Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Koppers Holdings Inc.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
45
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
47
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
49
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
49
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
50
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
51
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
52
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
53
44
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of Koppers Holdings Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Management has assessed the effectiveness of Koppers Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. In making this assessment, management has utilized the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Management concluded that based on its assessment, Koppers Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020.
The effectiveness of Koppers Holdings Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, has been audited by KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that also audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report, as stated in their attestation report which appears on page 46.
February 24, 2021
/ S / L EROY M. B ALL
Leroy M. Ball
President and Chief Executive Officer
/ S / M ICHAEL J. Z UGAY
Michael J. Zugay
Chief Financial Officer
45
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Koppers Holdings Inc.:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Koppers Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 24, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 24, 2021
46
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Koppers Holdings Inc.:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Koppers Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 24, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases .
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
47
Assessment of the carrying value of goodwill in the Utility Products reporting unit
As described in Notes 2 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance as of December 31, 2020 was $297.8 million, of which $80.0 million related to the Utility Products reporting unit. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing at the reporting unit level annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that a potential impairment exists. The Company uses a combination of an income approach, using a discounted cash flow methodology, and a market approach in its annual goodwill impairment assessment.
We identified the assessment of the carrying value of goodwill for the Utility Products reporting unit as a critical audit matter. Significant auditor judgment was required to evaluate the Company’s estimate of fair value of the Utility Products reporting unit, which was developed, in part, using a discounted cash flow model. Specifically, the key assumptions used in the reporting unit’s discounted cash flow model are forecasted cash flows, including forecasted revenue growth rates, and the discount rate, as changes to those assumptions could have a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the impairment of the goodwill.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment process. This included controls over the development of the forecasted cash flows, including forecasted revenue growth rates, and discount rate assumptions. We evaluated the Company’s forecasted cash flows and revenue growth rates by comparing them to external market and industry data. We compared the Company’s historical revenue and cash flows forecasts to actual results to assess the Company’s ability to accurately forecast. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
• Evaluating the Company’s discount rate, by comparing it against a discount rate that was independently developed using publicly available third-party market data for comparable entities
• Developing an independent estimate of the Utility Products reporting unit’s fair value using the reporting unit’s cash flow forecast and an independently developed discount rate, and comparing the result of our estimate of fair value to the Company’s fair value estimate.
Evaluation of income tax expense
As discussed in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions in which it operates, which affect the Company’s provision for income taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company’s provision for income taxes was $21.0 million which included a benefit to income tax expense of $13.3 million as a result of enacted income tax laws and regulations in the current year.
We identified the evaluation of income tax expense as a critical audit matter. Complex auditor judgment was required in evaluating the Company’s interpretation and application of tax laws and regulations in relevant jurisdictions and the related impact to income tax expense. There is complexity in the evaluation of U.S. income tax expense due to the impact of U.S. tax reform on multinational operations such as the U.S. tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) and foreign tax credits. There is also complexity in evaluating the impact of changing domestic and foreign tax laws and regulations on income tax expense and specifically the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s income tax process. This included controls over the identification and application of changes to tax laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and specifically the CARES Act and the Company’s evaluation of the determination of GILTI and foreign tax credits. We involved tax professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
• Evaluating the application of the relevant tax laws and regulations in the determination of the Company’s income tax expense
• Evaluating the Company’s methodology used in the determination of GILTI and foreign tax credits by comparing to tax laws and regulations.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
February 24, 2021
48
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales
$
1,669.1
$
1,637.0
$
1,562.7
Cost of sales
1,308.7
1,306.3
1,260.9
Depreciation and amortization
54.1
51.4
46.9
Loss on sale of assets
0.0
0.0
8.3
Impairment and restructuring charges
6.5
6.0
4.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses
143.1
148.3
158.2
Operating profit
156.7
125.0
84.4
Other income, net
2.3
0.4
0.9
Interest expense
48.9
61.7
54.1
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
110.1
63.7
31.2
Income tax provision
21.0
0.0
25.7
Income from continuing operations
89.1
63.7
5.5
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax
benefit (expense) of $ 0.9 , $( 1.4 ) and $( 0.7 )
( 3.9
)
3.7
23.7
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
expense of $ 8.3
35.8
0.0
0.0
Net income
121.0
67.4
29.2
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 1.0
)
0.8
5.8
Net income attributable to Koppers
$
122.0
$
66.6
$
23.4
Earnings per common share attributable to Koppers
common shareholders:
Basic -
Continuing operations
$
4.25
$
3.09
$
0.26
Discontinued operations
1.56
0.13
0.86
Earnings per basic common share
$
5.81
$
3.22
$
1.12
Diluted -
Continuing operations
$
4.17
$
3.03
$
0.26
Discontinued operations
1.54
0.13
0.84
Earnings per diluted common share
$
5.71
$
3.16
$
1.10
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic
20,992
20,665
20,871
Diluted
21,374
21,068
21,326
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Net income
$
121.0
$
67.4
$
29.2
Changes in other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation adjustment
22.8
( 1.3
)
( 25.6
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax
(expense) benefit of $( 12.6 ), $( 4.1 ) and $ 10.0
41.2
8.7
( 25.2
)
Change in accounting standard
0.0
0.0
0.3
Unrecognized pension prior service benefit, net of
tax benefit of $ 0.0 , $ 0.0 and $ 0.1
0.0
( 0.1
)
( 0.6
)
Unrecognized pension net (loss) gain, net of tax
benefit (expense) of $ 0.4 , $( 0.8 ) and $ 0.2
( 1.1
)
2.1
( 0.5
)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
183.9
76.8
( 22.4
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
0.1
0.6
5.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Koppers
$
183.8
$
76.2
$
( 27.4
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
49
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash (Note 4)
$
38.5
$
32.3
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $ 2.6 and $ 2.6
175.1
161.7
Income tax receivable
1.2
1.1
Inventories, net
295.8
288.5
Assets of discontinued operations held for sale
0.0
17.1
Derivative contracts
38.5
2.4
Other current assets
15.4
16.4
Total current assets
564.5
519.5
Property, plant and equipment, net
409.1
358.8
Operating lease right-of-use assets
102.5
112.3
Goodwill
297.8
296.1
Intangible assets, net
149.8
168.4
Deferred tax assets
18.4
23.7
Non-current assets of discontinued operations held for sale
0.0
59.3
Non-current derivative contracts
31.9
4.1
Other assets
24.6
22.4
Total assets
$
1,598.6
$
1,564.6
Liabilities
Accounts payable
$
154.1
$
162.8
Accrued liabilities
106.7
89.3
Current operating lease liabilities
21.2
22.0
Current maturities of long-term debt
10.1
10.2
Liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
0.0
11.9
Total current liabilities
292.1
296.2
Long-term debt
765.8
891.0
Accrued postretirement benefits
46.2
46.6
Deferred tax liabilities
21.3
6.8
Operating lease liabilities
81.3
91.5
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations held for sale
0.0
25.1
Other long-term liabilities
45.9
48.7
Total liabilities
1,252.6
1,405.9
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 19)
Equity
Senior Convertible Preferred Stock, $ 0.01 par value per share; 10,000,000
shares authorized; no shares issued
0.0
0.0
Common Stock, $ 0.01 par value per share; 80,000,000 shares authorized;
23,688,347 and 23,321,087 shares issued
0.2
0.2
Additional paid-in capital
234.1
221.9
Retained earnings
215.8
93.8
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
( 15.9
)
( 77.7
)
Treasury stock, at cost, 2,589,803 and 2,515,925 shares
( 92.5
)
( 90.9
)
Total Koppers shareholders’ equity
341.7
147.3
Noncontrolling interests
4.3
11.4
Total equity
346.0
158.7
Total liabilities and equity
$
1,598.6
$
1,564.6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
50
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income
$
121.0
$
67.4
$
29.2
Adjustments to reconcile net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
54.1
55.1
50.8
Stock-based compensation
11.3
12.1
12.5
Change in derivative contracts
( 9.2
)
( 4.1
)
6.9
Non-cash interest expense
2.6
2.6
2.4
(Gain) on sale of discontinued operations and loss on disposal
of assets and investment
( 35.6
)
0.8
0.7
Insurance proceeds
( 0.7
)
( 3.0
)
( 1.5
)
Loss on sale of assets
0.0
0.0
8.3
Deferred income taxes
9.4
( 10.9
)
9.1
Change in other liabilities
( 8.6
)
( 18.4
)
( 22.6
)
Other - net
( 0.6
)
( 0.3
)
( 0.8
)
Changes in working capital:
Accounts receivable
( 11.5
)
25.4
( 7.7
)
Inventories
8.7
( 14.8
)
( 18.3
)
Accounts payable
( 25.3
)
( 3.1
)
30.8
Accrued liabilities
8.5
3.9
( 27.0
)
Other working capital
3.0
2.6
5.5
Net cash provided by operating activities
127.1
115.3
78.3
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities:
Capital expenditures
( 69.8
)
( 37.2
)
( 109.7
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
0.0
0.0
( 264.0
)
Insurance proceeds
0.7
3.0
1.5
Net cash provided by sale of discontinued operations and asset sales
74.7
0.4
( 4.2
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
5.6
( 33.8
)
( 376.4
)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities:
Net (decrease) increase in credit facility borrowings
( 57.3
)
( 61.1
)
234.9
Borrowings of long-term debt
0.0
0.0
100.0
Repayments of long-term debt
( 70.7
)
( 29.7
)
( 20.3
)
Issuances of Common Stock
1.1
4.0
2.9
Repurchases of Common Stock
( 1.6
)
( 0.9
)
( 31.8
)
Payment of debt issuance costs
( 0.2
)
( 1.0
)
( 2.9
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
( 128.7
)
( 88.7
)
282.8
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
1.5
( 0.4
)
( 4.4
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations held for sale
0.7
2.5
6.2
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6.2
( 5.1
)
( 13.5
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
32.3
37.4
50.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
38.5
$
32.3
$
37.4
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash outflow from operating leases
$
31.5
$
31.1
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease
liabilities
$
8.6
$
29.9
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$
50.1
$
60.9
$
49.8
Income taxes
13.4
16.8
25.9
Noncash investing activities:
Accrued capital expenditures
8.9
0.4
3.7
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
51
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Senior Convertible Preferred Stock
Balance at beginning and end of year
$
0.0
$
0.0
$
0.0
Common Stock
Balance at beginning and end of year
0.2
0.2
0.2
Additional paid-in capital
Balance at beginning of year
221.9
206.0
190.6
Employee stock plans
11.3
12.1
12.5
Issuance of common stock
0.9
3.8
2.9
Balance at end of year
234.1
221.9
206.0
Retained earnings
Balance at beginning of year
93.8
27.2
7.4
Net income attributable to Koppers
122.0
66.6
23.4
Change in accounting standards
0.0
0.0
( 3.6
)
Balance at end of year
215.8
93.8
27.2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Currency translation adjustment:
Balance at beginning of year
( 39.8
)
( 38.5
)
( 13.8
)
Change in currency translation adjustment
21.7
( 1.3
)
( 24.7
)
Balance at end of year
( 18.1
)
( 39.8
)
( 38.5
)
Unrecognized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Balance at beginning of year
3.2
( 5.5
)
15.8
Change in accounting standard, net of tax expense of $ 0.0 , $ 0.0 and $ 1.3
