-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, MMpFLEoUWzaAlE7/FDvq416cNoaXVIPTsG9PVpeG8INHQp8s53zBAkF8l6mzPVL+ jCV2GHqERtHXZXi/WCPacg== 0000950137-08-014566.txt : 20081229 0000950137-08-014566.hdr.sgml : 20081225 20081229160338 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-08-014566 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 14 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20081229 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20081229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000855667 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: IRON & STEEL FOUNDRIES [3320] IRS NUMBER: 251618281 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-52681 FILM NUMBER: 081272773 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2121 BROOKS AVENUE STREET 2: . CITY: NEENAH STATE: WI ZIP: 54957 BUSINESS PHONE: 920-725-7000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2121 BROOKS AVENUE STREET 2: . CITY: NEENAH STATE: WI ZIP: 54957 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ACP HOLDING CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19890926 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NEENAH FOUNDRY CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001040599 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: IRON & STEEL FOUNDRIES [3320] IRS NUMBER: 391580331 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WI FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-28751-03 FILM NUMBER: 081272774 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2121 BROOKS AVE STREET 2: PO BOX 729 CITY: NEENAH STATE: WI ZIP: 54927 BUSINESS PHONE: 9207257000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2121 BROOKS AVE STREET 2: PO BOX 729 CITY: NEENAH STATE: WI ZIP: 54927 10-K 1 c48419e10vk.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
    For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
    For the transition period from          to          .
 
         
Commission
  Name of Registrant, State of Incorporation,
  IRS Employer
File No.
 
Address of Principal Executive Offices, and Telephone No.
 
Identification No.
         
000-52681
  NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC.    25-1618281
    (a Delaware Corporation)
2121 Brooks Avenue P.O. Box 729
Neenah, WI 54957
(920) 725-7000
   
333-28751
  NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY   39-1580331
    (a Wisconsin Corporation)
2121 Brooks Avenue P.O. Box 729
Neenah, WI 54957
(920) 725-7000
   
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Neenah Enterprises, Inc., Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
 
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.  Yes o     No þ
 
Neenah Foundry Company  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants’ knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
         
    Neenah Enterprises, Inc.   Neenah Foundry Company
 
Large accelerated filer
  o   o
Accelerated filer
  o   o
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  o   þ
Smaller reporting company
  þ   o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
 
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.  Yes o     No þ
 
Neenah Foundry Company  Yes o     No þ
 
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
 
     
Neenah Enterprises, Inc. 
  The aggregate market value of the common equity of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. held by non-affiliates as of March 31, 2008 was $6,615,228, based on the closing price of $1.50 per share on the OTC Bulletin Board as of such date. (Shares of NEI Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and by each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.)
Neenah Foundry Company
  The aggregate market value of the common equity of Neenah Foundry Company held by non-affiliates as of March 31, 2008 was zero. All of the common stock of Neenah Foundry Company is held by NFC Castings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.  Yes þ     No o
 
     
Neenah Enterprises, Inc. 
  As of December 5, 2008, Neenah Enterprises, Inc. had 14,625,326 shares of common stock outstanding.
Neenah Foundry Company
  As of December 5, 2008, Neenah Foundry Company had 1,000 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which were owned by NFC Castings, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Documents Incorporated by Reference
 
Certain portions of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Proxy Statement to be filed for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on January 28, 2009 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
 


 

 
NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC.
NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
 
FISCAL YEAR 2008
FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
Item
      Page
 
      Filing Format     1  
        Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements     1  
        Introduction     2  
 
PART I
 
1.
    Business     2  
 
1A.
    Risk Factors     14  
 
1B.
    Unresolved Staff Comments     24  
 
2.
    Properties     24  
 
3.
    Legal Proceedings     24  
 
4.
    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     25  
        Executive Officers of the Registrant     25  
 
PART II
 
5.
    Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     26  
 
6.
    Selected Financial Data     28  
 
7.
    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     29  
 
7A.
    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     38  
 
8.
    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     39  
 
9.
    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     39  
      Controls and Procedures     39  
 
9B.
    Other Information     40  
 
PART III
 
10.
    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     40  
 
11.
    Executive Compensation     40  
 
12.
    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     40  
 
13.
    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     40  
 
14.
    Principal Accountant Fees and Services     40  
 
PART IV
 
15.
    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     41  
        Signatures     102  
        Supplemental information to be furnished with reports filed pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act by registrants which have not registered securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Act     103  
        Exhibit Index     104  
 EX-10.16
 EX-10.28
 EX-12.1
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-31.3
 EX-31.4
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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Filing Format
 
This combined Form 10-K is being filed separately by Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (“NEI”) and Neenah Foundry Company (“Neenah”). NEI (formerly ACP Holding Company) has no business activity other than its ownership of NFC Castings, Inc. Neenah is a wholly owned subsidiary of NFC Castings, Inc.
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Our disclosure and analysis in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include some forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, projected costs and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “seek,” “will” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, these include, among other things, statements relating to:
 
  •  our significant indebtedness;
 
  •  our future cash flow, earnings and liquidity;
 
  •  our ability to meet our debt obligations;
 
  •  the effects of general industry and economic conditions;
 
  •  our ability to retain our significant customers and rely on our significant suppliers;
 
  •  our ability to compete with competitors in our industry;
 
  •  the outcome of any litigation and labor disturbances in which we may be involved; and
 
  •  our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.
 
We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. In particular, the factors that could cause our results to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, material disruptions to the major industries we serve; continued price fluctuations in the scrap metal market; increases in price or interruptions in the availability of metallurgical coke; regulatory restrictions or requirements; developments affecting the valuation or prospects of the casting and forging industries generally or our business in particular; the outcome of legal proceedings in which we are involved; and changes in economic conditions affecting us, our customers and our suppliers. When you consider these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risk factors and other cautionary statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing.


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Introduction
 
On August 3, 2007, NEI recapitalized and we took steps intended to facilitate the development of a market in NEI common stock. Specifically, we have registered NEI’s common stock under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, by filing a Form 10 registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and we amended NEI’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws in several respects. The amendments to the certificate of incorporation included:
 
  •  a change of the name from ACP Holding Company to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.;
 
  •  a reverse stock split in which each five of the outstanding shares of NEI’s common stock were converted into one share of new common stock, with corresponding adjustments to NEI’s outstanding warrants to purchase shares of NEI’s common stock;
 
  •  a change of NEI’s authorized capital stock to 36 million shares, consisting of 35 million shares of common stock and one million shares of preferred stock, with the preferred stock having such rights and being issuable in one or more series as determined by the board of directors;
 
  •  a provision that NEI’s board of directors will consist of no less than three nor more than nine directors (prior to the recapitalization the bylaws provided for a board of between two and seven directors) as fixed from time to time by a resolution approved by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office at a meeting at which a quorum is present, plus any directors that may be elected pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock that may be issued and outstanding from time to time; and
 
  •  a prohibition of NEI stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting and a requirement that special meetings of stockholders can be called only by the board of directors or the chairman of the board or upon the written request of stockholders owning not less than 50% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
 
In addition, the bylaw amendments included a requirement that NEI receive advance notice and other specified information regarding any nominees for director and any other business to be brought before a stockholders’ meeting by any stockholder.
 
PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
As used in this report, except as the context otherwise requires, the terms “NEI,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refers to Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (formerly ACP Holding Company) and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, collectively and individually, as appropriate from the context. Except as the context otherwise requires, “Neenah” refers to our indirect subsidiary, Neenah Foundry Company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Deeter Foundry, Inc. (“Deeter”), Mercer Forge Corporation (“Mercer”), Dalton Corporation (“Dalton”), Advanced Cast Products, Inc. (“Advanced Cast Products”), Gregg Industries, Inc. (“Gregg”), Neenah Transport, Inc. (“Transport”), Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (“Morgan’s”), and Cast Alloys, Inc. (“Cast Alloys”), which is inactive, and their respective subsidiaries. On December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s Kendallville Manufacturing Facility. The Company expects that the plant, which is located in Kendallville, Indiana, will continue to operate through early March 2009. “NFC” refers to NFC Castings, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEI and the parent of Neenah. NEI does not have any material assets or liabilities other than its indirect ownership of Neenah and Neenah’s subsidiaries. Neenah and Neenah’s subsidiaries (rather than NEI) are obligors or guarantors under our bank credit agreement and outstanding notes. Our fiscal year ends on September 30.


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Our organizational chart is as follows:
 
(FLOW CHART)
 
Overview
 
We are one of the largest independent foundry companies in the United States, and we believe we are one of only two national suppliers of castings to the heavy municipal market. Our broad range of heavy municipal iron castings includes manhole covers and frames, storm sewer frames and grates, heavy-duty airport castings, specialized trench drain castings and ornamental tree grates. We sell these municipal castings throughout the United States to state and local government entities, utility companies, precast concrete manhole structure producers and contractors for both new construction and infrastructure replacement. We are also a leading manufacturer of a wide range of complex industrial iron castings and steel forgings, including specialized castings and forgings for the heavy-duty truck industry, a broad range of iron castings and steel forgings for the construction equipment and farm equipment industries, and iron castings used in heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, systems.


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We have been able to achieve significant market shares in the major markets we serve. Each of our 11 manufacturing or machining facilities has unique capabilities to effectively serve our market niches.
 
We believe that the following factors have contributed to our success.
 
  •  Leadership position in a relatively stable municipal market.  We are one of the leading suppliers of castings to the domestic municipal products market and, we believe, one of only two national suppliers, with approximately 15,000 customers in all 50 states and over 6,000 part numbers shipped every year. Approximately 40% of the individual part numbers we shipped last year for the municipal market were in quantities of fewer than 10 pieces, which we believe creates a significant barrier to entry. We also believe that we are the only manufacturer that has invested in the unique patterns required to make many of these specific products, resulting in significant barriers to entry.
 
  •  Significant customer dependence on Neenah.  The patterns for municipal products seldom become obsolete and have been developed to various state and municipality specifications. These patterns are 100% owned by Neenah. As a market leader, our municipal castings are often specified as the standard in municipal contracts. Although the patterns for industrial castings are owned by the customer and not the foundry, industrial patterns are not readily transferable to other foundries without, in most cases, significant additional investment. We estimate that we have historically retained throughout the product life cycle over 95% of the patterns that we have been awarded. We believe we have the only tooling for a significant majority of our industrial products by net sales.
 
  •  Large and experienced sales and marketing force.  Neenah has one of the largest sales and marketing forces serving the U.S. heavy municipal end-user market. We also employ a dedicated industrial casting sales force consolidated across all facilities. Our sales force supports ongoing customer relationships, and works with customers’ engineers and procurement representatives as well as our own engineers, manufacturing management and quality assurance representatives throughout all stages of the production process to ensure that the final product consistently meets or exceeds the specifications of our customers. This team approach, consisting of sales, marketing, manufacturing, engineering and quality assurance efforts, is an integral part of our marketing strategy. In addition, our 15 distribution and sales centers around the U.S. provide our municipal products customers with readily available castings to meet their needs.
 
  •  Focused manufacturing facilities with an emphasis on quality and implementation of lean manufacturing concepts.  We operate 11 focused manufacturing and/or machining facilities in six states. We focus our facilities on the specific markets and market segments that they are best suited to serve, creating what we believe to be an efficient process flow which enables us to provide superior products to each of our chosen markets. We continuously focus on productivity gains by improving upon the individual steps of the casting process, which enables us to produce castings in low and medium volume quantities on high volume, cost-effective molding equipment. With a major focus on implementing lean manufacturing and Six Sigma, we are continuously striving for improvement of operations and personnel, emphasizing defect prevention, safety and the reduction of variation and waste in all areas.
 
  •  Value-added machining capabilities.  Through our four machining facilities, we are able to deliver a machined product to many of our customers, allowing us to capture a greater share of the value chain. The casting machining process can contribute significantly to the value of the end-product, in particular in certain custom situations where high-value specialized machining is required. We continually evaluate opportunities to increase our value-added machining services.
 
  •  Experienced and well-respected senior management team.  Our senior management team provides a depth and continuity of experience in the casting industry.
 
Background
 
Our business was founded in 1872 and operated for 125 years by the founding family. In 1997, Neenah Corporation (Neenah’s parent holding company at that time) was acquired by NFC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NEI. A short time later Neenah Foundry Company merged with and into Neenah Corporation and the surviving company changed its name to Neenah Foundry Company.


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In 1998, Neenah acquired all the capital stock of Deeter, Mercer and Dalton. NEI already owned Advanced Cast Products prior to the time NEI acquired its interest in Neenah. In 1999, Neenah acquired Gregg. On August 5, 2008, Neenah acquired Morgan’s.
 
Since 1945, Deeter has been producing gray iron castings for the heavy municipal market. The municipal casting product line of Deeter includes manhole frames and covers, storm sewer inlet frames, grates and curbs, trench grating and tree grates. Deeter also produces a wide variety of special application construction castings. These products are utilized in waste treatment plants, airports, telephone and electrical construction projects.
 
Founded in 1954, Mercer produces complex-shaped forged components for use in transportation, railroad, mining and heavy industrial applications. Mercer is also a producer of microalloy forgings.
 
Dalton manufactures and sells gray iron castings for refrigeration systems, air conditioners, heavy equipment, engines, gear boxes, stationary transmissions, heavy-duty truck transmissions and other automotive parts.
 
Advanced Cast Products manufactures ductile iron castings, primarily for companies in the heavy-duty truck, construction equipment and railroad industries. Advanced Cast Products’ production capabilities also include a range of finishing operations including austempering and machining.
 
Gregg manufactures gray and ductile iron castings, primarily for engine turbo-chargers and heavy-duty truck applications.
 
Morgan’s fabricates steel frames and grates for the municipal market.
 
Prior to 2003, Neenah also purchased and either sold or discontinued several other operations, including Cast Alloys, a manufacturer of investment-cast titanium and stainless steel golf clubheads; Hartley Controls Corporation, a manufacturer of foundry sand control equipment; Peerless Corporation, which machined roller bearing adaptors for the railroad industry; and Belcher Corporation, a malleable iron green sand foundry. See Item 1, “Business,” for an organizational chart of the Company.
 
Beginning in 2000, several trends converged to create an extremely difficult operating environment for the Company. First, there were dramatic cyclical declines in some of our most important markets including trucks, railroad, construction and agriculture equipment. Second, there was a major inventory adjustment by manufacturers in the residential segment of the HVAC equipment industry, resulting in fewer orders for Dalton’s HVAC castings. Third, domestic foundries had been suffering from underutilized capacity, significantly increased foreign competition, continued price reduction pressure from customers and other competitors, and increased costs associated with heightened safety and environmental regulations. These factors caused and to some extent continue to cause a substantial number of foundries to cease operations or file for bankruptcy protection.
 
Beginning in May 2000, we took aggressive steps to offset the impact of the decline in sales and earnings and improve cash flow in the difficult market environment, including an executive management change, sales of non-core assets, a reduction in our labor force, a slowdown in capital expenditures, and selected price increases. Despite these steps, the credit rating agencies began to downgrade Neenah’s outstanding debt obligations in early 2000. On July 1, 2003, we launched a pre-petition solicitation of acceptances with respect to an alternative joint plan of reorganization that was ultimately approved. On August 5, 2003, NEI, Neenah and all of our other wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. By order dated September 26, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed our Plan of Reorganization and the Plan of Reorganization became effective on October 8, 2003. The Plan of Reorganization allowed us to emerge from bankruptcy with an improved capital structure and, because we had arranged to continue paying our trade debt on a timely basis during the pendency of the Chapter 11 case, at the time of emergence, we had sufficient trade credit to continue operations in the ordinary course of business.
 
On July 29, 2005, NEI and Neenah announced that an investment banking firm had been engaged to assist in exploring the potential sale or merger of Neenah or NEI or a significant portion of their assets or capital stock. On November 29, 2005, we announced that our board of directors, which was also the board of directors of Neenah, had unanimously voted to end the sale or merger process and turn our focus to successfully implementing our business plan.


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On May 25, 2006, we experienced a change of control when Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”) became the beneficial owner of a majority of the outstanding shares, on a fully-diluted basis, of NEI. As a result of subsequent transactions, as of September 30, 2008, TCP and an affiliate, Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P. (“TCO” and, together with TCP, “Tontine”) beneficially owned, in the aggregate, 9,550,697 shares of NEI common stock, representing approximately 58% of all shares outstanding of NEI on a fully-diluted basis and approximately 65% of the 14,625,326 shares then actually outstanding.
 
On November 10, 2008, Tontine announced its intention to begin to explore alternatives for the disposition of their holdings in NEI and Neenah. The timing, manner and aggregate amount of any such dispositions is unknown at this time and may have a substantial effect on the future capital structure and operations of the Company.
 
Industry Overview
 
There are approximately 2,200 independent foundries in the United States with 80% of them employing fewer than 100 employees. Only a small portion competes regularly with us, along with a number of foreign foundries. The iron foundry industry has gone through significant consolidation over the past 20 years, which has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of foundries and a rise in the share of production by the remaining foundries. We have gained business as a result of ongoing consolidation. Metal casting has historically been a cyclical industry with performance generally correlated with overall economic conditions and also directly affected by government (including environmental) regulation, foreign imports, and energy costs.
 
Most manufactured goods either contain or are made on equipment containing one or more cast components. Metal castings are prevalent in most major market segments, including pipes and fittings, air conditioners, automobiles, trucks, construction equipment and agricultural equipment as well as within streets and highways. While general economic conditions have a directional effect on the foundry industry as a whole, the strength of a particular end-market has a significant effect on the performance of particular foundries serving those markets. The historic stability of the heavy municipal market has helped mitigate the effects of downturns in our more cyclical industrial end-markets, such as the heavy-duty truck market.
 
Business Strategy
 
We are focused on increasing stakeholder value through continued growth and refinement of our business, improvement of our profit margins and continually providing our customers with the highest levels of product quality and customer service. Key elements of our strategy are outlined below.
 
  •  Continued penetration of core markets.  We seek to optimize our competitive position in heavy municipal and industrial castings through separate strategies tailored to the specific needs of each business. We expect to grow and leverage the strength and stability of the municipal business by continuing to expand our participation in markets already served and by augmenting our cost competitive capacity through the installation of a new state-of-the-art mold line for larger, low volume castings, which we expect will enhance production efficiencies, increase capacity and provide expanded molding capabilities. We intend to further develop selected areas of the industrial business, such as construction and agricultural products, and further our relationships with existing customers through production of more complex industrial castings, while seeking out selected new customers. Additionally, industry consolidation has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of foundries and a rise in the share of production by the remaining foundries. We continue to capitalize on on-going consolidation by taking advantage of opportunities created by the closing of weak, inefficient foundries.
 
  •  Deepen and expand customer relationships.  We focus on creating close working relationships with our customers by developing multiple points of contact throughout their organizations. In addition to supporting on-going customer relationships, our sales force also works with customers’ engineers and procurement representatives as well as with our own engineers, manufacturing managers and quality assurance representatives throughout all stages of the production process to ensure that the final product consistently meets or exceeds the specifications of our customers. Since we are the sole-source supplier for the majority of the products that we provide to our industrial customers, we intend to expand those relationships by continuing to participate in the development and production of more complex industrial castings, while seeking out


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  selected new customers who would value our capabilities and performance reputation, technical ability and high level of quality and service.
 
  •  Value-added focus.  Our ability to provide value-added machining enhances the value of the products we produce and is a competitive advantage as it positions us as a vital link in each customer’s supply chain by providing customers with a single source alternative that reduces supply chain costs and shortens lead times. Customers are increasingly requesting that foundries supply machined components as it reduces handling as well as their cost to process. We focus on value-added precision machined components involving highly specialized and complex processes and, in some cases, difficult to machine materials. We are currently working to further increase our market position by expanding our value-adding machining capacity and our austempered ductile iron capabilities.
 
  •  Continuous efficiency gains and cost reductions.  We continually seek ways to reduce our operating costs and increase our manufacturing productivity. To further this objective, we have undertaken the following:
 
  •  Installation of a new mold line at Neenah.  We recently completed the installation phase of a $54 million capital project to replace a 40-year-old mold line at the Neenah facility. This new state-of-the-art mold line is expected to significantly enhance operating efficiencies, increase capacity and provide expanded molding capabilities for the municipal and industrial product lines. Start-up operations began on schedule during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The second phase of the project includes enhanced core-making capabilities and the inclusion of ductile iron capacity. At September 30, 2008, the Company had expended $49.4 million and an additional $4.7 million of expenditures are necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line project. The remaining portion of the project is needed to fully utilize the machine’s capabilities. We are currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the project in light of the current trends impacting our business. We believe this new mold line will substantially improve our cost position on selected new and existing municipal parts, will substantially increase our capacity and molding capabilities, and will be one of the most capable mold lines for parts of this nature in North America.
 
  •  Fully integrate lean manufacturing concepts.  We have incorporated and expect to continue to incorporate efficiencies in our operations through the implementation of lean manufacturing.
 
  •  Centralized procurement of major raw materials and certain services through our head office in order to generate purchasing economies of scale.  We work closely with companies that are cost competitive and with which we have long-term relationships, providing us with competitive pricing and helping to assure us supply when raw material availability is limited.
 
  •  Pursue selected acquisitions and internal growth opportunities.  We will continue to evaluate and may pursue selected acquisition and internal growth opportunities to enhance our position in our existing markets or to provide access to new markets and/or capabilities.
 
Business Segments — Overview
 
We have two reportable segments, castings and forgings. The castings segment manufactures and sells various grades of gray and ductile iron castings for the heavy municipal and industrial markets, while the forgings segment manufactures and sells steel forged components for the industrial market. The segments were determined based upon the production process utilized and the type of product manufactured. Approximately 90% of our net sales for fiscal 2008 was derived from our castings segment, with approximately 8% from our forgings segment.
 
Financial information about our reportable segments and geographic areas is contained in Note 12 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Castings Segment
 
We are a leading producer of iron castings for use in heavy municipal and industrial applications. We sell directly to state and local municipalities, contractors, precasters, supply houses, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and tier-one suppliers, as well as to other industrial end-users.


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Products, Customers and Markets
 
The castings segment provides a variety of products to both the heavy municipal and industrial markets. Our broad range of heavy municipal iron castings include storm and sanitary sewer castings, manhole covers and frames, storm sewer frames and grates, heavy-duty airport castings, specialized trench drain castings, specialty flood control castings and ornamental tree grates. Customers for these products include state and local government entities, utility companies, precast concrete structure producers and contractors. Sales to the industrial market are comprised of differential carriers and differential cases, transmissions, gear and axle housings, yokes, planting and harvesting equipment parts, track drive and fifth wheel components, and compressor components. Markets for these products include medium and heavy-duty truck, construction and agricultural equipment and HVAC manufacturers.
 
A few large customers generate a significant amount of our net sales. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors — A relatively small number of customers account for a substantial portion of our revenues. The loss of one or more of them could adversely affect our net sales.”
 
Heavy Municipal
 
Our broad line of heavy municipal products consists of “standard” and “specialty” castings. Standard castings principally consist of storm and sanitary sewer castings that are consistent with pre-existing dimensional and strength specifications established by local authorities. Standard castings are generally higher volume items that are routinely used in new construction and infrastructure replacement. Specialty castings are generally lower volume products, such as heavy-duty airport castings, trench drain castings, flood control castings, special manhole and inlet castings and ornamental tree grates. These specialty items are frequently selected and/or specified from our municipal product catalog and tree grate catalog, which together encompass thousands of pattern combinations. For many of these products, we believe that we are the only manufacturer with existing patterns to produce such a particular casting.
 
Our municipal customers generally make purchase decisions based on a number of criteria, including acceptability of the product per local specification, quality, availability, price and the customer’s relationship with the foundry. We supply our municipal customers with anywhere from one up to thousands of municipal castings in any given year.
 
During the over 70 years that we have manufactured municipal products, we have emphasized servicing specific market needs and believe that we have built a strong reputation for customer service. We believe that we are one of the leaders in U.S. heavy municipal casting production and that we have strong name recognition. We have one of the largest sales and marketing forces of any foundry serving the heavy municipal market. Our dedicated sales force works out of regional sales offices and distribution yards to market municipal castings to contractors and state and local governmental entities throughout the United States. We operate 15 regional distribution and sales centers throughout the United States. We believe that this regional approach enhances our vast knowledge of local specifications and our leadership position in the heavy municipal market.
 
Industrial
 
Industrial castings are generally more complex and usually are produced in higher volumes than municipal castings. Complexity in the industrial market is determined by the intricacy of a casting’s shape, the thinness of its walls and the amount of processing by a customer required before a part is suitable for use. OEMs and their tier-one suppliers have been demanding more complex parts principally to reduce their own labor costs by using fewer parts to manufacture the same finished product or assembly and by using parts that require less subsequent processing before being considered a finished product.
 
We primarily sell our industrial castings to OEMs and tier-one suppliers with whom we have established close working relationships. These customers base their purchasing decisions on, among other things, our technical ability, price, service, quality assurance systems, facility capabilities and reputation. Our assistance in product engineering plays an important role in winning bids for industrial castings. For the average industrial casting, 12 to 18 months typically elapse between the completed design phase and full production. The product life cycle of a typical industrial casting in the markets we serve is quite long, in many cases over 10 years. Although the patterns


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for industrial castings are owned by the customer and not the foundry, industrial patterns are not readily transferable to other foundries without, in most cases, significant additional investment. Foundries, including our company, generally do not design industrial castings. Nevertheless, a close working relationship between the foundry and the customer during a product launch is critical to reduce potential production problems and minimize the customer’s risk of incurring lost sales or damage to its reputation due to a delayed launch. Involvement by a foundry early in the design process generally increases the likelihood that the customer will design a casting within the manufacturing capabilities of that foundry and also improves the likelihood that the foundry will be awarded the casting for full production.
 
We employ a dedicated industrial casting sales force consolidated across all facilities with a central repository for quote follow through. Our sales force supports ongoing customer relationships and work with customers’ engineers and procurement representatives as well as our own engineers, manufacturing management and quality assurance representatives throughout all stages of the production process to ensure that the final product consistently meets or exceeds the specifications of our customers. This team approach, consisting of sales, marketing, manufacturing, engineering and quality assurance efforts, is an integral part of our marketing strategy.
 
Manufacturing Process
 
Our foundries manufacture gray and ductile iron and cast it into intricate shapes according to customer metallurgical and dimensional specifications. We continually invest in upgrading our manufacturing capacity and in the improvement of process controls and believe that these investments and our significant experience in the industry have made us one of the more efficient manufacturers of industrial and heavy municipal casting products.
 
The sand casting process we employ involves using metal, wood or urethane patterns to make an impression of a desired shape in a mold made primarily of sand. Cores, also made primarily of sand, are used to make the internal cavities and openings in a casting. Once the casting impression is made in the mold, the cores are set into the mold and the mold is closed. Molten metal is then poured into the mold, which fills the mold cavity and takes on the shape of the desired casting. Once the iron has solidified and cooled, the mold sand is separated from the casting and the sand is recycled. The selection of the appropriate casting method, pattern, core-making equipment and sand, and other raw materials depends on the final product and its complexity, specifications and function as well as the intended production volumes. Because the casting process involves many critical variables, such as choice of raw materials, design and production of tooling, iron chemistry and metallurgy and core and molding sand properties, it is important to monitor the process parameters closely to ensure dimensional precision and metallurgical consistency. We continually seek out ways to expand the capabilities of existing technology to improve our manufacturing processes.
 
Through incorporation of lean manufacturing concepts, we continuously focus on productivity gains by improving upon the individual steps of the casting process such as reducing the amount of time required to make a pattern change or to produce a different casting product. Such improvements enable us to produce castings in low and medium volume quantities on high volume, cost-effective molding equipment. Additionally, our extensive effort in real time process controls permits us to produce a consistent, dimensionally accurate casting, which saves time and effort in the final processing stages of production. This dimensional accuracy contributes significantly to our manufacturing efficiency.
 
