-----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, TR5Gvw9EQQdk18M6RFzicePVLX15nt639DT2fr2kITjMbRDReegrD5wkEj9jXFM/ WeCP5IZnkQ4hbWnkaQtk2A== 0000950123-09-060038.txt : 20091109 0000950123-09-060038.hdr.sgml : 20091109 20091109144054 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-09-060038 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20090930 FILED AS OF DATE: 20091109 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091109 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Horsehead Holding Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001385544 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PRIMARY SMELTING & REFINING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3330] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-33658 FILM NUMBER: 091167868 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4955 STEUBENVILLE PIKE STREET 2: SUITE 405 CITY: PITTSBURGH STATE: PA ZIP: 15205 BUSINESS PHONE: 724-773-2212 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4955 STEUBENVILLE PIKE STREET 2: SUITE 405 CITY: PITTSBURGH STATE: PA ZIP: 15205 10-Q 1 l38009e10vq.htm FORM 10-Q e10vq
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-33658
Horsehead Holding Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
 
 
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  20-0447377
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
4955 Steubenville Pike, Suite 405    
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205   (724) 774-1020
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)   (Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
.    
 
 
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ     No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant t Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o     No 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).
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ  Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o     No þ
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of November 3, 2009 was 43,322,955.
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
       
       
 
       
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) September 30, 2009
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     CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
     This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information, which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies.
     These forward looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These statements are contained in many sections of this report, including “Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve those plans, intentions or expectations. We believe that the following factors, among others (including those described in “Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors”), could affect our future performance and the liquidity and value of our securities and cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf: the cyclical nature of the metals industry; decreases in the prices of zinc metal and zinc-related products; long-term declines in demand for zinc products due to competing technologies or materials; competition from global zinc manufacturers; our ability to implement our business strategy successfully; work stoppages and labor disputes; material disruptions at any of our manufacturing facilities, including for equipment or power failures; fluctuations in the costs or availability of our energy supplies; decreases in order volume from major customers; the costs of compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and responding to potential liabilities and changes under these laws; failure of our hedging strategies, including those relating to the prices of energy, raw materials and zinc products; our ability to attract and retain key personnel; our ability to protect our intellectual property and know-how; our dependence on third parties for transportation services; and risks associated with future acquisitions, joint ventures or asset dispositions.

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     There may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. We can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if any of them does, what impact they will have on our results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully read the factors referenced in the “Risk Factors” section of this report for a description of certain risks that could, among other things, cause our actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements.
     All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and we undertake no obligation to revise or update this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.   Financial Statements.
Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 145,176     $ 122,768  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,037 and $750, respectively
    27,707       30,446  
Inventories
    28,186       47,209  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    12,872       15,842  
Deferred income taxes
    5,471       4,925  
 
           
Total current assets
    219,412       221,190  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    151,539       136,141  
Other assets
               
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $197
    11,507        
Restricted cash
    25,219        
Deferred financing costs, net of amortization of $1,775 and $1,200, respectively
    424       999  
Deposits and other
    138       148  
 
           
Total other assets
    37,288       1,147  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 408,239     $ 358,478  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 63     $ 62  
Accounts payable
    23,952       35,285  
Accrued expenses
    19,382       24,931  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    43,397       60,278  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    266       58  
Other long-term liabilities
    18,569       10,257  
Deferred income taxes
    1,326       1,326  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 43,322 and 35,253 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008, respectively
    433       352  
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
           
Additional paid-in capital
    210,997       129,741  
Retained earnings
    128,779       156,466  
 
           
Total Horsehead Holding Corp. stockholders’ equity
    340,209       286,559  
Non-controlling interest
    4,472        
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    344,681       286,559  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 408,239     $ 358,478  
 
           
     The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Net sales of zinc material and other goods
  $ 50,895     $ 96,264     $ 123,919     $ 313,809  
EAF dust service fees
    9,415       12,922       23,811       40,348  
 
                       
Net sales
    60,310       109,186       147,730       354,157  
Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods (excluding depreciation)
    51,718       83,721       155,455       269,642  
Cost of EAF dust services
    4,686       3,555       10,266       10,564  
 
                       
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)
    56,404       87,276       165,721       280,206  
Depreciation
    3,743       3,018       10,956       8,845  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,683       4,735       11,429       13,517  
 
                       
Total costs and expenses
    63,830       95,029       188,106       302,568  
 
                       
Income (loss) from operations
    (3,520 )     14,157       (40,376 )     51,589  
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense
    (596 )     (360 )     (1,550 )     (1,089 )
Interest and other income
    159       808       442       1,957  
 
                       
 
                               
 
    (437 )     448       (1,108 )     868  
 
                       
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (3,957 )     14,605       (41,484 )     52,457  
Income tax provision (benefit)
    (377 )     5,210       (13,797 )     19,325  
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (3,580 )   $ 9,395     $ (27,687 )   $ 33,132  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (losses) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.27     $ (0.78 )   $ 0.95  
Diluted
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.27     $ (0.78 )   $ 0.94  
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    36,498       35,216       35,676       35,033  
Diluted
    36,498       35,332       35,676       35,258  
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
                                                 
                    Additional             Non-        
    Common Stock     Paid-In     Retained     controlling        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Interest     Total  
 
                                               
Balance at January 1, 2009
    35,253     $ 352     $ 129,741     $ 156,466     $     $ 286,559  
 