0.0
0.0
3.9
Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on cash flow hedges to
expense, net of tax benefit (expense) of $ 0.1 , $( 1.5 ) and $ 2.5
( 0.2
)
4.6
( 7.4
)
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax (expense) benefit
of $( 12.7 ), $( 2.6 ) and $ 7.5
41.4
4.1
( 17.8
)
Balance at end of year
44.4
3.2
( 5.5
)
Unrecognized pension prior service cost (benefit):
Balance at beginning of year
( 0.6
)
( 0.6
)
0.0
Revaluation of unrecognized prior service benefit,
net of tax benefit of $ 0.0 , $ 0.0 and $ 0.1
0.0
0.0
( 0.6
)
Balance at end of year
( 0.6
)
( 0.6
)
( 0.6
)
Unrecognized pension net loss:
Balance at beginning of year
( 40.5
)
( 42.6
)
( 42.1
)
Reclassification of unrecognized pension net loss to expense, net
of tax expense of $ 0.3 , $ 0.3 and $ 0.4
1.1
1.1
1.1
Revaluation of unrecognized pension net loss, net of tax
(benefit) expense of $( 0.7 ), $ 0.4 and $( 0.5 )
( 2.2
)
1.0
( 1.6
)
Balance at end of year
( 41.6
)
( 40.5
)
( 42.6
)
Total balance at end of year
( 15.9
)
( 77.7
)
( 87.2
)
Treasury stock
Balance at beginning of year
( 90.9
)
( 90.0
)
( 58.2
)
Purchases
( 1.6
)
( 0.9
)
( 31.8
)
Balance at end of year
( 92.5
)
( 90.9
)
( 90.0
)
Total Koppers shareholders’ equity – end of year
341.7
147.3
56.2
Noncontrolling interests
Balance at beginning of year
11.4
10.8
5.9
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 1.0
)
0.8
5.8
Sale of discontinued operations
( 7.2
)
0.0
0.0
Currency translation adjustment
1.1
( 0.2
)
( 0.9
)
Balance at end of year
4.3
11.4
10.8
Total equity – end of year
$
346.0
$
158.7
$
67.0
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
52
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of Business
Parent company of Koppers Inc. – In these financial statements, unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, when the terms “Koppers,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us,” are used, they mean Koppers Holdings Inc. (“Koppers Holdings”) and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The use of these terms is not intended to imply that Koppers Holdings and Koppers Inc. are not separate and distinct legal entities from each other and from their respective subsidiaries. Koppers Holdings has no direct operations and no significant assets other than the stock of Koppers Inc. It depends on the dividends from the earnings of Koppers Inc. and its subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet its financial obligations. The terms of Koppers Inc.’s Credit Facility prohibit Koppers Inc. from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets except for certain limited dividends. Further, the terms of the indenture governing Koppers Inc.’s Senior Notes due 2025 significantly restrict Koppers Inc. from paying dividends and otherwise transferring assets to Koppers Holdings.
Business description – We are a global integrated provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds for use in a variety of markets including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber and construction industries. Our business is operated through three business segments, Railroad and Utility Products and Services (“RUPS”), Performance Chemicals (“PC”) and Carbon Materials and Chemicals (“CMC”).
Our RUPS segment sells treated and untreated wood products, rail joint bars and services primarily to the railroad industry and treated wood products to the utility industry. Railroad products include procuring and treating items such as crossties, switch ties and various types of lumber used for railroad bridges and crossings and the manufacture of rail joint bars. Utility products include transmission and distribution poles and pilings. The segment also operates a railroad services business that conducts engineering, design, repair and inspection services for railroad bridges and a business related to the recovery of used crossties and utility poles.
Our PC segment develops, manufactures, and markets wood preservation chemicals and wood treatment technologies and services a diverse range of end-markets including infrastructure, residential and commercial construction and agriculture.
Our CMC segment is primarily a manufacturer of creosote, carbon pitch, naphthalene, phthalic anhydride and carbon black feedstock. Creosote is used in the treatment of wood and carbon black feedstock is used in the production of carbon black. Carbon pitch is a critical raw material used in the production of aluminum and for the production of steel in electric arc furnaces. Naphthalene is used for the production of phthalic anhydride and as a surfactant in the production of concrete. Phthalic anhydride is used in the production of plasticizers, polyester resins and alkyd paints.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation – The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and all majority-owned subsidiaries for which we are deemed to exercise control over its operations. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation.
Use of estimates – Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. require management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingencies on the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best available information and actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Revenue recognition – Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.
Revenue is recognized upon the completion of performance obligations under our contracts with customers and when control of a good or service is transferred to the customer. Substantially all of our contracts with customers are ship and invoice arrangements where revenue is recognized when we complete our performance obligations and transfer control to the customer . Revenue recognition generally occurs at the point of shipment; however in certain circumstances as shipping terms dictate, we transfer control and revenue is recognized at the point of destination. Payment terms on ship and invoice arrangements are typically within 45 days. Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of sales.
53
We recognize revenue related to the procurement of certain untreated railroad crossties upon delivery to our plant and acceptance by the customer. Service revenue, consisting primarily of wood treating services, is recognized at the time the service is provided and the performance obligation is satisfied. Payment on sales of untreated railroad crossties and wood treating services are generally due within 30 days of the invoice date.
Contract Balances – The timing of revenue recognition in accordance with ASC 606 results in both billed accounts receivable and unbilled receivables, both classified as accounts receivable, net of allowance within the consolidated balance sheet. Contract assets of $ 5.8 million and $ 5.1 million are recorded within accounts receivable, net of allowance within the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and on deposit and investments in highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Restricted cash of $ 2.3 million as of December 31, 2020 is being held in an escrow account for a remaining period of 15 months to cover potential customary indemnity claims by the buyers of one of our businesses sold as described in Note 4 – “Plant Closures and Discontinued Operations.”
Accounts receivable – We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. In circumstances where we become aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to Koppers, a specific reserve for bad debts is recorded against amounts due. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Inventories – In the United States, CMC and RUPS inventories are valued at the lower of cost, utilizing the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis, or net realizable value. UIP inventories are valued at the lower of cost, utilizing the moving average cost basis, or net realizable value. PC inventories and all other inventories outside of the United States are valued at the lower of cost, utilizing the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis, and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. LIFO inventories constituted approximately 53 percent and 51 percent of the FIFO inventory value at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. In 2020, 2019 and 2018, we recorded inventory write-downs of $ 0.6 million, $ 1.0 million and $ 1.0 million, respectively, related to lower of cost and net realizable value for our subsidiaries that value inventory on the FIFO basis.
Property, plant and equipment – Property, plant and equipment are recorded at purchased cost and include improvements which significantly increase capacities or extend useful lives of existing plant and equipment. Depreciation expense is calculated by applying the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives for buildings generally range from ten to 20 years and depreciable lives for machinery and equipment generally range from three to 15 years . Net gains and losses related to asset disposals are recognized in earnings in the period in which the disposal occurs. Routine repairs, replacements and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
We periodically evaluate whether current facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of depreciable long-lived assets may not be recoverable. If an asset, or logical grouping of assets, is determined to be impaired, the asset is written down to its fair value using discounted future cash flows and, if available, quoted market prices. Refer to Note 4 – “Plant Closures and Discontinued Operations” for additional information.
Goodwill and other intangible assets – Goodwill and other purchased intangible assets are included in the identifiable assets of the business segment to which they have been assigned. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to an impairment test that we conduct annually or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists. We perform an assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level, utilizing a combination of an income approach, using a discounted cash flow methodology, and a market approach, by comparing the estimated fair value calculations of each reporting unit with its net book value. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future forecasted cash flows including future forecasted revenue growth rates, and the discount rate. If assumptions or estimates in the fair value calculations change or if future forecasted cash flows or future forecasted growth rates vary from what was planned, this may impact the impairment analysis. We performed an impairment test for goodwill for each of the reporting units using the above quantitative testing approach. Based on the evaluations performed, we determined that the fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded its carrying amount, and therefore, we determined that goodwill was no t impaired.
Identifiable intangible assets, other than goodwill, are recorded at fair value. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
Deferred income taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax laws is recognized in earnings in the period the new laws are enacted. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized.
54
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Leases – Effective January 1, 2019, we changed our method of accounting for leases due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” and ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases”, using the modified retrospective method with no restatement of comparative periods presented. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.
Lease arrangements are determined whether or not to be a lease at inception. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments. ROU lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the term of the lease as of the start date and may include consideration of certain adjustments including non-lease components. ROU assets are determined based on the determined ROU lease liability and may include the consideration of certain adjustments including initial direct costs, prepaid lease payments, lease incentives received, and non-lease components. The option to extend or terminate a lease is included in the determination of the ROU asset and lease liability only when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.
Asset retirement obligations – Asset retirement obligations are initially recorded at present value and are capitalized as part of the cost of the related long-lived asset when sufficient information is available to estimate present value. The capitalized costs are subsequently charged to depreciation expense over the estimated useful life of the related long-lived asset. The present value of the obligation is determined by calculating the discounted value of expected future cash flows and accretion expense is recorded each month to ultimately increase this obligation to fair value.
We recognize asset retirement obligations for the removal and disposal of residues; dismantling of certain tanks required by governmental authorities; cleaning and dismantling costs for owned rail cars; cleaning costs for leased rail cars and barges; and site demolition, when required by governmental authorities or by contract.
The following table describes changes to our asset retirement obligation liabilities:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of year
$
20.7
$
27.0
Accretion expense
1.1
1.5
Revision in estimated cash flows (a)
4.6
4.7
Cash expenditures
( 6.6
)
( 12.5
)
Balance at end of period
$
19.8
$
20.7
(a) Revision in estimated cash flows for 2020 and 2019 includes $ 2.9 and $ 3.4 million of charges related to restructuring activities, respectively. See Note 4 – “Plant Closures and Discontinued Operations” for additional information.