Continual testing and monitoring of the manufacturing process is important to maintain product quality. We, therefore, have adopted sophisticated quality assurance techniques and Six Sigma for our manufacturing operations. During and after the casting process, we perform numerous tests, including tensile, proof-load, radiography, ultrasonic, magnetic particle and chemical analysis. We utilize statistical process data to evaluate and control significant process variables and casting dimensions. We document the results of this testing in metallurgical certifications that are sometimes included with each shipment to our industrial customers. We strive to maintain systems that provide for continual improvement of operations and personnel, emphasizing defect prevention, safety and the reduction of variation and waste in all areas.


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Raw Materials
 
The primary raw materials we use to manufacture ductile and gray iron castings are steel scrap, pig iron, metallurgical coke and sand (core sand and molding sand). While there are multiple suppliers for each of these commodities, we have generally elected to maintain single-source arrangements with our suppliers for most of these major raw materials. Due to long standing relationships with each of our suppliers, we believe that we will continue to be able to secure the proper amount and type of raw materials in the quantities required and at competitive prices, even when raw materials are in short supply. Our major supplier of metallurgical coke, a key raw material used in our iron melting process, ceased coking production and operations at its plant in May, 2007. We have secured other alternatives to ensure coke supply to our foundries. Increases in price or interruptions in the availability of coke could reduce our profits. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors — Increases in the price or interruptions in the availability of raw materials could reduce our profits.”
 
During fiscal 2008, we experienced significant increases in the cost of steel scrap used in our manufacturing process. From December 2007 to July 2008, the cost of steel scrap (measured by quoted prices for shredded steel by Iron Age publication for the Chicago market) rose $313 per ton and then decreased $218 per ton from July 2008 to September 2008. The cost of steel scrap has decreased by $136 per ton from September 2008 to December 2008. Of all the varying costs of raw materials, fluctuations in the cost of steel scrap impact our business the most. The cost for steel scrap is subject to market forces that are unpredictable and largely beyond our control, including demand by U.S. and international industries, freight costs and speculation. Although we have surcharge arrangements with our industrial customers that enable us to adjust industrial casting prices to reflect steel scrap cost fluctuations, these adjustments have historically lagged behind the current cost of steel scrap during periods of rapidly rising or falling steel scrap costs because these adjustments were generally based on average market costs for prior periods. We have made changes to our surcharge procedures with our industrial customers in an attempt to recover scrap cost increases on a more real time basis. We have historically recovered steel scrap cost increases for municipal products through periodic price increases. However, increases in steel scrap costs in fiscal 2008 forced us to institute price increases coupled with a surcharge on our municipal casting products. Our ability to recover steel scrap increases from our customers determines the extent of the adverse effect they have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Seasonality and Cyclicality
 
We experience seasonality in our municipal business where sales tend to be higher during the construction season, which occurs during the warmer months, generally the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year. We attempt to maintain level production throughout the year in anticipation of such seasonality and therefore do not experience significant production volume fluctuations. We build inventory in anticipation of the construction season. This inventory build-up has a negative impact on working capital and increases our liquidity needs during the second quarter. We have not historically experienced significant seasonality in industrial casting sales.
 
We have historically experienced some cyclicality in the heavy municipal market as sales of municipal products are influenced by, among other things, public spending and the state of the new housing market. There is generally not a large backlog of business in the municipal market due to the nature of the market. In the industrial market, we experience cyclicality in sales resulting from fluctuations in our markets, including the medium and heavy-duty truck and the construction and farm equipment markets, which are subject to general economic trends, and in recent years, the changes in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements.
 
Competition
 
The markets for our products are highly competitive. Competition is based mainly on price, but also on quality of product, range of capability, level of service and reliability of delivery. We compete with numerous domestic foundries, as well as with some foreign iron foundries. We also compete with several large domestic manufacturers whose products are made with materials other than ductile and gray iron, such as steel or aluminum. Industry consolidation over the past 20 years has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of foundries and a rise in the share of production by the remaining foundries, some of which have significantly greater financial resources


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than do we. Competition from foreign foundries has had an ongoing presence in the industrial and heavy municipal market and continues to be a factor.
 
Forgings Segment
 
Our forgings segment, operated by Mercer, produces complex-shaped forged steel and micro alloy components for use in transportation, railroad, mining and heavy industrial applications. Mercer sells directly to OEMs and tier-one suppliers, as well as to industrial end-users. Mercer’s subsidiary, A&M Specialties, Inc., machines forgings and castings for Mercer and various industrial customers.
 
Products, Customers and Markets
 
Mercer produces hundreds of individually forged components and has developed specialized expertise in forgings of micro alloy steel. Mercer currently operates mechanical press lines, from 1,300 tons to 4,000 tons. Mercer’s primary customers include manufacturers of components and assemblies for heavy-duty trucks, railroad equipment and construction equipment.
 
Mercer’s in-house sales organization is integrated with NEI and sells directly to end-users and OEMs. A key element of Mercer’s sales strategy is its ability to develop strong customer relationships through responsive engineering capability, dependable quality and reliable delivery performance.
 
Demand for forged products closely follows the general business cycles of the various market segments and the demand level for capital goods. While there is a more consistent base level of demand for the replacement parts portion of the business, the strongest expansions in the forging industry coincide with the periods of industrial segment economic growth.
 
Manufacturing Process
 
In forging, metal is pressed, pounded or squeezed under great pressure, with or without the use of heat, into parts that retain the metal’s original grain flow, imparting high strength. Forging usually entails one of four principal processes: impression die; open die; cold; and seamless rolled ring forging. Impression die forging, commonly referred to as “closed die” forging, is the principal process employed by Mercer, and involves bringing two or more dies containing “impressions” of the part shape together under extreme pressure, causing the bar stock to take the desired shape. Because the metal flow is restricted by the die, this process can yield more complex shapes and closer tolerances than the “open die” forging process. Impression die forging is used to produce products such as military and off-highway track and drive train parts; automotive and truck drive train and suspension parts; railroad engine, coupling and suspension parts; military ordinance parts and other items where close tolerances are required.
 
Once a rough forging is shaped, regardless of the forging process, it must generally still be machined. This process, known as “finishing” or “conversion,” smoothes the component’s exterior and mating surfaces and adds any required specification, such as groves, threads and bolt holes. The finishing process can contribute significantly to the value of the end product, in particular in certain custom situations where high value specialized machining is required. Machining can be performed either in-house by the forger, by a machine shop which performs this process exclusively or by the end-user.
 
Mercer’s internal staff of engineers designs impression dies to meet customer specifications incorporating computer assisted design workstations for the design. Management believes that Mercer is an industry leader in forging techniques using micro alloy steel which produces parts which are lighter and stronger than those forged from conventional carbon steel.
 
Raw Materials
 
The principal raw materials used in Mercer’s products are carbon and micro alloy steel. Mercer purchases substantially all of its carbon steel from four principal sources. While Mercer has never suffered any significant interruption of materials supply, management believes that, in the event of any disruption from any individual source, adequate alternative sources of supply are available within the immediate vicinity.


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Seasonality and Cyclicality
 
Mercer experiences only minimal seasonality in its business. Mercer has experienced cyclicality in sales resulting from fluctuations in the medium and heavy-duty truck market and the heavy industrial market, which are subject to general economic trends.
 
Competition
 
Mercer competes primarily in a highly fragmented industry which includes several dozen other press forgers and hammer forge shops. Hammer shops cannot typically match press forgers for high volume, single component manufacturing or close tolerance production. Competition in the forging industry has also historically been determined both by product and geography, with a large number of relatively small forgers across the country carving out their own product and customer niches. In addition, most end-users manufacture some forgings internally, often maintaining a critical minimum level of production in-house and contracting out the balance. The primary basis of competition in the forging industry is price, but engineering, quality and dependability are also important, particularly with respect to building and maintaining customer relationships. Some of Mercer’s competitors have significantly greater resources than Mercer. There can be no assurance that Mercer will be able to maintain or improve its competitive position in the markets in which it competes.
 
Employees
 
As of September 30, 2008, we had 2,626 full time employees, of whom 2,108 were hourly employees and 518 were salaried employees. Approximately 81% of our hourly employees are represented by unions. Nearly all of the hourly employees at Neenah, Dalton, Advanced Cast Products and Mercer are members of either the United Steelworkers of America or the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union. A collective bargaining agreement is negotiated every two to five years. The material agreements expire as follows: Neenah, December 2011; Dalton-Warsaw, April 2013; Dalton-Kendallville, June 2009; Advanced Cast Products-Meadville, October 2010; and Mercer, June 2012. All employees at Deeter, Gregg, and Morgan’s are non-union. We believe that we have a good relationship with our employees.
 
Environmental Matters
 
Our facilities are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and worker health and safety, including those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the generation, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances, and the health and safety of our employees. Such laws include the Federal Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Under certain environmental laws, we could be held responsible for all of the costs relating to any contamination at our past or present facilities and at third party waste disposal sites. We could also be held liable for any and all consequences arising out of human exposure to such substances or other environmental damage.
 
On November 12, 2008, Neenah and its indirect parent, NEI (collectively, the “Company”) announced that the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Gregg Industries, Inc. (“Gregg”), entered into a settlement agreement and release on November 5, 2008 with the California South Coast Air Quality Management District regarding outstanding notices of violation for odor complaints. Pursuant to the settlement agreement and release, Gregg has, among other things, agreed to implement a supplemental environmental project (“SEP”) at the Gregg facility at a cost of $4.7 million. All outstanding notices of violations have been fully discharged and all Hearing Board cases have been dismissed.
 
From June to October, 2008, Dalton received three Notices of Violation (NOV’s) from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). One of the NOV’s related to monitoring and recordkeeping deviations in Title V air permit requirements and the other two NOV’s related to alleged violations at Dalton’s restricted waste landfill sites. Dalton is working with IDEM to resolve the NOV’s. The Company has accrued $0.3 million at September 30, 2008 for possible penalties and other costs related to the NOV’s.


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Certain areas of the Lower Fox River System in Wisconsin have been designated for remedial activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) due to PCB contamination. Neenah operates a facility near this area. With respect to the Fox River PCB site, Appleton Papers Inc. (“API”) and NCR Corporation (“NCR”) commenced an action in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on January 7, 2008 seeking to allocate among all responsible parties the equitable shares of response costs and natural resources damages associated with the environmental contamination of the Fox River. API and NCR indicated that they believe that other parties, including Neenah, should participate in the funding of this work because they allegedly contributed to the environmental contamination and are responsible parties. Accordingly, in a letter dated March 12, 2008, API and NCR notified Neenah that they were thereby terminating the 2004 tolling and standstill agreement among Neenah, NCR, API, and Arjo Wiggins Appleton Ltd., with the intent of adding Neenah as a party to the referenced litigation. On April 14, 2008, Neenah was served with a third amended complaint and joined as a defendant in the pending lawsuit brought by plaintiffs API and NCR. Plaintiffs make claims against Neenah (and other defendants) for response costs allegedly incurred by plaintiffs, contribution, and declaratory relief. Various case management dates have been set through December, 2009. The Company asserted factual and legal defenses to these claims, and the Company has filed counterclaims against plaintiffs for breach of contract (tolling agreement) and for common law and statutory contribution and indemnity. The Company is also exploring the possibility of reimbursement of certain expenses and defense costs incurred relating to the case from its liability insurance carriers. There have been no amounts accrued for potential liability in this case as of September 30, 2008.
 
The risk of environmental liability is inherent in the manufacture of castings and forgings. Any of our businesses might in the future incur significant costs to meet current or more stringent compliance, cleanup or other obligations pursuant to environmental requirements. Such costs may include expenditures related to remediation of historical releases of hazardous substances or clean-up of physical structures prior to decommissioning. We have incurred in the past, and expect to incur in the future, capital and other expenditures related to environmental compliance. Such expenditures are generally included in our overall capital and operating budgets and are not separately accounted for. However, we do not anticipate that compliance with existing environmental laws will have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
 
Under the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency is directed to establish maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standards for certain industrial operations that are major sources of hazardous air pollutants. The iron foundry industry was required to comply with the MACT requirements by April 23, 2007. Our Neenah foundry and both Dalton foundries are subject to this requirement (due to their size). Our Dalton facilities received one-year extensions, which required them to be in compliance by April 23, 2008. The capital expenditures necessary to bring these three facilities into compliance with MACT requirements were made and our facilities demonstrated MACT compliance by the applicable deadline.
 
The Clean Water Act requires point dischargers to obtain storm water discharge permits. In Wisconsin, Neenah is covered by the state’s General Permit to Discharge Storm Water Associated with Industrial Activity. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, which is authorized to administer the storm water program, has adopted new benchmark values for various storm water contaminants. In fiscal year 2008, Neenah completed a $1.5 million project for storm water treatment devices that have allowed it to achieve compliance with the new benchmarks.
 
Intellectual Property
 
We have registered, or are in the process of registering, various trademarks and service marks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Our business is not substantially dependent on any single or group of related patents, trademarks, copyrights or licenses.


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Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Owning our securities involves a high degree of risk. The risks described below are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or those we currently view to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. If any of the following risks materialize, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, security holders may lose some or all of their investment.
 
A relatively small number of customers account for a substantial portion of our revenues. The loss of one or more of them could adversely affect our net sales.
 
A few large customers generate a significant amount of our net sales.
 
  •  Sales to our largest customer and suppliers of that customer accounted for approximately 9% of our total net sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
 
  •  Sales to our top five customers and suppliers of those customers accounted for approximately 26% of our total net sales for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.
 
The loss of one or more of these large customers, therefore, could adversely affect our net sales. We do not generally have long-term contracts with our customers and we also do not own the patterns used to produce industrial castings. As a result, our customers could switch to other suppliers at any time. If our customers should move production of their products outside the United States, they would likely attempt to find local suppliers for the components they purchase from us.
 
Certain of our largest industrial customers, particularly in the heavy-duty truck market, are experiencing financial challenges. The loss of any of our major customers could adversely affect our net sales, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Decreases in demand for heavy-duty trucks, HVAC equipment, construction or farm equipment or other end markets could have a significant impact on our profitability, cash flows and ability to service our indebtedness.
 
The global economy is currently experiencing a significant and widespread downturn. The U.S. economy has entered a recession, which has negatively impacted our sales volumes in all markets. In addition, customers of ours, such as municipalities, have been reducing their expenditures for heavy municipal products in anticipation of lower tax revenues. We cannot provide any assurance that the global economic downturn will not continue or become more severe. If the global economic downturn continues or becomes more severe, then there could be a further material adverse effect on our net sales, financial condition, profitability and/or cash flows.
 
Our Company has historically experienced industry cyclicality in most of our industrial markets, including the truck and farm equipment markets. These industries and markets fluctuate in response to factors that are beyond our control, such as general economic conditions, interest rates, federal and state regulations, consumer spending, fuel costs and our customers’ inventory levels and production rates. These major markets will likely continue to experience such fluctuations. A downturn in one or more of these markets reduces demand for, and prices of, our products. Such a downturn in one or more of these major markets has a significant negative impact on sales of our products, which lowers our profitability, cash flows, and ability to service our indebtedness. Historically, our heavy municipal business has been less cyclical than our industrial markets. We have historically experienced some cyclicality in the heavy municipal market as sales of municipal products are influenced by, among other things, public spending and the state of the new housing market. We experienced such a downturn in several of these markets for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, which adversely impacted our sales, profitability and cash flows.
 
Due to new emissions standards that took effect on January 1, 2007, heavy-duty truck production declined significantly beginning early in calendar 2007, as many customers accelerated purchases to 2006, artificially increasing 2006 sales in the heavy-duty truck market. Additional emissions regulations are scheduled to take effect in calendar 2010, which may have a similar effect of accelerating sales to fiscal 2009. In addition, housing starts


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continued to decline in calendar 2008, reflecting softness in the overall housing sector. As a result, we experienced a decline in our sales into these end-markets which adversely impacted our profitability and cash flows.
 
We may be adversely affected by the current economic environment.
 
As a result of the credit market crisis (including uncertainties with respect to financial institutions and the global capital markets), depressed equity markets across the globe and other macro-economic challenges currently affecting the economy of the U.S. and other parts of the world, customers or vendors may seek to significantly and quickly increase their prices or reduce their output. If our customers are not successful in generating sufficient revenue or are precluded from securing financing, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, accounts receivable that are owed to us. Any inability of current and/or potential customers to pay us for our products will adversely affect our profitability and cash flow. If economic conditions in the U.S. and other key markets deteriorate further or do not show improvement, we may experience material adverse impacts to our financial condition, profitability and/or cash flows. Additionally, if these economic conditions persist, our intangible assets at various businesses may become impaired.
 
The terms of Neenah’s debt impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to successfully operate our business. In addition, we may violate applicable financial covenants in our debt agreements if the unused availability under our 2006 Credit Facility falls below $15.0 million.
 
Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility and the indentures governing the 91/2% Notes and the 121/2% Notes contain covenants that limit our actions. These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities that may be in our best interests. The covenants limit our ability to, among other things:
 
  •  incur or guarantee additional indebtedness;
 
  •  pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock;
 
  •  repurchase capital stock;
 
  •  make loans and investments;
 
  •  enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends;
 
  •  create liens;
 
  •  sell or otherwise dispose of assets;
 
  •  enter new lines of business;
 
  •  merge or consolidate with other entities; and
 
  •  engage in transactions with affiliates.
 
Additionally, upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding 91/2% Notes and all of the outstanding 121/2% Notes at 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. Tontine’s disposition of their holdings in NEI could result in such a change of control event. See “Our controlling stockholder may have interests that differ from the interests of other investors” below for a discussion regarding Tontine’s intention to begin to explore alternatives for the disposition of their holdings in NEI and Neenah. The source of funds for any such purchase of notes will be our available cash generated from operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase the notes upon a change of control because we may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the notes that are tendered upon a change of control. Accordingly, we may not be able to satisfy our obligations to purchase the notes. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would cause a default under the indentures governing the notes and a cross-default under the 2006 Credit Facility. The 2006 Credit Facility provides that a change of control will be a default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar provisions.


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Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility also contains “springing” financial covenants that require us to satisfy a trailing four quarter minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.0x (through the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008) or a trailing four quarter minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0x (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009) if our unused availability is less than $15.0 million for any period of three consecutive business days during a fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2008, our unused availability was $50.3 million, or $35.3 million in excess of the $15.0 million threshold, and it did not fall below $15.0 million during the quarter then ended; consequently, the minimum interest coverage ratio was not applicable. However, had we been required to calculate the minimum interest coverage ratio for the twelve month period ended September, 30, 2008, we would have not satisfied the required ratio. Our ability to comply with applicable covenants and requirements may be affected by events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and if such events occur, we cannot be sure that we will be able to comply. The recent trends impacting our performance, including a decline in our sales volumes in all markets, and the overall decline in the credit markets and ensuing economic uncertainty have put additional pressure on our ability to maintain unused availability in excess of $15.0 million on the 2006 Credit Facility as well as meet the relevant financial ratio if applicable. These downward trends are expected to continue to adversely affect our financial results for the remainder of fiscal 2009. Depending on the severity, duration and timing of the impact of these trends, we may need to work with our lenders to modify certain provisions of the 2006 Credit Facility relating to calculations of availability under the facility and the potential applicability of the relevant financial covenant under the 2006 Credit Facility, or seek to obtain a waiver of, or amend our financial covenants in the near future. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under the indenture governing the 91/2% Notes, under the 121/2% Notes and/or the 2006 Credit Facility. If there were an event of default under the indenture for the 91/2% Notes, under the 121/2% Notes and/or the 2006 Credit Facility, holders of such defaulted debt could cause all amounts borrowed under these instruments to be due and payable immediately and the lenders under the 2006 Credit Facility could terminate their commitments to lend. We cannot assure investors that our assets or cash flow will be sufficient to repay borrowings under the outstanding debt instruments in the event of a default thereunder.
 
Availability of net operating losses may be reduced by a change in control.
 
A change in ownership, as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382, could reduce the availability of net operating losses for federal and state income tax purposes. Tontine’s disposition of their holdings in NEI could result in such a change in ownership. In addition a change in ownership could occur resulting from the purchase of common stock by an existing or a new 5% shareholder as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 382.
 
Our market share may be adversely impacted at any time by a significant number of competitors.
 
The markets in which we compete are highly competitive and are expected to remain so. The foundry industry overall has excess capacity, which exerts downward pressure on prices of our products. We may be unable to maintain or improve our competitive position in the markets in which we compete. Although quality of product, range of capability, level of service and reliability of delivery are important factors in selecting foundry suppliers, we are also forced to compete on price. We compete with numerous domestic and some foreign foundries. Although our castings are manufactured from ductile and gray iron, we also compete in our industrial markets with several manufacturers whose products are made with other materials, such as steel or aluminum. Industry consolidation over the past 20 years has significantly reduced the number of foundries operating in the United States. While such consolidation has translated into greater market share for the remaining foundries, some of these remaining foundries have significantly greater financial resources than we do and may be better able to sustain periods of decreased demand or increased pricing pressure. At the same time, the prices of products imported from foreign foundries, particularly from China, India, Mexico and South America, are generally lower than the prices we charge to our customers. Countervailing duties and/or anti-dumping orders on imports currently apply to China, Brazil, Mexico and Canada, and any reduction thereof could increase foreign competition. Furthermore, despite the reduction in the number of domestic operating foundries, total production capacity continues to exceed demand. Any of these factors could impede our ability to remain competitive in the markets in which we operate.


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International economic and political factors could affect demand for products which could impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our operations may be affected by actions of foreign governments and global or regional economic developments. Global economic events, such as foreign countries’ import/export policies, the cost of complying with environmental regulations or currency fluctuations, could also affect the level of U.S. imports and exports, thereby affecting our sales. Foreign subsidies, foreign trade agreements and each country’s adherence to the terms of such agreements can raise or lower demand for castings produced by us and other U.S. foundries. National and international boycotts and embargoes of other countries’ or U.S. imports and/or exports together with the raising or lowering of tariff rates could affect the level of competition between us and our foreign competitors. If the value of the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies, imports to the United States may increase and put downward pressure on the prices of our products, which may adversely affect our sales, margins and profitability. Such actions or developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Increases in the price or interruptions in the availability of raw materials could reduce our profits.
 
The costs and availability of raw materials represent significant factors in the operations of our business. As a result of domestic and international events, the prices and availability of our key raw materials fluctuate. We have single-source, just-in-time arrangements with many of our suppliers for the major raw materials that we use. If a single-source supplier were to become unable or unwilling to furnish us with essential materials for any reason, our ability to manufacture some of our products could be impaired. Potential causes of such interruptions could include, among others, any casualty, labor unrest, or regulatory problems of the supplier, or a change in ownership of a supplier leading to subsequent business decisions that do not align with our own business interests. Also, the failure of these single-source arrangements to result in the most highly competitive prices for raw materials could increase our cost of sales and lower our profit. If our raw material costs increase, we may not be able to pass these higher costs on to our customers in full or at all. Our major supplier of metallurgical coke, a key raw material used in our iron melting process, ceased coking production and operations at its plant in May, 2007. We have secured other alternatives to ensure coke supply to our foundries. Increases in price or interruptions in the availability of coke could reduce our profits.
 
During fiscal 2008, we experienced significant increases in the cost of steel scrap used in our manufacturing process. From December 2007 to July 2008, the cost of steel scrap (measured by quoted prices for shredded steel by Iron Age publication for the Chicago market) rose $313 per ton and then decreased $218 per ton from July 2008 to September 2008. The cost of steel scrap has decreased by $136 per ton from September 2008 to December 2008. Of all the varying costs of raw materials, fluctuations in the cost of steel scrap impact our business the most. The cost for steel scrap is subject to market forces that are unpredictable and largely beyond our control, including demand by U.S. and international industries, freight costs and speculation. Although we have surcharge arrangements with our industrial customers that enable us to adjust industrial casting prices to reflect steel scrap cost fluctuations, these adjustments have historically lagged behind the current cost of steel scrap during periods of rapidly rising or falling steel scrap costs because these adjustments were generally based on average market costs for prior periods. We have made changes to our surcharge procedures with our industrial customers in an attempt to recover scrap cost increases on a more real time basis. We have historically recovered steel scrap cost increases for municipal products through periodic price increases. However, increases in steel scrap costs in fiscal 2008 forced us to institute price increases coupled with a surcharge on our municipal casting products. Our ability to recover steel scrap increases from our customers determines the extent of the adverse effect they have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may incur potential product liability and recall costs.
 
We are subject to the risk of exposure to product liability and product recall claims in the event any of our products results in property damage, personal injury or death, or does not conform to specifications. We may not be able to continue to maintain suitable and adequate insurance on acceptable terms that will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. In addition, if any of our products proves to be defective, we may be required to participate in a recall involving such products. A successful claim brought against us in excess of available


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insurance coverage, if any, or a requirement to participate in a major product recall, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
Litigation against us could be costly and time consuming to defend.
 
We and our subsidiaries are regularly subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We are also subject to workers’ compensation claims (including those related to silicosis), employment disputes, unfair labor practice charges, customer and supplier disputes, product liability claims and contractual disputes related to warranties and guarantees arising out of the conduct of our business. Litigation may result in substantial costs and may divert management’s attention and resources, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
The departure of key personnel could adversely affect our operations.
 
The success of our business depends upon our senior management closely supervising all aspects of our business. We believe our senior management has technological and manufacturing experience that is important to the metal casting and forging business. The loss of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operations if we were unable to attract and retain qualified replacements.
 
In addition, we have from time to time experienced difficulty hiring enough skilled employees with the necessary expertise to build the products ordered by our customers in the metal casting and forging business. An inability to hire and retain such employees could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
 
The seasonal nature of our business could impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our municipal business is seasonal. Therefore, our quarterly revenues and profits historically have been lower during the first and second fiscal quarters of the year (October through March) and higher during the third and fourth fiscal quarters (April through September). In addition, our working capital requirements fluctuate throughout the year. Adverse market or operating conditions during any seasonal part of the fiscal year could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
We face the risk of work stoppages or other labor disruptions that could impact our results of operations negatively.
 
As of September 30, 2008, approximately 80% of our workforce consisted of hourly employees, and of those approximately 81% are represented by unions. Nearly all of the hourly employees at Neenah, Dalton, Advanced Cast Products and Mercer are members of either the United Steelworkers of America or the Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers International Union. As a result, we could experience work stoppages or other labor disruptions. If this were to occur, we may not be able to satisfy our customers’ orders on a timely basis.
 
The nature of our business exposes us to liability for violations of environmental regulations and releases of hazardous substances.
 
The risk of environmental liability is inherent in the manufacturing of casting and forging products. We are subject to numerous laws and regulations governing, among other things: discharges to air, water and land; the generation, handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste; the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances; and the health and safety of our employees. Changes in environmental laws and regulations, or the discovery of previously unknown contamination or other liabilities relating to our properties and operations, could require us to sustain significant environmental liabilities which could make it difficult to pay the interest or principal amount of the notes when due. In addition, we might incur significant capital and other costs to comply with increasingly stringent emission control laws and enforcement policies which could decrease our cash flow available to service our indebtedness. We are also required to obtain permits from governmental authorities for certain operations. We cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits. If we violate or fail to comply with these laws, regulations or permits, we could be fined or otherwise sanctioned by regulators.


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Under certain environmental laws, we could be held responsible for all of the costs relating to any contamination at our past or present facilities and at third party waste disposal sites. We could also be held liable for any and all consequences arising out of human exposure to such substances or other environmental damage.
 
Environmental laws are complex, change frequently and have tended to become increasingly stringent over time. We incur operating costs and capital expenditures on an ongoing basis to ensure our compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. We cannot assure you that our costs of complying with current and future environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, and our liabilities arising from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous substances will not adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. See Item 1, “Business” under the heading “Environmental Matters.”
 
