (655            (411
       2,345        7,176        (14,067
     $ 8,687      $ 17,050      $ 2,240   

The provision (benefit) for taxes on income was affected by the reversal of valuation allowances previously provided against deferred income tax assets associated with foreign tax credits and capital loss carryforwards for 2010 and 2008, respectively.

The difference between statutory U.S. federal income tax and the Corporation’s effective income tax was as follows:

 

      2010     2009     2008  

Computed at statutory rate

   $     8,618      $     15,711      $     5,185   

Tax differential on non-U.S. earnings

     (355     (91     (958

State income taxes

     902        1,851        (730

Reversal of valuation allowance

     (655   &n