Litigation and contingencies – Amounts associated with litigation and contingencies are accrued when management, after taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of each matter including any settlement offers, has determined that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs for litigation are expensed as incurred with the exception of legal fees relating to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”), sites.
Environmental liabilities – We accrue for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of related cost is reasonably estimable. If only a range of potential liability can be estimated and no amount within the range is more probable than another, the accrual is recorded at the low end of that range. Remediation liabilities are discounted if the amount and timing of the cash disbursements are readily determinable.
COVID-19 Assessment
In March 2020, the World Health Organization categorized the current coronavirus disease (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic. COVID-19 continues to impact the United States and other countries across the world, and the duration and ultimate severity of its effects are currently unknown. This current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the related future financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Our consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect certain estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of such assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented.
55
Such estimates and assumptions affect, among other things, our goodwill, long-lived asset and intangible asset valuation; inventory valuation; valuation of deferred income taxes; and the allowance for doubtful accounts. Events and changes in circumstances arising after December 31, 2020, including those resulting from the impacts of COVID-19, will be reflected in management’s estimates for future periods.
3. New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2020-04: Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting . This update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impacts associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This ASU includes practical expedients for contract modifications due to reference rate reform and will not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination at the modification date. These practical expedients may be applied from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Our debt agreements include the use of alternate rates if LIBOR is not available and we do not expect the change from LIBOR to an alternate rate will have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, “ Investments – Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.” This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. We do not expect the adoption of ASU No. 2020-01 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU No. 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. We adopted ASU No. 2016-13 as of January 1, 2020 and there was no material impact on our financial statements.
4. Plant Closures and Discontinued Operations
Over the past six years, we have been restructuring our Carbon Materials and Chemicals (“CMC”) segment in order to concentrate our facilities in regions where we believe we hold key competitive advantages to better serve our global customers. These closure activities include:
•
In February 2021, we completed the sale of our Follansbee, West Virginia coal tar distillation facility. In August 2019, we ceased remaining production activities at the facility. Previously in 2018, we had ceased naphthalene refining activities at the facility subsequent to the commissioning of a new naphthalene refining plant in Stickney, Illinois.
•
In September 2020, we sold Koppers (Jiangsu) Carbon Chemical Company Limited (“KJCC”).
•
In September 2018, we sold our U.K.-based specialty chemicals business.
•
In November 2016, we sold our 30 -percent interest in Tangshan Kailuan Koppers Carbon Chemical Company Limited (“TKK”) located in the Hebei Province in China.
•
In July 2016, we discontinued coal tar distillation activities at our CMC plant located in Clairton, Pennsylvania. In October 2018, we completed the sale of the facility.
•
In March 2016, we discontinued production at our 60 -percent owned CMC plant located in Tangshan, China.
•
In February 2016, we ceased coal tar distillation and specialty pitch operations at both of our United Kingdom CMC facilities. In July 2016, we sold substantially all of our CMC tar distillation properties and assets in the United Kingdom.
•
In April 2014, we ceased coal tar distillation activities at our CMC facility located in Uithoorn, the Netherlands.
Other closure and divestiture activity relates to our Railroad Utility Products and Services (“RUPS”) segment. These activities include:
•
In June 2020, we announced the closure of a crosstie treating plant located in Denver, Colorado and in the third quarter of 2020 we discontinued production activities at this location.
•
In August 2019, we sold our utility pole treatment plant located in Blackstone, Virginia.
•
In August 2015, we closed a crosstie treating plant located in Green Spring, West Virginia.
•
In July 2015, we sold the assets of our 50 -percent interest in KSA Limited Partnership, a concrete crosstie manufacturer.
In addition, we ceased carbon black production at our CMC facility located in Kurnell, Australia during 2011. Costs associated with this closure are included in (loss) income from discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations.
56
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Details of the restructuring activities and related reserves are as follows:
Severance and
employee benefits
Asset
retirement
Other
Total
(Dollars in millions)
Reserve at December 31, 2018
$
1.7
$
3.6
$
2.8
$
8.1
Accrual
0.0
3.4
3.0
6.4
Costs charged against assets
0.0
0.0
( 3.0
)
( 3.0
)
Reversal of accrued charges
( 0.3
)
( 0.1
)
0.0
( 0.4
)
Cash paid
( 0.5
)
( 6.2
)
( 0.3
)
( 7.0
)
Currency translation
0.0
0.0
( 0.1
)
( 0.1
)
Reserve at December 31, 2019
$
0.9
$
0.7
$
2.4
$
4.0
Accrual
0.5
2.9
3.4
6.8
Costs charged against assets
0.0
0.0
( 3.4
)
( 3.4
)
Reversal of accrued charges
( 0.3
)
0.0
0.0
( 0.3
)
Cash paid
( 0.2
)
( 0.8
)
( 0.3
)
( 1.3
)
Currency translation
0.0
0.0
0.2
0.2
Reserve at December 31, 2020
$
0.9
$
2.8
$
2.3
$
6.0
On September 30, 2020, we sold KJCC to Fangda Carbon New Material Co., Ltd and C-Chem Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Nippon Steel Chemical & Material Co., Ltd. KJCC was located in Pizhou, Jiangsu Province, China and was a 75 percent-owned coal tar distillation company which was part of our CMC segment. The sales price was $ 107.0 million, subject to adjustments for cash, debt and working capital as defined in the sale and purchase agreement. The pre-tax gain on the sale of KJCC was $ 44.1 million and the after-tax gain on the sale was $ 35.8 million. The estimated final net cash proceeds to Koppers will total $ 65.2 million, after payments for Chinese capital gain taxes, transaction costs and estimated working capital adjustments. Included in the cash proceeds is restricted cash of $ 2.3 million which is being held in an escrow account and is recorded within Cash and Cash Equivalents as of December 31, 2020 to cover potential customary indemnity claims by the buyers for a remaining period of 15 months. We have previously elected to include proceeds received from the sale of a subsidiary that is separately reported as a discontinued operation within cash flows from continuing operations on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
The sale of KJCC represented a strategic shift that has a major effect on our operations and financial results and was, therefore, classified as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements and notes, which have been restated accordingly.
Net sales and operating (loss) profit from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 consist of the following amounts:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Net sales
$
31.6
$
135.8
$
147.5
Operating (loss) profit
( 5.0
)
5.8
26.0
The cash flows related to KJCC have not been restated in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Net cash inflows and outflows from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 consist of the following amounts:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
0.7
$
21.4
$
10.4
Net cash used in investing activities
( 0.9
)
( 3.8
)
( 3.3
)
Net cash used in financing activities
0.0
( 19.8
)
( 12.6
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
( 0.5
)
( 0.3
)
( 0.7
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
( 0.7
)
( 2.5
)
( 6.2
)
57
Assets of Discontinued Operations Held for Sale
Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when, among other items, the sale of the asset is probable and the completed sale is expected to occur within one year. Upon classification as held for sale, such assets are no longer depreciated or depleted, and a measurement for impairment is performed to determine if there is any excess of carrying value over fair value less costs to sell.
The agreement to sell KJCC met all of the criteria to classify its assets and liabilities as held for sale in the first quarter of 2020 and as part of the required evaluation under the held for sale guidance, we determined that the approximate fair value less costs to sell the operations exceeded the carrying value of the net assets and no impairment charge was recorded.
The below amounts are excluded from the respective balance sheet footnotes as of December 31, 2019. We have incurred aggregated transactions costs related to this divestiture of $ 4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, which are included in (loss) income from discontinued operations and gain on the sale of discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The following represents the carrying amount of assets and liabilities, by major class, classified as held for sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2019:
December 31,
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
0.7
Accounts receivable
2.2
Income tax receivable
0.8
Inventories, net
10.6
Other current assets
2.8
Total current assets held for sale
17.1
Property, plant and equipment, net
56.6
Operating lease right-of-use assets
1.2
Other assets
1.5
Total non-current assets held for sale
59.3
Total assets held for sale
$
76.4
Liabilities
Accounts payable
$
7.1
Accrued liabilities
4.7
Current operating lease liabilities
0.1
Total current liabilities held for sale
11.9
Deferred tax liabilities
0.6
Operating lease liabilities
1.1
Other long-term liabilities
23.4
Total non-current liabilities held for sale
25.1
Total liabilities held for sale
$
37.0
5. Acquisitions
On April 10, 2018, Koppers Inc. acquired its Utility and Industrial Products business (“UIP”) for net cash consideration of $ 201.3 million. The transaction was funded by borrowings on Koppers Inc.’s Credit Facility discussed in “Note 15 - Debt.” UIP is a manufacturer of treated wood transmission and distribution poles for utility and cooperative utility companies. It is also a manufacturer of treated wood pilings used for construction applications. UIP manufactures and sells its treated wood poles and pilings through a network of manufacturing facilities and distribution yards located throughout the United States. UIP treats its products with a variety of wood protection chemicals, including chromated copper arsenate and creosote, which are produced by our PC and CMC segments, respectively.
On February 28, 2018, Koppers Inc. acquired its Koppers Recovery Resources business (“KRR”) for net cash consideration of $ 62.8 million. The purchase price was funded by borrowings on Koppers Inc.’s Credit Facility. KRR is a vertically-integrated company that provides material recovery services for crossties that have been taken out of service and other biomass material. KRR converts this recovered material into alternative fuels, such as crosstie-derived fuel or biomass-derived fuel, that are used as a substitute for conventional higher-cost carbon-based fuel.
58
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Combined acquisition costs related to these two transactions were $ 6.5 million for year ended December 31, 2018 and are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of our revenues and income from continuing operations as if the UIP acquisition occurred on January 1, 2017 (the first day of the most recently completed fiscal year). The unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of operating results that would have been achieved had the acquisition been completed as of January 1, 2017 and is not intended to project our future financial results after the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma information is based on certain assumptions, which management believes are reasonable, and does not reflect the cost of any integration activities or the benefits from the acquisition and synergies that may be derived from any integration activities .
Year Ended December 31,
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Pro forma revenue
$
1,613.4
Pro forma income from continuing operations attributable to Koppers
5.7
Pro forma income per share - continuing operations:
Basic -
$
0.27
Diluted -
$
0.27
6. Fair Value Measurements
Carrying amounts and the related estimated fair values of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
December 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Fair Value
Carrying
Value
Fair Value
Carrying
Value
(Dollars in millions)
Financial assets:
Investments and other assets
$
1.2
$
1.2
$
1.2
$
1.2
Financial liabilities:
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
799.2
$
784.2
$
906.9
$
911.9
Investments and other assets – Represents the broker-quoted cash surrender value on universal life insurance policies. This asset is classified as Level 2 in the valuation hierarchy and is measured from values received from financial institutions.