Failure to raise necessary capital could restrict our ability to operate and further develop our business.
 
Our capital resources may be insufficient to enable us to maintain operating profitability. Failure to generate or raise sufficient funds may require us to delay or abandon some expansion plans or expenditures, which could harm our business and competitive position.
 
We estimate that our aggregate capital expenditures and debt service requirements in fiscal 2009 will include the following:
 
  •  approximately $8.3 million primarily for necessary maintenance capital expenditures and selected strategic capital investments required to maintain optimum operating efficiencies, not including the new mold line described elsewhere herein;
 
  •  approximately $4.7 million for the second phase of Neenah’s new mold line (the remaining portion of the total cost of approximately $54 million); and
 
  •  up to approximately $30.8 million for debt service on Neenah’s 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the “91/2% Notes”) and Neenah’s 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “121/2% Notes”) plus any additional interest expense from amounts outstanding under Neenah’s $110 million revolving loan and security agreement (the “2006 Credit Facility”) and less any interest on the 121/2% Notes that may be deferred in accordance with their terms.
 
In addition, we will require funds for general corporate expenses, other expenses (including pension funding discussed in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Contractual Obligations”), certain environmental capital expenditures and for working capital needs. However, we are currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line project, as well as certain other capital expenditures, in light of the current trends impacting our business.
 
On December 29, 2006, we closed on the refinancing transactions described in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Recent Developments — Refinancing Transactions.” We may choose to meet any additional financial needs by borrowing additional funds under the 2006 Credit Facility or from other sources. On July 17, 2008, Neenah utilized an accordion feature of the 2006 Credit Facility, which increased the maximum amount of financing available under the facility from $100 million to $110 million. As of September 30, 2008, we had approximately $59.7 million outstanding and approximately $50.3 million of unused availability under Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility. Our ability to issue debt securities, borrow funds from additional lenders and participate in vendor financing programs are restricted under the terms of the 2006 Credit Facility, the indenture governing Neenah’s 91/2% Notes and Neenah’s 121/2% Notes. Furthermore, the lenders may not waive these restrictions if additional financing is needed beyond that which is currently permitted.
 
We may not achieve the expected benefits of Neenah’s new mold line on a timely basis or at all.
 
As part of our business strategy, we recently completed the installation phase of a $54 million capital project to replace a 40-year-old mold line at the Neenah facility. The new mold line became operational during the summer of 2008. The total cost incurred as of September 30, 2008 is $49.4 million. The project is expected to stay on budget and an additional $4.7 million of expenditures are necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line


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project. We are currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the project in light of the current trends impacting our business. Similar to other large capital expenditure projects, we are at risk to many factors beyond our control that may prevent or hinder our implementation of the new mold line or lead to cost overruns, including new or more expensive obligations to comply with environmental regulations, technical or mechanical problems, construction delays, shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor, lack of available capital and other factors. Even if we effectively implement this project, we may not be able to capitalize on the additional capacity the mold line will provide, which may result in sales or profitability at lower levels than anticipated. Failure to successfully implement this business strategy on a timely basis or at all may adversely affect our business prospects and results of operations.
 
If we are unable to integrate acquired businesses, that may adversely affect operations.
 
As part of our business strategy, we will continue to evaluate and may pursue selected acquisition opportunities that we believe may provide us with certain operating and financial benefits. On August 5, 2008, Neenah acquired Morgan’s Welding, a fabricator of metal frames and grates for the municipal markets. This acquisition, along with any future acquisitions, requires integration into Neenah’s existing business with respect to administrative, financial, sales and marketing, manufacturing and other functions to realize benefits. If we are unable to successfully integrate Morgan’s or future acquisitions, we may not realize the benefits identified in our due diligence process, and our financial results may be negatively impacted. Additionally, significant unexpected liabilities may arise after completion of this or future acquisitions.
 
Our controlling stockholders may have interests that differ from the interests of other investors.
 
A majority of our outstanding stock on both an actual and a fully-diluted basis is owned by two affiliated investment funds, Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”) and Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P. (“TCO” and, together with TCP, “Tontine”). As a result, Tontine, directly or indirectly, has the power to control our affairs, including the election of directors who in turn appoint management. Tontine controls any action requiring the approval of stockholders, including adoption of amendments to our corporate charter and approval of a merger or sale of all or substantially all assets. The interests of Tontine may not in all cases be aligned with the interests of other investors. Additionally, Tontine is in the business of investing in companies and may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. Tontine may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. On November 10, 2008, Tontine announced its intention to begin to explore alternatives for the disposition of their holdings in NEI and Neenah. The timing, manner and aggregate amount of any such dispositions is unknown at this time and may have a substantial effect on the future capital structure and operations of the Company.
 
Terrorist attacks could adversely affect our results of operations, our ability to raise capital or our future growth.
 
The impact that terrorist attacks, such as those carried out on September 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq, as well as events occurring in response to or in connection with them, may have on our industry in general, and on us in particular, is unknown at this time. Such attacks, and the uncertainty surrounding them, may impact our operations in unpredictable ways, including disruptions of rail lines, highways and fuel supplies and the possibility that our facilities could be direct targets of, or indirect casualties of, an act of terror. In addition, war or risk of war may also have an adverse effect on the economy. A decline in economic activity could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism or war could also affect our ability to raise capital. Such attacks may lead to increased volatility in fuel costs and availability and could affect the results of operations. In addition, the insurance premiums charged for some or all of the coverages we currently maintain could increase dramatically, or the coverages could be unavailable in the future.
 
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health.
 
We have a significant amount of indebtedness. At September 30, 2008, Neenah and its subsidiaries had approximately $225.5 million of secured indebtedness outstanding consisting of approximately $0.5 million of


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capital lease obligations and $225.0 million of 91/2% Notes. Neenah also had $75.0 million of 121/2% Notes outstanding (which are unsecured senior subordinated notes). In addition, at September 30, 2008, Neenah had approximately $59.7 million of secured borrowings outstanding under the 2006 Credit Facility and had unused availability of $50.3 million. We expect to further increase our overall debt during the next 6 months to fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements during the traditionally slower time of year for municipal markets.
 
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to our stockholders. For example, it could:
 
  •  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our outstanding notes;
 
  •  increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
  •  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes;
 
  •  increase our vulnerability to and limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
 
  •  expose us to the risk of increased interest rates as borrowings under our 2006 Credit Facility will be subject to variable rates of interest;
 
  •  place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
 
  •  limit our ability to borrow additional funds.
 
In addition, the indenture for Neenah’s 91/2% Notes, Neenah’s 121/2% Notes and Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility contain financial and other restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debts.
 
Despite our current substantial indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could intensify the risks associated with our substantial leverage.
 
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future because the terms of the indenture governing Neenah’s 91/2% Notes, Neenah’s 121/2% Notes and Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. In addition, subject to covenant compliance and certain conditions, Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility would have permitted additional borrowings as of September 30, 2008. If new indebtedness is added to the current debt levels of Neenah and our other subsidiaries, the related risks that we and they now face could intensify.
 
To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.
 
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures, research and development efforts and other cash needs will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
 
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including our outstanding notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before the maturity thereof. We cannot assure stockholders that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances. We cannot assure stockholders that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all.


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Recent market trends may require additional funding for our pension plans.
 
We have several non-contributory defined benefit pension plans that cover most of our hourly employees. The funding policy for these plans is to contribute annually at a minimum, the amount necessary on an actuarial basis to provide for benefits in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The assets held by these plans have recently declined in value due to the decrease in market valuations. This decline in asset value will cause a decrease in the funded status of these plans, which could require additional funding contributions to be required, absent changes to the funding laws and regulations. If significant additional funding contributions are necessary, this could have an adverse impact on our liquidity position.
 
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock
 
There is limited history of public trading for our shares and an active trading market for our common stock may not develop.
 
Prior to October 2007, there was no public market for our shares of common stock. We have registered our common stock under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and our shares of common stock are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. An active trading market for our shares may not develop or be sustained. Accordingly, stockholders may not be able to sell their shares quickly or at the market price if trading in our stock is not active.
 
Our charter documents contain provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change of control.
 
Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us, even if the change in control would be beneficial to stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include the following:
 
  •  ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of preferred stock in series without stockholder approval;
 
  •  vesting of exclusive authority in the board of directors to determine the size of the board and to fill vacancies (within specified limits);
 
  •  advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and nominations for election to the board of directors; and
 
  •  prohibitions on our stockholders from acting by written consent and limitations on calling special meetings of stockholders.
 
We do not expect to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future.
 
We do not anticipate paying any dividends to our stockholders for the foreseeable future. Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility and the indenture for Neenah’s 91/2% Notes and its 121/2% Notes also restrict our ability to pay dividends, with limited exceptions. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our results of operations, financial conditions, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our board of directors deems relevant.
 
The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, which could lead to losses for stockholders.
 
The trading prices of the stock of newly public companies can experience extreme price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations often can be unrelated or out of proportion to the operating performance of these companies. We expect our stock price to be similarly volatile. These broad market fluctuations may continue and could harm our stock price. Any negative change in the public’s perception of the prospects of U.S. foundry companies or of the markets into which we sell our castings and forgings could also depress our stock price, regardless of our actual results.
 
Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock will include (among others):
 
  •  variations in our operating results;


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  •  expenses associated with accounting and internal control requirements applicable to public companies;
 
  •  announcements of strategic alliances or significant agreements by us or by our competitors;
 
  •  recruitment or departure of key personnel;
 
  •  changes in the estimates of our operating results or changes in recommendations by any securities analyst that elects to follow our common stock;
 
  •  market conditions in our industry, the industries of our customers and the economy as a whole;
 
  •  sales of large blocks of our common stock; and
 
  •  changes in accounting principles or changes in interpretations of existing principles, which could affect our financial results.
 
Substantial sales of our common stock by our stockholders could depress our stock price regardless of our operating results.
 
As of December 5, 2008, we had 14,625,326 shares of common stock outstanding, and we had warrants outstanding that are exercisable for an additional 1,584,669 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.05 per share. As of December 5, 2008, Tontine beneficially owned 9,550,697 shares of our common stock, which represents approximately 58% of our common stock on a fully-diluted basis and approximately 65% of the shares actually outstanding. On November 10, 2008, Tontine announced its intention to begin to explore alternatives for the disposition of their holdings in NEI and Neenah. The timing, manner and aggregate amount of any dispositions by Tontine is unknown at this time and may have a substantial effect on the future capital structure and operations of the Company. In addition, one other institution owns in excess of 5% of our common stock on a fully-diluted basis. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock by Tontine, by our other stockholders, or the perception that these sales may occur, could reduce the prevailing market prices for our common stock.
 
If equity research analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common stock, the price of our common stock could decline.
 
The trading market for our common stock may rely in part on whether there is research and reports that equity research analysts publish about us and our business. We do not control the opinions of these analysts. The price of our stock could decline if one or more equity analysts downgrade our stock or if those analysts issue other unfavorable commentary or cease publishing reports about us or our business.
 
The availability of shares for issuance in the future could reduce the market price of our common stock.
 
In the future, we may issue securities to raise cash for acquisitions or other corporate purposes. We may also acquire interests in outside companies by using a combination of cash and our common stock or just our common stock. We may also issue securities convertible into our common stock. Any of these events may dilute our stockholders’ ownership interests in our company and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
 
In addition, sales of a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could reduce the market price of our common stock. This could also impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of our securities.
 
We will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
 
As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as new rules subsequently implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, have imposed various new requirements on public companies, including requiring changes in corporate governance practices. Our management and other personnel devote a substantial amount of time to these new compliance initiatives. Moreover, these rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly.


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Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
We maintain the following manufacturing, machining and office facilities. We own all of the facilities except Mercer’s machining facility, which we lease.
 
                 
Entity
  Location   Purpose   Sq. Feet  
 
Castings Segment
               
Neenah Foundry Company
  Neenah, WI   2 manufacturing facilities and office facility     625,000  
Dalton Corporation
  Warsaw, IN   Manufacturing and office facilities     375,000  
    Kendallville, IN   Manufacturing facility     250,000  
    Stryker, OH   Machining facility     45,000  
Advanced Cast Products, Inc. 
  Meadville, PA   Manufacturing, machining and office facility     229,000  
Deeter Foundry, Inc. 
  Lincoln, NE   Manufacturing and office facility     75,000  
Gregg Industries, Inc. 
  El Monte, CA   Manufacturing, machining and office facility     200,000  
Forgings Segment
               
Mercer Forge Corporation
  Mercer, PA   Manufacturing, machining and office facility     130,000  
    Wheatland, PA   Machining facility     18,000  
Other Segment
               
Morgan’s Welding, Inc. 
  Myerstown, PA   Manufacturing and office facility     29,000  
 
The principal equipment at the facilities consists of foundry equipment used to make castings, such as melting furnaces, core making machines and mold lines, including ancillary equipment needed to support a foundry operation and presses used to make forgings. We regard our plant and equipment as appropriately maintained and adequate for our needs. As part of the major capital project to install a new mold line at our Neenah location, we have added approximately 75,000 square feet of manufacturing area to the plant. In addition to the facilities described above, we operate 15 distribution and sales centers. We own seven of those properties and lease eight of them.
 
As discussed above, on December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s Kendallville Manufacturing Facility. The Company expects that the plant, which is located in Kendallville, Indiana, will continue to operate through early March 2009.
 
Substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets are pledged to secure our 2006 Credit Facility and our 91/2% Notes. See Note 6 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
From June to October, 2008, Dalton received three Notices of Violation (NOV’s) from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). One of the NOV’s related to monitoring and recordkeeping deviations in Title V air permit requirements and the other two NOV’s related to alleged violations at Dalton’s restricted waste landfill sites. Dalton is working with IDEM to resolve the NOV’s. The Company has accrued $0.3 million at September 30, 2008 for possible penalties and other costs related to the NOV’s.
 
Certain areas of the Lower Fox River System in Wisconsin have been designated for remedial activities under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) due to PCB contamination. Neenah operates a facility near this area. With respect to the Fox River PCB site, Appleton Papers Inc. (“API”) and NCR Corporation (“NCR”) commenced an action in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on January 7, 2008 seeking to allocate among all responsible parties the equitable shares of response costs and natural resources damages associated with the environmental contamination of the Fox River. API and NCR indicated that they believe that other parties, including Neenah, should participate in the funding of this work because they allegedly contributed to the environmental contamination and are responsible parties. Accordingly, in


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a letter dated March 12, 2008, API and NCR notified Neenah that they were thereby terminating the 2004 tolling and standstill agreement among Neenah, NCR, API, and Arjo Wiggins Appleton Ltd., with the intent of adding Neenah as a party to the referenced litigation. On April 14, 2008, Neenah was served with a third amended complaint and joined as a defendant in the pending lawsuit brought by plaintiffs API and NCR. Plaintiffs make claims against Neenah (and other defendants) for response costs allegedly incurred by plaintiffs, contribution, and declaratory relief. Various case management dates have been set through December, 2009. The Company asserted factual and legal defenses to these claims, and the Company has filed counterclaims against plaintiffs for breach of contract (tolling agreement) and for common law and statutory contribution and indemnity. The Company is also exploring the possibility of reimbursement of certain expenses and defense costs incurred relating to the case from its liability insurance carriers. There have been no amounts accrued for potential liability in this case as of September 30, 2008.
 
Due to neighborhood complaints, we were operating the Gregg facility under the terms of an order for abatement with the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Despite being in compliance with federal and state emission laws, the order required us to comply with certain operating parameters in an effort to reduce odors. The order expired on September 20, 2007. On November 5, 2008, Gregg entered into a settlement agreement and release with the SCAQMD regarding outstanding notices of violation (NOV’s). As part of the settlement and release Gregg has agreed, among other things, to implement a supplemental environmental project to further reduce odorous and other emissions from the foundry at a cost of $4.7 million to Gregg, and in return, all outstanding NOV’s have been discharged and Hearing Board cases dismissed.
 
We are involved in various other claims and litigation in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not likely to materially affect our consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended September 30, 2008.
 
Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and experience of our executive officers. All executive officers are appointed by the board of directors.
 
             
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr. 
    58     President and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
    50     Corporate Vice President — Finance, Treasurer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer
James V. Ackerman
    65     Division President — Mercer Forge Corporation
John H. Andrews
    63     Neenah Corporate Vice President — Manufacturing, Chief Operating Officer of Manufacturing Operations
Louis E. Fratarcangeli
    58     Neenah Corporate Vice President — Industrial Products Sales
Frank Headington
    59     Neenah Corporate Vice President — Technology
 
Mr. Ostendorf joined Neenah in July 2007 as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Ostendorf was Chief Executive Officer since 2004 of Amcan Consolidated Technology Corp. (ACT), a supplier of cast components to the automotive industry and the Canadian subsidiary of Honsel International Technologies SA (HIT). Mr. Ostendorf was also a director of HIT. HIT disposed of various portions of ACT and following Mr. Ostendorf’s departure from ACT in June 2007, HIT reassigned certain of ACT’s operations to a Mexican affiliate, and ACT subsequently filed for protection under Canada’s Companies Creditor Arrangement Act in September 2007. Prior to his involvement with HIT, Mr. Ostendorf was President of the Morgan Corporation, a truck body manufacturer, from 1999 to 2004. Prior to Morgan, Mr. Ostendorf was President of


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Cambridge Industries’ Truck Group from 1998 to 1999, President of American Sunroof Corporation from 1995 to 1998 and President and CEO of VMC Fiberglass from 1988 to 1995.
 
Mr. Jenkins was named as Corporate Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer on November 12, 2008. Mr. Jenkins had served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since March 19, 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Jenkins served as Vice President of Operations for Deeter Foundry, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neenah, from 1998 to 2008 and Vice President — Finance of Deeter from 1994 to 1998.
 
Mr. Ackerman has served as the Division President of Mercer since 2000. On August 15, 2008, Mr. Ackerman announced his intention to retire. He has agreed to stay on in his current capacity until October 31, 2009 to allow for an orderly transition of his responsibilities. Previously, Mr. Ackerman served as the Vice President/CFO of Mercer Forge since 1990. Prior to joining Mercer in 1990, Mr. Ackerman worked for Sheet Metal Coating & Litho as its Controller, Dunlop Industrial/Angus Fire Armour Corp. as its Controller and Ajax Magnethermic Corporation as its Vice President-Finance (CFO).
 
Mr. Andrews has served as Neenah’s Corporate Vice President — Manufacturing since August 2003 and as Neenah’s Chief Operating Officer of Manufacturing Operations since November 2005. Mr. Andrews joined us in 1988 and has served in a variety of manufacturing positions with increasing responsibility. Prior to joining Neenah, Mr. Andrews was Division Manager for Dayton Walther Corporation’s Camden Casting Center from 1986 to 1988 and served as Manufacturing Manager and then Plant Manager for Waupaca Foundry’s Marinette Plant from 1973 to 1986.
 
Mr. Fratarcangeli joined Neenah as Corporate Vice President — Industrial Products Sales in December 2007. From May 2003 to October 2007, Mr. Fratarcangeli was Executive Vice President of Amcan Consolidated Technology Corp. (ACT), a supplier of cast components to the automotive industry and the Canadian division of Honsel International Technologies SA. ACT filed for protection under Canada’s Companies Creditor Arrangement Act in September 2007. Prior to ACT, from 2000 to 2003, Mr. Fratarcangeli was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Morgan Olson, a truck body manufacturer and a division of the Morgan Corporation. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Fratarcangeli was the Vice President of Sales for the Commercial Truck division of Cambridge Industries.
 
Mr. Headington has served as Neenah’s Corporate Vice President — Technology since August 2003. Previously, Mr. Headington was Neenah’s Manager of Technical Services and Director of Product Reliability since January 1989. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Headington co-founded and operated Sintered Precision Components, a powdered metal company. Prior to his involvement with Precision Components, he was employed by Wagner Casting Company as Quality Manager.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Prior to October 9, 2007, there was no public trading market for NEI’s common stock or warrants. As of October 9, 2007 shares of NEI’s common stock have been quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “NENA.OB”. An active trading market in NEI common stock may not develop or be sustained. There is currently no public trading market for NEI’s stock warrants. Neenah has 1,000 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which are owned by NFC Castings, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of NEI.
 
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on NEI’s common stock, and we do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to operate our business and finance future growth strategies. The loan covenants under Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility, the indenture for Neenah’s 91/2% Notes and Neenah’s 121/2% Notes restrict the payment of cash dividends, with certain limited exceptions. As of December 5, 2008, there were fewer than 75 holders of record of NEI’s common stock.


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As of December 5, 2008, Tontine beneficially owned 9,550,697 shares of NEI’s common stock. As of December 5, 2008, there were:
 
  •  35,000,000 authorized shares of NEI common stock and 1,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock, of which 14,625,326 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding; and
 
  •  outstanding warrants to purchase 1,584,669 shares of NEI common stock.
 
The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid quotations for NEI’s common stock for each of the periods indicated as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
 
                 
    Bid Quotations  
    High     Low  
 
Fiscal Quarter Ended:
               
December 31, 2007
  $ 6.00     $ 3.75  
March 31, 2008
    6.00       1.25  
June 30, 2008
    3.74       1.15  
September 30, 2008
    3.15       1.55  


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following table sets forth NEI’s selected historical consolidated financial data as of and for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004, which have been derived from NEI’s audited consolidated financial statements. NEI’s and Neenah’s selected financial data is identical with the exception of earnings/(loss) per share and total stockholders’ equity (deficit). The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.
 
The information contained in the following table should also be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and NEI’s and Neenah’s historical consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this document.
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands)  
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net sales
  $ 510,818     $ 483,623     $ 542,452     $ 541,772     $ 450,942  
Cost of sales
    449,773       408,904       442,558       440,818       375,124  
                                         
Gross profit
    61,045       74,719       99,894       100,954       75,818  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    38,895       38,119       34,314       34,467       27,374  
Litigation settlement
                      6,500        
Amortization expense
    7,143       7,121       7,120       7,124       7,121  
Other (income) expenses
    (210 )     453       127       953       465  
                                         
Operating income
    15,217       29,026       58,333       51,910       40,858  
Interest expense, net
    32,390       31,344       33,327       33,406       33,363  
Debt refinancing costs
          20,429                    
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (17,173 )     (22,747 )     25,006       18,504       7,495  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (5,141 )     (8,819 )     8,857       3,409       3,881  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (12,032 )     (13,928 )     16,149       15,095       3,614  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                            (359 )
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149     $ 15,095     $ 3,255  
                                         
Earnings (Loss) Per Share:
                                       
Basic
  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.31 )   $ 1.72     $ 1.71     $ .45  
Diluted
  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.31 )   $ .99     $ .94     $ .23  
Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 910     $ 3,484     $  
Working capital
    57,647       90,507       74,061       62,979       49,927  
Total assets
    486,499       443,974       410,920       412,555       407,440  
Total debt including capital lease obligations
    360,154       318,587       265,416       271,754       283,801  
Total stockholders’ equity
    15,044       30,565       39,228       17,395       8,793  
Other Financial Data:
                                       
Capital expenditures
    44,583       48,733       17,803       17,572       12,713  
Supplemental Data:
                                       
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)
    N/A       N/A       1.73       1.54       1.22  
 
 
(1) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of deferred financing fees and a portion of rental expense that management believes is representative of the interest component of rental expense. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 by $17.2 million and $22.7 million, respectively. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for NEI and Neenah are the same for both entities.


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Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
We derive substantially all of our revenue from manufacturing and marketing a wide range of iron castings and steel forgings for the heavy municipal market and selected segments of the industrial market. We have two reportable segments, castings and forgings. Through our castings segment, we are a leading producer of iron castings for use in heavy municipal and industrial applications. For heavy municipal market applications, we sell to state and local municipalities, contractors, precasters and supply houses. We primarily sell our industrial castings directly to original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, and tier-one suppliers with whom we have established close working relationships. Through our forgings segment, operated by Mercer, we produce complex-shaped forged steel and micro alloy components for use in transportation, railroad, mining and heavy industrial applications. Mercer sells directly to OEMs, as well as to industrial end-users. Mercer’s subsidiary, A&M Specialties, Inc., machines forgings and castings for Mercer and various industrial customers. Restructuring charges and certain other expenses, such as income taxes, general corporate expenses and financing costs, are not allocated between our two operating segments.
 
Recent Developments
 
Deferral of Interest Payment on 121/2% Notes.  On December 23, 2008, the Company provided notice to Tontine, as the holder of all of Neenah’s $75 million of 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “121/2% Notes”), that Neenah is electing to defer the payment of 71/2% of the interest due on the 121/2% Notes with respect to the January 1, 2009 interest payment date (representing a deferral of an interest payment of approximately $2.8 million), as is permitted under the terms of the outstanding 121/2% Notes. See the description of the 121/2% Notes in this section under “Liquidity and Capital Resources — 121/2% Notes” for further information regarding the deferral of interest under the 121/2% Notes.
 
Potential Employee Reductions.  On December 9, 2008, the Company initiated compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, by notifying local officials and employees of the potential for production curtailments and employee reductions at the Company’s Gregg Industries, Inc. facility located in El Monte, California.
 
Kendallville Closure.  On December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s Kendallville Manufacturing Facility. The Company expects that the plant, which is located in Kendallville, Indiana, will continue to operate through early March 2009. The decision to close the facility was made due to the pressures of an overall weak economy and the particularly difficult economic issues facing the foundry industry and manufacturing in general.
 
Tontine Intentions.  On November 10, 2008, Tontine announced its intention to begin to explore alternatives for the disposition of their holdings in NEI and Neenah. The timing, manner and aggregate amount of any such dispositions is unknown at this time and may have a substantial effect on the future capital structure and operations of the Company. Additionally, as discussed above under Item 1A. Risk Factors, Tontine’s disposition of their holdings in NEI could result in a change of control event under the 2006 Credit Facility, the 91/2% Notes and the 121/2% Notes. See “Risk Factors — The terms of Neenah’s debt impose restrictions on us that may affect our ability to successfully operate our business. In addition, we may violate applicable financial covenants in our debt agreements if the unused availability under our 2006 Credit Facility falls below $15.0 million.”
 
Order of Abatement at Gregg Facility.  Due to neighborhood complaints, we were operating the Gregg facility under the terms of an order for abatement with the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Despite being in compliance with federal and state emission laws, the order required us to comply with certain SCAQMD operating parameters in an effort to reduce odors. Failure to operate within such criteria could have resulted in the SCAQMD terminating operations at the Gregg facility. The order expired on September 20, 2007. On November 5, 2008, Gregg entered into a settlement agreement and release with the SCAQMD regarding outstanding notices of violation (NOV’s). As part of the settlement and release Gregg has agreed, among other things, to implement a supplemental environmental project to further reduce odorous and other emissions from the


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foundry at a cost of $4.7 million, and in return, all outstanding NOV’s have been discharged and Hearing Board cases dismissed.
 
Asset Purchase.  On August 5, 2008, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (Morgan’s), a steel fabricator located in Pennsylvania, for a cash purchase price of $4.1 million. In addition, the Company incurred $0.3 million in direct costs related to the acquisition and assumed $0.6 million of current liabilities. The purchase was financed through borrowings under the existing 2006 Credit Facility. This purchase is expected to significantly improve the Company’s ability to service customers in the municipal markets in the Northeastern United States.
 
Increase of 2006 Credit Facility.  On July 17, 2008, we received the consent and waiver of our existing lenders to increase the maximum amount of financing available under the 2006 Credit Facility (as defined in “Refinancing Transactions” below) from $100 million to $110 million. The increase occurred in accordance with the accordion feature in the 2006 Credit Facility.
 
Labor Agreement at Mercer.  In June 2008, production employees at the Mercer facility agreed to a new four-year collective bargaining agreement. This new agreement expires in June 2012.
 