                                               
Restricted stock vesting
    19       1       (1 )                  
Net proceeds from public offering
    8,050       80       79,705                   79,785  
Stock compensation expense
                1,609                   1,609  
Tax liability of stock vesting
                (57 )                 (57 )
Net (loss)
                      (27,687 )           (27,687 )
Investment by non-controlling interest
                            4,472       4,472  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Balance at September 30, 2009
    43,322     $ 433     $ 210,997     $ 128,779     $ 4,472     $ 344,681  
 
                                   
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements

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Horsehead Holding Corp. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
(Amounts in thousands)
                 
    2009     2008  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income (loss)
  $ (27,687 )   $ 33,132  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    11,531       9,345  
Deferred income tax (benefit)
    (546 )     (401 )
Loss on write down of assets
    962        
Losses (gains) on derivative financial instruments
    7,474       (24,262 )
Non-cash compensation expense
    1,609       1,305  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in accounts receivable
    2,739       7,405  
Decrease in inventories
    18,688       17,294  
(Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (8,491 )     (13,977 )
Decrease (Increase) in other assets
    209       (1 )
(Decrease) in accounts payable
    (11,333 )     (5,735 )
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses net of tax effect of share based compensation
    (3,353 )     5,822  
Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities
    1,200       (1,378 )
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
    (6,998 )     28,549  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (26,784 )     (27,184 )
Increase in restricted cash
    (25,219 )      
Purchase of intangible assets
    (3,000 )      
 
           
Net cash (used in) investing activities
    (55,003 )     (27,184 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Proceeds from equity offering, net of expenses
    79,785        
Proceeds from exercise of options
          1,004  
Proceeds from non-controlling interest equity holders
    4,472        
Tax (liability) benefit of share based compensation
    (57 )     1,987  
Proceeds from issuance of loans payable
    255        
Payments on notes payable and long-term debt
    (46 )     (46 )
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    84,409       2,945  
 
           
Net Increase In Cash And Cash Equivalents
    22,408       4,310  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    122,768       76,169  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 145,176     $ 80,479  
 
           
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE A—BASIS OF PRESENTATION
     The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Horsehead Holding Corp. and its subsidiaries as of September 30, 2009 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, have been prepared pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2009. The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of Horsehead Holding Corp. and all of its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “the Company”, “we”, “us” or “our” or similar terms). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company has evaluated the impact of subsequent events on these unaudited consolidated financial statements through the time of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of management estimates and assumptions relate to inventory reserves, bad debt reserves, environmental and asset retirement obligations, workers’ compensation liabilities, reserves for contingencies and litigation and fair value of financial instruments. Management bases its estimates on the Company’s historical experience and its expectations of the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE B—RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
     In August 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities. The guidance specifies the techniques to be used in measuring the fair value of liabilities in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available. It is effective for the Company on October 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance that identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. The guidance will change how the Company references various elements of GAAP when preparing its financial statement disclosures, but will have no impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued updated guidance centering around consolidation of variable interest entities. The updated guidance includes: a requirement for an enterprise to perform a analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; a requirement for an enterprise to perform ongoing reassessments of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and provides guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within the first annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that it may have on its consolidated financial statements.
     In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The update had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance amending the disclosure of noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. Among the requirements of the amendment is the presentation of ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The amendment also requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. The amendment is effective as of January 1, 2009. The provisions have been applied to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     In December 2007, the FASB issued revised guidance relating to business combinations. Among the principles and requirements of the revised guidance is how the acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. It also requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed as incurred. It is effective prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.
NOTE C—EQUITY OFFERING
     On September 1, 2009, the SEC declared effective the Company’s registration statement on Form S-3 originally filed by the Company with the SEC on July 16, 2009. The registration statement relates to the sale of previously unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock. On September 16, 2009, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 8,050 shares of its common stock, including 1,050 shares sold pursuant to the underwriter’s exercise of their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. At the public offering price of $10.50 per share, the aggregate price of shares of common stock sold by the Company was $84,525. The net proceeds realized by the Company from the offering, after accounting for $4,226 in underwriting discounts and commissions and $514 in expenses relating to the offering, were $79,785. The Company will use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, working capital, acquisitions, investments and the repayment of indebtedness. Pending these uses, the net proceeds may also be temporarily invested in short- and medium-term securities.
NOTE D—ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS
     In June 2009, the Company purchased the customer contracts related to the electric arc furnace (“EAF”) dust collection business of Envirosafe Services of Ohio Inc. (“ESOI”) for $11,704. As part of the purchase, the Company obtained a standard agreement from ESOI not to compete in the EAF dust collection business for a period of seventeen years. The Company paid $3,000 on the effective date with the balance of the purchase price to be paid in a series of annual fixed and quarterly variable payments through 2025. The purchase price was allocated as follows.
         