Debt – The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based on the market prices for the same or similar issuances or on the current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2). The fair value of our Credit Facility approximates carrying value due to the variable rate nature of this instrument.
7. Earnings per Common Share
The computation of basic earnings per common share for the periods presented is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. The computation of diluted earnings per common share includes the effect of non-vested nonqualified stock options and restricted stock units assuming such options and stock units were outstanding common shares at the beginning of the period. The effect of antidilutive securities is excluded from the computation of diluted loss per common share, if any.
59
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions, except share amounts, in thousands, and per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Koppers
$
122.0
$
66.6
$
23.4
Less: (Loss) income from discontinued operations
( 3.9
)
3.7
23.7
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
35.8
0.0
0.0
Plus: Non-controlling (loss) income
( 1.0
)
0.8
5.8
Income from continuing operations attributable to Koppers
$
89.1
$
63.7
$
5.5
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
20,992
20,665
20,871
Effect of dilutive securities
382
403
455
Diluted
21,374
21,068
21,326
Earnings per common share – continuing operations:
Basic earnings per common share
$
4.25
$
3.09
$
0.26
Diluted earnings per common share
4.17
3.03
0.26
Other data:
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted
earnings per common share
717
764
401
8. Stock-based Compensation
We have outstanding stock-based compensation awards that were granted under the amended and restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 LTIP”), the 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2018 LTIP”) and the 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2020 LTIP”). The 2005 LTIP, the 2018 LTIP and the 2020 LTIP are collectively referred to as the ”LTIP”. On May 6, 2020, the 2020 LTIP was approved by our shareholders and the 2018 LTIP was frozen. Similar to the 2018 LTIP, the 2020 LTIP provides for the grant to eligible persons of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance awards, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards, which are collectively referred to as the “awards”.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units
Under the LTIP, the board of directors grants restricted stock units and performance stock units to certain employee participants (collectively, the “stock units”). Compensation expense for non-vested stock units is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock units is the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and the fair value of performance stock units is determined using a Monte Carlo valuation model. For grants to most employees, the restricted stock units vest in four equal annual installments. Restricted stock units that have one-year vesting periods are also issued under the LTIP to members of the board of directors in connection with annual director compensation and, from time to time, are issued to employees in connection with employee compensation with vesting periods of two years or less.
Performance stock units have vesting based upon a market condition. These performance stock units have multi-year performance objectives and a three-year period for vesting (if the applicable performance objective is achieved). The applicable performance objective is based on our total shareholder return relative to the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Materials Index. The number of performance stock units granted represents the target award and participants have the ability to earn between zero and 200 percent of the target award based upon actual performance. If minimum performance criteria are not achieved , no performance stock units will vest. We have the discretion to settle the award in cash rather than shares, although we currently expect that all awards will be settled by the issuance of shares.
60
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
We calculated the fair value of the performance stock unit awards on the date of the grant using assumptions listed below:
March 2020 Grant
March 2019 Grant
May 2018 Grant
March 2018 Grant
Grant date price per share of performance award
$
19.63
$
26.63
$
39.10
$
41.60
Expected dividend yield per share
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Expected volatility
45.60
%
39.00
%
39.40
%
39.40
%
Risk-free interest rate
0.72
%
2.50
%
2.35
%
2.38
%
Look-back period in years
2.83
2.82
2.84
2.84
Grant date fair value per share of performance award
$
11.56
$
40.30
$
44.29
$
47.12
Dividends declared, if any, on our common stock during the period prior to vesting of the stock units are credited at equivalent value as additional stock units and become payable as additional common shares upon vesting. In the event of termination of employment, other than retirement, death or disability, any non-vested stock units are forfeited, including additional stock units credited from dividends. In the event of termination of employment due to retirement, death or disability, pro-rata vesting of the stock units over the service period will result. There are special vesting provisions for the stock units related to a change in control.
The following table shows a summary of the performance stock units as of December 31, 2020:
Performance Period
Minimum
Shares
Target
Shares
Maximum
Shares
2018 – 2020
0
3,048
6,096
2019 – 2021
0
234,597
281,536
2020 – 2022
0
154,099
308,198
Performance stock units granted in March 2018 for the 2018 – 2020 performance period did not meet the minimum performance criteria and will not vest in March 2021.
The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of non-vested stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Restricted
Stock Units
Performance
Stock Units
Total
Stock Units
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value per Unit
Non-vested at January 1, 2020
343,012
445,186
788,198
$
40.18
Granted
369,161
232,481
601,642
$
15.86
Performance share adjustment
0
( 150,464
)
( 150,464
)
$
30.68
Vested
( 168,534
)
( 110,168
)
( 278,702
)
$
41.68
Forfeited
( 34,130
)
( 25,291
)
( 59,421
)
$
33.86
Non-vested at December 31, 2020
509,509
391,744
901,253
$
25.48
Stock Options
Stock options to most executive officers vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments. The stock options have a term of ten years . In the event of termination of employment, other than retirement, death or disability, any non-vested options are forfeited. In the event of termination of employment due to retirement, death or disability, pro-rata vesting of the options over the service period will result. There are special vesting provisions for the stock options related to a change in control.
Compensation expense for non-vested stock options is recorded over the vesting period based on the fair value at the date of grant. We calculated the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton model and the assumptions listed below:
March 2020 Grant
March 2019 Grant
March 2018 Grant
March 2017 Grant
Grant date price per share of stock option award
$
19.63
$
26.63
$
41.60
$
44.10
Expected dividend yield per share
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Expected life in years
6.40
6.14
5.73
5.77
Expected volatility
42.85
%
39.44
%
37.05
%
39.70
%
Risk-free interest rate
0.87
%
2.53
%
2.67
%
2.13
%
Grant date fair value per share of option awards
$
8.42
$
11.29
$
16.38
$
17.90
61
We do not expect to declare any dividends for the foreseeable future. The expected life in years is based on historical exercise data of options previously granted by us. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock and the historical volatility of certain other similar public companies. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury bill rates for the expected life of the option.
The following table shows a summary of the status and activity of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Options
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Option
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (in millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
966,849
$
28.45
Granted
187,701
$
19.63
Exercised
( 2,500
)
$
20.00
Expired
( 5,129
)
$
31.28
Forfeited
( 26,667
)
$
32.45
Outstanding at December 31, 2020
1,120,254
$
26.89
5.41
$
8.6
Exercisable at December 31, 2020
776,125
$
27.39
4.05
$
6.0
Stock Compensation Expense
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized under our LTIP and employee stock purchase plan for the three years ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Stock-based compensation expense recognized:
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
11.3
$
12.1
$
12.5
Less related income tax benefit
2.2
0.2
3.1
Decrease in net income attributable to Koppers
$
9.1
$
11.9
$
9.4
Intrinsic value of exercised stock options
$
0.0
$
1.1
$
1.1
Cash received from the exercise of stock options
$
0.0
$
2.9
$
2.9
As of December 31, 2020, total future compensation expense related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements totaled $ 14.6 million and the weighted-average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is approximately 26 months.
9. Segment Information
We have three reportable segments: Railroad and Utility Products and Services, Performance Chemicals and Carbon Materials and Chemicals. Our reportable segments contain multiple aggregated business units since management believes the long-term financial performance of these business units is affected by similar economic conditions. The reportable segments are each managed separately because they manufacture and distribute distinct products with different production processes.
Our RUPS segment sells treated and untreated wood products, manufactured products and services primarily to the railroad and public utility markets. Railroad products and services include procuring and treating items such as crossties, switch ties and various types of lumber used for railroad bridges and crossings and the manufacture of rail joint bars. Utility products include transmission and distribution poles and pilings. The segment also operates a railroad services business that conducts engineering, design, repair and inspection services for railroad bridges and a business related to the recovery of used crossties.
Our PC segment develops, manufactures, and markets wood preservation chemicals and wood treatment technologies and services a diverse range of end-markets including infrastructure, residential and commercial construction, and agriculture.
62
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Our CMC segment is primarily a manufacturer of creosote, carbon pitch, naphthalene, phthalic anhydride and carbon black feedstock. Creosote is used in the treatment of wood and carbon black feedstock is used in the production of carbon black. Carbon pitch is used in the production of aluminum and steel in electric arc furnaces. Naphthalene is used for the production of phthalic anhydride and as a surfactant in the production of concrete. Phthalic anhydride is used in the production of plasticizers, polyester resins and alkyd paints.
We evaluate performance and determine resource allocations based on a number of factors, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and operating profit or loss from operations. Operating profit does not include other loss, interest expense, income taxes or operating costs of Koppers Holdings Inc.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
The following table sets forth certain sales and operating data, net of all intersegment transactions, for our segments for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Revenues from external customers:
Railroad and Utility Products and Services
$
759.1
$
733.5
$
634.8
Performance Chemicals
526.3
448.3
420.0
Carbon Materials and Chemicals (a)
383.7
455.2
507.9
Total
$
1,669.1
$
1,637.0
$
1,562.7
Intersegment revenues:
Performance Chemicals
$
13.7
$
12.6
$
10.8
Carbon Materials and Chemicals
78.7
75.2
77.3
Total
$
92.4
$
87.8
$
88.1
Depreciation and amortization expense:
Railroad and Utility Products and Services
$
20.1
$
19.4
$
17.7
Performance Chemicals
18.1
18.3
17.8
Carbon Materials and Chemicals (b)
15.9
13.7
11.4
Total
$
54.1
$
51.4
$
46.9
Operating profit (loss):
Railroad and Utility Products and Services (c)
$
46.7
$
35.8
$
5.9
Performance Chemicals
88.6
52.1
36.2
Carbon Materials and Chemicals (d)
23.4
39.2
44.7
Corporate (e)
( 2.0
)
( 2.1
)
( 2.4
)
Total
$
156.7
$
125.0
$
84.4
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions):
Railroad and Utility Products and Services
$
31.3
$
11.6
$
19.2
Performance Chemicals
12.1
9.7
15.1
Carbon Materials and Chemicals (f)
24.8
15.5
73.5
Corporate
1.6
0.4
1.9
Total
$
69.8
$
37.2
$
109.7
( a )
Revenue excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 31.6 million, $ 135.8 million and $ 147.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(b)
Depreciation and amortization expense excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 0.6 million, $ 3.7 million and $ 3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
( c )
Includes $ 6.0 million of inventory fair value purchase price accounting adjustments from our acquisition of UIP in 2018.
( d )
Operating profit (loss) excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $( 5.0 ) million, $ 5.8 million and $ 26.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
( e )
Operating loss for Corporate includes costs for Koppers Holdings Inc., the parent company of Koppers Inc., and acquisition-related costs.