Labor Agreement at Dalton.  In April 2008, production employees at the Dalton-Warsaw facility agreed to a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. This new agreement expires in April 2013.
 
New Mold Line.  We recently completed the installation phase of our $54 million capital project to replace a 40-year-old mold line at the Neenah facility. This new state-of-the-art mold line is expected to significantly enhance operating efficiencies, increase capacity and provide expanded molding capabilities for the municipal and industrial product lines. Start-up operations began on schedule during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The second phase of the project includes enhanced core-making capabilities and the inclusion of ductile iron capacity. At September 30, 2008, we had expended $49.4 million and an additional $4.7 million of expenditures are necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line project as of such date. We are currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the project in light of the current trends impacting our business.
 
Steel Scrap Volatility.  During fiscal 2008, we experienced significant increases in the cost of steel scrap used in our manufacturing process. From December 2007 to July 2008, the cost of steel scrap (measured by quoted prices for shredded steel by Iron Age publication for the Chicago market) rose $313 per ton and then decreased $218 per ton from July 2008 to September 2008. The cost of steel scrap has decreased by $136 per ton from September 2008 to December 2008. Of all the varying costs of raw materials, fluctuations in the cost of steel scrap impact our business the most. The cost for steel scrap is subject to market forces that are unpredictable and largely beyond our control, including demand by U.S. and international industries, freight costs and speculation. Although we have surcharge arrangements with our industrial customers that enable us to adjust industrial casting prices to reflect steel scrap cost fluctuations, these adjustments have historically lagged behind the current cost of steel scrap during periods of rapidly rising or falling steel scrap costs because these adjustments were generally based on average market costs for prior periods. We have made changes to our surcharge procedures with our industrial customers in an attempt to recover scrap cost increases on a more real time basis. We have historically recovered steel scrap cost increases for municipal products through periodic price increases. However, increases in steel scrap costs have forced us to institute price increases coupled with a surcharge on our municipal casting products. Our ability to recover steel scrap increases from our customers will determine the extent of the adverse effect they will have on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Refinancing Transactions.  On December 29, 2006, we repaid our outstanding indebtedness under Neenah’s then existing credit facility, repurchased all $133.1 million of Neenah’s outstanding 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 through an issuer tender offer, retired $75 million of Neenah’s outstanding 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “13% Notes”) by exchanging them for $75 million of new 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the “121/2% Notes”) in a private transaction, and called for redemption all $25 million of Neenah’s 13% Notes that remained outstanding after the exchange for 121/2% Notes. Those remaining 13% Notes were redeemed on February 2, 2007. To fund these payments and to provide cash for our capital expenditures, ongoing working capital requirements and general corporate purposes, Neenah (a) issued $225 million of new 91/2% Senior Secured Notes


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due 2017 (the “91/2% Notes”) and the $75 million of 121/2% Notes and (b) entered into an amended and restated credit facility (the “2006 Credit Facility”) providing for borrowings in an amount of up to $100 million. The 91/2% Notes were initially issued in a private offering that was not registered under the Securities Act, and were subsequently registered pursuant to an exchange offer in which the unregistered notes were exchanged for freely transferable notes. That exchange offer was completed on April 18, 2007. We refer to these actions collectively as the “Refinancing Transactions.”
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
 
Net Sales.  Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2008 were $510.8 million, which was $27.2 million or 5.6% higher than the year ended September 30, 2007. Sales volume was down 7.6% but was offset by surcharge and price increases as a result of the pass through of higher metal costs to the customer. Sales to the construction and agriculture equipment market were up approximately $26.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to the year ended September 30, 2007. Sales to the HVAC market were up approximately $8.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to the year ended September 30, 2007. Due to new emission standards that took effect January 1, 2007, heavy-duty truck production declined significantly in calendar year 2007 (which includes the first quarter of our fiscal year 2008), as many buyers of heavy-duty trucks accelerated purchases into calendar year 2006, artificially increasing our sales to customers in the heavy-duty truck market in calendar year 2006 (which includes the first quarter of our fiscal year 2007). As a result of this and slower than expected recovery of the heavy-duty truck market, sales of heavy-duty truck products were down approximately $15.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to the year ended September 30, 2007. Sales to other markets were up approximately $8.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2008 compared to the year ended September 30, 2007.
 
Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales was $449.8 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, which was $40.9 million or 10.0% higher than the year ended September 30, 2007. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 88.1% during the year ended September 30, 2008 from 84.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, primarily as a result of an approximately 52% increase in raw material unit costs, principally in the price of steel scrap, and the inability to spread fixed manufacturing costs over additional inventory due to lower production levels.
 
Gross Profit.  Gross profit was $61.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, which was $13.7 million or 18.3% lower than the year ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 11.9% during the year ended September 30, 2008 from 15.4% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, primarily as a result of the increased raw material costs and a decreased ability to absorb fixed costs due to lower production levels
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2008 were $38.9 million, an increase of $0.8 million from the $38.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 7.4% for the year ended September 30, 2008 from 7.9% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The increase was due to restructuring costs incurred as a result of salaried headcount reductions at the Company’s operating facilities partially offset by lower legal and professional fees.
 
Amortization of Intangible Assets.  Amortization of intangible assets was $7.1 million for each of the years ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007.
 
Other Expenses.  Other expenses for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 consist of a gain of $0.2 million and a loss of $0.5 million, respectively, for the disposal of long-lived assets in the ordinary course of business.
 
Operating Income.  Operating income was $15.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, a decrease of $13.8 million or 47.6% from the year ended September 30, 2007. As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased from 6.0% for the year ended September 30, 2007 to 3.0% for the year ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the reduced sales volume and the increases in raw material costs discussed above.


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Net Interest Expense.  Net interest expense was $32.4 million and $31.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in interest expense was the result of an increased level of borrowing on the 2006 Credit Facility.
 
Debt Refinancing Costs.  The Company recorded $20.4 million of debt refinancing costs for the year ended September 30, 2007 related to the Refinancing Transactions. This amount consisted of a $12.9 million tender premium paid to repurchase Neenah’s 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010, $5.9 million to write off the unamortized portion of discount on Neenah’s 11% Senior Secured Notes and $1.6 million to write off the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs on Neenah’s old indebtedness. There were no debt refinancing costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2008.
 
Provision for Income Taxes.  The effective tax rate for years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 30% and 39%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2008 includes the favorable impact of the reversal of certain tax positions after the completion of an IRS audit.
 
Net Income (Loss) and Earnings (Loss) Per Share.  As a result of the items described above, the net loss was $12.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2008, compared to net loss of $13.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007. On a diluted basis, the net loss per share was $0.87 for the year ended September 30, 2008, compared to the net loss per share of $1.31 for the year ended September 30, 2007.
 
FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 COMPARED TO THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
 
Net Sales.  Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2007 were $483.6 million, which was $58.9 million or 10.9% lower than the year ended September 30, 2006. The decrease was primarily due to reduced shipments of municipal products, components shipped to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) customers and heavy-duty truck components. New housing starts declined in fiscal 2007 from 2006 levels, reflecting softness in the overall housing sector. As a result of this and other related factors, sales of municipal products were down approximately $12.8 million in the year ended September 30, 2007 compared to the year ended September 30, 2006 and sales to the HVAC market are down approximately $9.2 million in the year ended September 30, 2007 compared to the year ended September 30, 2006. Also, due to new emission standards that took effect January 1, 2007, heavy-duty truck sales have declined significantly as many customers accelerated purchases in 2006, artificially increasing 2006 sales. As a result, sales of heavy-duty truck products were down approximately $26.4 million for the year ended September 30, 2007 compared to the year ended September 30, 2006. Sales to other markets, primarily automotive and light truck (including heads, blocks and motor frames) were down approximately $10.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2007 compared to the year ended September 30, 2006 due to the downturn experienced in the automotive market.
 
Cost of Sales.  Cost of sales was $408.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, which was $33.7 million or 7.6% lower than the year ended September 30, 2006. Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 84.6% during the year ended September 30, 2007 from 81.6% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, primarily as a result of an approximately 4% increase in raw material costs, principally in the price of steel scrap (increases of $60 to $100 per ton depending on the grade used), and a decreased ability to absorb fixed costs due to lower production levels.
 
Gross Profit.  Gross profit was $74.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, which was $25.2 million or 25.2% lower than the year ended September 30, 2006. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 15.4% during the year ended September 30, 2007 from 18.4% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006, primarily as a result of the increased raw material costs and a decreased ability to absorb fixed costs due to lower production levels as discussed above.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended September 30, 2007 were $38.1 million, an increase of $3.8 million from the $34.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2006. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 7.9% for the year ended September 30, 2007 from 6.3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is due mainly to a decrease in the rebate received from countervailing duties


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assessed on imported products, increased costs incurred to comply with an order of abatement at the Gregg facility, an additional $0.95 million of expense recognized for the settlement of a disputed claim from an investment bank and $0.65 million of expense for the settlement of an employment related lawsuit.
 
Amortization of Intangible Assets.  Amortization of intangible assets was $7.1 million for each of the years ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006.
 
Other Expenses.  Other expenses for the years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 consist of losses of $0.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the disposal of long-lived assets in the ordinary course of business.
 
Operating Income.  Operating income was $29.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, a decrease of $29.3 million or 50.3% from the year ended September 30, 2006. As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased from 10.7% for the year ended September 30, 2006 to 6.0% for the year ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the reduced sales volume, the increases in raw material costs and increased costs associated with the settlement of claims discussed above.
 
Net Interest Expense.  Net interest expense was $31.3 million and $33.3 million for the years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was the result of capitalizing interest incurred on borrowings used to finance the new mold line, lower interest rates on borrowings in the year ended September 30, 2007 and the termination of bond discount amortization as a result of the Refinancing Transactions.
 
Debt Refinancing Costs.  The Company recorded $20.4 million of debt refinancing costs for the year ended September 30, 2007 related to the Refinancing Transactions. This amount consisted of a $12.9 million tender premium paid to repurchase Neenah’s 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010, $5.9 million to write off the unamortized portion of discount on Neenah’s 11% Senior Secured Notes and $1.6 million to write off the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs on Neenah’s old indebtedness.
 
Provision for Income Taxes.  The effective tax rate for years ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 was 39% and 35%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended September 30, 2006 includes the favorable impact of the Production Activities Deduction as permitted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
 
Net Income (Loss) and Earnings (Loss) Per Share.  As a result of the items described above, the net loss was $13.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2007, compared to net income of $16.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2006. On a diluted basis, the net loss per share was $1.31 for the year ended September 30, 2007, compared to net earnings per share of $0.99 for the year ended September 30, 2006.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
As of September 30, 2008, our outstanding indebtedness consisted of Neenah’s $225.0 million of outstanding 91/2% Notes, $0.5 million of capital lease obligations, Neenah’s $75.0 million of outstanding 121/2% Notes and $59.7 million of borrowings outstanding under the 2006 Credit Facility. Our primary sources of liquidity in the future will be cash flow from operations and borrowings under Neenah’s 2006 Credit Facility. We expect that ongoing requirements for debt service, capital expenditures, including the remaining expenditures for Neenah’s new mold line, and other operating needs will be funded from these sources of funds.
 
2006 Credit Facility.  The 2006 Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an amount up to $100.0 million and includes a provision permitting us from time to time to request increases (subject to the lenders’ consent) in the aggregate amount by up to $10.0 million with the increases to be funded through additional commitments from existing lenders or new commitments from financial institutions acceptable to the current lenders. On July 17, 2008 Neenah requested an additional $10.0 million of availability based on this provision, which was funded through additional commitments from existing lenders, increasing the maximum amount available to $110 million. The 2006 Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2011. Outstanding borrowings bear interest at rates based on the lenders’ Base Rate, as defined in the 2006 Credit Facility, or, if Neenah so elects, at an adjusted rate based on LIBOR. Availability under the 2006 Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions and is limited by our


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borrowing base determined by the amount of our accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes. Amounts under the 2006 Credit Facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed subject to the terms of the facility.
 
Most of Neenah’s wholly owned subsidiaries are co-borrowers under the 2006 Credit Facility and are jointly and severally liable with Neenah for all obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility, subject to customary exceptions for transactions of this type. In addition, NFC Castings, Inc. (“NFC”), NEI’s immediate subsidiary, and Neenah’s remaining wholly owned subsidiaries jointly, fully, severally and unconditionally guarantee the borrowers’ obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility, subject to customary exceptions for transactions of this type. The borrowers’ and guarantors’ obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to customary restrictions, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing, and by second priority liens (junior to the liens securing the 91/2% Notes) on substantially all of our and the guarantors’ remaining assets. The 91/2% Notes discussed below, and the guarantees in respect thereof, are equal in right of payment to the 2006 Credit Facility, and the guarantees in respect thereof.
 
The 2006 Credit Facility requires Neenah to prepay outstanding principal amounts upon certain asset sales, upon certain equity offerings, and under certain other circumstances. It also requires us to observe certain customary conditions, affirmative covenants and negative covenants including “springing” financial covenants that require us to satisfy a trailing four quarter minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.0x (through the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008) or a trailing four quarter minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0x (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009) if our unused availability is less than $15.0 million for any period of three consecutive business days during a fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2008, our unused availability was $50.3 million, or $35.3 million in excess of the $15.0 million threshold, and it did not fall below $15.0 million during the quarter then ended; consequently, the minimum interest coverage ratio was not applicable. However, had we been required to calculate the minimum interest coverage ratio for the twelve month period ended September 30, 2008, we would have not satisfied the required ratio. At September 30, 2008, Neenah was in compliance with applicable bank covenants. Non-compliance with the covenants could result in the requirement to immediately repay all amounts outstanding under the 2006 Credit Facility and cause a cross default under our outstanding notes, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flow. The 2006 Credit Facility also contains events of default customary for these types of facilities, including, without limitation, payment defaults, material misrepresentations, covenant defaults, bankruptcy and certain changes of ownership or control of us, Neenah, or NFC. We are prohibited from paying dividends, with certain limited exceptions, and are restricted to a maximum yearly stock repurchase of $1.0 million.
 
91/2% Notes.  The $225.0 million of outstanding 91/2% Notes will mature on January 1, 2017. The 91/2% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our existing and certain future direct and indirect wholly owned domestic restricted subsidiaries. The 91/2% Notes and the guarantees are secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of Neenah’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing) and by second-priority liens, junior to the liens for the benefit of the lenders under the 2006 Credit Facility, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing. Interest on the 91/2% Notes is payable on a semi-annual basis. Subject to the restrictions in the 2006 Credit Facility, the 91/2% Notes are redeemable at our option in whole or in part at any time on or after January 1, 2012, at the redemption price specified in the indenture governing the 91/2% Notes (104.750% of the principal amount redeemed beginning January 1, 2012, 103.167% beginning January 1, 2013, 101.583% beginning January 1, 2014 and 100.000% beginning January 1, 2015 and thereafter), plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. Subject to certain conditions, until January 1, 2010, we also have the right to redeem up to 35% of the 91/2% Notes with the proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.500% of the face amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control” as defined in the indenture governing the notes, Neenah is required to make an offer to purchase the 91/2% Notes at 101.000% of the


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outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the purchase date. The 91/2% Notes contain customary covenants typical to this type of financing, such as limitations on (1) indebtedness, (2) restricted payments, (3) liens, (4) distributions from restricted subsidiaries, (5) sale of assets, (6) affiliate transactions, (7) mergers and consolidations and (8) lines of business. The 91/2% Notes also contain customary events of default typical to this type of financing, such as (1) failure to pay principal and/or interest when due, (2) failure to observe covenants, (3) certain events of bankruptcy, (4) the rendering of certain judgments or (5) the loss of any guarantee.
 
121/2% Notes.  The $75.0 million of Neenah’s outstanding 121/2% Notes will mature on September 30, 2013. The 121/2% Notes were issued to Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. (“TCP”) in exchange for an equal principal amount of Neenah’s 13% Notes that were then held by TCP. The obligations under the 121/2% Notes are senior to Neenah’s subordinated unsecured indebtedness, if any, and are subordinate to the 2006 Credit Facility and the 91/2% Notes. Interest on the 121/2% Notes is payable on a semi-annual basis. Not less than five percent (500 basis points) of the interest on the 121/2% Notes must be paid in cash and the remainder (up to 71/2% or 750 basis points) of the interest may be deferred at our option. We must pay interest on any interest so deferred at a rate of 12.5% per annum. On December 23, 2008, the Company provided notice to TCP, as the holder of the 121/2% Notes, that Neenah is electing to defer the payment of 71/2% of the interest due on the 121/2% Notes with respect to the January 1, 2009 interest payment date. Neenah’s obligations under the 121/2% Notes are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by each of Neenah’s wholly owned subsidiaries. Subject to the restrictions in the 2006 Credit Facility and in the indenture for the 91/2% Notes, the 121/2% Notes are redeemable at our option in whole or in part at any time, with not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days notice, at 100.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control,” Neenah is required to make an offer to purchase the 121/2% Notes at 101.000% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to the purchase date. The 121/2% Notes contain customary covenants typical to this type of financing, such as limitations on (1) indebtedness, (2) restricted payments, (3) liens, (4) distributions from restricted subsidiaries, (5) sale of assets, (6) affiliate transactions, (7) mergers and consolidations and (8) lines of business. The 121/2% Notes also contain customary events of default typical to this type of financing, such as, (1) failure to pay principal and/or interest when due, (2) failure to observe covenants, (3) certain events of bankruptcy, (4) the rendering of certain judgments or (5) the loss of any guarantee.
 
Under the capital structure resulting from the Refinancing Transactions, we currently have no principal amortization requirements. We have been using cash flow from operations and a portion of our unused availability under the 2006 Credit Facility to fund the new mold line described above under “Recent Developments.”
 
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, capital expenditures were $44.6 million and $48.7 million, respectively. The level of capital expenditures for the year ended September 30, 2008 includes $18.8 million (including capitalized interest of $1.2 million) for the new mold line at the Neenah location described above under “Recent Developments,” as well as normal capital expenditures necessary to maintain equipment and facilities. Capital expenditures for the year ended September 30, 2007 included $30.6 million (including capitalized interest of $1.0 million) for the new mold line at the Neenah location.
 
The net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended September 30, 2008 was $7.3 million, an increase of $2.1 million over net cash of $5.2 million provided by operating activities during the year ended September 30, 2007. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in the net loss of $1.9 million, partially offset by changes in working capital accounts.
 
Future Capital Needs.  We are significantly leveraged. Our ability to meet debt obligations will depend upon future operating performance which will be affected by many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations, we anticipate that our operating cash flows and borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund anticipated operational investments, including working capital and capital expenditure needs, for at least the next twelve months. However, our ability to comply with applicable covenants and requirements contained in our debt agreements may be affected by events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and if such events occur, we cannot be sure that we will be able to comply. The recent trends impacting our performance, including a decline in our sales volumes in all markets, and the overall decline in the credit markets and ensuing economic uncertainty have put additional pressure on our ability to maintain unused availability in excess of $15.0 million on the 2006 Credit Facility as well as meet the relevant


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financial covenant if applicable. These downward trends are expected to continue to adversely affect our financial results for the remainder of fiscal 2009. Depending on the severity, duration and timing of the impact of these trends, we may need to work with our lenders to modify certain provisions of the 2006 Credit Facility relating to calculations of availability under the facility and the potential applicability of the relevant financial covenant under the 2006 Credit Facility, or seek to obtain a waiver of, or amend our financial covenants in the near future. If we are unable to service our debt requirements as they become due or if we are unable to maintain ongoing compliance with applicable covenants, we may be forced to adopt alternative strategies that may include reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing indebtedness or seeking additional equity capital. There can be no assurances that any of these strategies could be effected on satisfactory terms, if at all.
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
None.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
The following table includes the Company’s significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2008 (in millions):
 
                                         
          Less Than
                More Than
 
    Total     1 year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Long-term debt
  $ 300.0     $     $     $     $ 300.0  
Interest on long-term debt
    231.0       30.8       61.5       61.5       77.2  
Revolving line of credit
    59.7       59.7                    
Interest and fees on revolving line of credit
    2.6       2.6                    
Capital leases
    0.5       0.1       0.2       0.2        
Operating leases
    4.7       1.7       2.1       0.7       0.2  
New mold line commitments
    4.7       4.7                    
                                         
Total contractual obligations
  $ 603.2     $ 99.6     $ 63.8     $ 62.4     $ 377.4  
                                         
 
As of September 30, 2008, other than the new mold line commitments listed above, which is the remaining portion budgeted for the completion of Neenah’s new mold line, the Company had no material purchase obligations other than those created in the ordinary course of business related to inventory and property, plant and equipment, which generally have terms of less than 90 days. The Company also has long-term obligations related to its pension and post-retirement plans which are discussed in detail in Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. As of the most recent actuarial measurement date, the Company anticipates making $1.3 million of contributions to pension plans in fiscal 2009. Post-retirement medical claims are paid as they are submitted and are anticipated to be $0.5 million in fiscal 2009.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
 
Critical accounting estimates are those that are, in management’s view, both very important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
 
Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. The determination of estimates, therefore, requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
We believe that the most significant accounting estimates inherent in the preparation of our financial statements include estimates associated with the evaluation of the recoverability of certain assets including goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment as well as those estimates used in the determination of reserves related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, workers compensation, pensions and other post-retirement benefits and valuation allowances related to certain deferred tax assets. Various assumptions and other factors underlie the determination of these significant estimates. In


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addition to assumptions regarding general economic conditions, the process of determining significant estimates is fact-specific and accounts for such factors as historical experience, product mix and, in some cases, actuarial techniques. We constantly reevaluate these significant factors and make adjustments where facts and circumstances necessitate. Historically, our actual results have not significantly deviated from those determined using the estimates described above.
 
We believe the following critical accounting estimates affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:
 
  •  Defined-Benefit Pension Plans.  We account for Neenah’s defined benefit pension plans in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158 “Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (SFAS 158), which requires that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. The most significant element in determining our pension expense in accordance with SFAS 158 is the expected return on plan assets. We have assumed that the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets will be 7.50% to 8.50%, depending on the plan. Over the long term, the rate of return on our pension plan assets has approximated these rates; therefore, we believe that our assumption of future returns is reasonable. The plan assets, however, have earned a rate of return substantially less than these rates in the last three years. Should this trend continue, our future pension expense would likely increase. At the measurement date, we determine the discount rate to be used to discount plan liabilities. We develop this rate with the assistance of our actuary using the Citigroup Pension Liability Curve and Index. The Company developed a level equivalent yield using the expected cash flows from the pension plans based on the June 30, 2008 Citigroup Pension Discount Curve and Index. This level equivalent yield was 6.84% at June 30, 2008. The Citigroup Pension Liability Curve and Index are published on the Society of Actuaries website along with a background paper on this interest rate curve. Based on these analyses, the Company has established its discount rate assumption for determination of the projected benefit obligation of the pension plans at 6.75%, based on a June 30, 2008 measurement date. Changes in discount rates over the past few years have not materially affected our pension expense. The net effect of changes in this rate, as well as other changes in actuarial assumptions and experience, has been deferred as allowed by SFAS 158.
 
  •  Other Postretirement Benefits.  Neenah provides retiree health benefits to qualified employees under an unfunded plan. We use various actuarial assumptions including the discount rate and the expected trend in health care costs and benefit obligations for our retiree health plan. We used a discount rate of 6.75% in fiscal 2008. In 2008, our assumed healthcare cost trend rate was 9.0% decreasing gradually to 5.0% in 2016 and then remaining at that level thereafter. Changes in these rates could materially affect our future operating results and net worth. A one percentage point change in the healthcare cost trend rate would have the following effect (in thousands):
 
                 
    1% Increase     1% Decrease  
 
Effect on total of service cost and interest cost
  $ 174     $ (135 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
    1,389       (1,114 )
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective October 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have any impact on the Company.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 158 which requires employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans to recognize previously unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs in the statement of financial position and to recognize future changes in these amounts in the year in which changes occur through comprehensive income. As a result, the balance sheet will reflect the funded status of those plans as an asset or liability. Additionally, employers are required to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end


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statement of financial position and provide additional disclosures. On September 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 by recognizing the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans in the balance sheet. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion and disclosures of the effect of adopting SFAS 158 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. In addition, the Company will be required to measure the plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the year-end balance sheet by September 30, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the change in the measurement date will have on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 157 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 157 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 159 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 159 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”. SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and applies to all transaction or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We do not anticipate this pronouncement will have significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 is an amendment of ARB No. 51 and applies to all entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. The statement clarifies the definition of a noncontrolling interest, proscribes how transactions involving a noncontrolling interest are to be recorded and revises disclosure in the consolidated financial statement. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and shall be applied prospectively when initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. This statement is not currently applicable to the Company.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not currently use derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities and, therefore, this statement is not applicable to the Company.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with US GAAP for nongovernmental entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
 
Interest Rate Sensitivity. Although Neenah’s 91/2% Notes and 121/2% Notes are subject to fixed interest rates, our earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates as a result of our borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $59.7 million outstanding under the 2006 Credit Facility. If


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market interest rates for such borrowings increase or decrease by 1%, the Company’s interest expense would increase or decrease by approximately $0.6 million. This analysis does not consider the effects of changes in the level of overall economic activity that could occur due to interest rate changes. Further, in the event of an upward change of such magnitude, management could take actions to further mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in the Company’s financial structure.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
The financial statements and schedules are listed in Part IV Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are incorporated by reference in this Item 8.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A(T).   Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  NEI’s and Neenah’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the NEI’s and Neenah’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, NEI’s and Neenah’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective (i) in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by NEI and Neenah in the reports that NEI and Neenah file or submit under the Exchange Act and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that NEI and Neenah file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to NEI’s and Neenah’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  NEI’s and Neenah’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. NEI’s and Neenah’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
NEI’s and Neenah’s management, with the participation of NEI’s and Neenah’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of NEI’s and Neenah’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, NEI’s and Neenah’s management has concluded that, as of September 30, 2008, NEI’s and Neenah’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on that framework.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of NEI’s and Neenah’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by NEI’s and Neenah’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the SEC that permit NEI and Neenah to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
 
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There have not been any changes in NEI’s and Neenah’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, NEI’s and Neenah’s internal control over financial reporting.


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Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information called for by Item 10 of Form 10-K with respect to directors, executive officers and the audit committee is incorporated herein by reference to such information included in NEI’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held January 28, 2009 (the “2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement”), under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors — Terms Expiring in 2010”, and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and to the information under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I hereof. Additionally, the information included in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement under the caption “Corporate Governance” is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
The information called for by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information included in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation Committee Report”, “Executive Compensation Tables and Supporting Information”, “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-In-Control”, and “Director Compensation”.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The information called for by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information included in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information”.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information called for by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information included in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance — Director Independence”.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information called for by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to such information included in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement under the captions “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Fees and Services”.


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PART IV
 
Item 15.   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
                 
        Page
 
 
(a)(1)
    Consolidated Financial Statements of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.        
        Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     42  
        Consolidated Balance Sheets     43  
        Consolidated Statements of Operations     45  
        Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity     46  
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     47  
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     48  
        Consolidated Financial Statements of Neenah Foundry Company        
        Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     68  
        Consolidated Balance Sheets     69  
        Consolidated Statements of Operations     71  
        Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder’s Equity     72  
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     73  
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     74  
 
(2)
    Financial Statement Schedules        
        Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     100  
        Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts of Neenah Enterprises, Inc, and Neenah Foundry Company     101  
 
Schedules I, III, IV, and V are omitted since they are not applicable or not required under the rules of Regulation S-X.
 
(3) Exhibits
 
See (b) below
 
(b) Exhibits
 
See the Exhibit Index following the signature page of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Each management contract and compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report is identified in the Exhibit Index by an asterisk following its exhibit number.
 