Customer contracts
  $ 10,915  
Non-compete agreement
    789  
 
     
Total assets purchased
    11,704  
 
     
 
       
Purchase price
  $ 11,704  
 
     
NOTE E—NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM FINANCING
     On June 8, 2009, the Company completed a financing arrangement under the New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”) program to help fund its expansion project in Barnwell, South Carolina. The arrangement provides $5,925 of NMTC funds to be used for completion of the development of the project site and construction of buildings and other real property. The funds and the accrued interest thereon are being held in escrow and will be released upon completion of the aforementioned project site development. The funds are recorded as “Restricted cash” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2009. A portion of the funds are in the form of an equity investment by Banc of America CDE III, LLC and CCM Community Development IV LLC, in the amount of $5,670. The equity holders are entitled to guaranteed payments of 2% per annum on their investment. The equity holders also have the option (the “purchase option”) of having their investment purchased by the Company at the end of their seven year investment period in the project. The purchase option totals $360 and is treated as a reduction of their equity holdings and is recorded in “Other long-term liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2009. The Company incurred $839 in equity issuance costs which were deducted from the equity proceeds, leaving net proceeds of $4,471 as a non-controlling interest in the Company’s Stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2009. A portion of the NMTC funds are in the form of a seven-year loan in the amount of $255. The loan is recorded in “Long-term debt, less current maturities” on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2009.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE F—ASSET WRITE-DOWNS
     In September 2009, the Company wrote-down to net realizable value certain machinery and equipment and supplies inventories by $962 primarily related to its Beaumont, Texas recycling facility. The write-down resulted in a reduction of $1,236 in the cost and $609 in the accumulated depreciation of the Company’s machinery and equipment and $335 in its supplies inventories. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company made a decision to proceed with the construction of its Barnwell, South Carolina kiln project and expects to start the first kiln early in the second quarter of 2010 and the second kiln early in the third quarter of 2010. The Waelz kiln process that will be used at the Barnwell facility is a lower cost process than the process that was used at the Beaumont facility, therefore, management does not intend to use the higher cost capacity at the Beaumont facility. The total amount of the write-down is included in “Cost of sales of zinc material and other goods (excluding depreciation)” on the consolidated statement of operations.
NOTE G—CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
     Cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Cash in bank
  $ 25,118     $ 82,789  
Government money market funds
    70,000        
Certificates of deposit
    50,058        
Commercial paper
          39,979  
 
           
 
  $ 145,176     $ 122,768  
 
           
     The Company’s cash in bank balance is concentrated in one U.S. bank. The Company purchased commercial paper, government money market funds and certificates of deposit to mitigate the risk associated with this level of concentration. The commercial paper as of December 31, 2008 was purchased from major U.S. financial institutions, carried interest rates ranging from 0.2% to 0.4% and matured at various dates through August 10, 2009. It was guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) through its Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”). The goal of the TLGP is to preserve confidence in the U.S. banking system and to restore liquidity to the credit markets. The program covers eligible debt issued by financial institutions between October 13, 2008 and June 30, 2009 with the guarantees expiring no later than June 30, 2012.
     The government money market funds invest only in US Treasury bills, notes and other obligations guaranteed by the US Treasury, and it seeks to provide high levels of current income, liquidity and stability of principal. The fund does not invest in repurchase agreements.
     The certificates of deposit have maturities ranging from four to thirteen weeks and have interest rates ranging from 0.3% to 1.10%. They were purchased through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registration Service (“CDARS”). CDARS allows a depositor to keep large deposits federally insured by investing in certificates of deposit in amounts covered by the FDIC. Under the program the depositor invests one amount with a financial institution participating in the CDARS program. That financial institution purchases certificates of deposit from other participating financial institutions in amounts covered by the FDIC.
NOTE H—INVENTORIES
     Inventories consisted of the following at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Raw materials
  $ 6,348     $ 15,885  
Work-in-process
    1,335       4,394  
Finished goods
    9,298       13,969  
Supplies and spare parts
    11,205       12,961  
 
           
 
  $ 28,186     $ 47,209  
 
           

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
     Inventories are net of reserves for slow moving inventory of $2,789 and $3,463 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Inventories include a lower of cost or market (“LCM”) adjustment of $8,994 at December 31, 2008. There was no LCM adjustment at September 30, 2009.
NOTE I—PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets consists of the following at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Refundable income taxes
  $ 7,495     $  
Prepaid hedge contracts
    3,514       12,601  
Other
    1,863       3,241  
 
           
 
  $ 12,872     $ 15,842  
 
           
NOTE J—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
     Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Land and land improvements
  $ 8,503     $ 8,494  
Buildings and building improvements
    23,259       23,228  
Machinery and equipment
    120,021       113,444  
Construction in progress
    53,809       34,878  
 
           
 
    205,592       180,044  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (54,053 )     (43,903 )
 
           
 
  $ 151,539     $ 136,141  
 
           
NOTE K—INTANGIBLE ASSETS
     Intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2009.
         
    September 30,  
    2009  
Customer contracts
  $ 10,915  
Non-compete agreement
    789  
 
     
 
    11,704  
Less accumulated amortization
    (197 )
 
     
 
  $ 11,507  
 
     
     The intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, which are twenty years for the customer contracts and seventeen years for the non-compete agreement. The Company will amortize approximately $148 for the remainder of 2009 and approximately $592 each year thereafter.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE L—RESTRICTED CASH
     Restricted cash is related to the following at September 30, 2009.
         