(f)
Capital expenditures includes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 0.6 million, $ 3.9 million and $ 3.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
63
The following table sets forth tangible and intangible assets allocated to each of our segments as of the dates indicated:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Segment assets:
Railroad and Utility Products and Services
$
583.1
$
562.2
Performance Chemicals
536.1
457.7
Carbon Materials and Chemicals
424.2
502.1
Segment assets
1,543.4
1,522.0
Cash and cash equivalents
0.4
0.0
Income tax receivable
1.2
1.9
Deferred taxes
28.8
17.0
Property, plant and equipment, net
5.9
5.3
Operating lease right-of-use assets
11.9
13.2
Prepaid insurance and other assets
7.0
5.2
Total (a)
$
1,598.6
$
1,564.6
Goodwill:
Railroad and Utility Products and Services
$
121.1
$
120.7
Performance Chemicals
176.7
175.4
Total
$
297.8
$
296.1
(a)
The Carbon Materials and Chemicals segment includes $ 76.4 million of assets of discontinued operations held for sale related to our KJCC business at December 31, 2019.
Revenues and Long-lived Assets by Geographic Area
Year
Revenue
Long-lived
assets
(Dollars in millions)
United States
2020
$
1,170.1
$
832.0
2019
1,141.2
796.0
2018
993.5
732.1
Australasia
2020
194.3
82.0
2019
199.6
76.6
2018
218.8
69.8
Europe
2020
162.3
83.2
2019
177.5
70.2
2018
214.6
44.8
Other countries
2020
142.4
18.5
2019
118.7
19.3
2018
135.8
18.3
Total (a)
2020
$
1,669.1
$
1,015.7
2019
$
1,637.0
$
962.1
2018
$
1,562.7
$
865.1
(a)
Revenue excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 31.6 million, $ 135.8 million and $ 147.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Long-lived assets exclude $ 59.3 million and $ 59.0 million of assets of discontinued operations held for sale related to our KJCC business at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Revenues by geographic area in the above table are attributed by the destination country of the sale. Revenues from non-U.S. countries totaled $ 499.0 million in 2020, $ 495.8 million in 2019 and $ 569.2 million in 2018.
64
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Segment Revenues for Significant Product Lines
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Railroad and Utility Products and Services:
Railroad treated products
$
405.1
$
419.6
$
341.7
Utility poles
241.7
222.0
184.7
Railroad infrastructure services
63.5
36.5
36.9
Rail joints
20.3
26.8
33.5
Other products
28.6
28.6
38.0
759.1
733.5
634.8
Performance Chemicals:
Wood preservative products
510.7
418.8
389.1
Other products
15.6
29.5
30.9
526.3
448.3
420.0
Carbon Materials and Chemicals:
Pitch and related products
230.9
272.4
280.9
Phthalic anhydride and other chemicals
66.4
77.9
84.6
Creosote and distillates
40.0
46.3
84.1
Naphthalene
19.7
24.9
26.2
Other products
26.7
33.7
32.1
383.7
455.2
507.9
Total (a)
$
1,669.1
$
1,637.0
$
1,562.7
(a)
Revenue excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 31.6 million, $ 135.8 million and $ 147.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively .
10. Income Taxes
Income Tax Provision
Components of our income tax provision are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Current:
Federal
$
0.8
$
( 3.5
)
$
( 1.2
)
State
0.7
0.5
0.1
Foreign
11.1
14.4
17.9
Total current tax provision
12.6
11.4
16.8
Deferred:
Federal
6.1
3.1
9.6
State
1.6
0.4
( 0.2
)
Foreign
0.7
( 14.9
)
( 0.5
)
Total deferred tax provision (benefit)
8.4
( 11.4
)
8.9
Total income tax provision
$
21.0
$
0.0
$
25.7
Income before income taxes from foreign operations for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $ 52.4 million, $ 69.9 million and $ 82.3 million, respectively.
65
The provision for income taxes is reconciled with the federal statutory income tax rate as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
2018
Federal income tax rate
21.0
%
21.0
%
21.0
%
GILTI inclusion, net of foreign tax credits
4.0
1.4
21.1
Foreign earnings taxed at different rates
2.9
( 0.2
)
0.4
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
2.2
1.1
( 5.9
)
Transition tax from Tax Act
0.0
0.0
27.3
Deferred tax adjustments from Tax Act
0.0
0.0
( 12.0
)
Intra-entity transfer of intangible assets
0.0
( 23.4
)
0.0
Change in tax contingency reserves
( 0.2
)
( 7.0
)
( 3.5
)
Deferred tax adjustments
( 2.2
)
0.0
4.0
Valuation allowance adjustments
( 12.1
)
9.1
28.8
Other
3.5
( 2.0
)
1.2
19.1
%
0.0
%
82.4
%
In 2017, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”) was enacted into law. The Tax Act included a number of key changes that have impacted our tax provision for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020: a reduction in the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, imposition of a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, imposition of a minimum tax on earnings of a foreign corporation (the global intangible low-taxed income tax or “GILTI tax”) and a limitation on our interest expense deduction.
Rate reduction – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we initially recorded a charge to the carrying value of our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the United States upon enactment of the Tax Act. After further analysis and after the effect of filing our 2017 U.S. tax return, we revised this amount and recorded an income tax benefit of $ 3.8 million in the year ended December 31, 2018.
Transition tax – In the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded an initial estimated charge related to the one-time transition tax. In the year ended December 31, 2018, we revised our original estimate and recorded additional income tax expense of $ 8.6 million as a result of additional guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Due to the availability of net operating losses, our total cash payment for the one-time transition tax is approximately $ 5.1 million which is being paid in installments through 2024.
GILTI tax – We have recorded an income tax expense, net of foreign tax credits, of $ 4.4 million, $ 0.9 million and $ 6.6 million in the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. However, the impact of the GILTI tax did not result in any incremental cash tax payments in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 since it was offset by available net operating losses.
Interest expense deduction limitation – As enacted in 2017, the interest expense deduction is limited to 30 percent of adjusted taxable income as defined under the tax regulations and any such limitation that is disallowed in a year can be carried forward to future years. In the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded a cumulative valuation allowance totaling $ 13.3 million for the disallowed interest expense deduction due to the uncertainly of when we could utilize the carryforward amounts.
During 2020, two events occurred which enabled us to adjust our interest expense limitations on our 2018 and 2019 U.S. tax returns. In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and a provision of the CARES Act increased the allowable business interest expense deduction to 50 percent of adjusted taxable income retroactively to January 1, 2019. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service released regulations that were retroactive to January 1, 2018 and favorably impacted our calculation of adjusted taxable income. After application of these new regulations, the limitation of our interest expense deduction was significantly reduced when compared to the same calculations under the previous regulations. In the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a tax benefit of $ 13.3 million to reverse the previously-recorded valuation allowance as we are certain that we will utilize the remaining amount that was disallowed and carried forward.
In the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized a one-time deferred tax benefit of $ 14.9 million upon the completion of a Dutch legal entity restructuring project. This restructuring resulted in an intra-entity transfer of certain intangible assets and intellectual property, which under Dutch tax law are valued at fair value and are amortized over a period of nine to 14 years .
66
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Taxes Excluded from Net Income Attributable to Koppers
The amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) included in comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income attributable to Koppers relating primarily to adjustments to copper swap contracts is $ 12.6 million, $ 4.1 million, and $( 10.0 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) included in comprehensive income (loss) but excluded from net income attributable to Koppers relating to adjustments to reflect the unfunded status of employee post-retirement benefit plans is $( 0.4 ) million, $ 0.7 million, and $( 0.1 ) million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax purposes.
Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credits
$
20.0
$
22.5
Federal and state tax loss carryforwards, expiring from 2020 to 2039
18.3
17.8
Reserves, including insurance and environmental
11.7
23.3
Pension and other postretirement benefits obligations
9.7
9.4
Foreign tax loss carryforwards
7.5
5.6
Asset retirement obligations
6.8
6.5
Accrued employee compensation
6.6
8.5
Book/tax inventory accounting differences
6.2
5.1
Other
3.1
3.3
Valuation allowance
( 44.6
)
( 58.0
)
Total deferred tax assets
45.3
44.0
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation and amortization
28.1
25.5
Gain on derivative contracts
16.3
1.4
Other
3.8
0.2
Total deferred tax liabilities
48.2
27.1
Net deferred tax (liabilities) assets
$
( 2.9
)
$
16.9
As a result of the Tax Act and the one-time mandatory transition tax, all previously unremitted earnings for which a U.S. deferred tax liability had not been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. At December 31, 2020, there was approximately $ 602 million of such unremitted earnings. Substantially all unremitted earnings will remain indefinitely invested in our foreign subsidiaries for the foreseeable future unless we can remit any earnings as a dividend in a tax-free manner. In the event any earnings are remitted as a dividend with a tax cost due to currency gains or losses, state taxes, or foreign withholding taxes, we estimate that we will not incur significant additional taxes on those potential remittances.
Management evaluated the ability to realize the deferred tax assets that are related to our domestic operations, particularly in light of our domestic financial reporting losses. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management considered all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of our net deferred tax assets. We believe that it will be in a taxable income position in the foreseeable future and it will have sufficient taxable income to utilize deferred tax assets related to its domestic operations.
A valuation allowance is necessary when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. Certain deferred tax assets reflected above are not expected to be realized and a valuation allowance has been provided for them.
67
Valuation allowances are recorded to offset the following deferred tax assets:
December 31,
2020
2019
State temporary differences, net operating losses and tax credits
$
19.1
$
18.1
Federal foreign tax credits
18.8
20.5
Federal temporary differences
0.0
13.3
Foreign temporary differences, net operating losses and capital losses
6.7
6.1
Total valuation allowances
$
44.6
$
58.0
The valuation allowance for Federal temporary differences, and specifically the valuation allowance on the disallowed U.S. interest deductions, was reversed in the year ended December 31, 2020. This is due to the changes to the U.S. tax law that were enacted in 2020 and discussed in prior paragraphs.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
2.1
$
7.0
$
8.7
Additions based on tax provisions related to the current year
0.2
0.1
0.1
Additions for tax provisions of prior years
0.5
0.0
0.0
Reductions resulting from a lapse in the statute of limitations
( 0.3
)
( 0.3
)
( 0.3
)
Reductions of tax provisions of prior years
0.0
( 1.8
)
( 1.5
)
Reductions resulting from audit closures
0.0
( 2.9
)
0.0
Balance at end of year
$
2.5
$
2.1
$
7.0
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate, was approximately $ 2.5 million and $ 2.0 million, respectively.