(c) Financial Statements Excluded From Annual Report to Shareholders
 
Not Applicable


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Notes 11 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements, on September 30, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for pension and postretirement healthcare benefits and on October 1, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, respectively.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 12, 2008


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Table of Contents

Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
 
                 
    September 30  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $     $  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,828 in 2008 and $2,262 in 2007
    92,489       81,085  
Inventories
    71,015       64,196  
Refundable income taxes
    7,363       6,501  
Deferred income taxes
    4,610       3,070  
Other current assets
    4,486       6,479  
                 
Total current assets
    179,963       161,331  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land
    7,706       7,218  
Buildings and improvements
    34,420       19,955  
Machinery and equipment
    162,558       104,893  
Patterns
    16,205       14,617  
Construction in progress
    1,979       32,839  
                 
      222,868       179,522  
Less accumulated depreciation
    62,628       47,972  
                 
      160,240       131,550  
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $800 in 2008 and $343 in 2007
    3,000       3,457  
Identifiable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $35,629 in 2008 and $28,486 in 2007
    48,218       54,951  
Goodwill
    88,136       86,699  
Other assets
    6,942       5,986  
                 
      146,296       151,093  
                 
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974  
                 


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
                 
    September 30  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 39,452     $ 27,764  
Accrued wages and employee benefits
    12,525       13,139  
Accrued interest
    5,572       5,449  
Accrued interest — related party
    2,344       2,344  
Other accrued liabilities
    2,669       4,763  
Current portion of long-term debt
    59,683       17,152  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    71       213  
                 
Total current liabilities
    122,316       70,824  
Long-term debt
    225,000       225,000  
Long-term debt — related party
    75,000       75,000  
Capital lease obligations
    400       1,222  
Deferred income taxes
    29,065       28,134  
Postretirement benefit obligations
    8,052       5,269  
Pension benefit obligations
    5,253       3,142  
Other liabilities
    6,369       4,818  
                 
Total liabilities
    471,455       413,409  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
           
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 35,000,000 shares authorized, 14,625,326 and 13,672,764 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively
    146       137  
Capital in excess of par value
    6,132       5,686  
Retained earnings
    8,539       20,571  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    227       4,171  
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    15,044       30,565  
                 
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974  
                 
 
See accompanying notes.


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Table of Contents

Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands, except share
 
    and per share data)  
 
Net sales
  $ 510,818     $ 483,623     $ 542,452  
Cost of sales
    449,773       408,904       442,558  
                         
Gross profit
    61,045       74,719       99,894  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    38,895       38,119       34,314  
Amortization expense
    7,143       7,121       7,120  
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (210 )     453       127  
                         
Operating income
    15,217       29,026       58,333  
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest expense
    (23,094 )     (24,610 )     (33,410 )
Interest expense — related party
    (9,375 )     (7,090 )      
Interest income
    79       356       83  
Debt refinancing costs
          (20,429 )      
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (17,173 )     (22,747 )     25,006  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (5,141 )     (8,819 )     8,857  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
                         
Earnings (loss) per share:
                       
Basic
  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.31 )   $ 1.72  
Diluted
  $ (0.87 )   $ (1.31 )   $ 0.99  
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
 
                                         
                      Accumulated
       
                      Other
       
          Capital
          Comprehensive
       
    Common
    in Excess of
    Retained
    (Loss)
       
    Stock     Par Value     Earnings     Income     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
  $ 94     $ 5,477     $ 18,350     $ (6,526 )   $ 17,395  
Components of comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                16,149             16,149  
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $3,789
                      5,684       5,684  
                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                    21,833  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2006
    94       5,477       34,499       (842 )     39,228  
Exercise of stock warrants for 4,227,844 shares of common stock
    43       168                   211  
Components of comprehensive loss:
                                       
Net loss
                (13,928 )           (13,928 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $561
                      842       842  
                                         
Total comprehensive loss
                                    (13,086 )
Stock based compensation
          41                   41  
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158, net of tax effect of $2,764
                      4,171       4,171  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2007
    137       5,686       20,571       4,171       30,565  
Exercise of stock warrants for 952,562 shares of common stock
    9       38                   47  
Components of comprehensive loss:
                                       
Net loss
                (12,032 )           (12,032 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $(2,629)
                      (3,944 )     (3,944 )
                                         
Total comprehensive loss
                                    (15,976 )
Stock based compensation
          408                   408  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2008
  $ 146     $ 6,132     $ 8,539     $ 227     $ 15,044  
                                         
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating activities
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Provision for obsolete inventories
    67       669       318  
Provision for bad debts
    927       1,047       433  
Depreciation
    16,913       13,934       13,123  
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
    7,143       7,121       7,120  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount on notes
    457       862       2,081  
Write-off of deferred financing costs and discount on notes
          7,512        
Loss(gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (210 )     453       127  
Deferred income taxes
    2,091       (2,578 )     (10 )
Stock based compensation expense
    408       41        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (11,505 )     3,029       201  
Inventories
    (6,325 )     (3,018 )     (3,042 )
Other current assets
    860       (5,555 )     (528 )
Accounts payable
    11,133       (2,002 )     (539 )
Accrued liabilities
    (3,455 )     (741 )     (5,349 )
Postretirement benefit obligations
    2,783       (245 )     (263 )
Pension benefit obligations
    (3,544 )     (1,139 )     (5,284 )
Other liabilities
    1,551       (282 )     214  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    7,262       5,180       24,751  
Investing activities
                       
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (44,583 )     (48,733 )     (17,803 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    56       88       196  
Acquisition of business
    (4,349 )            
Other
    (799 )     (277 )     (525 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (49,675 )     (48,922 )     (18,132 )
Financing activities
                       
Net change in revolver balance
    42,531              
Proceeds from long-term debt
          225,000        
Proceeds from long-term debt — related party
          75,000        
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (165 )     (253,579 )     (9,193 )
Debt issuance costs
          (3,800 )      
Proceeds from the exercise of stock warrants
    47       211        
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    42,413       42,832       (9,193 )
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash
          (910 )     (2,574 )
Cash at beginning of year
          910       3,484  
                         
Cash at end of year
  $     $     $ 910  
                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 32,267     $ 29,898     $ 31,306  
Income taxes paid (received)
    (4,664 )     494       11,864  
 
See accompanying notes.


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Table of Contents

Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
September 30, 2008
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
 
1.   Organization and Description of Business
 
Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (“NEI”) is a Delaware corporation which has no business activity other than its ownership of NFC Castings, Inc. NFC Castings, Inc has no business activity other than its ownership of Neenah Foundry Company (Neenah). NEI, alone or together with its subsidiaries as appropriate in the context, is referred to as “the Company.” Neenah, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures gray and ductile iron castings and forged components for sale to industrial and municipal customers. Industrial castings are custom-engineered and are produced for customers in several industries, including the medium and heavy-duty truck components, farm equipment, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industries. Municipal castings include manhole covers and frames, storm sewer frames and grates, tree grates and specialty castings for a variety of applications and are sold principally to state and local government entities, utilities and contractors. The Company’s sales generally are unsecured.
 
Neenah has the following subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned: Deeter Foundry, Inc. (Deeter); Mercer Forge Corporation and subsidiaries (Mercer); Dalton Corporation and subsidiaries (Dalton); Advanced Cast Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (Advanced Cast Products); Gregg Industries, Inc. (Gregg); Neenah Transport, Inc. (Transport), Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (Morgan’s) and Cast Alloys, Inc. (Cast Alloys), which is inactive. Deeter manufactures gray iron castings for the municipal market and special application construction castings. Mercer manufactures forged components for use in transportation, railroad, mining and heavy industrial applications and microalloy forgings for use by original equipment manufacturers and industrial end users. Dalton manufactures gray iron castings for refrigeration systems, air conditioners, heavy equipment, engines, gear boxes, stationary transmissions, heavy-duty truck transmissions and other automotive parts. Advanced Cast Products manufactures ductile and malleable iron castings for use in various industrial segments, including heavy truck, construction equipment, railroad, mining and automotive. Gregg manufactures gray and ductile iron castings for industrial and commercial use. Transport is a common and contract carrier licensed to operate in the continental United States. The majority of Transport’s revenues are derived from transport services provided to the Company. Morgan’s fabricates steel frames and grates for the municipal market.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NEI and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Stock Split
 
On August 3, 2007, NEI amended its certificate of incorporation, which changed NEI’s authorized capital stock to 35,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock and effected a 1-for-5 reverse split of its common stock. The number of shares and per share data in the accompanying financial statements have been adjusted for this reverse stock split.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Accounts Receivable
 
The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a number of factors. For known collectibility concerns, an allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded based on the customer’s ability and likelihood to pay based on management’s review of the facts. For all other accounts, the Company recognizes an allowance based on the length of time the receivable is past due based on historical experience. Adjustments to these estimates may be required if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to change. The Company does not require collateral or other security on accounts receivable.
 
Inventories
 
Inventories at September 30, 2008 and 2007 are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of inventories for Neenah and Dalton is determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all inventories except supplies, for which cost is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The cost of inventories for Deeter, Mercer, Advanced Cast Products, Gregg and Morgan’s is determined on the FIFO method. LIFO inventories comprised 35% and 37% of total inventories at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. If the FIFO method of inventory valuation had been used by all companies, inventories would have been approximately $20,495 and $9,003 higher than reported at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment acquired prior to September 30, 2003 are stated at fair value, as required by fresh start accounting. Additions to property, plant and equipment subsequent to October 1, 2003 are stated at cost. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided over the estimated useful lives (3 to 40 years) of the respective assets using the straight-line method.
 
Capitalized Interest
 
Interest is capitalized on the acquisition and construction of long-term capital projects. Capitalized interest in fiscal 2008 and 2007 was $1,248 and $1,027, respectively. No interest was capitalized in fiscal 2006.
 
Deferred Financing Costs
 
Costs incurred to obtain long-term financing are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt.
 
Identifiable Intangible Assets
 
Identifiable intangible assets consist of customer lists, tradenames and other and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 10 years, 40 years and 15 years, respectively.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if an event indicates that the goodwill might be impaired in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Based on such tests, there was no impairment of goodwill recorded in fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006. Goodwill in the amount of $86,699 is within the Castings segment and $1,437 is within the Other segment.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets. Such analyses necessarily involve significant judgment. Based on such analyses, there was no impairment of long-lived assets recorded in fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenues are recognized when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred and ownership has transferred to the customer; the price to the customer is fixed and determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company meets these criteria for revenue recognition upon shipment of product, which corresponds with transfer of title.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized within net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.
 
Advertising Costs
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $1,048, $793 and $564 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities and are measured using currently enacted tax rates and laws.
 
Financial Instruments
 
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and capital lease obligations approximates fair value. The fair value of Neenah’s 91/2% Notes, based on quoted market prices, was approximately $173,250 at September 30, 2008 compared to a carrying value of $225,000. The Company has concluded that it is not practicable to determine the fair value of Neenah’s $75,000 121/2% Notes because they were issued to a related party.
 
Comprehensive Income/Loss
 
Comprehensive income/loss represents net income/loss plus any gains or losses that, under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net income/loss and recognized directly as a component of stockholders’ equity.
 
Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings (loss) per share is computed reflecting the potential dilutive effect of share based awards and stock warrants under the treasury stock method, which assumed the Company uses proceeds from the exercise of share based awards and stock warrants to repurchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period. In applying the treasury stock method, the market price for the Company’s common stock was determined based on observable market prices and valuation techniques.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended September 30:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Numerator:
                       
Income (loss) used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
                         
Denominator:
                       
Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted-average common shares outstanding
    13,860,634       10,663,274       9,394,920  
Effect of dilutive securities — employee stock compensation plan
                150,000  
Effect of dilutive securities — stock warrants
                6,731,078  
                         
Denominator for diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted-average shares outstanding
    13,860,634       10,663,274       16,275,998  
                         
 
At September 30, 2008, stock warrants to purchase 1,584,669 shares of common stock, 25,000 shares of non-vested restricted stock, stock options to purchase 123,000 shares of common stock and 20,592 restricted stock units were not included in the Company’s computation of dilutive securities because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
At September 30, 2007, stock warrants to purchase 2,537,235 shares of common stock and 50,000 shares of non-vested restricted stock were not included in the Company’s computation of dilutive securities because the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for share based awards under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Effective October 1, 2005, as a non-public entity that previously used the minimum value method for proforma disclosure purposes under SFAS No. 123, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” using the prospective-transition method. Accordingly, the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) are applied prospectively to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the adoption date.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective October 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have any impact on the Company.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans to recognize previously unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs in the statement of financial position and to


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
recognize future changes in these amounts in the year in which changes occur through comprehensive income. As a result, the balance sheet will reflect the funded status of those plans as an asset or liability. Additionally, employers are required to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position and provide additional disclosures. On September 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 by recognizing the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans in the balance sheet. In addition, the Company will be required to measure the plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the year-end balance sheet by September 30, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the change in the measurement date will have on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 157 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 157 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 159 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 159 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”. SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and applies to all transaction or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not anticipate this pronouncement will have significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 is an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51 and applies to all entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. The statement clarifies the definition of a noncontrolling interest, proscribes how transactions involving a noncontrolling interest are to be recorded and revises disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and shall be applied prospectively when initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. This statement is not currently applicable to the Company.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not currently use derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities and, therefore, this statement is not applicable to the Company.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with US GAAP for nongovernmental entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
3.   Acquisition
 
On August 5, 2008, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (Morgan’s), a steel fabricator located in Pennsylvania, for a cash purchase price of $4,088. In addition, the Company incurred $261 in direct costs related to the acquisition and assumed $564 of current liabilities. The purchase was financed through borrowings under the existing 2006 Credit Facility. This purchase is expected to significantly improve the Company’s ability to service customers in the municipal markets in the Northeastern United States. Goodwill of $1,437 was recorded as a result of the acquisition and will be amortized over a 15 year period for tax purposes.
 
The purchase has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the consolidated statements of operations include the results of operations of Morgan’s since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
 
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 827  
Inventories
    561  
Other current assets
    13  
Property, plant and equipment
    1,665  
Identifiable intangible assets
    410  
Goodwill
    1,437  
Current liabilities
    (564 )
         
    $ 4,349  
         
 
4.   Inventories
 
Inventories consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Raw materials
  $ 9,899     $ 6,941  
Work in process and finished goods
    43,901       41,407  
Supplies
    17,215       15,848  
                 
    $ 71,015     $ 64,196  
                 
 
5.   Intangible Assets
 
Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                                 
    2008     2007  
    Gross
          Gross
       
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Accumulated
 
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                               
Customer lists
  $ 67,150     $ 33,515     $ 67,000     $ 26,800  
Tradenames
    16,542       2,063       16,282       1,645  
Other
    155       51       155       41  
                                 
    $ 83,847     $ 35,629     $ 83,437     $ 28,486  
                                 
 
The Company does not have any intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives. The Company expects to recognize amortization expense of $7,142 in each of the five fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
6.   Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
  $ 75,000     $ 75,000  
91/2% Senior Secured Notes
    225,000       225,000  
Revolving credit facility
    59,683       17,152  
                 
      359,683       317,152  
Less current portion
    59,683       17,152  
                 
    $ 300,000     $ 300,000  
                 
 
On December 29, 2006, the Company repaid its outstanding indebtedness under Neenah’s then existing credit facility, repurchased all $133,130 of Neenah’s outstanding 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 through an issuer tender offer, retired $75,000 of Neenah’s outstanding 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the 13% Notes) by exchanging them for $75,000 of new 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the 121/2% Notes) in a private transaction, and issued a notice to redeem the remaining $25,000 of 13% Notes that remained outstanding after the initial exchange. The remaining 13% Notes were redeemed on February 2, 2007. To fund these payments and to provide cash for capital expenditures, ongoing working capital requirements and general corporate purposes, Neenah (a) issued $225,000 of new 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the 91/2% Notes) and the $75,000 of 121/2% Notes and (b) entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility (the 2006 Credit Facility). The 121/2% Notes were issued in a related party transaction with a substantial stockholder of the Company in exchange for 13% Notes held by such stockholder.
 
The 2006 Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an amount up to $110,000 and matures on December 31, 2011. Borrowings in the amount of $59,683 were outstanding and Neenah had unused availability of $50,317 under the 2006 Credit Facility as of September 30, 2008. Availability under the 2006 Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions and is limited by the Company’s borrowing base determined by the amount of accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes. Amounts under the 2006 Credit Facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed subject to the terms of the facility. The interest rate on the 2006 Credit Facility is based on LIBOR (3.50% at September 30, 2008) or prime (5.00% at September 30, 2008) plus an applicable margin, based upon Neenah meeting certain financial statistics. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility at September 30, 2008 was 4.32%, compared to 7.1% at September 30, 2007. Substantially all of Neenah’s wholly owned subsidiaries are co-borrowers with Neenah under the 2006 Credit Facility. In addition, NFC Castings, Inc. and the remaining wholly owned subsidiaries of Neenah jointly, fully, severally and unconditionally guarantee Neenah’s obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility, subject to customary exceptions for transactions of this type.
 
The borrowers’ and guarantors’ obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to customary restrictions, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing, and by second priority liens (junior to the liens securing the 91/2% Notes) on substantially all of our and the guarantors’ remaining assets. The 91/2% Notes, and the guarantees in respect thereof, are equal in right of payment to the 2006 Credit Facility, and the guarantees in respect thereof. Borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility have been classified as current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force No. 95-22, “Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements that include both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement.”


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The 2006 Credit Facility requires Neenah to observe certain customary conditions, affirmative covenants and negative covenants including “springing” financial covenants that requires Neenah to satisfy a trailing four quarter minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.0x (through the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008) or a trailing four quarter minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0x (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009) if unused availability is less than $15.0 million for any period of three consecutive business days during a fiscal quarter.
 
The 91/2% Notes mature on January 1, 2017. Interest is payable semiannually on January 1 and July 1. The 91/2% Notes are secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of Neenah’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing) and by second-priority liens, junior to the liens for the benefit of the lenders under the 2006 Credit Facility, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing. Neenah’s obligations under the 91/2% Notes are guaranteed on a secured basis by each of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
The 121/2% Notes are unsecured and mature on September 30, 2013. Interest of not less than 5% is payable in cash and the remainder (up to 71/2%) may be paid-in-kind semiannually on January 1 and July 1. Through July 1, 2008, Neenah has paid the interest in cash.
 
The 91/2% and the 121/2% Notes are jointly, fully, severally and unconditionally guaranteed by all of Neenah’s subsidiaries. The 91/2% Notes and the 121/2% Notes contain customary covenants typical to this type of financing, such as limitations on (1) indebtedness, (2) restricted payments, (3) liens, (4) distributions from restricted subsidiaries, (5) sale of assets, (6) affiliate transactions, (7) mergers and consolidations and (8) lines of business. At September 30, 2008, Neenah was in compliance with all of these covenants.
 
As a result of the refinancing transactions discussed above, Neenah incurred $20,429 of debt refinancing costs in the year ended September 30, 2007. This amount consisted of a $12,917 tender premium paid to repurchase the 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010, $5,940 to write off the unamortized portion of discount on the 11% Senior Secured Notes and $1,572 to write off the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs on the old indebtedness.
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company leases certain plants, warehouse space, machinery and equipment, office equipment and vehicles under operating leases, which generally include renewal options. Rent expense under these operating leases for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 totaled $2,624, $2,985 and $2,923, respectively.
 
During the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company financed purchases of property, plant and equipment totaling $0 and $413, respectively, by entering into capital lease obligations. Property, plant and equipment under leases accounted for as capital leases as of September 30 were as follows:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Machinery and equipment
  $ 598     $ 1,757  
Less accumulated depreciation
    265       551  
                 
    $ 333     $ 1,206  
                 


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Minimum rental payments due under operating and capital leases for fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008, are as follows:
 
                 
    Operating
    Capital
 
    Leases     Leases  
 
2009
  $ 1,715     $ 96  
2010
    1,303       96  
2011
    809       96  
2012
    387       87  
2013
    334       105  
Thereafter
    144       65  
                 
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 4,692       545  
                 
Less amount representing interest
            74  
                 
Present value of minimum lease payments
            471  
Less current portion
            71  
                 
Capital lease obligations
          $ 400  
                 
 
The Company is partially self-insured for workers’ compensation claims. An accrued liability is recorded for claims incurred but not yet paid or reported and is based on current and historical claim information. The accrued liability may ultimately be settled for an amount different than the recorded amount. Adjustments of the accrued liability are recorded in the period in which they become known.
 
Approximately 65% of the Company’s employees (or approximately 81% of the Company’s hourly workforce) are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreement for the Kendallville location of Dalton, which represent approximately 11% of the Company’s employees (or approximately 13% of the Company’s hourly workforce), is scheduled to expire in June 2009.
 
The Company recently completed the installation phase of its $54 million capital project to replace a 40-year-old mold line at the Neenah facility. This new state-of-the-art mold line is expected to significantly enhance operating efficiencies, increase capacity and provide expanded molding capabilities for the municipal and industrial product lines. Start-up operations began on schedule during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The second phase of the project includes enhanced core-making capabilities and the inclusion of ductile iron capacity. At September 30, 2008, the Company had expended $49.4 million and an additional $4.7 million of expenditures are necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line project as of such date. The Company is currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the project in light of the current trends impacting the business.
 
Due to neighborhood complaints, the Company was operating the Gregg facility under the terms of an order for abatement with the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Despite being in compliance with federal and state emission laws, the order required the Company to comply with certain operating parameters in an effort to reduce odors. The order expired on September 20, 2007. On November 5, 2008, Gregg entered into a settlement agreement and release with the SCAQMD regarding outstanding notices of violation (NOV’s). As part of the settlement and release Gregg has agreed, among other things, to implement a supplemental environmental project to further reduce odorous and other emissions from the foundry at a cost of $4.7 million, and in return, all outstanding NOV’s have been discharged and Hearing Board cases dismissed.
 
The Company is involved in various other claims and litigation in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not likely to materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
8.   Subsequent Events
 
On December 9, 2008, the Company initiated compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, by notifying local officials and employees of the potential for production curtailments and employee reductions at the Company’s Gregg Industries, Inc. facility located in El Monte, California.
 
On December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s Kendallville Manufacturing Facility. The Company expects that the plant, which is located in Kendallville, Indiana, will continue to operate through early March 2009.
 
9.   Stockholders’ Equity
 
The authorized capital of NEI consists of 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, and 35,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share. All shares of common stock have equal voting rights. No shares of preferred stock have been issued. At September 30, 2008, NEI had stock warrants outstanding that are exercisable for an additional 1,584,669 shares of common stock. The warrants have an exercise price of $0.05 per share and expire on October 7, 2013.
 
The Company has a Management Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) which provides for the issuance of share based awards to key employees and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries up to an aggregate total of 1,600,000 shares of NEI common stock. The Plan allows for the grant of incentive or non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2008, share based awards to purchase 606,408 shares of common stock were available for grant under the Plan. The Company records compensation expense for this plan ratably over the vesting period.
 
In fiscal 2008, the Company recorded $39 of stock-based compensation expense associated with the outstanding stock options.
 
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the year ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
          Average
 
          Exercise
 
    Options     Price  
 
Options outstanding, beginning of the year
    0     $  
Options granted
    147,000       7.77  
Options forfeited
    (24,000 )     7.77  
Options exercised
    0        
                 
Options outstanding, end of the year
    123,000     $ 7.77  
                 
Options exercisable, end of the year
    0          
                 
 
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to value stock options utilizing the following weighted average assumptions:
 
         
Risk-free interest rate
    2.84 %
Expected volatility
    50.00 %
Expected dividend yield
    0.00 %
Expected term (in years)
    4.5  
 
The Company used the NEI’s and comparable companies’ historical stock prices as the basis for the Company’s volatility assumption. The assumed risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of the grant. NEI has not paid any dividends and does not expect to pay any dividends in the future. The


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
expected option term represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding and was based on the average of the vesting term and contractual term. The weighted average per share fair value for stock option grants during fiscal 2008 was $1.41.
 
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $135 of unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
 
Stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2008 were as follows:
 
                                 
          Weighted
             
          Average
    Weighted
       
          Remaining
    Average
    Aggregate
 
    Number
    Contractual
    Exercise
    Intrinsic
 
Price Range
  Outstanding     Life (In Years)     Price     Value  
 
$7.77
    123,000       6.3     $ 7.77     $  
 
In fiscal 2007, the Company granted 50,000 shares of restricted stock under the Plan which vest in two equal installments on the first and second anniversary of the grant date and were determined to have a grant date fair value of $6.50 per share, based on available quoted market prices. On January 24, 2008, certain of the Company’s non-employee directors were awarded restricted stock units pursuant to the Plan. The restricted stock units represent the right to receive an equal number of shares of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. common stock. The restricted stock units vest immediately, but the underlying shares will not be distributed until the director terminates service.
 
Stock compensation expense recognized by the Company associated with restricted stock and restricted stock units for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $369, $41 and $0, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, there was $122 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.75 years.
 
10.   Income Taxes
 
As discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted FIN 48 effective October 1, 2007. As required by FIN 48, the Company has classified the amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008 as other non-current liabilities to the extent that payment is not anticipated within one year. The prior year consolidated balance sheet has not been restated. Presented below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits:
 
         
Balance at October 1, 2007
  $ 2,268  
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years
     
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years
     
Gross increases for tax positions of the current year
    79  
Settlements
     
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (1,222 )
         
Balance at September 30, 2008
  $ 1,125  
         
 
As of September 30, 2008, $731 of the unrecognized tax benefits (net of federal benefit on state issues) would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
 
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized a net cost of $70 in interest and penalties. Total accrued interest and penalties were $823 and $0 at September 30, 2008, respectively.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Internal Revenue Service has audited the Company’s federal tax returns through September 30, 2007. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of 3 to 5 years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to two years after formal notification to the states.
 
The provision (credit) for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ (7,759 )   $ (6,593 )   $ 7,553  
State
    527       352       1,314  
                         
      (7,232 )     (6,241 )     8,867  
Deferred
    2,091       (2,578 )     (10 )
                         
    $ (5,141 )   $ (8,819 )   $ 8,857  
                         
 
The provision (credit) for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 35% to income (loss) before income taxes as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Provision at statutory rate
  $ (6,011 )   $ (7,961 )   $ 8,752  
State income taxes, net of federal taxes
    343       (841 )     851  
Change in valuation allowance
    1,864              
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (1,222 )            
Change in enacted state tax laws
                (758 )
Other
    (115 )     (17 )     12  
                         
Provision (credit) for income taxes
  $ (5,141 )   $ (8,819 )   $ 8,857  
                         


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Inventories
  $     $ (529 )
Property, plant and equipment
    (17,750 )     (12,339 )
Identifiable intangible assets
    (18,371 )     (21,220 )
Other
    (521 )     (388 )
                 
      (36,642 )     (34,476 )
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Inventories
    492        
Employee benefit plans
    6,588       4,697  
Accrued vacation
    1,939       1,940  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,662       926  
State net operating loss
    1,919       909  
Other
    1,506       995  
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    14,106       9,467  
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets
    (1,919 )     (55 )
                 
      12,187       9,412  
                 
Net deferred income tax liability
  $ (24,455 )   $ (25,064 )
                 
Included in the consolidated balance sheets as:
               
Current deferred income tax asset
  $ 4,610     $ 3,070  
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability
    (29,065 )     (28,134 )
                 
    $ (24,455 )   $ (25,064 )
                 
 
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had state net operating loss and credit carryforwards of $41,773 which expire in varying amounts through fiscal 2018. A full valuation allowance has been established for the state net operating loss carryforwards at September 30, 2008 due to the uncertainty regarding the realization of the deferred tax benefit through future earnings.
 