    September 30,  
    2009  
Letters of credit
  $ 15,288  
ESOI deferred purchase price obligation
    4,000  
NMTC
    5,931  
 
     
 
  $ 25,219  
 
     
     The restricted cash relating to our letters of credit and the ESOI deferred purchase price obligation are held in third-party managed trust accounts. They are maintained by third-party trustees and are invested in money market and other liquid investment accounts. The restricted cash relating to the NMTC is held in escrow in an interest bearing checking account.
NOTE M—NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
     Debt at September 30, 2009 consisted of a note payable to Beaver County Corporation for Economic Development for $74, of which $63 is classified as current and a $255 loan under the NMTC program discussed below and in Note E to these consolidated financial statements. The loan under the NMTC program is an interest only loan with the principal due at the end of the term. The Company had no outstanding balance under its revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
     The outstanding borrowings on the Revolver, together with any outstanding letters of credit, cannot exceed the Company’s borrowing base, which includes eligible receivables, inventories and certain other assets. The financing agreement governing the Revolver also includes certain negative covenants, the most restrictive of which limit indebtedness, sales of assets, dividends, investments, related party transactions and certain payment restrictions, as well as certain financial covenants. The Revolver expires in 2010.
     On June 4 and again on June 30, 2009, the Company amended its financing agreement. The June 4, 2009 amendment enabled the Company to participate in the NMTC program to help fund the Company’s expansion project in Barnwell, South Carolina. It also provided for amendments to certain the terms of the financing agreement, the most significant of which increased the two interest rate margins applicable to amounts outstanding under the Revolver from 2.50% to 4.00% for LIBOR loans and from 0.25% to 3.00% for prime rate loans; increased the fee rate applicable to undrawn letters of credit from 2.50% to 4.00%; established a minimum rate for LIBOR loans equal to 1.75% and increased the unused line of credit fee rate from 0.375% to 0.75%. It also increased the threshold below which the Company would be required to comply with certain financial covenants under the Revolver from net availability for any ten consecutive days of $5,000 to $12,500. Below this threshold, the Company must comply with the consolidated senior leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and consolidated EBIDTA maintenance covenants in the financing agreement. The June 30, 2009 amendment primarily reduced the amount of borrowing available to the Company under the Revolver by $30,000, from $75,000 to $45,000.
     At December 31, 2008 the Company had $14,560 of letters of credit outstanding under the Revolver to collateralize self-insured claims for workers’ compensation and other general insurance claims and closure bonds for the Company’s two facilities in Pennsylvania. In September 2009, the Company issued an additional $14,560 of letters of credit in anticipation of cancelling the letters of credit outstanding under the Revolver, bringing the total amount outstanding to $29,120 at September 30, 2009. The letters of credit issued in September 2009 were issued outside of the Revolver. The Company provided cash as collateral for the letters of credit issued in September 2009 to reduce expenses associated with the letters of credit issued under the Revolver, see Note L. In October 2009, the Company cancelled $10,797 of the $14,560 letters of credit that were outstanding under the Revolver and expects to cancel the balance in the fourth quarter of 2009. Availability under the Revolver was $30,263 at September 30, 2009 and $35,098 at December 31, 2008. The Revolver is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of the Company’s subsidiaries.
     The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the financing agreement at September 30, 2009.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE N—ACCRUED EXPENSES
     Accrued expenses at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of the following.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Employee related costs
  $ 5,437     $ 9,915  
EAF dust processing reserve
    4,477       1,334  
Accrued hedge contracts
          3,987  
Insurance claim liabilities
    2,800       2,800  
Other
    6,668       6,895  
 
           
 
  $ 19,382     $ 24,931  
 
           
NOTE O—OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
     Other long-term liabilities at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consisted of the following.
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Environmental obligations
  $ 2,032     $ 2,047  
Insurance claim liabilities
    7,742       6,964  
Asset retirement obligations
    1,323       1,246  
Deferred asset purchase price obligations
    7,112        
Other
    360        
 
           
 
  $ 18,569     $ 10,257  
 
           
     Deferred asset purchase price obligations
     The Company will pay a portion of the purchase price of ESOI’s EAF dust collection business in a series of annual fixed and quarterly variable payments through 2025. The Company is required to provide security in the amount of $4,000 for the fixed portion of the payments until December 31, 2010 at which time the amount of the security will be reduced to $2,500. In July 2009, the Company paid $4,000 into an escrow account to satisfy the requirement. See Note L. The payments have been discounted using rates of approximately 11.8% and 16.0% for the fixed and variable payments, respectively. The discount rates were determined based on the average yield on comparable corporate bonds and the industry weighted average cost of capital. At September 30, 2009 the net present value of the payments is approximately $8,899, of which $1,787 is recorded as a current liability and $7,112 is recorded as a non-current liability. See Note D to these consolidated financial statements for a further discussion of the purchase.
NOTE P—INCOME TAXES
     The Company’s effective tax rates were 9.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, 33.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, 35.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 36.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The provision or benefit for income taxes differs from the tax provision or benefit computed by applying the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate applied to net income before income taxes due primarily to state income taxes. During the three months ended September 30, 2009 the effective tax rate for 2009 was reduced to 33.3% to reflect the impact of permanent differences on lower expected losses for the year and the finalization of the taxes relating to the year ended December 31, 2008. The change reduced estimated tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2009 and resulted in the effective tax rate of 9.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.
     The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The tax years that remain subject to examination range from 2005 through 2008.
NOTE Q—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
     The Company adopted a stock option plan in 2004 (as amended, the “2004 Plan”) which was amended and restated in December 2005 and November 2006. The 2004 Plan provides for the granting of options to acquire shares of common stock