We recognize interest expense and any related penalties from unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $ 1.4 million in interest and penalties. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had accrued interest and penalties of approximately $ 0.8 million and $ 0.8 million, respectively.
We believe that it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the next twelve months by approximately $ 1.7 million due to the expirations of certain limitations and potential audit resolutions. We do not anticipate significant increases to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
Koppers Holdings and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, individual U.S. state jurisdictions and non-U.S. jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, U.S. state, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016.
11. Inventories
Inventories as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Raw materials
$
233.7
$
232.0
Work in process
12.4
12.0
Finished goods
99.3
107.8
345.4
351.8
Less revaluation to LIFO
49.6
63.3
Inventories, net (a)
$
295.8
$
288.5
(a)
Net inventories excludes $ 10.6 million of assets of discontinued operations held for sale related to our KJCC business as of December 31, 2019 .
68
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
12. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Land
$
16.7
$
15.0
Buildings
75.0
70.5
Machinery and equipment
812.1
732.4
903.8
$
817.9
Less accumulated depreciation
494.7
459.1
Property, Plant and Equipment, net (a)
$
409.1
$
358.8
(a)
Net property, plant, and equipment excludes $ 56.6 million of assets of discontinued operations held for sale related to our KJCC business as of December 31, 2019 .
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $ 33.7 million, $ 30.7 million and $ 27.7 million, respectively. Depreciation expense excludes KJCC discontinued operations of $ 0.6 million, $ 3.7 million and $ 3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively
Impairments – We did no t incur impairment charges in 2020, 2019 or 2018.
13. Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each reporting unit for the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:
Performance Chemicals
Railroad Products and Services
Utility
Products
Total
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
175.4
$
41.0
$
80.1
$
296.5
Purchase accounting adjustment
0.0
0.0
( 0.4
)
( 0.4
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
$
175.4
$
41.0
$
79.7
$
296.1
Currency translation
$
1.3
$
0.1
$
0.3
$
1.7
Balance at December 31, 2020
$
176.7
$
41.1
$
80.0
$
297.8
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair value of acquired identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities assumed from businesses acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if a change in circumstances or the occurrence of events indicates that potential impairment exists, using discounted cash flows. We performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill at the reporting unit level, utilizing a combination of an income approach, using a discounted cash flow methodology, and a market approach, by comparing the estimated fair value calculations of each reporting unit with its net book value. The discounted cash flow calculations are dependent on several subjective factors including the timing of future forecasted cash flows, including forecasted future growth rates such as revenue and the discount rate. We determined that the estimated fair values exceeded the carrying values of all the reporting units, and accordingly, there was no impairment of goodwill incurred for each of the three years ended December 31, 2020.
Our identifiable intangible assets are being amortized over their estimated useful lives and are summarized below:
December 31,
2020
2019
Estimated
life in years
Weighted
average remaining life in
years
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
(Dollars in millions)
Customer contracts
9 to 18
9.5
$
228.5
$
84.7
$
143.8
$
227.0
$
69.5
$
157.5
Technology
4 to 12
1.9
26.8
23.6
3.2
26.7
19.9
6.8
Trademarks
2 to 17
5.1
7.9
5.8
2.1
7.6
4.4
3.2
Supply contracts
10
0.0
2.6
2.6
0.0
2.4
2.3
0.1
Non-compete agreements
12
3.8
1.7
1.0
0.7
1.6
0.8
0.8
Favorable lease agreements
3
0.0
0.8
0.8
0.0
0.7
0.7
0.0
Total
9.1
$
268.3
$
118.5
$
149.8
$
266.0
$
97.6
$
168.4
69
In 2020, the gross carrying value of identifiable intangible assets increased by $ 2.3 million. Total amortization expense related to these identifiable intangible assets was $ 19.8 million, $ 20.7 million and $ 19.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is summarized below:
Estimated
annual
amortization
(Dollars in millions)
2021
$
17.7
2022
15.0
2023
14.6
2024
14.3
2025
13.8
14. Pensions and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
We maintain a number of defined benefit and defined contribution plans to provide retirement benefits for employees in the United States, as well as employees outside the United States These plans are maintained and contributions are made in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), local statutory law or as determined by the board of directors. The defined benefit pension plans generally provide benefits based upon years of service and compensation. Pension plans are funded except for three domestic non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain key executives.
In the United States, all qualified and two of the non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for salaried and hourly employees have been closed to new participants and have been frozen. Accordingly, these pension plans no longer accrue additional years of service or recognize future increases in compensation for benefit purposes.
The defined contribution plans generally provide retirement assets to employee participants based upon employer and employee contributions to the participant’s individual investment account. We also provide retiree medical insurance coverage to certain U.S. employees and a life insurance benefit to most U.S. employees. For salaried employees, the retiree medical and retiree insurance plans have been closed to new participants.
Expense related to defined contribution plans totaled $ 8.4 million, $ 8.3 million and $ 7.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Net periodic pension costs for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2020
2019
2018
2020
2019
2018
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
$
1.4
$
1.5
$
1.9
$
0.1
$
0.1
$
0.1
Interest cost
6.4
7.8
7.5
0.3
0.4
0.4
Expected return on plan assets
( 7.9
)
( 7.9
)
( 8.5
)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Amortization of net loss (gain)
1.7
1.6
1.4
( 0.2
)
( 0.2
)
0.0
Settlements and curtailments
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1.7
$
3.0
$
2.3
$
0.2
$
0.3
$
0.5
70
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
The change in the funded status of the pension and postretirement plans as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2020
2019
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
219.8
$
201.7
$
9.2
$
9.4
Service cost
1.4
1.5
0.1
0.1
Interest cost
6.4
7.8
0.3
0.4
Actuarial losses (gains)
17.3
20.1
1.3
( 0.3
)
Settlements
( 2.2
)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Currency translation
2.6
1.6
0.0
0.0
Benefits paid
( 12.0
)
( 12.9
)
( 0.4
)
( 0.3
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
233.3
219.8
10.5
9.2
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
191.5
169.6
0.0
0.0
Actual return on plan assets
23.6
28.6
0.0
0.0
Employer contribution
3.9
4.2
0.4
0.3
Settlements
( 2.2
)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Currency translation
3.2
2.0
0.0
0.0
Benefits paid
( 12.0
)
( 12.9
)
( 0.4
)
( 0.3
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
208.0
191.5
0.0
0.0
Funded status of the plan
$
( 25.3
)
$
( 28.3
)
$
( 10.5
)
$
( 9.2
)
In 2020, the net actuarial loss of $ 17.3 million is due principally to the decrease in the discount rate used to measure the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year. In February 2021, we entered into a pension plan buy-in transaction with respect to our defined benefit pension plan in the United Kingdom with an insurance company. After completing a regulatory process which is expected to take up to ten months, our related pension obligation will be irrevocably settled. This pension plan has a benefit obligation of $ 56.5 million and plan assets of $ 68.2 million as of December 31, 2020.
Plan Data
Year Ended December 31,
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2020
2019
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
consist of:
Noncurrent assets
$
12.1
$
10.9
$
0.0
$
0.0
Current liabilities
1.0
1.0
0.7
0.8
Noncurrent liabilities
36.4
38.2
9.8
8.4
Pension plans with projected benefit obligations
in excess of plan assets:
Benefit obligation
$
172.5
$
160.4
Fair value of plan assets
135.0
121.2
Pension plans with accumulated benefit
obligations in excess of plan assets:
Accumulated benefit obligation
$
172.2
$
160.2
Fair value of plan assets
135.0
121.2
The measurement date for all pension and postretirement assets and obligations is December 31 for each respective year.
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $ 232.5 million and $ 219.0 million, respectively.
71
Expected Contributions for the 2021 Fiscal Year
Our expected contributions for 2021 are estimated to be $ 1.0 million for pension plans and $ 0.7 million for other benefit plans.
Projected Benefit Payments
Benefit payments for pension benefits, which are primarily funded by the pension plan assets, and other benefits, which are funded by general corporate assets, are expected to be paid as follows:
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
(Dollars in millions)
2021
$
11.6
$
0.7
2022
11.4
0.7
2023
11.5
0.7
2024
11.6
0.6
2025
12.1
0.6
Next five years
59.8
3.0
Weighted-Average Assumptions
December 31,
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2020
2019
2020
2019
Discount rate
2.29
%
3.05
%
2.66
%
3.43
%
Expected return on plan assets
3.67
4.30
Rate of compensation increase
3.41
3.00
Initial medical trend rate
5.40
5.70
Basis for the Selection of the Long-Term Rate of Return on Assets
The long-term rate of return on assets assumption was determined by using the plan’s asset allocation as described in the plan’s investment policy and modeling a distribution of compound average returns over a time horizon. The model uses asset class return, variance, and correlation assumptions to produce the expected return. The return assumptions used forward looking gross returns influenced by the current bond yields, corporate bond spreads and equity risk premiums based on current market conditions.
In general, the long-term rate of return is the sum of the portion of total assets in each asset class multiplied by the expected return for that class, adjusted for expected expenses to be paid from the assets. To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, we considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio.
Investment Strategy
The weighted average asset allocation for our pension plans at December 31 by asset category is as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
Debt securities
70
%
70
%
Equity securities
21
24
Other
9
6
100
%
100
%
Our investment strategy for our pension plans is to maintain an adequate level of diversification, to reduce interest rate and market risk and to provide adequate liquidity to meet immediate and future benefit payment requirements. Our overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of growth seeking assets, principally U.S. and international public company equity securities and income generating assets, principally debt securities, real estate and cash. Currently, we target an allocation of 30 percent to 40 percent growth seeking assets and 60 percent to 70 percent income generating assets on an overall basis. We utilize investment managers to assist in identifying and monitoring investments that meet these allocation criteria. With respect to the U.S defined benefit plan, we have implemented a strategy of reallocating pension assets from growth seeking assets to income generating assets as certain funded status levels are reached.
72
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
All assets are invested in pooled or commingled investment vehicles. Our interest in these investment vehicles is expressed as a unit of account with a value per unit that is the result of the accumulated values of the underlying investments. Equity securities held within these investment vehicles are typically priced on a daily basis using the closing market price from the exchange through which the security is traded. Debt securities held within these investment vehicles are typically priced on a daily basis by independent pricing services. Certain investments are valued using the net asset value (“NAV”) practical expedient and have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy but are included to reconcile the fair value hierarchy to the total fair value of plan assets. The fair value of real estate investments is either priced through a listing on an exchange or are subject to periodic appraisals.