11.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
Defined-Benefit Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits
 
The Company sponsors five defined-benefit pension plans covering the majority of its hourly employees. Retirement benefits under the pension plans are based on years of service and defined-benefit rates. The Company has elected a measurement date of June 30 for all of its pension plans. The Company funds the pension plans based on actuarially determined cost methods allowable under Internal Revenue Service regulations. During each of the years ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company amended one of its defined-benefit pension plans to freeze its defined benefit rate and credited years of service. No curtailment gain or loss was required in conjunction with freezing these defined-benefit plans.
 
The Company also sponsors unfunded defined-benefit postretirement health care plans covering substantially all salaried and hourly employees at Neenah and their dependents. For salaried employees at Neenah, benefits are provided from the date of retirement for the duration of the employee’s life, while benefits for hourly employees at


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Neenah are provided from retirement to age 65. Retirees’ contributions to the plans are based on years of service and age at retirement. The Company funds benefits as incurred.
 
The Company has elected a measurement date of June 30 for its defined-benefit pension and postretirement health care plans.
 
Adoption of SFAS 158
 
As discussed in Note 2, on September 30, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 158, as it relates to recognizing the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement health care plans in its consolidated balance sheets and related disclosure provisions. Funded status is defined as the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. Upon adoption, the Company recorded an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) representing the recognition of previously unrecorded pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities related to net unrecognized actuarial gains and unrecognized prior service costs and credits. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for recognizing such amounts.
 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at September 30, 2008 which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
 
                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Plans     Benefits  
 
Prior service cost
  $ 499     $ 1,391  
Net actuarial (gain) loss
    328       (2,445 )
 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at September 30, 2008 expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Plans     Benefits  
 
Prior service cost
  $ 69     $ 163  
Net actuarial (gain) loss
    15       (221 )


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Obligations and Funded Status
 
The following table summarizes the funded status of the pension plans and postretirement benefit plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Benefits     Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                               
Benefit obligation, July 1
  $ 74,871     $ 71,914     $ 5,586     $ 5,631  
Service cost
    1,503       1,798       313       179  
Interest cost
    4,543       4,421       528       324  
Unrecognized prior service cost
          30              
Plan amendments
    499             2,844        
Actuarial gains
    (5,210 )     (280 )     (214 )     (123 )
Benefits paid
    (3,141 )     (3,012 )     (589 )     (425 )
                                 
Benefit obligation, June 30
  $ 73,065     $ 74,871     $ 8,468     $ 5,586  
                                 
Change in plan assets:
                               
Fair value of plan assets, July 1
  $ 70,716     $ 64,373     $     $  
Actual return (loss) on plan assets
    (3,022 )     8,781              
Company contributions
    3,963       574       589       425  
Benefits paid
    (3,141 )     (3,012 )     (589 )     (425 )
                                 
Fair value of plan assets, June 30
  $ 68,516     $ 70,716     $     $  
                                 
Funded status of the plans:
                               
Benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
  $ (4,549 )   $ (4,155 )   $ (8,468 )   $ (5,586 )
Fourth quarter contributions
          1,560       148       117  
                                 
    $ (4,549 )   $ (2,595 )   $ (8,320 )   $ (5,469 )
                                 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30:
                               
Prepaid benefit cost (long-term asset)
  $ 704     $ 547     $     $  
Accrued benefit liability (long-term liability)
    (5,253 )     (3,142 )     (8,052 )     (5,269 )
Accrued benefit liability (current liability)
                (268 )     (200 )
                                 
    $ (4,549 )   $ (2,595 )   $ (8,320 )   $ (5,469 )
                                 
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $73,065 and $74,871 at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. At September 30, 2008, pension plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets had an aggregate projected benefit obligation of $67,060 and aggregate fair value of plan assets of $61,807.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Benefit Costs
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
 
Service cost
  $ 1,503     $ 1,798     $ 2,328     $ 313     $ 179     $ 153  
Interest cost
    4,543       4,421       4,083       528       324       282  
Expected return on plan assets
    (5,588 )     (5,255 )     (4,732 )                  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
    30       30       30       163       (32 )     (33 )
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss
    (14 )           185       (206 )     (275 )     (265 )
                                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 474     $ 994     $ 1,894     $ 798     $ 196     $ 137  
                                                 
 
Assumptions
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of September 30 were as follows:
 
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Discount rate
    6.75 %     6.25 %     6.75 %     6.25 %
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
 
Discount rate
    6.25%       6.25%       5.25%       6.25 %     6.25 %     5.25 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
    7.50% to
8.50%
      7.50% to
8.50%
      7.50% to
8.50%
                   
 
For measurement purposes, the healthcare cost trend rate was assumed to be 9.0% decreasing gradually to 5.0% in 2016 and then remaining at that level thereafter. The healthcare cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one percentage point change in the healthcare cost trend rate would have the following effect:
 
                 
    1% Increase     1% Decrease  
 
Effect on total of service cost and interest cost
  $ 174     $ (135 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
    1,389       (1,114 )
 
Pension Plan Assets
 
The following table summarizes the weighted-average asset allocations of the pension plans at September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Asset category:
               
Equity securities
    55 %     56 %
Debt securities
    34       34  
Real estate
    5       4  
Other
    6       6  
                 
      100 %     100 %
                 


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. The intent of this strategy is to minimize plan expenses by maximizing investment returns within that prudent level of risk. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations. The Company’s targeted asset allocation ranges as a percentage of total market value are as follows: equity securities 45% to 55% and debt securities 30% to 35%. None of the plans’ equity securities are invested in common stock of NEI. Additionally, cash balances are maintained at levels adequate to meet near term plan expenses and benefit payments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews.
 
The Company’s overall expected long-term rates of return on assets range from 7.50% to 8.50%. The expected long-term rates of return are based on the portfolio of each defined benefit pension plan as a whole and not on the sum of the returns of individual asset categories. The rates of return are based on historical returns adjusted to reflect the current view of the long-term investment market.
 
Benefit Payments and Contributions
 
The following benefit payments are expected to be paid for fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008:
 
         
2009
  $ 3,436  
2010
    3,539  
2011
    3,696  
2012
    3,900  
2013
    4,202  
2014 — 2018
    27,142  
         
    $ 45,915  
         
 
The Company expects to contribute $1,327 to its pension plans during fiscal 2009.
 
Defined-Contribution Retirement Plans
 
The Company sponsors various defined-contribution retirement plans (the Plans) covering substantially all salaried and certain hourly employees. The Plans allow participants to make 401(k) contributions in amounts ranging from 1% to 15% of their compensation. The Company matches between 35% and 50% of the participants’ contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee’s compensation, as defined. The Company may make additional voluntary contributions to the Plans as determined annually by the Board of Directors. Total Company contributions amounted to $2,263, $3,268 and $2,448 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Other Employee Benefits
 
The Company provides unfunded supplemental retirement benefits to certain active and retired employees at Dalton. At September 30, 2008, the present value of the current and long-term portion of these supplemental retirement obligations totaled $279 and $1,607, respectively. At September 30, 2007, the present value of the current and long-term portion of these supplemental retirement obligations totaled $262 and $1,871, respectively.
 
Certain of Dalton’s hourly employees are covered by a multi-employer, defined-benefit pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company’s expense for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $320, $334 and $356, respectively.


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Substantially all of Mercer’s union employees are covered by a multiemployer, defined-benefit pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company’s expense for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $224, $197 and $221, respectively.
 
12.   Segment Information
 
The Company has two reportable segments, Castings and Forgings. The Castings segment manufactures and sells gray and ductile iron castings for the industrial and municipal markets, while the Forgings segment manufactures forged components for the industrial market. The Other segment includes machining operations, steel fabricating and freight hauling.
 
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating income before depreciation and amortization charges of each segment. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at cost plus a share of operating profit.
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Revenues from external customers:
                       
Castings
  $ 461,391     $ 437,592     $ 490,765  
Forgings
    41,258       37,113       41,222  
Other
    18,245       18,321       20,704  
Elimination of intersegment revenues
    (10,076 )     (9,403 )     (10,238 )
                         
    $ 510,818     $ 483,623     $ 542,452  
                         
Net income (loss):
                       
Castings
  $ (11,226 )   $ (12,540 )   $ 16,306  
Forgings
    (1,209 )     (1,551 )     (605 )
Other
    468       (150 )     643  
Elimination of intersegment loss
    (65 )     223       (195 )
                         
    $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
                         
Total assets:
                       
Castings
  $ 471,509     $ 431,907     $ 398,502  
Forgings
    26,324       19,015       19,146  
Other
    11,187       8,336       8,145  
Elimination of intersegment assets
    (22,521 )     (15,284 )     (14,873 )
                         
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974     $ 410,920  
                         
 


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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                 
    Castings     Forgings     Other     Total  
 
Year ended September 30, 2008:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 28,412     $ 3,671     $ 386     $ 32,469  
Interest income
    73       6             79  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (6,930 )     1,751       38       (5,141 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
    21,936       863       1,257       24,056  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    39,478       4,817       288       44,583  
Year ended September 30, 2007:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 27,649     $ 3,571     $ 480     $ 31,700  
Interest income
    349       7             356  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (9,933 )     1,166       (52 )     (8,819 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
    19,046       857       1,152       21,055  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    47,475       563       695       48,733  
Year ended September 30, 2006:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 29,309     $ 3,368     $ 733     $ 33,410  
Interest income
    78             5       83  
Provision for income taxes
    7,077       1,569       211       8,857  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    18,105       916       1,222       20,243  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    16,866       417       520       17,803  
 
Geographic Information
 
                 
          Long-Lived
 
    Net Sales     Assets(1)  
 
Year ended September 30, 2008:
               
United States
  $ 486,433     $ 160,240  
Foreign countries
    24,385        
                 
    $ 510,818     $ 160,240  
                 
Year ended September 30, 2007:
               
United States
  $ 462,597     $ 131,550  
Foreign countries
    21,026        
                 
    $ 483,623     $ 131,550  
                 
Year ended September 30, 2006:
               
United States
  $ 521,193     $ 96,878  
Foreign countries
    21,259        
                 
    $ 542,452     $ 96,878  
                 
 
 
(1) Represents property, plant and equipment.

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Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
13.   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Year Ended September 30, 2008  
    1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
 
Net sales
  $ 101,225     $ 114,658     $ 154,322     $ 140,613  
Gross profit
    13,533       8,836       21,577       17,099  
Net income (loss)
    (3,779 )     (6,281 )     2,375       (4,347 )
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.28 )   $ (0.46 )   $ 0.17     $ (0.30 )
Diluted
    (0.28 )     (0.46 )     0.15       (0.30 )
 
                                 
    Year Ended September 30, 2007  
    1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
 
Net sales
  $ 117,342     $ 111,789     $ 126,838     $ 127,654  
Gross profit
    18,455       11,228       22,712       22,324  
Net income (loss)
    (12,436 )(a)     (3,997 )     1,964       541 (b)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (1.32 )   $ (0.43 )   $ 0.20     $ 0.04  
Diluted
    (1.32 )     (0.43 )     0.15       0.03  
 
 
(a) Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 included $20,419 of debt refinancing costs, on a pretax basis. See Note 6 for further details on the debt refinancing.
 
(b) Certain non-standard adjustments, primarily related to the capitalization of interest, were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. These adjustments resulted in lower net income of approximately $761 or $0.05 per diluted share and were deemed to be immaterial with respect to the impact on prior quarters.


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Neenah Foundry Company
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Neenah Foundry Company and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Notes 11 and 10 to the consolidated financial statements, on September 30, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for pension and postretirement healthcare benefits and on October 1, 2007, the Company changed its method of accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, respectively.
 
/s/  Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 12, 2008


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
 
                 
    September 30  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
Cash
  $     $  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,828 in 2008 and $2,262 in 2007
    92,489       81,085  
Inventories
    71,015       64,196  
Refundable income taxes
    7,363       6,501  
Deferred income taxes
    4,610       3,070  
Other current assets
    4,486       6,479  
                 
Total current assets
    179,963       161,331  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Land
    7,706       7,218  
Buildings and improvements
    34,420       19,955  
Machinery and equipment
    162,558       104,893  
Patterns
    16,205       14,617  
Construction in progress
    1,979       32,839  
                 
      222,868       179,522  
Less accumulated depreciation
    62,628       47,972  
                 
      160,240       131,550  
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $800 in 2008 and $343 in 2007
    3,000       3,457  
Identifiable intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $35,629 in 2008 and $28,486 in 2007
    48,218       54,951  
Goodwill
    88,136       86,699  
Other assets
    6,942       5,986  
                 
      146,296       151,093  
                 
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974  
                 
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
                 
    September 30  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
Liabilities and stockholder’s equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 39,452     $ 27,764  
Accrued wages and employee benefits
    12,525       13,139  
Accrued interest
    5,572       5,449  
Accrued interest — related party
    2,344       2,344  
Other accrued liabilities
    2,969       5,016  
Current portion of long-term debt
    59,683       17,152  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    71       213  
                 
Total current liabilities
    122,616       71,077  
Long-term debt
    225,000       225,000  
Long-term debt — related party
    75,000       75,000  
Capital lease obligations
    400       1,222  
Deferred income taxes
    29,065       28,134  
Postretirement benefit obligations
    8,052       5,269  
Pension benefit obligations
    5,253       3,142  
Other liabilities
    6,369       4,818  
                 
Total liabilities
    471,755       413,662  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholder’s equity:
               
Common stock, par value $100 per share; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
    100       100  
Capital in excess of par value
    5,878       5,470  
Retained earnings
    8,539       20,571  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    227       4,171  
                 
Total stockholder’s equity
    14,744       30,312  
                 
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974  
                 
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
 
                         
          Years Ended
       
          September 30
       
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Net sales
  $ 510,818     $ 483,623     $ 542,452  
Cost of sales
    449,773       408,904       442,558  
                         
Gross profit
    61,045       74,719       99,894  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    38,895       38,119       34,314  
Amortization expense
    7,143       7,121       7,120  
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (210 )     453       127  
                         
Operating income
    15,217       29,026       58,333  
Other income (expense):
                       
Interest expense
    (23,094 )     (24,610 )     (33,410 )
Interest expense — related party
    (9,375 )     (7,090 )      
Interest income
    79       356       83  
Debt refinancing costs
          (20,429 )      
                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (17,173 )     (22,747 )     25,006  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (5,141 )     (8,819 )     8,857  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
                         
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
 
                                         
                      Accumulated
       
                      Other
       
          Capital
          Comprehensive
       
    Common
    in Excess of
    Retained
    (Loss)
       
    Stock     Par Value     Earnings     Income     Total  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
  $ 100     $ 5,429     $ 18,350     $ (6,526 )   $ 17,353  
Components of comprehensive income:
                                       
Net income
                16,149             16,149  
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $3,789
                      5,684       5,684  
                                         
Total comprehensive income
                                    21,833  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2006
    100       5,429       34,499       (842 )     39,186  
Components of comprehensive loss:
                                       
Net loss
                (13,928 )           (13,928 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $561
                      842       842  
                                         
Total comprehensive loss
                                    (13,086 )
Stock based compensation
          41                   41  
Adjustment to initially apply SFAS 158, net of tax effect of $2,764
                      4,171       4,171  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2007
    100       5,470       20,571       4,171       30,312  
Components of comprehensive loss:
                                       
Net loss
                (12,032 )           (12,032 )
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax effect of $(2,629)
                      (3,944 )     (3,944 )
                                         
Total comprehensive loss
                                    (15,976 )
Stock based compensation
          408                   408  
                                         
Balance at September 30, 2008
  $ 100     $ 5,878     $ 8,539     $ 227     $ 14,744  
                                         
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
 
                         
          Years Ended
       
          September 30
       
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Operating activities
                       
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Provision for obsolete inventories
    67       669       318  
Provision for bad debts
    927       1,047       433  
Depreciation
    16,913       13,934       13,123  
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets
    7,143       7,121       7,120  
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount on notes
    457       862       2,081  
Write-off of deferred financing costs and discount on notes
          7,512        
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (210 )     453       127  
Deferred income taxes
    2,091       (2,578 )     (10 )
Stock based compensation expense
    408       41        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (11,505 )     3,029       201  
Inventories
    (6,325 )     (3,018 )     (3,042 )
Other current assets
    860       (5,555 )     (528 )
Accounts payable
    11,133       (2,002 )     (539 )
Accrued liabilities
    (3,408 )     (530 )     (5,349 )
Postretirement benefit obligations
    2,783       (245 )     (263 )
Pension benefit obligations
    (3,544 )     (1,139 )     (5,284 )
Other liabilities
    1,551       (282 )     214  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
    7,309       5,391       24,751  
Investing activities
                       
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (44,583 )     (48,733 )     (17,803 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    56       88       196  
Acquisition of business
    (4,349 )                
Other
    (799 )     (277 )     (525 )
                         
Net cash used in investing activities
    (49,675 )     (48,922 )     (18,132 )
Financing activities
                       
Net change in revolver balance
    42,531              
Proceeds from long-term debt
          225,000        
Proceeds from long-term debt — related party
          75,000        
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (165 )     (253,579 )     (9,193 )
Debt issuance costs
          (3,800 )      
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    42,366       42,621       (9,193 )
                         
Increase (decrease) in cash
          (910 )     (2,574 )
Cash at beginning of year
          910       3,484  
                         
Cash at end of year
  $     $     $ 910  
                         
Supplemental disclosures of cash flows information:
                       
Interest paid
  $ 32,267     $ 29,898     $ 31,306  
Income taxes paid (received)
    (4,664 )     494       11,864  
 
See accompanying notes.


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Neenah Foundry Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2008
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
 
1.   Organization and Description of Business
 
Neenah Foundry Company (Neenah), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company), manufactures gray and ductile iron castings and forged components for sale to industrial and municipal customers. Industrial castings are custom-engineered and are produced for customers in several industries, including the medium and heavy-duty truck components, farm equipment, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industries. Municipal castings include manhole covers and frames, storm sewer frames and grates, tree grates and specialty castings for a variety of applications and are sold principally to state and local government entities, utilities and contractors. The Company’s sales generally are unsecured.
 
Neenah is a wholly owned subsidiary of NFC Castings, Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (NEI). Neenah has the following subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned: Deeter Foundry, Inc. (Deeter); Mercer Forge Corporation and subsidiaries (Mercer); Dalton Corporation and subsidiaries (Dalton); Advanced Cast Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (Advanced Cast Products); Gregg Industries, Inc. (Gregg); Neenah Transport, Inc. (Transport), Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (Morgan’s) and Cast Alloys, Inc. (Cast Alloys), which is inactive. Deeter manufactures gray iron castings for the municipal market and special application construction castings. Mercer manufactures forged components for use in transportation, railroad, mining and heavy industrial applications and microalloy forgings for use by original equipment manufacturers and industrial end users. Dalton manufactures gray iron castings for refrigeration systems, air conditioners, heavy equipment, engines, gear boxes, stationary transmissions, heavy-duty truck transmissions and other automotive parts. Advanced Cast Products manufactures ductile and malleable iron castings for use in various industrial segments, including heavy truck, construction equipment, railroad, mining and automotive. Gregg manufactures gray and ductile iron castings for industrial and commercial use. Transport is a common and contract carrier licensed to operate in the continental United States. The majority of Transport’s revenues are derived from transport services provided to the Company. Morgan’s fabricates steel frames and grates for the municipal market.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Neenah and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Accounts Receivable
 
The Company evaluates the collectibility of its accounts receivable based on a number of factors. For known collectibility concerns, an allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded based on the customer’s ability and likelihood to pay based on management’s review of the facts. For all other accounts, the Company recognizes an allowance based on the length of time the receivable is past due based on historical experience. Adjustments to these estimates may be required if the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to change. The Company does not require collateral or other security on accounts receivable.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Inventories
 
Inventories at September 30, 2008 and 2007 are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of inventories for Neenah and Dalton is determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for substantially all inventories except supplies, for which cost is determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. The cost of inventories for Deeter, Mercer, Advanced Cast Products, Gregg and Morgan’s is determined on the FIFO method. LIFO inventories comprised 35% and 37% of total inventories at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. If the FIFO method of inventory valuation had been used by all companies, inventories would have been approximately $20,495 and $9,003 higher than reported at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment acquired prior to September 30, 2003 are stated at fair value, as required by fresh start accounting. Additions to property, plant and equipment subsequent to October 1, 2003 are stated at cost. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided over the estimated useful lives (3 to 40 years) of the respective assets using the straight-line method.
 
Capitalized Interest
 
Interest is capitalized on the acquisition and construction of long-term capital projects. Capitalized interest in fiscal 2008 and 2007 was $1,248 and $1,027, respectively. No interest was capitalized in fiscal 2006.
 
Deferred Financing Costs
 
Costs incurred to obtain long-term financing are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related debt.
 
Identifiable Intangible Assets
 
Identifiable intangible assets consist of customer lists, tradenames and other and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 10 years, 40 years and 15 years, respectively.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually during the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if an event indicates that the goodwill might be impaired in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Based on such tests, there was no impairment of goodwill recorded in fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006. Goodwill in the amount of $86,699 is within the Castings segment and $1,437 is within the Other segment.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the related asset or group of assets, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset or group of assets. Such analyses necessarily involve significant judgment. Based on such analyses, there was no impairment of long-lived assets recorded in fiscal 2008, 2007 or 2006.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenues are recognized when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred and ownership has transferred to the customer; the price to the customer is fixed and


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company meets these criteria for revenue recognition upon shipment of product, which corresponds with transfer of title.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recognized within net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.
 
Advertising Costs
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $1,048, $793 and $564 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Income Taxes
 
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities and are measured using currently enacted tax rates and laws.
 
Financial Instruments
 
The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and capital lease obligations approximates fair value. The fair value of the Company’s 91/2% Notes, based on quoted market prices, was approximately $173,250 at September 30, 2008 compared to a carrying value of $225,000. The Company has concluded that it is not practicable to determine the fair value of the $75,000 121/2% Notes because they were issued to a related party.
 
Comprehensive Income/Loss
 
Comprehensive income/loss represents net income/loss plus any gains or losses that, under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net income/loss and recognized directly as a component of stockholder’s equity.
 
Stock Based Compensation
 
Prior to October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for share based awards under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB 25), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Effective October 1, 2005, as a non-public entity that previously used the minimum value method for proforma disclosure purposes under SFAS No. 123, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” using the prospective-transition method. Accordingly, the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) are applied prospectively to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased or cancelled after the adoption date.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” The interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company adopted FIN 48 effective October 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have any impact on the Company.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R)” (SFAS 158). SFAS 158 requires employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans to recognize previously unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs in the statement of financial position and to recognize future changes in these amounts in the year in which changes occur through comprehensive income. As a result, the balance sheet will reflect the funded status of those plans as an asset or liability. Additionally, employers are required to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position and provide additional disclosures. On September 30, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 158 by recognizing the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans in the balance sheet. In addition, the Company will be required to measure the plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the year-end balance sheet by September 30, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the change in the measurement date will have on its consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 157 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 157 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (SFAS 159). SFAS 159 permits companies to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value and establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The Company is required to adopt SFAS 159 effective October 1, 2008. The Company does not anticipate adoption of SFAS 159 will have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations”. SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007) replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, and applies to all transaction or other events in which an entity obtains control of one or more businesses and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company does not anticipate this pronouncement will have significant impact on our results of operations or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 is an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51 and applies to all entities that have an outstanding noncontrolling interest in one or more subsidiaries or that deconsolidate a subsidiary. The statement clarifies the definition of a noncontrolling interest, proscribes how transactions involving a noncontrolling interest are to be recorded and revises disclosure in the consolidated financial statements. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and shall be applied prospectively when initially applied, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. This statement is not currently applicable to the Company.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not currently use derivative instruments or engage in hedging activities and, therefore, this statement is not applicable to the Company.
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS 162). SFAS 162 is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
conformity with US GAAP for nongovernmental entities. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 162 to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial position.
 
3.   Acquisition
 
On August 5, 2008, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Morgan’s Welding, Inc. (Morgan’s), a steel fabricator located in Pennsylvania, for a cash purchase price of $4,088. In addition, the Company incurred $261 in direct costs related to the acquisition and assumed $564 of current liabilities. The purchase was financed through borrowings under the existing 2006 Credit Facility. This purchase is expected to significantly improve the Company’s ability to service customers in the municipal markets in the Northeastern United States. Goodwill of $1,437 was recorded as a result of the acquisition and will be amortized over a 15 year period for tax purposes.
 
The purchase has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and accordingly, the consolidated statements of operations include the results of operations of Morgan’s since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values of the assets and the liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:
 
         
Accounts receivable
  $ 827  
Inventories
    561  
Other current assets
    13  
Property, plant and equipment
    1,665  
Identifiable intangible assets
    410  
Goodwill
    1,437  
Current liabilities
    (564 )
         
    $ 4,349  
         
 
4.   Inventories
 
Inventories consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Raw materials
  $ 9,899     $ 6,941  
Work in process and finished goods
    43,901       41,407  
Supplies
    17,215       15,848  
                 
    $ 71,015     $ 64,196  
                 
 
5.   Intangible Assets
 
Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                                 
    2008     2007  
    Gross
          Gross
       
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Accumulated
 
    Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amortization  
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                               
Customer lists
  $ 67,150     $ 33,515     $ 67,000     $ 26,800  
Tradenames
    16,542       2,063       16,282       1,645  
Other
    155       51       155       41  
                                 
    $ 83,847     $ 35,629     $ 83,437     $ 28,486  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The Company does not have any intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives. The Company expects to recognize amortization expense of $7,142 in each of the five fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008.
 
6.   Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
  $ 75,000     $ 75,000  
91/2% Senior Secured Notes
    225,000       225,000  
Revolving credit facility
    59,683       17,152  
                 
      359,683       317,152  
Less current portion
    59,683       17,152  
                 
    $ 300,000     $ 300,000  
                 
 
On December 29, 2006, the Company repaid its outstanding indebtedness under its then existing credit facility, repurchased all $133,130 of its outstanding 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 through an issuer tender offer, retired $75,000 of its outstanding 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the 13% Notes) by exchanging them for $75,000 of new 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the 121/2% Notes) in a private transaction, and issued a notice to redeem the remaining $25,000 of 13% Notes that remained outstanding after the initial exchange. The remaining 13% Notes were redeemed on February 2, 2007. To fund these payments and to provide cash for capital expenditures, ongoing working capital requirements and general corporate purposes, the Company (a) issued $225,000 of new 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017 (the 91/2% Notes) and the $75,000 of 121/2% Notes and (b) entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility (the 2006 Credit Facility). The 121/2% Notes were issued in a related party transaction with a substantial stockholder of the Company’s ultimate parent, NEI, in exchange for 13% Notes held by such stockholder.
 
The 2006 Credit Facility provides for borrowings in an amount up to $110,000 and matures on December 31, 2011. Borrowings in the amount of $59,683 were outstanding and Neenah had unused availability of $50,317 under the 2006 Credit Facility as of September 30, 2008. Availability under the 2006 Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions and is limited by the Company’s borrowing base determined by the amount of accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes. Amounts under the 2006 Credit Facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed subject to the terms of the facility. The interest rate on the 2006 Credit Facility is based on LIBOR (3.50% at September 30, 2008) or prime (5.00% at September 30, 2008) plus an applicable margin, based upon the Company meeting certain financial statistics. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility at September 30, 2008 was 4.32%, compared to 7.10% at September 30, 2007. Substantially all of Neenah’s wholly owned subsidiaries are co-borrowers with Neenah under the 2006 Credit Facility. In addition, NFC Castings, Inc. and the remaining wholly owned subsidiaries of Neenah jointly, fully, severally and unconditionally guarantee Neenah’s obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility, subject to customary exceptions for transactions of this type.
 