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
of the Company to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. A total of 1,685 shares are authorized and reserved for issuance under the 2004 Plan. All options granted under the 2004 Plan to date are fully vested due to the change in ownership of the Company resulting from the November 2006 equity offering and stock repurchase more fully described in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the SEC on March 16, 2009. The options may be exercised at any time prior to September 15, 2014. At September 30, 2009, there were 163 options outstanding, each with an exercise price of $1.01 per share and 4.90 years of remaining contractual life. The aggregate intrinsic value at September 30, 2009 of the options outstanding under the 2004 Plan was $1,741.
     In 2006, the Company adopted the Horsehead Holding Corp. 2006 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated on June 11, 2007 (the “2006 Plan”) and which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and other equity-based awards. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company, as well as others performing services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the 2006 Plan. The 2006 Plan is administered by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”).
     A total of 1,489 shares of the Company’s common stock were initially authorized for issuance under the 2006 Plan, which amount increases annually by an amount equal to 1% of the number of shares on the Company’s common stock outstanding or such lesser amount determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The number of shares available for issuance under the 2006 Plan is subject to adjustment in the event of a reorganization, stock split, merger or similar change in the corporate structure or the outstanding shares of common stock. In the event of any of these occurrences, the Committee may make any adjustments considered appropriate to, among other things, the number and kind of shares, options or other property available for issuance under the 2006 Plan or covered by grants previously made under the 2006 Plan. The shares available for issuance under the 2006 Plan may be, in whole or in part, authorized and unissued or held as treasury shares.
     On January 16, 2007, the Board authorized the issuance of options to purchase 1,085 shares of the Company’s common stock to certain officers and employees of the Company under the 2006 Plan. The exercise price is $13.00 per share. The options have a term of ten years and vest ratably over a five-year period from date of grant. Generally, the vested options may be exercised any time after November 30, 2007 and before the earlier of January 24, 2017 or the date of the option holder’s employment termination.
     At September 30, 2009, there were 1,045 options outstanding, each with an exercise price of $13.00 per share and 7.29 years of remaining contractual life. The related compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $332 and $959, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the compensation expense was $335 and $1,009, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2009 was $3,042. As of September 30, 2009, 418 options were vested and fully exercisable. In 2009, 25 options were forfeited.
     In the second and third quarters of 2008, the Company granted a total of 266 restricted stock units at an average grant date fair value of $12.68 per unit. A portion of them vest over a three- to five-year service period. The remainder vest based upon the achievement of certain performance goals over a three-year period. Upon vesting, the underlying stock will be issued for par value. In the first two quarters of 2009, the Company granted a total of 322 restricted stock units at an average grant date fair value of $4.98 per unit. The units vest over a five year service period. The related compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $213 and $650, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the compensation expense was $104 and $173, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2009 was $2,757. The remaining contractual life ranged from 1.50 years to 4.58 years at September 30, 2009.
NOTE R—ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
     The Company’s business consists principally of the sale of zinc metal and other zinc-based products. As a result, its results of operations are subject to risk of fluctuations in the market price of zinc. While the Company’s finished products are generally priced based on a spread to the price of zinc on the London Metal Exchange (“LME”), its revenues are impacted significantly by changes in the market price of zinc. To reduce its exposure to movements in the price of zinc the Company pursues various hedging strategies as described below.
     The Company’s marketing strategy includes a metal hedging program that allows customers to secure a firm price for future deliveries under a sales contract. Hedges are entered into based on firm sales contracts to deliver specified quantities of product on a monthly basis for terms generally not exceeding one year. The Company’s raw material purchases related to such firm price contracts are at varying zinc and copper prices that are based on the LME. In order to protect its cash flow

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
related to firm price sales contracts, the Company enters into fixed-to-variable swap contracts to convert the LME-based fixed sales price back to variable. Thus, if raw material costs increase as a result of LME zinc price increases, the related sales value and related cash flows will also increase. As of September 30, 2009, the fixed portions of these contracts ranged from a monthly average of $0.54 per pound to $0.70 per pound.
     The Company has traditionally sold the lead co-product of its EAF dust recycling operation at varying LME-based lead prices. In order to offset the fluctuations in its cash flow related to variable price lead sales contracts, the Company entered into variable-to-fixed swap contracts to convert the LME-based variable sales price to fixed. Thus, the fluctuations in sales as a result of LME lead price fluctuations will be offset by a corresponding fluctuation in the value of the swap contract. As of September 30, 2009, the fixed portion of these contracts was $1.18 per pound.
     At September 30, 2009, approximately $7,269 of future swap contracts were outstanding all of which settle at various dates up to and including April 30, 2011. The Company received cash of $1,260 and $1,821, respectively, from the settlement of such contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. It paid cash of $175 and $1,568, respectively, from the settlement of the contracts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.
     In December 2007 and in early 2008, the Company purchased put options for approximately 90 tons of zinc each year for 2008 and 2009. At the time of the purchases, they represented approximately 60% of the Company’s anticipated sales volume for each year. The cost was $13,290 for the 2008 options and $14,216 for the 2009 options. The strike prices were $1.00 per pound for the 2008 options and $0.90 per pound for the 2009 options. In October of 2008, the Company sold the put options it purchased for 2009 primarily to reduce its exposure to credit risk with the counter-parties to these options. The Company subsequently purchased similar options for 2009 having a lower strike price of $0.50 per pound for the same quantity of tons for a cost of approximately $10,472. In September 2009, the Company purchased put options for approximately 50 tons of zinc for 2010. In October 2009, the Company purchased additional put options for approximately 50 tons of zinc for 2010. The cost of the options was $5,276. They have a strike price of $0.65 per pound. At the time of the purchases, the options represented approximately 80% of the Company’s anticipated sales volume for 2010. All of the options were purchased to act as a financial hedge and to lend stability to the Company’s revenue stream.
     The options settle monthly on an average LME pricing basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the three months ended March 31, 2008, the average LME zinc prices were above the strike prices for the contracts. Consequently, they expired with no settlement payment due the Company. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, the average LME zinc prices were below the strike prices for the contracts, therefore, the Company received $8,866 and $11,134, respectively, in cash as the contracts settled.
     The gains and losses resulting from the Company’s hedging activities are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as indicated in the table below.
                                 
    Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
         
Gains (losses) included in net sales:
                               
Put options
    ($1,285 )   $ 18,080       ($7,715 )   $ 32,001  
Swaps
    1,176       (1,013 )     2,061       1,826  
         
 
    ($109 )   $ 17,067       ($5,654 )   $ 33,827  
         
     The fair value of the swap contracts and put options as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are listed in the table below.
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
                 
    September 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
 
               
Put options and swaps included in Prepaid expenses and other assets
  $ 3,514     $ 12,601  
 
           
 
               
Swaps included in Accrued expenses
  $     $ 3,987  
 
           
     The fair values of derivative instruments are based upon the Company’s analysis of valuations provided by third party counterparties with whom they have entered into substantially identical derivative contracts. The Company compares the valuations to ensure that there is an acceptable level of consistency among them. The valuations are based on the official LME closing valuations at the end of the trading day on September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, using the mid-point of

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
the closing bid and ask prices on all open positions regardless of the holder. The closing prices are supervised by the London Clearing House and are regulated by the Financial Services Authority, the financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom.
     The Company is exposed to credit loss in cases where counter-parties with which they have entered into derivative transactions are unable to pay the Company when they owe the Company funds as a result of agreements with them. To minimize the risk of such losses, the Company uses highly rated financial institutions as counter-parties that meet certain requirements. The Company currently does not anticipate that any of the counter-parties will default on their obligations. The Company does not require collateral and does not enter into master netting arrangements.
NOTE S—CONTINGENCIES
     The Company is subject to federal, state and local laws designed to protect the environment and believes that as a general matter, its policies, practices and procedures are properly designed to reasonably prevent risk of environmental damage and financial liability to the Company.
     The Company is party to various litigation, claims and disputes, including labor regulation claims and Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”) and environmental regulation violations, some of which are for substantial amounts, arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate effect of such actions cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company expects that the outcome of these matters will not result in a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
NOTE T—EARNINGS PER SHARE
     Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. Diluted EPS for periods with a net loss is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The Company uses the treasury stock method when calculating the dilutive effect in basic EPS.
     The information used to compute basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share follows.
                                 
    Three months ended September 30,     Nine months ended September 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
Basic earnings (loss) per share:                        
Net income (loss)
  $ (3,580 )   $ 9,395     $ (27,687 )   $ 33,132  
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    36,498       35,216       35,676       35,033  
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.27     $ (0.78 )   $ 0.95  
 
                       
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ (3,580 )   $ 9,395     $ (27,687 )   $ 33,132  
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    36,498       35,332       35,676       35,258  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.10 )   $ 0.27     $ (0.78 )   $ 0.94  
 
                       
Reconciliation of average shares outstanding — basic to average shares outstanding — diluted:
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic
    36,498       35,216       35,676       35,033  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Options
          116             222  
Restricted stock units
                      3  
 
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
    36,498       35,332       35,676       35,258  
 
                       
     Options to purchase 1,045 and 1,075 shares at a price of $13.00 per share were outstanding for the period ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008, respectively, but were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 163 shares at a price of $1.01 per share and restricted stock units entitling the holders to receive 462 shares were outstanding for the period ended September 30, 2009 but were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Restricted stock units entitling the holders to receive 160 shares were outstanding for the period ended September 30, 2008 but were excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation as their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

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HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
NOTE U—COMMITMENTS
The Company has operating leases for equipment and railroad cars which expire at various dates through December 2016. Future minimum lease payments under these noncancelable operating leases as of September 30, 2009 are as follows:
         
Years Ending December 31,   Amounts  
2009
  $ 994  
2010
    3,565  
2011
    2,913  
2012
    1,712  
2013
    1,319  
Thereafter
    1,616  
 
     
 
  $ 12,119  
 
     
NOTE V—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On November 1, 2009 CIT Group Inc. voluntarily filed a prepackaged plan of reorganization with the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. None of the operating subsidiaries are included in the filing, and are therefore expected to continue operations as the cases proceed. Consequently, the filing is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s access to capital through its Revolver.