The following table sets forth by level, our pension plan assets at fair value, within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
December 31, 2020
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Total
(Dollars in millions)
U.S. equity securities
$
0.0
$
8.1
$
0.0
$
8.1
International equity securities
0.0
19.3
0.0
19.3
U.S. debt securities
0.0
68.6
0.0
68.6
International debt securities
0.0
62.7
0.0
62.7
Real estate and other investments
0.0
0.6
0.0
0.6
Cash and cash equivalents
0.0
11.2
0.0
11.2
$
0.0
$
170.5
$
0.0
$
170.5
Investments measured at NAV (a)
37.5
Total assets at fair value
$
208.0
(a) The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair value hierarchy to the total plan assets.
December 31, 2019
Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Total
(Dollars in millions)
U.S. equity securities
$
0.0
$
14.1
$
0.0
$
14.1
International equity securities
0.0
22.3
0.0
22.3
U.S. debt securities
0.0
58.3
0.0
58.3
International debt securities
0.0
48.1
0.0
48.1
Real estate and other investments
0.0
0.8
4.3
5.1
Cash and cash equivalents
0.0
3.6
0.0
3.6
$
0.0
$
147.2
$
4.3
$
151.5
Investments measured at NAV (a)
40.0
Total assets at fair value
$
191.5
(a) The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliations of the fair value hierarchy to the total plan assets.
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension plans’ assets for the year ended December 31, 2020:
December 31, 2020
Other Investments
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
4.3
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements
( 4.3
)
Balance at the end of year
$
0.0
The amount of total losses during the period attributable to the change in unrealized
losses relating to Level 3 net assets still held at the reporting date
$
0.0
73
Incentive Plan
We have short-term management incentive plans that pay cash bonuses if certain Company performance goals are met. The charge to operating expense for these plans was $ 17.3 million in 2020, $ 12.2 million in 2019 and $ 10.3 million in 2018.
15. Debt
Debt as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:
December 31,
Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
Maturity
2020
2019
Term Loan
2.69
%
2024
$
12.2
$
82.5
Revolving Credit Facility
2.69
%
2024
272.0
329.4
Senior Notes due 2025
6.00
%
2025
500.0
500.0
Total debt
784.2
911.9
Less short-term debt and current maturities of
long-term debt
10.1
10.2
Less unamortized debt issuance costs
8.3
10.7
Long-term debt
$
765.8
$
891.0
Credit Facility
The Company maintains a $ 600.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility and a $ 100.0 million secured term loan facility (collectively, the “Credit Facility”), as amended. The secured term loan has a quarterly amortization of $ 2.5 million and the interest rate on the Credit Facility is variable and is based on LIBOR .
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of Koppers Inc., Koppers Holdings Inc. and their material domestic subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contains certain covenants for Koppers Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries that limit capital expenditures, additional indebtedness, liens, dividends, investments or acquisitions. In addition, such covenants give rise to events of default upon the failure by Koppers Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to meet certain financial ratios.
As of December 31, 2020, we had $ 307.8 million of unused revolving credit availability for working capital purposes after restrictions from certain letter of credit commitments and other covenants. As of December 31, 2020, $ 7.7 million of commitments were utilized by outstanding letters of credit.
Senior Notes due 2025
The 2025 Notes are senior obligations of Koppers Inc., are unsecured and are guaranteed by Koppers Holdings Inc. and certain of Koppers Inc.’s domestic subsidiaries. The 2025 Notes pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 and will mature on February 15, 2025 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. We are entitled to redeem all or a portion of the 2025 Senior Notes at a redemption price of 104.5 percent of principal value, declining to a redemption price of 101.5 percent on or after February 15, 2022 until the redemption price is equivalent to the principal value on April 15, 2023.
The indenture governing the 2025 Senior Notes includes customary covenants that restrict, among other things, the ability of Koppers Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments, incur liens, merge or sell all or substantially all of the assets of Koppers Inc. or its subsidiaries or enter into various transactions with affiliates.
Debt Maturities and Deferred Financing Costs
At December 31, 2020 the aggregate debt maturities for the next five years are as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
2021
$
10.1
2022
2.1
2023
0.0
2024
272.0
2025
500.0
Total debt
$
784.2
74
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Unamortized debt issuance costs (net of accumulated amortization of $ 9.4 million and $ 6.8 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively) were $ 8.3 million and $ 10.7 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and are included as a deduction from the carrying amount of long-term debt.
16. Leases
We adopted the provisions of ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-10 on January 1, 2019 and recognized lease obligations and associated right-of-use assets for existing non-cancelable leases. We have non-cancelable operating leases primarily associated with railcars, office and manufacturing facilities, storage tanks, ships, production equipment and vehicles. Many of our leases include both lease (e.g., fixed rent) and non-lease components (e.g., maintenance and services). For certain asset classes such as railcars, storage tanks and ships, we have separated the lease and non-lease components based on the estimated stand-alone price for each component. For the remaining asset classes, we have elected the practical expedient to account for these components as a single lease component. Upon adoption, we elected other practical expedients as well, including retaining our current classification of existing leases upon adoption and excluding leases expiring within twelve months.
Many of our leases include one or more options to renew. We evaluate renewal options at the lease commencement date and regularly thereafter to determine if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option, in which case we include the renewal period in our lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on information available to determine the present value of the lease payments.
Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease expense is recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. Operating lease costs were $ 31.2 million and $ 31.8 million and variable lease costs were $ 3.5 million and $ 3.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The following table presents information about the amount and timing of cash flows arising from our operating leases as of December 31, 2020:
(Dollars in millions)
2021
$
28.4
2022
24.6
2023
19.2
2024
15.4
2025
12.3
Thereafter
33.5
Total lease payments
$
133.5
Less: Interest
( 31.0
)
Present value of lease liabilities
$
102.5
Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Operating leases:
Operating lease right-of-use assets
$
102.5
$
112.3
Current operating lease liabilities
$
21.2
$
22.0
Operating lease liabilities
81.3
91.5
Total operating lease liabilities
$
102.5
$
113.5
Weighted average remaining lease term, in years
6.4
6.9
Weighted average discount rate
7.5
%
7.7
%
75
17. Derivative Financial Instruments
We utilize derivative instruments to manage exposures to risks that have been identified and measured and are capable of being controlled. The primary risks that we manage by using derivative instruments are commodity price risk associated with copper and foreign currency exchange risk associated with a number of currencies, principally the U.S. dollar, the Canadian dollar, the New Zealand dollar, the Euro and British pounds. Swap contracts on copper are used to manage the price risk associated with forecasted purchases of materials used in our manufacturing processes. Generally, we will not hedge cash flow exposures for durations longer than 36 months and we have hedged certain volumes of copper through the end of 2022. We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to manage foreign currency risk associated with our receivable and payable balances in addition to foreign-denominated sales. Generally, we enter into master netting arrangements with the counterparties and offset net derivative positions with the same counterparties. Currently, our agreements do not require cash collateral.
ASC Topic 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging,” requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the balance sheet. Derivative instruments’ fair value is determined using significant other observable inputs, or Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. In accordance with ASC Topic 815-10, we designate certain of our commodity swaps as cash flow hedges of forecasted purchases of commodities. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and is reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative instruments representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
For those commodity swaps which are not designated as cash flow hedges, the fair value of the commodity swap is recognized as an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheet and the related gain or loss on the derivative is reported in current earnings. These amounts are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations.
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had outstanding copper swap contracts of the following amounts:
Units Outstanding (in Pounds)
Net Fair Value - Asset (Liability)
December 31,
December 31,
2020
2019
2020
2019
(Amounts in millions)
Cash flow hedges
62.3
56.5
$
58.3
$
4.5
Not designated as hedges
11.5
16.6
10.9
1.7
Total
73.8
73.1
$
69.2
$
6.2
As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of the outstanding copper swap contracts is recorded in the balance sheet as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Derivative contracts
$
37.3
$
2.1
Non-current derivative contracts
31.9
4.1
Net asset on balance sheet
$
69.2
$
6.2
Accumulated other comprehensive gain, net of tax
$
44.4
$
3.2
In the next twelve months , we estimate that $ 23.1 million of unrealized gains, net of tax, related to commodity price hedging will be reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings.
See the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) and consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity for amounts recorded in other comprehensive income and for amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net income for the periods specified below. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the following amounts were recognized in earnings related to copper swap contracts:
Year Ended December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Gain from contracts not designated as hedges
$
9.2
$
4.1
76
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
The fair value associated with forward contracts related to foreign currency that are not designated as hedges are immediately charged to earnings. These amounts are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statement of operations. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts is recorded in the balance sheet as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Derivative contracts
$
1.2
$
0.3
Accrued liabilities
( 0.5
)
( 0.5
)
Net asset (liability) on balance sheet
$
0.7
$
( 0.2
)
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the net currency units outstanding were:
December 31,
2020
2019
(In millions)
British Pounds
GBP 2.0
GBP 3.7
New Zealand Dollars
NZD 0.0
NZD 16.0
United States Dollars
USD 7.6
USD 6.2
Euro
EUR 0.0
EUR 1.2
18. Common Stock and Senior Convertible Preferred Stock
Changes in senior convertible preferred stock, common stock and treasury stock for the three years ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
December 31,
2020
2019
2018
(Shares in thousands)
Senior Convertible Preferred Stock:
Balance at beginning and end of year
0
0
0
Common Stock:
Balance at beginning of year
23,321
23,029
22,384
Issued for employee stock plans
367
292
645
Balance at end of year
23,688
23,321
23,029
Treasury Stock:
Balance at beginning of year
( 2,516
)
( 2,480
)
( 1,606
)
Shares repurchased
( 74
)
( 36
)
( 874
)
Balance at end of year
( 2,590
)
( 2,516
)
( 2,480
)
19. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
We are involved in litigation and various proceedings relating to environmental laws and regulations, product liability and other matters. Certain of these matters are discussed below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty and should we fail to prevail in any of these legal matters or should several of these legal matters be resolved against us in the same reporting period, these legal matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the consolidated financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
Coal Tar Pitch Cases . Koppers Inc. is one of several defendants in lawsuits filed in two states in which the plaintiffs claim they suffered a variety of illnesses (including cancer) as a result of exposure to coal tar pitch sold by the defendants. There were 64 plaintiffs in 34 cases pending as of December 31, 2020, which is unchanged from December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, there were 33 cases pending in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and one case pending in the Circuit Court of Knox County, Tennessee.