The borrowers’ and guarantors’ obligations under the 2006 Credit Facility are secured by first priority liens, subject to customary restrictions, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing, and by second priority liens (junior to the liens securing the 91/2% Notes) on substantially all of our and the guarantors’ remaining assets. The 91/2% Notes, and the guarantees in respect thereof, are equal in right of payment to the 2006 Credit Facility, and the guarantees in respect thereof. Borrowings under the 2006 Credit Facility have been classified as current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
No. 95-22, “Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowings Outstanding under Revolving Credit Agreements that include both a Subjective Acceleration Clause and a Lock-Box Arrangement.”
 
The 2006 Credit Facility requires the Company to observe certain customary conditions, affirmative covenants and negative covenants including “springing” financial covenants that requires the Company to satisfy a trailing four quarter minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.0x (through the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2008) or a trailing four quarter minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0x (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009) if unused availability is less than $15.0 million for any period of three consecutive business days during a fiscal quarter.
 
The 91/2% Notes mature on January 1, 2017. Interest is payable semiannually on January 1 and July 1. The 91/2% Notes are secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of Neenah’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing) and by second-priority liens, junior to the liens for the benefit of the lenders under the 2006 Credit Facility, on Neenah’s and the guarantors’ accounts receivable, inventory, casting patterns and core boxes, business interruption insurance policies, certain inter-company loans, cash and deposit accounts and related assets, subject to certain exceptions, and any proceeds of the foregoing. Neenah’s obligations under the 91/2% Notes are guaranteed on a secured basis by each of its wholly owned subsidiaries.
 
The 121/2% Notes are unsecured and mature on September 30, 2013. Interest of not less than 5% is payable in cash and the remainder (up to 71/2%) may be paid-in-kind semiannually on January 1 and July 1. Through July 1, 2008, the Company has paid the interest in cash.
 
The 91/2% and the 121/2% Notes are jointly, fully, severally and unconditionally guaranteed by all of Neenah’s subsidiaries. The 91/2% Notes and the 121/2% Notes contain customary covenants typical to this type of financing, such as limitations on (1) indebtedness, (2) restricted payments, (3) liens, (4) distributions from restricted subsidiaries, (5) sale of assets, (6) affiliate transactions, (7) mergers and consolidations and (8) lines of business. At September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all of these covenants.
 
As a result of the refinancing transactions discussed above, the Company incurred $20,429 of debt refinancing costs in the year ended September 30, 2007. This amount consisted of a $12,917 tender premium paid to repurchase the 11% Senior Secured Notes due 2010, $5,940 to write off the unamortized portion of discount on the 11% Senior Secured Notes and $1,572 to write off the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs on the old indebtedness.
 
7.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company leases certain plants, warehouse space, machinery and equipment, office equipment and vehicles under operating leases, which generally include renewal options. Rent expense under these operating leases for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006 totaled $2,624, $2,985 and $2,923, respectively.
 
During the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company financed purchases of property, plant and equipment totaling $0 and $413, respectively, by entering into capital lease obligations. Property, plant and equipment under leases accounted for as capital leases as of September 30 were as follows:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Machinery and equipment
  $ 598     $ 1,757  
Less accumulated depreciation
    265       551  
                 
    $ 333     $ 1,206  
                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Minimum rental payments due under operating and capital leases for fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008, are as follows:
 
                 
    Operating
    Capital
 
    Leases     Leases  
 
2009
  $ 1,715     $ 96  
2010
    1,303       96  
2011
    809       96  
2012
    387       87  
2013
    334       105  
Thereafter
    144       65  
                 
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 4,692       545  
                 
Less amount representing interest
            74  
                 
Present value of minimum lease payments
            471  
Less current portion
            71  
                 
Capital lease obligations
          $ 400  
                 
 
The Company is partially self-insured for workers’ compensation claims. An accrued liability is recorded for claims incurred but not yet paid or reported and is based on current and historical claim information. The accrued liability may ultimately be settled for an amount different than the recorded amount. Adjustments of the accrued liability are recorded in the period in which they become known.
 
Approximately 65% of the Company’s employees (or approximately 81% of the Company’s hourly workforce) are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreement for the Kendallville location of Dalton, which represent approximately 11% of the Company’s employees (or approximately 13% of the Company’s hourly workforce), is scheduled to expire in June 2009.
 
The Company recently completed the installation phase of its $54 million capital project to replace a 40-year-old mold line at the Neenah facility. This new state-of-the-art mold line is expected to significantly enhance operating efficiencies, increase capacity and provide expanded molding capabilities for the municipal and industrial product lines. Start-up operations began on schedule during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The second phase of the project includes enhanced core-making capabilities and the inclusion of ductile iron capacity. At September 30, 2008, the Company had expended $49.4 million and an additional $4.7 million of expenditures are necessary to complete the second phase of the new mold line project as of such date. The Company is currently monitoring the feasibility of making the remaining expenditures necessary to complete the second phase of the project in light of the current trends impacting the business.
 
Due to neighborhood complaints, the Company was operating the Gregg facility under the terms of an order for abatement with the California South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). Despite being in compliance with federal and state emission laws, the order required the Company to comply with certain operating parameters in an effort to reduce odors. The order expired on September 20, 2007. On November 5, 2008, Gregg entered into a settlement agreement and release with the SCAQMD regarding outstanding notices of violation (NOV’s). As part of the settlement and release Gregg has agreed, among other things, to implement a supplemental environmental project to further reduce odorous and other emissions from the foundry at a cost of $4.7 million, and in return, all outstanding NOV’s have been discharged and Hearing Board cases dismissed.
 
The Company is involved in various other claims and litigation in the normal course of business. In the judgment of management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not likely to materially affect the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
8.   Subsequent Events
 
On December 9, 2008, the Company initiated compliance with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, by notifying local officials and employees of the potential for production curtailments and employee reductions at the Company’s Gregg Industries, Inc. facility located in El Monte, California.
 
On December 5, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s Kendallville Manufacturing Facility. The Company expects that the plant, which is located in Kendallville, Indiana, will continue to operate through early March 2009.
 
9.   Stockholder’s Equity
 
The authorized capital of the Company consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $100 per share. All shares have equal voting rights.
 
NEI has a Management Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan) which provides for the issuance of share based awards to key employees and directors of NEI, the Company and their subsidiaries up to an aggregate total of 1,600,000 shares of NEI common stock. The Plan allows for the grant of incentive or non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards. As of September 30, 2008, share based awards to purchase 606,408 shares of NEI common stock were available for grant under the Plan. The Company records compensation expense for this plan ratably over the vesting period.
 
In fiscal 2008, the Company recorded $39 of stock-based compensation expense associated with the outstanding stock options.
 
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the year ended September 30, 2008 is as follows:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
          Average
 
          Exercise
 
    Options     Price  
 
Options outstanding, beginning of the year
    0     $  
Options granted
    147,000       7.77  
Options forfeited
    (24,000 )     7.77  
Options exercised
    0        
                 
Options outstanding, end of the year
    123,000     $ 7.77  
                 
Options exercisable, end of the year
    0          
                 
 
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to value stock options utilizing the following weighted average assumptions:
 
         
Risk-free interest rate
    2.84 %
Expected volatility
    50.00 %
Expected dividend yield
    0.00 %
Expected term (in years)
    4.5  
 
The Company used NEI’s and comparable companies’ historical stock prices as the basis for the Company’s volatility assumption. The assumed risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of the grant. NEI has not paid any dividends and does not expect to pay any dividends in the future. The expected option term represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding and was based on the average of the vesting term and contractual term. The weighted average per share fair value for stock option grants during fiscal 2008 was $1.41.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $135 of unrecognized compensation expense related to outstanding stock options, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.
 
NEI stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2008 were as follows:
 
                                         
                Weighted
             
                Average
    Weighted
       
                Remaining
    Average
    Aggregate
 
    Number
          Contractual
    Exercise
    Intrinsic
 
Price Range
  Outstanding           Life (In Years)     Price     Value  
 
$7.77
    123,000               6.3     $ 7.77     $  
 
In fiscal 2007, the Company granted 50,000 shares of NEI restricted stock under the Plan which vest in two equal installments on the first and second anniversary of the grant date and were determined to have a grant date fair value of $6.50 per share, based on available quoted market prices. On January 24, 2008, certain of the Company’s non-employee directors were awarded restricted stock units pursuant to the Plan. The restricted stock units represent the right to receive an equal number of shares of NEI common stock. The restricted stock units vest immediately, but the underlying shares will not be distributed until the director terminates service.
 
Stock compensation expense recognized by the Company associated with restricted stock and restricted stock units for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $369, $41 and $0, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, there was $122 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock that is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.75 years.
 
10.   Income Taxes
 
As discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted FIN 48 effective October 1, 2007. As required by FIN 48, the Company has classified the amounts recorded for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008 as other non-current liabilities to the extent that payment is not anticipated within one year. The prior year consolidated balance sheet has not been restated. Presented below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits:
 
         
Balance at October 1, 2007
  $ 2,268  
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years
     
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years
     
Gross increases for tax positions of the current year
    79  
Settlements
     
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (1,222 )
         
Balance at September 30, 2008
  $ 1,125  
         
 
As of September 30, 2008, $731 of the unrecognized tax benefits (net of federal benefit on state issues) would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized.
 
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. During the year ended September 30, 2008, the Company recognized a net cost of $70 in interest and penalties. Total accrued interest and penalties were $823 and $0 at September 30, 2008, respectively.
 
The Internal Revenue Service has audited the Company’s federal tax returns through September 30, 2007. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of 3 to 5 years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to two years after formal notification to the states.


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
The provision (credit) for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Current:
                       
Federal
  $ (7,759 )   $ (6,593 )   $ 7,553  
State
    527       352       1,314  
                         
      (7,232 )     (6,241 )     8,867  
Deferred
    2,091       (2,578 )     (10 )
                         
    $ (5,141 )   $ (8,819 )   $ 8,857  
                         
 
The provision (credit) for income taxes differed from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory rate of 35% to income (loss) before income taxes as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Provision at statutory rate
  $ (6,011 )   $ (7,961 )   $ 8,752  
State income taxes, net of federal taxes
    343       (841 )     851  
Change in valuation allowance
    1,864              
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (1,222 )            
Change in enacted state tax laws
                (758 )
Other
    (115 )     (17 )     12  
                         
Provision (credit) for income taxes
  $ (5,141 )   $ (8,819 )   $ 8,857  
                         


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following as of September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
               
Inventories
  $  —     $ (529 )
Property, plant and equipment
    (17,750 )     (12,339 )
Identifiable intangible assets
    (18,371 )     (21,220 )
Other
    (521 )     (388 )
                 
      (36,642 )     (34,476 )
Deferred income tax assets:
               
Inventories
    492        
Employee benefit plans
    6,588       4,697  
Accrued vacation
    1,939       1,940  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,662       926  
State net operating loss
    1,919       909  
Other
    1,506       995  
                 
Total deferred tax assets
    14,106       9,467  
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets
    (1,919 )     (55 )
                 
      12,187       9,412  
                 
Net deferred income tax liability
  $ (24,455 )   $ (25,064 )
                 
Included in the consolidated balance sheets as:
               
Current deferred income tax asset
  $ 4,610     $ 3,070  
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability
    (29,065 )     (28,134 )
                 
    $ (24,455 )   $ (25,064 )
                 
 
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had state net operating loss and credit carryforwards of $41,773 which expire in varying amounts through fiscal 2018. A full valuation allowance has been established for the state net operating loss carryforwards at September 30, 2008 due to the uncertainty regarding the realization of the deferred tax benefit through future earnings.
 
11.   Employee Benefit Plans
 
Defined-Benefit Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits
 
The Company sponsors five defined-benefit pension plans covering the majority of its hourly employees. Retirement benefits under the pension plans are based on years of service and defined-benefit rates. The Company has elected a measurement date of June 30 for all of its pension plans. The Company funds the pension plans based on actuarially determined cost methods allowable under Internal Revenue Service regulations. During each of the years ended September 30, 2006 and 2007, the Company amended one of its defined-benefit pension plans to freeze its defined benefit rate and credited years of service. No curtailment gain or loss was required in conjunction with freezing these defined-benefit plans.
 
The Company also sponsors unfunded defined-benefit postretirement health care plans covering substantially all salaried and hourly employees at Neenah and their dependents. For salaried employees at Neenah, benefits are provided from the date of retirement for the duration of the employee’s life, while benefits for hourly employees at


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Neenah are provided from retirement to age 65. Retirees’ contributions to the plans are based on years of service and age at retirement. The Company funds benefits as incurred.
 
The Company has elected a measurement date of June 30 for its defined-benefit pension and postretirement health care plans.
 
Adoption of SFAS 158
 
As discussed in Note 2, on September 30, 2007, the Company adopted SFAS 158, as it relates to recognizing the funded status of its defined benefit pension and postretirement health care plans in its consolidated balance sheets and related disclosure provisions. Funded status is defined as the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. Upon adoption, the Company recorded an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) representing the recognition of previously unrecorded pension and postretirement healthcare liabilities related to net unrecognized actuarial gains and unrecognized prior service costs and credits. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for recognizing such amounts.
 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at September 30, 2008 which have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost were as follows:
 
                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Plans     Benefits  
 
Prior service cost
  $ 499     $ 1,391  
Net actuarial (gain) loss
    328       (2,445 )
 
Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, at September 30, 2008 expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009 were as follows:
 
                 
          Other
 
    Pension
    Postretirement
 
    Plans     Benefits  
 
Prior service cost
  $ 69     $ 163  
Net actuarial (gain) loss
    15       (221 )


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Table of Contents

 
Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Obligations and Funded Status
 
The following table summarizes the funded status of the pension plans and postretirement benefit plans and the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2008 and 2007:
 
                                 
    Pension
       
    Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Change in benefit obligation:
                               
Benefit obligation, July 1
  $ 74,871     $ 71,914     $ 5,586     $ 5,631  
Service cost
    1,503       1,798       313       179  
Interest cost
    4,543       4,421       528       324  
Unrecognized prior service cost
          30              
Plan amendments
    499             2,844          
Actuarial gains
    (5,210 )     (280 )     (214 )     (123 )
Benefits paid
    (3,141 )     (3,012 )     (589 )     (425 )
                                 
Benefit obligation, June 30
  $ 73,065     $ 74,871     $ 8,468     $ 5,586  
                                 
Change in plan assets:
                               
Fair value of plan assets, July 1
  $ 70,716     $ 64,373     $     $  
Actual return (loss) on plan assets
    (3,022 )     8,781              
Company contributions
    3,963       574       589       425  
Benefits paid
    (3,141 )     (3,012 )     (589 )     (425 )
                                 
Fair value of plan assets, June 30
  $ 68,516     $ 70,716     $     $  
                                 
Funded status of the plans:
                               
Benefit obligation in excess of plan assets
  $ (4,549 )   $ (4,155 )   $ (8,468 )   $ (5,586 )
Fourth quarter contributions
          1,560       148       117  
                                 
    $ (4,549 )   $ (2,595 )   $ (8,320 )   $ (5,469 )
                                 
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30:
                               
Prepaid benefit cost (long-term asset)
  $ 704     $ 547     $     $  
Accrued benefit liability (long-term liability)
    (5,253 )     (3,142 )     (8,052 )     (5,269 )
Accrued benefit liability (current liability)
                (268 )     (200 )
                                 
    $ (4,549 )   $ (2,595 )   $ (8,320 )   $ (5,469 )
                                 
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $73,065 and $74,871 at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. At September 30, 2008, pension plans with benefit obligations in excess of plan assets had an aggregate projected benefit obligation of $67,060 and aggregate fair value of plan assets of $61,807.


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Table of Contents

 
Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Benefit Costs
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
 
Service cost
  $ 1,503     $ 1,798     $ 2,328     $ 313     $ 179     $ 153  
Interest cost
    4,543       4,421       4,083       528       324       282  
Expected return on plan assets
    (5,588 )     (5,255 )     (4,732 )                  
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
    30       30       30       163       (32 )     (33 )
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss
    (14 )           185       (206 )     (275 )     (265 )
                                                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 474     $ 994     $ 1,894     $ 798     $ 196     $ 137  
                                                 
 
Assumptions
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of September 30 were as follows:
 
                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
Discount rate
    6.75 %     6.25 %     6.75 %     6.25 %
 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended September 30 were as follows:
 
                                                 
    Pension Benefits     Postretirement Benefits  
    2008     2007     2006     2008     2007     2006  
 
Discount rate
    6.25 %     6.25 %     5.25 %     6.25 %     6.25 %     5.25 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
    7.50 % to     7.50 % to     7.50 % to                        
      8.50 %     8.50 %     8.50 %                  
 
For measurement purposes, the healthcare cost trend rate was assumed to be 9.0% decreasing gradually to 5.0% in 2016 and then remaining at that level thereafter. The healthcare cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported. A one percentage point change in the healthcare cost trend rate would have the following effect:
 
                 
    1% Increase     1% Decrease  
 
Effect on total of service cost and interest cost
  $ 174     $ (135 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
    1,389       (1,114 )


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Table of Contents

 
Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Pension Plan Assets
 
The following table summarizes the weighted-average asset allocations of the pension plans at September 30:
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Asset category:
               
Equity securities
    55 %     56 %
Debt securities
    34       34  
Real estate
    5       4  
Other
    6       6  
                 
      100 %     100 %
                 
 
The Company employs a total return investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. The intent of this strategy is to minimize plan expenses by maximizing investment returns within that prudent level of risk. The investment portfolio contains a diversified blend of equity and fixed income investments. Furthermore, equity investments are diversified across U.S. and non-U.S. stocks as well as growth, value, and small and large capitalizations. The Company’s targeted asset allocation ranges as a percentage of total market value are as follows: equity securities 45% to 55% and debt securities 30% to 35%. None of the plans’ equity securities are invested in common stock of the plan sponsor’s parent company, NEI. Additionally, cash balances are maintained at levels adequate to meet near term plan expenses and benefit payments. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through quarterly investment portfolio reviews.
 
The Company’s overall expected long-term rates of return on assets range from 7.50% to 8.50%. The expected long-term rates of return are based on the portfolio of each defined benefit pension plan as a whole and not on the sum of the returns of individual asset categories. The rates of return are based on historical returns adjusted to reflect the current view of the long-term investment market.
 
Benefit Payments and Contributions
 
The following benefit payments are expected to be paid for fiscal years subsequent to September 30, 2008:
 
         
2009
  $ 3,436  
2010
    3,539  
2011
    3,696  
2012
    3,900  
2013
    4,202  
2014 — 2018
    27,142  
         
    $ 45,915  
         
 
The Company expects to contribute $1,327 to its pension plans during fiscal 2009.
 
Defined-Contribution Retirement Plans
 
The Company sponsors various defined-contribution retirement plans (the Plans) covering substantially all salaried and certain hourly employees. The Plans allow participants to make 401(k) contributions in amounts ranging from 1% to 15% of their compensation. The Company matches between 35% and 50% of the participants’ contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee’s compensation, as defined. The Company may make additional voluntary contributions to the Plans as determined annually by the Board of Directors. Total Company contributions amounted to $2,263, $3,268 and $2,448 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


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Table of Contents

 
Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Other Employee Benefits
 
The Company provides unfunded supplemental retirement benefits to certain active and retired employees at Dalton. At September 30, 2008, the present value of the current and long-term portion of these supplemental retirement obligations totaled $279 and $1,607, respectively. At September 30, 2007, the present value of the current and long-term portion of these supplemental retirement obligations totaled $262 and $1,871, respectively.
 
Certain of Dalton’s hourly employees are covered by a multi-employer, defined-benefit pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company’s expense for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $320, $334 and $356, respectively.
 
Substantially all of Mercer’s union employees are covered by a multiemployer, defined-benefit pension plan pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company’s expense for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, was $224, $197 and $221, respectively.
 
12.   Segment Information
 
The Company has two reportable segments, Castings and Forgings. The Castings segment manufactures and sells gray and ductile iron castings for the industrial and municipal markets, while the Forgings segment manufactures forged components for the industrial market. The Other segment includes machining operations, steel fabricating and freight hauling.
 
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on the operating income before depreciation and amortization charges of each segment. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
 
                         
    Years Ended September 30  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Revenues from external customers:
                       
Castings
  $ 461,391     $ 437,592     $ 490,765  
Forgings
    41,258       37,113       41,222  
Other
    18,245       18,321       20,704  
Elimination of intersegment revenues
    (10,076 )     (9,403 )     (10,238 )
                         
    $ 510,818     $ 483,623     $ 542,452  
                         
Net income (loss):
                       
Castings
  $ (11,226 )   $ (12,540 )   $ 16,306  
Forgings
    (1,209 )     (1,551 )     (605 )
Other
    468       (150 )     643  
Elimination of intersegment loss
    (65 )     223       (195 )
                         
    $ (12,032 )   $ (13,928 )   $ 16,149  
                         
Total assets:
                       
Castings
  $ 471,509     $ 431,907     $ 398,502  
Forgings
    26,324       19,015       19,146  
Other
    11,187       8,336       8,145  
Elimination of intersegment assets
    (22,521 )     (15,284 )     (14,873 )
                         
    $ 486,499     $ 443,974     $ 410,920  
                         
 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
                                 
    Castings     Forgings     Other     Total  
 
Year ended September 30, 2008:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 28,412     $ 3,671     $ 386     $ 32,469  
Interest income
    73       6             79  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (6,930 )     1,751       38       (5,141 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
    21,936       863       1,257       24,056  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    39,478       4,817       288       44,583  
Year ended September 30, 2007:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 27,649     $ 3,571     $ 480     $ 31,700  
Interest income
    349       7             356  
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (9,933 )     1,166       (52 )     (8,819 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
    19,046       857       1,152       21,055  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    47,475       563       695       48,733  
Year ended September 30, 2006:
                               
Interest expense
  $ 29,309     $ 3,368     $ 733     $ 33,410  
Interest income
    78             5       83  
Provision for income taxes
    7,077       1,569       211       8,857  
Depreciation and amortization expense
    18,105       916       1,222       20,243  
Expenditures for long-lived assets
    16,866       417       520       17,803  
 
Geographic Information
 
                 
          Long-Lived
 
    Net Sales     Assets(1)  
 
Year ended September 30, 2008:
               
United States
  $ 486,433     $ 160,240  
Foreign countries
    24,385        
                 
    $ 510,818     $ 160,240  
                 
Year ended September 30, 2007:
               
United States
  $ 462,597     $ 131,550  
Foreign countries
    21,026        
                 
    $ 483,623     $ 131,550  
                 
Year ended September 30, 2006:
               
United States
  $ 521,193     $ 96,878  
Foreign countries
    21,259        
                 
    $ 542,452     $ 96,878  
                 
 
 
(1) Represents property, plant and equipment.

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Table of Contents

 
Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
 
13.   Subsidiary Guarantors
 
The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 and for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008 for: (a) Neenah, and (b) on a combined basis, the guarantors of the 91/2% Notes and the 121/2% Notes, which include all of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Neenah (Subsidiary Guarantors). Separate financial statements of the Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented because the guarantors are jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally liable under the guarantees, and the Company believes separate financial statements and other disclosures regarding the Subsidiary Guarantors are not material to investors.
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
September 30, 2008
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
Cash (overdraft)
  $ 523     $ (523 )   $     $  
Accounts receivable, net
    47,083       45,406             92,489  
Inventories
    26,570       44,445             71,015  
Refundable income taxes
    7,363                   7,363  
Deferred income taxes
    688       3,922             4,610  
Other current assets
    1,340       3,146             4,486  
                                 
Total current assets
    83,567       96,396             179,963  
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries
    132,206             (132,206 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
    94,582       65,658             160,240  
Deferred financing costs, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, net
    124,127       15,227             139,354  
Other assets
    2,398       4,544             6,942  
                                 
      436,880       181,825       (132,206 )     486,499  
                                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
Accounts payable
  $ 15,381     $ 24,071     $     $ 39,452  
Net intercompany payable
          134,274       (134,274 )      
Accrued wages and employee benefits
    4,510       8,015             12,525  
Accrued interest
    7,916                   7,916  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,173       1,796             2,969  
Current portion of long-term debt
    59,683                   59,683  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
          71             71  
                                 
Total current liabilities
    88,663       168,227       (134,274 )     122,616  
Long-term debt
    300,000                   300,000  
Capital lease obligations
          400             400  
Deferred income taxes
    17,980       11,085             29,065  
Postretirement benefit obligations
    8,052                   8,052  
Pension benefit obligations
    3,545       1,708             5,253  
Other liabilities
    3,896       2,473             6,369  
Stockholder’s equity (deficit)
    14,744       (2,068 )     2,068       14,744  
                                 
    $ 436,880     $ 181,825     $ (132,206 )   $ 486,499  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
September 30, 2007
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
ASSETS
Current assets:
                               
Cash (overdraft)
  $ 969     $ (969 )   $     $  
Accounts receivable, net
    37,052       44,033             81,085  
Inventories
    25,143       39,053             64,196  
Refundable income taxes
    6,501                   6,501  
Deferred income taxes
    (409 )     3,479             3,070  
Other current assets
    4,072       2,407             6,479  
                                 
Total current assets
    73,328       88,003             161,331  
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries
    123,314             (123,314 )      
Property, plant and equipment, net
    73,683       57,867             131,550  
Deferred financing costs, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, net
    130,290       14,817             145,107  
Other assets
    1,711       4,275             5,986  
                                 
    $ 402,326     $ 164,962     $ (123,314 )   $ 443,974  
                                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
                               
Accounts payable
  $ 10,236     $ 17,528     $     $ 27,764  
Net intercompany payable
          111,947       (111,947 )      
Accrued wages and employee benefits
    4,985       8,154             13,139  
Accrued interest
    7,793                   7,793  
Other accrued liabilities
    3,262       1,754             5,016  
Current portion of long-term debt
    17,152                   17,152  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
          213             213  
                                 
Total current liabilities
    43,428       139,596       (111,947 )     71,077  
Long-term debt
    300,000                   300,000  
Capital lease obligations
          1,222             1,222  
Deferred income taxes
    19,945       8,189             28,134  
Postretirement benefit obligations
    5,269                   5,269  
Pension benefit obligations
    1,409       1,733             3,142  
Other liabilities
    1,963       2,855             4,818  
Stockholder’s equity
    30,312       11,367       (11,367 )     30,312  
                                 
    $ 402,326     $ 164,962     $ (123,314 )   $ 443,974  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
Year ended September 30, 2008
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Net sales
  $ 231,433     $ 286,375     $ (6,990 )   $ 510,818  
Cost of sales
    190,202       266,561       (6,990 )     449,773  
                                 
Gross profit
    41,231       19,814             61,045  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    21,600       17,295             38,895  
Amortization expense
    5,705       1,438             7,143  
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment
    1       (211 )           (210 )
                                 
Operating income
    13,925       1,292             15,217  
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (15,570 )     (16,899 )           (32,469 )
Interest income
    23       56             79  
                                 
      (15,547 )     (16,843 )           (32,390 )
                                 
Loss from operations before income taxes and equity in losses of subsidiaries
    (1,622 )     (15,551 )           (17,173 )
Credit for income taxes
    (486 )     (4,655 )           (5,141 )
                                 
      (1,136 )     (10,896 )           (12,032 )
Equity in losses of subsidiaries
    (10,896 )           10,896        
                                 
Net loss
  $ (12,032 )   $ (10,896 )   $ 10,896     $ (12,032 )
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
Year ended September 30, 2007
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Net sales
  $ 219,645     $ 270,371     $ (6,393 )   $ 483,623  
Cost of sales
    166,750       248,547       (6,393 )     408,904  
                                 
Gross profit
    52,895       21,824             74,719  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    20,311       17,808             38,119  
Amortization expense
    5,706       1,415             7,121  
Loss on disposal of equipment
    161       292             453  
                                 