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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
General
          This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the SEC on March 16, 2009.
Overview
     Our History
          We are a leading U.S. producer of specialty zinc and zinc-based products. Our products are used in a wide variety of applications, including in the galvanizing of fabricated steel products and as components in rubber tires, alkaline batteries, paint, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. We believe that we are the largest refiner of zinc oxide and Prime Western (“PW”) zinc metal in North America. We believe we are also the largest North American recycler of electric arc furnace (“EAF”) dust, a hazardous waste produced by the steel mini-mill manufacturing process. We, together with our predecessors, have been operating in the zinc industry for more than 150 years.
          While we vary our raw material inputs, or feedstocks, based on cost and availability, we generally produce our zinc products using nearly 100% recycled zinc, including zinc recovered from our EAF dust recycling operations. We believe that our ability to convert recycled zinc into finished products results in lower feed costs than for smelters that rely primarily on zinc concentrates. Our four EAF dust recycling facilities also generate service fee revenue from steel mini-mills by providing a convenient and safe means for recycling their EAF dust.
     Economic Conditions and Outlook
          The deterioration in economic conditions that began in the fourth quarter of 2008 continued at a slower rate through the second quarter of 2009. Our results, particularly in comparison to the first two quarters of fiscal 2008, reflect the negative impact this has had on the markets we serve, in particular the tire and rubber market, the hot-dipped galvanizing market and the EAF dust recycling market. We expect the economy to remain weak in the near term, although in late July we restarted a fifth furnace at our Monaca, Pennsylvania smelter in response to a recent increase in orders at a time when our inventories are low. It is unclear, however, whether we will be able to maintain this level of production for the balance of the year.
     Factors Affecting Our Operating Results
          Market Price for Zinc. Since we generate the substantial majority of our net sales from the sale of zinc and zinc-based products, our operating results depend greatly on the prevailing market price for zinc. Our principal raw materials are zinc extracted from recycled EAF dust, for which we receive revenue from the steel mini-mill companies, and other zinc-bearing secondary materials (“purchased feedstock” or “purchased feed”) that we purchase from third parties. Costs to acquire and recycle EAF dust, which, during the first nine months of 2009, represented approximately 65% of our raw materials, are not directly impacted by fluctuations in the market price of zinc on the London Metal Exchange (“LME”). However, the cost for the remaining portion of our raw materials is directly impacted by changes in the market price of zinc. The price of our finished products is also impacted directly by changes in the market price of zinc, which can result in rapid and significant changes in our monthly revenues. Zinc prices experienced a period of general decline between 2000 and 2004, primarily due to increased exports from China and declines in global zinc consumption. During 2004, however, zinc prices began to recover, primarily due to increases in global zinc demand, including in China, and to declines in global production due to closed or permanently idled zinc mining and smelting capacity. Zinc prices rose throughout 2005 and 2006 to a historical high of $2.08 per pound on December 5, 2006 then began a steady decline to $0.47 per pound on December 17, 2008.
          Zinc prices have strengthened in 2009, reflecting not only the announced mine closures and production cuts that began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continue into 2009, but also increased investor activity in the zinc markets. The LME average zinc price was $0.53 per pound for the first quarter of 2009, $0.67 per pound for the second quarter of 2009 and $0.80 per pound for the third quarter of 2009 for a year to date average of $0.67 per pound.

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          Demand for Zinc-Based Products. We generate revenue from the sale of zinc metal, zinc oxide, zinc- and copper-based powders, as well as from the collection and recycling of EAF dust. The decrease in demand for our products and services that began in the fourth quarter of 2008 due to the severe economic slowdown continued into the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Demand for our products increased slightly in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2009 from the first quarter of fiscal 2009 but is expected to remain at reduced levels in the near term. Our production of zinc products for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was reduced to an annual rate of 100,000 tons from 137,000 tons for fiscal 2008 due to the reduced demand for our products.
          The decline in steel production that began in 2008 continued through the first quarter of 2009 thereby reducing the amount of EAF dust generated and the demand for our EAF dust recycling services. Steel production increased in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2009 from the first quarter of fiscal 2009 but remains at reduced levels compared to fiscal 2008. In response, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009, we operated our recycling operations below capacity. We did, however, restart one of the kilns at our Rockwood, Tennessee facility in September of 2009 due to the increased steel production and the additional EAF dust associated with the customer contracts we purchased from ESOI in June of fiscal 2009. We restarted the second kiln at that facility in November of 2009. This will bring our recycling operations to capacity, excluding our smallest and highest cost facility located in Beaumont, Texas. We do not intend to resume recycling operations at that facility. We expect to have the first kiln in production at our Barnwell, South Carolina facility early in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and the second kiln in production in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.
          The table below illustrates historical production and sales volumes and revenues for zinc products and EAF dust:
                                                                                                 
    Production/EAF Dust Processed   Shipments/EAF Dust Receipts   Revenue/Ton
    Nine Months Ended   Year Ended   Nine Months Ended   Year Ended   Nine Months Ended   Year Ended
    September 30,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,   September 30,   December 31,
    2009   2008   2008   2007   2009   2008   2008   2007   2009   2008   2008   2007
    (Tons, in thousands)   (Tons, in thousands)   (In U.S. dollars)
Product:
                                                                                               
Zinc Products
    75       108       137       140       87       124       154       153     $ 1,389     $ 2,054     $ 1,932     $ 3,104  
EAF Dust
    279       402       519       492       293       422       507       458     $ 81     $ 96     $ 97     $ 99  
          Cost of Sales (excluding depreciation). Our cost of producing zinc products consists principally of purchased feedstock, energy, maintenance and labor costs. In the first nine months of 2009, approximately 16% of our production costs were purchased-feedstock-related, compared to 32% for the first nine months of 2008. The reduction reflects in part our efforts to increase the use of EAF dust-based feedstock as well as the significant decline in the LME average zinc price that began in 2008. The remaining 84% of our production costs in the first nine months of 2009 were conversion-related. A portion of our conversion costs do not change proportionally with changes in production volume. Consequently, as volume changes our conversion cost per ton changes inversely. The decrease in our production volume in 2009 has caused our conversion cost per ton to increase accordingly. Other components of cost of sales include transportation costs, as well as other manufacturing expenses. The main factors that influence our cost of sales as a percentage of net sales are fluctuations in zinc prices, production and shipment volumes, efficiencies, energy costs and our ability to implement cost control measures aimed at improving productivity. We purchase our purchased feedstock at a discount to the LME price of zinc.
          We value our inventories using the weighted average actual cost method. Under this method, the cost of our purchased feedstock generally takes three to four months to flow through our cost of sales. In an environment of declining LME average zinc prices our inventory cost can exceed the market value of our finished goods. A significant lower-of-cost-or-market (“LCM”) adjustment can result. In the first quarter of 2009, we recorded an LCM adjustment of $2.8 million. No LCM adjustment was recorded in the second or third quarter of 2009.
          Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses consist of all sales and marketing expenditures, as well as administrative overhead costs, such as salary and benefit costs for sales personnel and administrative staff, expenses related to the use and maintenance of administrative offices, other administrative expenses, including expenses relating to logistics and information systems and legal and accounting expense, and other selling expenses, including travel costs. Salary and benefit costs historically have comprised the largest single component of our selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales historically have been impacted by changes in salary and benefit costs, as well as by changes in sales volumes and selling prices.