77
The plaintiffs in all 34 pending cases seek to recover compensatory damages. Plaintiffs in 29 of those cases also seek to recover punitive damages. The plaintiffs in the 33 cases filed in Pennsylvania seek unspecified damages in excess of the court’s minimum jurisdictional limit. The plaintiff in the Tennessee state court case seeks damages of $ 15.0 million. The other defendants in these lawsuits vary from case to case and include companies such as Beazer East, Inc. (“Beazer East”), Honeywell International Inc., Graftech International Holdings, Dow Chemical Company, UCAR Carbon Company, Inc., and SGL Carbon Corporation. Discovery is proceeding in these cases. No trial dates have been set in any of these cases.
We have no t provided a reserve for the coal tar pitch lawsuits because, at this time, we cannot reasonably determine the probability of a loss, and the amount of loss, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated. The timing of resolution of these cases cannot be reasonably determined. Although Koppers Inc. is vigorously defending these cases, an unfavorable resolution of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Environmental and Other Litigation Matters
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations and potential liabilities relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety including, among other things, the cleanup of contaminated sites, the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, the discharge of effluent into waterways, the emission of substances into the air and various health and safety matters. We expect to incur substantial costs for ongoing compliance with such laws and regulations. We may also face governmental or third-party claims, or otherwise incur costs, relating to cleanup of, or for injuries resulting from, contamination at sites associated with past and present operations. We accrue for environmental liabilities when a determination can be made that a liability is probable and reasonably estimable.
Environmental and Other Liabilities Retained or Assumed by Others We have agreements with former owners of certain of our operating locations under which the former owners retained, assumed and/or agreed to indemnify us against certain environmental and other liabilities. The most significant of these agreements was entered into at Koppers Inc.’s formation on December 29, 1988 (the “Acquisition”). Under the related asset purchase agreement between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East, subject to certain limitations, Beazer East retained the responsibility for and agreed to indemnify Koppers Inc. against certain liabilities, damages, losses and costs, including, with certain limited exceptions, liabilities under and costs to comply with environmental laws to the extent attributable to acts or omissions occurring prior to the Acquisition and liabilities related to products sold by Beazer East prior to the Acquisition (the “Indemnity”). Beazer Limited, the parent company of Beazer East, unconditionally guaranteed Beazer East’s performance of the Indemnity pursuant to a guarantee (the “Guarantee”).
The Indemnity provides different mechanisms, subject to certain limitations, by which Beazer East is obligated to indemnify Koppers Inc. with regard to certain environmental, product and other liabilities and imposes certain conditions on Koppers Inc. before receiving such indemnification, including, in some cases, certain limitations regarding the time period as to which claims for indemnification can be brought. In July 2004, Koppers Inc. and Beazer East agreed to amend the environmental indemnification provisions of the December 29, 1988 asset purchase agreement to extend the indemnification period for pre-closing environmental liabilities, subject to the following paragraph, and agreed to share toxic tort litigation defense arising from any sites acquired from Beazer East.
Qualified expenditures under the Indemnity are not subject to a monetary limit. Qualified expenditures under the Indemnity include (i) environmental cleanup liabilities required by third parties, such as investigation, remediation and closure costs, relating to pre-December 29, 1988 (“Pre-Closing”) acts or omissions of Beazer East or its predecessors; (ii) environmental claims by third parties for personal injuries, property damages and natural resources damages relating to Pre-Closing acts or omissions of Beazer East or its predecessors; (iii) punitive damages for the acts or omissions of Beazer East and its predecessors without regard to the date of the alleged conduct and (iv) product liability claims for products sold by Beazer East or its predecessors without regard to the date of the alleged conduct. The indemnification period ended July 14, 2019 (the “Claim Deadline”) and Beazer East may now tender certain third-party claims described in sections (i) and (ii) above to Koppers Inc. However, to the extent the third-party claims described in sections (i) and (ii) above were tendered to Beazer East by the Claim Deadline, Beazer East will continue to be required to pay the costs arising from such claims under the Indemnity. Furthermore, the Claim Deadline did not change the provisions of the Indemnity with respect to indemnification for non-environmental claims, such as product liability claims, which claims may continue to be tendered by Koppers Inc. to Beazer East.
The Indemnity provides for the resolution of issues between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East by an arbitrator on an expedited basis upon the request of either party. The arbitrator could be asked, among other things, to make a determination regarding the allocation of environmental responsibilities between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East. Arbitration decisions under the Indemnity are final and binding on the parties.
78
Koppers Holdings Inc. 2020 Annual Report
Contamination has been identified at most manufacturing and other sites of our subsidiaries. One site currently owned and operated by Koppers Inc. in the United States is listed on the National Priorities List promulgated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”). Currently, at the properties acquired from Beazer East (which includes the National Priorities List site and all but one of the sites permitted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”)), a significant portion of all investigative, cleanup and closure activities are being conducted and paid for by Beazer East pursuant to the terms of the Indemnity. In addition, other of Koppers Inc.’s sites are or have been operated under RCRA and various other environmental permits, and remedial and closure activities are being conducted at some of these sites.
To date, the parties that retained, assumed and/or agreed to indemnify us against the liabilities referred to above, including Beazer East, have performed their obligations in all material respects. We believe that, for the last three years ended December 31, 2020, amounts paid by Beazer East as a result of its environmental remediation obligations under the Indemnity have averaged, in total, approximately $ 6.4 million per year. Periodically, issues have arisen between Koppers Inc. and Beazer East and/or other indemnitors that have been resolved without arbitration. Koppers Inc. and Beazer East engage in discussions from time to time that involve, among other things, the allocation of environmental costs related to certain operating and closed facilities.
If for any reason (including disputed coverage or financial incapability) one or more of such parties fail to perform their obligations and we are held liable for or otherwise required to pay all or part of such liabilities without reimbursement, the imposition of such liabilities on us could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Furthermore, we could be required to record a contingent liability on our balance sheet with respect to such matters, which could result in a negative impact to our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
Domestic Environmental Matters. In June 2018, Koppers Inc. received a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") concerning potential violations of the Clean Water Act observed during inspections and review of Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plans and Facility Response Plans at our facilities in Follansbee, WV; Green Spring, WV; and Clairton, PA. In addition, the EPA reviewed one facility’s compliance with an earlier consent order regarding above ground storage tank integrity testing. In October 2020, we signed a consent decree with the EPA and agreed to a total penalty of $ 1.0 million which is accrued. The consent decree was entered and became effective on February 4, 2021 and the penalty will be paid in the first quarter of 2021.
Koppers Inc. has been named as one of the potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) at the Portland Harbor CERCLA site located on the Willamette River in Oregon. Koppers Inc. operated a coal tar pitch terminal near the site. Koppers Inc. has responded to an EPA information request and has executed a PRP agreement which outlines a private process to develop an allocation of past and future costs among more than 80 parties to the site. Koppers Inc. believes it is a de minimis contributor at the site.
The EPA issued its Record of Decision (“ROD”) in January 2017 for the Portland Harbor CERCLA site. The selected remedy includes a combination of sediment removal, capping, enhanced and monitored natural recovery and riverbank improvements. The ROD does not determine who is responsible for remediation costs. At that time, the net present value and undiscounted costs of the selected remedy as estimated in the ROD are approximately $ 1.1 billion and $ 1.7 billion, respectively. These costs may increase given the remedy will not be implemented for several years. Responsibility for implementing and funding that work will be decided in the separate private allocation process which is ongoing.
Additionally, Koppers Inc. is involved in two separate matters involving natural resource damages at the Portland Harbor site. One matter involves claims by the trustees to recover damages based upon an assessment of damages to natural resources caused by the releases of hazardous substances to the Willamette River. The assessment serves as the foundation to estimate liabilities for settlements of natural resource damages claims or litigation to recover from those who do not settle with the trustee groups. Koppers Inc. has been engaged in a process to resolve its natural resource damage liabilities for the assessment area. A second matter involves a lawsuit filed in January 2017 by the Yakama Nation in Oregon federal court. Yakama Nation seeks recovery for response costs and the costs of assessing injury to natural resources to waterways beyond the current assessment area. Following the most recent court rulings, the Yakama Nation case has been stayed pending completion of the private allocation process for the Portland Harbor CERCLA site.
In September 2009, Koppers Inc. received a general notice letter notifying it that it may be a PRP at the Newark Bay CERCLA site. In January 2010, Koppers Inc. submitted a response to the general notice letter asserting that Koppers Inc. is a de minimis party at this site.
We have accrued the estimated costs of participating in the PRP group at the Portland Harbor and Newark Bay CERCLA sites and estimated de minimis settlement amounts at the sites totaling $ 3.6 million as of December 31, 2020. The actual cost could be materially higher as there has not been a determination of how those costs will be allocated among the PRPs at the sites. Accordingly, an unfavorable resolution of these matters may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
79
There are two plant sites related to the Performance Chemicals business and one plant site related to the Utility and Industrial Products business in the United States where we have recorded environmental remediation liabilities for soil and groundwater contamination which occurred prior to our acquisition of the businesses. As of December 31, 2020, our estimated environmental remediation liability for these acquired sites totals $ 4.3 million.
Foreign Environmental Matters . In October 2019, the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (“NSW EPA”) filed a proceeding against one of our Australian subsidiaries, Koppers Carbon Materials & Chemicals Pty. Ltd. (“KCMC”), in relation to an incident which occurred at our Mayfield, Australia plant in October 2018. The NSW EPA alleged that KCMC committed an offense under Australian law by failing to maintain its plant and equipment in a proper and efficient working condition. A proceeding was held in November 2019 in the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales and we entered a guilty plea with respect to the allegations.
In May 2020, the NSW EPA brought additional proceedings against KCMC related to a series of May 2019 incidents involving alleged air pollution and odor complaints. The Company agreed to plead guilty to two of the charges and both the October 2019 and May 2020 proceedings were procedurally joined. In February 2021, the Land and Environment Court entered a final order and assessed a fine of $ 0.1 million plus legal costs incurred by the NSW EPA. We have accrued our estimated liability associated with the matters as of December 31, 2020.
There is one plant site related to the Performance Chemicals business located in Australia where we have recorded an environmental remediation liability for soil and groundwater contamination which occurred prior to the acquisition of the business. As of December 31, 2020, our estimated environmental remediation liability for the acquired site totals $ 1.5 million.
Environmental Reserves Rollforward . The following table reflects changes in the accrued liability for environmental matters, excluding fines and penalties of which $ 2.9 million and $ 2.8 million are classified as current liabilities at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively :
December 31,
2020
2019
(Dollars in millions)
Balance at beginning of year
$
9.5
$
10.1
Expense
1.8
0.5
Revision of reserves
0.0
( 0.8
)
Cash expenditures
( 0.4
)
( 0.3
)
Currency translation
0.1
0.0
Balance at end of period
$
11.0
$
9.5
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.