Operating income
    26,717       2,309             29,026  
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (15,225 )     (16,475 )           (31,700 )
Interest income
    304       52             356  
Debt refinancing costs
    (20,429 )                 (20,429 )
                                 
      (35,350 )     (16,423 )           (51,773 )
                                 
Loss from operations before income taxes and equity in losses of subsidiaries
    (8,633 )     (14,114 )           (22,747 )
Provision (credit) for income taxes
    (10,272 )     1,453             (8,819 )
                                 
      1,639       (15,567 )           (13,928 )
Equity in losses of subsidiaries
    (15,567 )           15,567        
                                 
Net loss
  $ (13,928 )   $ (15,567 )   $ 15,567     $ (13,928 )
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
Year ended September 30, 2006
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Net sales
  $ 251,813     $ 297,641     $ (7,002 )   $ 542,452  
Cost of sales
    181,318       268,242       (7,002 )     442,558  
                                 
Gross profit
    70,495       29,399             99,894  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    18,416       15,898             34,314  
Amortization expense
    5,705       1,415             7,120  
Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment
    247       (120 )           127  
                                 
Operating income
    46,127       12,206             58,333  
Other income (expense):
                               
Interest expense
    (17,842 )     (15,568 )           (33,410 )
Interest income
          83             83  
                                 
      (17,842 )     (15,485 )           (33,327 )
                                 
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes and equity in losses of subsidiaries
    28,285       (3,279 )           25,006  
Provision for income taxes
    4,103       4,754             8,857  
                                 
      24,182       (8,033 )           16,149  
Equity in losses of subsidiaries
    (8,033 )           8,033        
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 16,149     $ (8,033 )   $ 8,033     $ 16,149  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
Year ended September 30, 2008
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Operating activities
                               
Net loss
  $ (12,032 )   $ (10,896 )   $ 10,896     $ (12,032 )
Noncash adjustments
    10,521       17,275             27,796  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    (4,613 )     (3,842 )           ( 8,455 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (6,124 )     2,537       10,896       7,309  
Investing activities
                               
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries
    (9,920 )     20,816       (10,896 )      
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (26,273 )     (18,310 )           (44,583 )
Acquisition of business
          (4,349 )           (4,349 )
Other
    (660 )     (83 )           (743 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (36,853 )     (1,926 )     (10,896 )     (49,675 )
Financing activity
                               
Net change in revolver balance
    42,531                   42,531  
Payments on capital lease obligations
          (165 )           (165 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    42,531       (165 )           42,366  
                                 
Increase (decrease) in cash
    (446 )     446              
Cash (overdraft) at beginning of year
    969       (969 )            
                                 
Cash (overdraft) at end of year
  $ 523     $ (523 )   $     $  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
Year ended September 30, 2007
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Operating activities
                               
Net loss
  $ (13,928 )   $ (15,567 )   $ 15,567     $ (13,928 )
Noncash adjustments
    18,773       10,288             29,061  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    (5,784 )     (3,958 )           (9,742 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    (939 )     (9,237 )     15,567       5,391  
Investing activities
                               
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries
    (7,368 )     22,935       (15,567 )      
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (36,234 )     (12,499 )           (48,733 )
Other
    256       (445 )           (189 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (43,346 )     9,991       (15,567 )     (48,922 )
Financing activity
                               
Proceeds from long-term debt
    300,000                   300,000  
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (240,462 )     (200 )           (240,662 )
Other
    (16,717 )                 (16,717 )
                                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    42,821       (200 )           42,621  
                                 
Increase (decrease) in cash
    (1,464 )     554             (910 )
Cash (overdraft) at beginning of year
    2,433       (1,523 )           910  
                                 
Cash (overdraft) at end of year
  $ 969     $ (969 )   $     $  
                                 


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Neenah Foundry Company
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
 
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
Year ended September 30, 2006
 
                                 
          Subsidiary
             
    Neenah     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  
 
Operating activities
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 16,149     $ (8,033 )   $ 8,033     $ 16,149  
Noncash adjustments
    12,228       10,964             23,192  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
    (14,471 )     (119 )           (14,590 )
                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    13,906       2,812       8,033       24,751  
Investing activities
                               
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries
    733       7,300       (8,033 )      
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (8,003 )     (9,800 )           (17,803 )
Other
    (94 )     (235 )           (329 )
                                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (7,364 )     (2,735 )     (8,033 )     (18,132 )
Financing activity
                               
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (9,061 )     (132 )           (9,193 )
                                 
Decrease in cash
    (2,519 )     (55 )           (2,574 )
Cash (overdraft) at beginning of year
    4,952       (1,468 )           3,484  
                                 
Cash (overdraft) at end of year
  $ 2,433     $ (1,523 )   $     $ 910  
                                 
 
14.   Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 
                                 
    Year Ended September 30, 2008  
    1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
 
Net sales
  $ 101,225     $ 114,658     $ 154,322     $ 140,613  
Gross profit
    13,533       8,836       21,577       17,099  
Net income (loss)
    (3,779 )     (6,281 )     2,375       (4,347 )
 
                                 
    Year Ended September 30, 2007  
    1st Quarter     2nd Quarter     3rd Quarter     4th Quarter  
 
Net sales
  $ 117,342     $ 111,789     $ 126,838     $ 127,654  
Gross profit
    18,455       11,228       22,712       22,324  
Net income (loss)
    (12,436 )(a)     (3,997 )     1,964       541 (b)
 
 
(a) Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2006 included $20,419 of debt refinancing costs, on a pretax basis. See Note 6 for further details on the debt refinancing.
 
(b) Certain non-standard adjustments, primarily related to the capitalization of interest, were recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. These adjustments resulted in lower net income of approximately $761 and were deemed to be immaterial with respect to the impact on prior quarters.


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Table of Contents

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Neenah Enterprises, Inc. and
Neenah Foundry Company
 
We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. and Neenah Foundry Company as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 and for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008, and have issued our reports thereon dated December 12, 2008 (included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.
 
In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 12, 2008


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Table of Contents

 
Schedule II
 
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
Neenah Foundry Company
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years ended September 30, 2006, 2007, and 2008
 
                                 
    Balance at
    Additions
             
    Beginning
    Charged to
          Balance at
 
Description
  of Period     Expense     Deductions     End of Period  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
                               
2006
  $ 2,093     $ 433     $ 641 (A)   $ 1,885  
                                 
2007
  $ 1,885     $ 1,047     $ 670 (A)   $ 2,262  
                                 
2008
  $ 2,262     $ 937     $ 371 (A)   $ 2,828  
                                 
Reserve for obsolete inventory:
                               
2006
  $ 1,001     $ 318     $ 315 (B)   $ 1,004  
                                 
2007
  $ 1,004     $ 669     $ 73 (B)   $ 1,600  
                                 
2008
  $ 1,600     $ 67     $ 417 (B)   $ 1,250  
                                 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
                               
2006
  $ 264     $     $ 109 (C)   $ 155  
                                 
2007
  $ 155     $     $ 100 (C)   $ 55  
                                 
2008
  $ 55     $ 1,864     $     $ 1,919  
                                 
 
 
(A) Uncollectible accounts receivable written off, net of recoveries
 
(B) Reduction for disposition of inventory
 
(C) Adjustment of valuation allowance


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: December 29, 2008
 
NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC.
NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
(Registrants)
 
   
/s/  Jeffrey S. Jenkins
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
Corporate Vice President — Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on December 29, 2008, by the following persons on behalf of the registrants and in the capacities indicated.
 
         
/s/  Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.

Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
  President and Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/  Jeffrey S. Jenkins

Jeffrey S. Jenkins
  Corporate Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)
     
/s/  William M. Barrett

William M. Barrett
  Director
     
/s/  Albert E. Ferrara, Jr.

Albert E. Ferrara, Jr.
  Director
     
/s/  David B. Gendell

David B. Gendell
  Director
     
/s/  Stephen E. K. Graham

Stephen E. K. Graham
  Director
     
/s/  Joseph V. Lash

Joseph V. Lash
  Director
     
/s/  Jeffrey G. Marshall

Jeffrey G. Marshall
  Director


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Table of Contents


Table of Contents

NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC.
and
NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
TO
2008 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  2 .1   Disclosure Statement for Pre-Petition of Votes with respect to the Prepackaged Joint Plan of Reorganization of ACP Holding Company (now known as Neenah Enterprises, Inc.), NFC Castings, Inc., and Neenah Foundry Company   Exhibit T3E-1 to application for qualification of indenture on Form T-3 filed 7/1/03 (File No. 022-28687)    
  2 .2   Prepackaged Joint Plan of Reorganization of ACP Holding Company, NFC Castings, Inc., Neenah Foundry Company and Certain of its Subsidiaries under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code   Exhibit T3E-2 to application for qualification of indenture on Form T-3 filed 7/1/03 (File No. 022-28687)    
  3 .1   Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.    Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Form 10 Registration Statement (SEC File No. 000-52681)    
  3 .2   Amended and Restated Certificate [Articles] of Incorporation of Neenah Foundry Company   Exhibit 3.1 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2005 (the “2005 Form 10-K”)    
  3 .3   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NFC Castings, Inc.    Exhibit 3.3 to the 2005 Form 10-K    
  3 .4   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.    Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Form 10 Registration Statement (SEC File No. 000-52681)    
  3 .5   Amended Bylaws of Neenah Foundry Company   Exhibit 3.5 to the 2007 Form 10-K    
  3 .6   Amended Bylaws of NFC Castings, Inc.    Exhibit 3.19 to the 2005 Form 10-K    
  4 .1   Warrant Agreement, dated October 8, by and between ACP Holding Company and the Bank of New York as warrant agent   Exhibit 10.3 hereto    
  4 .2   [Reserved]        
  4 .3   Indenture by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of December 29, 2006, for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   Exhibit 10.4 hereto    


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Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  4 .3(a)   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2008, to the Indenture, dated as of December 29, 2006, for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee   Exhibit 10.4(a) hereto    
  4 .4   Form of Note for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   Exhibit 10.5 hereto    
  4 .5   121/2% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013   Exhibit 10.7 hereto    
  10 .1   Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, its subsidiaries party thereto, the various lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as agent   Exhibit 10.13 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2007    
  10 .1(a)   Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 9, 2007, to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, its subsidiaries party thereto, the various lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as agent   Exhibit 10.6 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2007    
  10 .1(b)   Increase Notice dated July 17, 2008, pursuant to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, as amended   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 2008    
  10 .1(c)   Consent and Joinder to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2008   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 5, 2008    
  10 .2   Subscription Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2003, by and among ACP Holding Company, Neenah Foundry Company, the subsidiary Guarantors named therein and the Investors as defined therein   Exhibit 10.2 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Form S-4 Registration Statement (File No. 333-111008) filed on December 8, 2003 (the “2003 Neenah Foundry Company Form S-4”)    
  10 .3   Warrant Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, by and between ACP Holding Company and the Bank of New York as warrant agent   Exhibit 10.4 to the 2005 Form 10-K    
  10 .4   Indenture by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of December 29, 2006, for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   Exhibit 4.1 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    

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Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  10 .4(a)   Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 30, 2008, to the Indenture, dated as of December 29, 2006, for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee   Exhibit 4.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2008    
  10 .5   Form of Note for the 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017   Exhibit A to the Indenture filed as Exhibit 10.4 hereto    
  10 .6   Registration Rights Agreement with respect to 91/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2017, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, dated December 29, 2006   Exhibit 4.3 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .7   121/2% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013 issued by Neenah Foundry Company to Tontine Capital Partners, L.P., including the form of indenture relating to the 121/2% Senior Subordinated Note due 2013   Exhibit 4.2 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .7(a)   Note Guaranty, dated as of September 30, 2008, by Morgan’s Welding, Inc. in favor of Tontine Capital Partners, L.P. related to the 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013   Exhibit 4.2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2008    
  10 .8   Registration Rights Agreement with respect to 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and Tontine Capital Partners, L.P., dated December 29, 2006   Exhibit 4.4 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .9   Exchange Agreement by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, and Tontine Capital Partners, L.P., dated December 29, 2006, relating to the exchange by Tontine of $75 million of Neenah Foundry Company’s 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 for the 121/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .10*   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement — Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.    Exhibit 10.2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2008    
  10 .11*   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement — John H. Andrews   Exhibit 10.3 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2008    
  10 .12*   Employment Agreement — Jeffrey S. Jenkins   Exhibit 10.4 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2008    

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Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  10 .13*   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement — Frank Headington   Exhibit 10.6 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2008    
  10 .14*   Consulting Agreement — Gary LaChey   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2008    
  10 .15*   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Management Equity Incentive Plan   Exhibit 10.2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008    
  10 .16*   Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation       X
  10 .16(a)*   Form of Directors Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Management Equity Incentive Plan   Exhibit 10.3 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2008    
  10 .17*   Amended and Restated 2003 Severance and Change of Control Plan   Exhibit 10.5 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 14, 2008    
  10 .18*   Neenah Foundry Company Executive Retirement Benefits Policy   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 18, 2008    
  10 .19*   Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan   Exhibit A to Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated December 28, 2007    
  10 .20*   Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Management Equity Incentive Plan (an amendment and restatement of the Neenah Foundry Company 2003 Management Equity Incentive Plan)   Exhibit B to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders dated December 28, 2007    
  10 .21   Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, the guarantors named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee and collateral agent   Exhibit 10.2 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .21(a)   First Supplement to Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, among Bank of America, N.A., as agent, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee and collateral agent, Neenah Foundry Company and certain grantors (as defined therein)   Exhibit 10.1 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2008    

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Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  10 .22   Security Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company, its subsidiaries party thereto, and the various lenders party thereto in favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.3 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .22(a)   Security Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2008, by Morgan’s Welding, Inc. in favor of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.2 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2008    
  10 .23   Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company and its subsidiaries party thereto in favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.4 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .23(a)   Pledge Amendment, dated as of September 30, 2008, by Neenah Foundry Company in favor of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.) related to the Pledge Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2006, by and among Neenah Foundry Company and its subsidiaries party thereto in favor of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (formerly The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.), for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.3 to Neenah Enterprises, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 2008    
  10 .24   Copyright, Patent, Trademark and License Mortgage, dated as of December 29, 2006, by Neenah Foundry Company in favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.5 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .25   Copyright, Patent, Trademark and License Mortgage, dated as of December 29, 2006, by Advanced Cast Products, Inc. in favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.6 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    

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Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  10 .26   Copyright, Patent, Trademark and License Mortgage, dated as of December 29, 2006, by Peerless Corporation in favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. for the benefit of the Secured Parties referred to therein   Exhibit 10.7 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 29, 2006    
  10 .27   Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 8, 2003, by and between ACP Holding Company and the Initial Holders and Assignment of Rights thereunder.   Exhibit No. 3 to the Schedule 13D filed by Jeffrey L. Gendell, with respect to shares of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. directly owned by Tontine Capital partners, L.P. and by Tontine Capital Overseas Master Fund, L.P., on August 23, 2007    
  10 .28*   Consulting Agreement — Timothy Koller       X
  12 .1   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges       X
  21     Subsidiaries of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.        X
  23     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm       X
  31 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
  31 .2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
  31 .3   Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
  31 .4   Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
  32 .1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X
  32 .2   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002       X

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Exhibit
      Incorporated Herein
  Filed
Number
 
Description
 
By Reference To
 
Herewith
 
  99 .1   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2006   Exhibit 99.1 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2006    
  99 .2   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2006   Exhibit 99.2 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2006    
  99 .3   Transfer Notice, dated as of May 19, 2006   Exhibit 99.3 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2006    
  99 .4   Response Letter, dated May 22, 2006   Exhibit 99.4 to Neenah Foundry Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 19, 2006    
 
 
* Denotes management contract or executive compensation plan or arrangement.

110

EX-10.16 2 c48419exv10w16.htm EX-10.16 EX-10.16
Exhibit 10.16
SUMMARY OF NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
For fiscal 2008, each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company was entitled to receive the following compensation under the fiscal 2008 non-employee director compensation plan:
    $60,000 annual cash retainer
 
    No meeting fees
 
    $15,000 annual chair retainer for each Board committee
 
    $10,000 annual member retainer for each Board committee
 
    $40,000 annual award of restricted stock units (payable solely in common stock)
Each director is also entitled to receive reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including, without limitation, travel expenses, incurred in connection with the performance of the director’s duties.
The cash components of the non-employee director compensation plan for fiscal 2008 are payable in four equal installments. The number of restricted stock units awarded was based on the fair market value of NEI common stock at the time of grant; the restricted stock units vested immediately, but the underlying shares will not be distributed until the director terminates service. For fiscal 2008, the restricted stock units were granted at the time of the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.
For fiscal 2009 the Board has made two changes to the non-employee director compensation plan. The first change is directors have the option to receive $40,000 in cash in lieu of the $40,000 annual award of restricted stock units. The second change is that the restricted stock units will be valued based upon the closing price of NEI’s common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on the grant date.

 

EX-10.28 3 c48419exv10w28.htm EX-10.28 EX-10.28
Exhibit 10.28
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
     THIS CONSULTING AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into by and between the undersigned Neenah Enterprises, Inc. and its related entities (“Company”) and the undersigned, Tim Koller, as an individual (“Consultant” or “Koller”).
     WHEREAS, Koller will be retiring as Vice President Construction Sales of the Company in October of 2008; and
     WHEREAS, the Company desires thereafter to retain the services of Koller for a period of time as a consultant in order to provide transitional assistance to the Company regarding responsibilities previously performed by Koller in his role of Vice President Construction Sales and to further provide consultative efforts to the Company for the purposes of furthering and developing the business; and
     WHEREAS, Koller is desirous of entering into such an arrangement,
     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties mutually agree as follows:
     1. PERFORMANCE BY CONSULTANT:
     A. AVAILABILITY: Consultant agrees to provide consultative services to the Company during the term of this Agreement. The specific schedule of availability and the compensation arrangements associated with same are outlined in 2. below (Compensation).
     B. REPORTING: The Consultant shall report directly to the president of the Company, Robert Ostendorf or his designee.
     2. COMPENSATION:
     The Consultant will be paid $10,000 per month during the term of this Agreement in addition to any supplemental daily fees as defined below.
     In exchange for this payment of $120,000, the Consultant agrees to provide ten (10) days of consultative services to the Company per month of this Agreement. If the Consultant is required to spend more than ten (10) days in any one month in order to provide consultative services, the Consultant shall be paid for each supplemental additional day the sum of $1,500.
     The Company will additionally reimburse the Consultant for all necessary expenses associated with the performance of his duties including lodging, meals and travel if same is required to provide said services.
     The Consultant agrees to provide the Company with a reasonable itemization including receipts if requested to substantiate all business related expenses.
     3. TAXES:
  (a)   Income Taxes. Consultant shall pay all taxes and fees (including penalties and interest) imposed by any Federal, Provincial, State or local government on account of the receipt of income by Consultant for Services rendered under this Agreement. Company shall, as required by law, provide Consultant with IRS Form 1099 (US).
 
  (b)   Insurance and Indemnification. The Company hereby agrees to ensure and to indemnify and hold harmless the Consultant from any and all claims and causes of action arising out of the performance of his duties for the Company as a Consultant to the same extent that it ensures and indemnifies its officers and directors.

1


 

  (c)   Use of Automobiles. The Company agrees to allow the Consultant to continue to use the corporate vehicle that had been assigned to him during the course of his prior employment with the Company for the period of this Consulting Agreement. Additionally, the Company agrees to continue to provide applicable auto insurance coverages during the term of this Agreement as was provided during the course of Consultant’s employment with the Company. Company shall be responsible for all regular maintenance associated with the use of this automobile.
          The Consultant shall be provided authorization to continue to use the Company gas credit card to provide payment for automobile expenses including fuel.
          The Company further agrees that at option of the Consultant it shall, upon expiration of the Consulting Agreement, transfer title to the corporate vehicle that has been assigned to him to utilize during the term of the Consulting Agreement consistent with the Corporate policy that applies to transferring such vehicles to executives.
     4. TERM OF AGREEMENT:
     The term of this Agreement shall be for one (1) year commencing upon October 1, 2008 and expiring October 1, 2009.
     5. REASONABLE EFFORTS:
     Consultant shall perform Services and consultative efforts in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and further shall make every reasonable effort to perform Services hereunder in a prompt, competent and diligent manner consistent with Company’s standards.
     6. PROPRIETARY RIGHTS:
     Consultant agrees that all information, discoveries, inventions, improvements, strategies or overall business plan concepts arising from the services Consultants provides herein under this Agreement, shall be the sole property of the Company.
     7. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:
     This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the consulting relationship. This Agreement may not be changed orally, but only by an agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto.
     8. GOVERNING LAW:
     This Agreement shall be governed for all purposes by the laws of the State of Wisconsin. If any provision of this Agreement is declared void, such provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect. Proper venue for any actions arising out of the breach of this Agreement shall be in a court of competent jurisdiction within Outagamie County, State of Wisconsin.
     9. AGREEMENT:
     The Consultant, by his signature hereto, confirms the following:
  (a)   the Consultant has an employer identification number and/or social security number.
 
  (b)   the Consultant by this Agreement will operate under a contract to perform specific services for specific amounts of money under which Consultant controls the means of the performance of services work.
 
  (c)   the Consultant will receive compensation for work or services performed under this contract.

2


 

  (d)   the Consultant agrees that whether or not he makes a profit or loss to perform the work outlined is entirely his responsibility.
     10. RENEWAL:
     This Agreement upon its expiration may be renewed upon terms mutually agreeable to the parties providing same is reduced to writing and signed by the parties hereto.
     11. CONFIDENTIALITY:
     During the course of providing services, it is possible that the Consultant will obtain information that is considered to be confidential and proprietary information of the Company. Such information may include, but is not limited to, compositions, specifications, formula, designs, manufacturing processes, programs, systems, products, patent applications, marketing, business and other commercial information. Consultant agrees to maintain as confidential all confidential information received or obtained as a result of the services provided for a period of five (5) years from the date on which the Consultant’s services are terminated. At no time shall such confidential information be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of the Company.
     12. NON-COMPETITION:
     The Consultant hereby agrees that during the term of his Consultant relationship and for a period of one (1) year upon the cessation of said relationship, the Consultant shall not directly or indirectly, work as an employee or a consultant on behalf of a competitor of the Company, in a capacity wherein he would provide any comparable consultative services to the competitor that he provided to the Company during the period of the Consultant relationship.
     This provision relating to non-competition is not designed to prevent the Consultant from becoming employed or providing services to a competitor so long as said employment or consultative effort does not result in the Consultant providing the same or similar services to the competitor that he provided to the Company during the period of his Consultant relationship with the Company.
     Furthermore, this restriction on employment is limited geographically only to those competitors who are compete within the continental United States and who have competed during the period of the consulting agreement or during the three (3) year period prior to the execution of this Agreement.
     13. TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 2009:
     Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary herein, this Agreement may be terminated prior to its expiration date of October 1, 2009 based upon any of the following:
  (a)   This Agreement may be terminated by mutual agreement at any time prior to its expiration date providing the parties agree to do so in writing.
 
  (b)   Either party may terminate this Agreement prior to its expiration date by providing a written ninety (90) day notice of same. In the event such notice is given by either party, then the Company shall nevertheless remain obligated to pay the Consultant all payments due but only through the ninety (90) day notice period. Likewise, the Consultant shall be responsible to fulfill his normal duties during this ninety (90) day notice period.

3


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the 12 day of August, 2008.
         
Neenah Enterprises, Inc.    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Robert Ostendorf
 
Robert Ostendorf
   
 
  President    
 
       
Consultant    
 
       
/s/ Tim Koller    
     
Name: Tim Koller    

4

EX-12.1 4 c48419exv12w1.htm EX-12.1 EX-12.1
Exhibit 12.1
NEENAH ENTERPRISES, INC.
NEENAH FOUNDRY COMPANY
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(in Thousands)
                                         
    For the Years Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
Earnings to fixed charges calculation (1)
                                       
 
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
  $ (17,173 )   $ (22,747 )   $ 25,006     $ 18,504     $ 7,495  
Fixed charges
    33,344       32,695       34,384       34,392       34,392  
 
                             
 
  $ 16,171     $ 9,948     $ 59,390     $ 52,896     $ 41,887  
 
                             
 
                                       
Fixed charges:
                                       
 
Interest expense
  $ 32,469     $ 31,700     $ 33,410     $ 33,419     $ 33,392  
Interest portion of rent expense
    875       995       974       973       1,000  
 
                             
 
  $ 33,344     $ 32,695     $ 34,384     $ 34,392     $ 34,392  
 
                             
 
                                       
Ratio of earning to fixed charges
    N/A (2)     N/A (2)     1.73       1.54       1.22  
 
(1)   For purposes of the computation, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges has been calculated by dividing (a) income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges by (b) fixed charges. Fixed charges are equal to interest expense plus the portion of the rent expense estimated to represent interest.
 
(2)   Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges for the years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 by $17.2 million and $22.7 million, respectively.

 

EX-21 5 c48419exv21.htm EX-21 EX-21
Exhibit 21
Subsidiaries of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
(FLOW CHART)
Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (formerly ACP Holding Company) DE NFC Castings, Inc. DE Neenah Foundry Company WI Neenah Transport, Deeter Foundry, Inc. Inc. WI NE Cast Alloys, Inc. Gregg Industries, (Shell) Inc. CA CA Mercer Forge Dalton CorporationCorporation DE IN A&M Dalton Corporation, Dalton Corporation, Specialities, Inc. J Kendallville Manufacturing ___Stryker Machining PA Facility Facility IN OH Dalton Corporation, Dalton Corporation, Warsaw Manufacturing _|___Ashland Manufacturing Facility Facility IN OH Advanced Cast Morgan’s Welding, Inc. Products, Inc. 1 PA DE Belcher Corporation Peerless Corporation (Shell) _L (Shell) DE OH

 

EX-23 6 c48419exv23.htm EX-23 EX-23
Exhibit 23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the Neenah Enterprises, Inc. Management Equity Incentive Plan, of our reports dated December 12, 2008, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended September 30, 2008.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
December 22, 2008

 

EX-31.1 7 c48419exv31w1.htm EX-31.1 EX-31.1
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc., certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
 
Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   

 

EX-31.2 8 c48419exv31w2.htm EX-31.2 EX-31.2
Exhibit 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Jeffrey S. Jenkins, Corporate Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc., certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Neenah Enterprises, Inc.
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Jeffrey S. Jenkins
 
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
   
Corporate Vice President- Finance
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   

 

EX-31.3 9 c48419exv31w3.htm EX-31.3 EX-31.3
Exhibit 31.3
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Neenah Foundry Company, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Neenah Foundry Company.
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
 
Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   

 

EX-31.4 10 c48419exv31w4.htm EX-31.4 EX-31.4
Exhibit 31.4
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
I, Jeffrey S. Jenkins, Corporate Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Neenah Foundry Company.
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  (b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;
 
  (c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  (d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  (b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Jeffrey S. Jenkins
 
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
   
Corporate Vice President- Finance
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   

 

EX-32.1 11 c48419exv32w1.htm EX-32.1 EX-32.1
Exhibit 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we, the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer, and Corporate Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Enterprises, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certify, based on our knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2008 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
DATE: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
 
Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
   
/s/Jeffrey S. Jenkins
 
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
   
Corporate Vice President — Finance
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   

 

EX-32.2 12 c48419exv32w2.htm EX-32.2 EX-32.2
Exhibit 32.2
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Solely for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we, the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer, and Corporate Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Neenah Foundry Company (the “Company”), hereby certify, based on our knowledge, that the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended September 30, 2008 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
DATE: December 29, 2008
     
/s/Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
 
Robert E. Ostendorf, Jr.
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
 
   
/s/Jeffrey S. Jenkins
 
Jeffrey S. Jenkins
   
Corporate Vice President — Finance
   
and Chief Financial Officer
   

 

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-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----