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Trends Affecting Our Business
          Our operating results are and will be influenced by a variety of factors, including:
    LME price of zinc;
 
    changes in cost of energy and fuels;
 
    gain and loss of customers;
 
    pricing pressures from competitors, including new entrants into the EAF dust recycling market;
 
    increases and decreases in the use of zinc products;
 
    expansions into new products and expansion of our capacity, which requires us to incur costs prior to generating revenues;
 
    expenditures required to comply with environmental and other operational regulations;
 
    access to credit by our customers; and
 
    our operational efficiency improvement programs.
          We have experienced fluctuations in our sales and operating profits in recent years due to fluctuations in zinc prices. Historically, zinc prices have been extremely volatile, and we expect that volatility to continue. For example, the LME price of zinc rose from $0.58 per pound on December 31, 2004 to $2.08 per pound on December 5, 2006 and has since fallen to an average of $0.67 per pound for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Changes in zinc pricing have impacted our sales revenue since the prices of the products we sell are based primarily on LME zinc prices, and they have impacted our costs of production, since the prices of some of our feedstocks are based on LME zinc prices. Therefore, since a large portion of our sales and a portion of our expenses are affected by the LME zinc price, we expect that changing zinc prices will continue to impact our operations and financial results in the future and any significant drop in zinc prices will negatively impact our results of operations. We employ various hedging instruments in order to attempt to reduce the impact of decreases in the selling prices of a portion of our expected production.
          Energy is one of our most significant costs. Our processes rely on electricity, coke and natural gas in order to operate. Our freight operations depend heavily on the availability of diesel fuel, and our Monaca, Pennsylvania power plant uses coal to generate electricity for our operations in that facility. Energy costs, particularly for electricity, natural gas, coal, coke and diesel fuel, have been volatile in recent years and have exceeded long-term historical averages. These fluctuations impact our manufacturing costs and contribute to earnings volatility.
          The historically high zinc prices in 2006 through mid-2008 also made it attractive for new competitors to enter the EAF dust recycling market to compete for dust generated by existing EAF producers as well as new EAF capacity. The entry or growth of new competitors could have an adverse impact on our price realization and market share from EAF dust recycling. For example, in 2008, Steel Dust Recycling began operations at its Waelz kiln facility located in Alabama, and The Heritage Group built an EAF dust processing facility in Arkansas and began operations in 2009.
          Our zinc products compete with other materials in many of their applications, and in some cases our customers may shift to new processes or products. For example, our zinc is used by steel fabricators in the hot dip galvanizing process, in which steel is coated with zinc in order to protect it from corrosion. Demand for our zinc as a galvanizing material may shift depending on how customers view the respective merits of hot dip galvanizing and paint. Our ability to anticipate shifts in product usage and to produce new products to meet our current and future customers’ needs will significantly impact our operating results. We also face intense competition from regional, national and global providers of zinc based products, and the growth of any of those competitors could reduce our market share and negatively impact our operating results.
          Finally, our business is subject to a wide variety of environmental and other regulations and our operations expose us to a wide variety of potential liabilities. Our total cost of environmental compliance at any time depends on a variety of regulatory, technical and factual issues, some of which cannot be anticipated. Changes in regulations and/or our failure to comply with existing regulations can result in significant capital expenditure requirements or penalties.

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Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
          Our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC on March 16, 2009, contain a summary of significant accounting policies followed by us in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These policies were also followed in preparing the consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2009 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. Certain of these accounting policies are described below.
     Inventories
          Inventories, which consist primarily of zinc bearing materials, zinc products and supplies and spare parts, are valued at the lower of cost or market using a moving average cost method. Raw materials are purchased, as well as produced from the processing of EAF dust. Supplies and spare parts inventory used in the production process are purchased. Work-in-process and finished goods inventories are valued based on the costs of raw materials plus applicable conversion costs, including depreciation and overhead costs relating to associated process facilities.
          Zinc is traded as a commodity on the LME, and, accordingly, product inventories are subject to price fluctuations. When reviewing inventory for the lower of cost or market, we consider the forward zinc prices as quoted on the LME as of the reporting date in determining our estimate of net realizable value to determine if an adjustment is required. Our product revenues are based on the current or prior months’ LME average zinc price. The LME average zinc price upon which our product revenue is based has been reasonably correlated with the forward LME zinc prices that we use to make the lower of cost or market adjustments.
     Financial Instruments
          The following methods are used to estimate the fair value of our financial instruments.
          Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable due within one year, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
          We enter into certain financial swap and financial option instruments that are carried at fair value. We recognize changes in fair value within the consolidated statements of operations as they occur.
          We do not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments unless we have an existing asset or obligation or anticipate a future activity that is likely to occur and will result in exposing us to market risk. We use various strategies to manage our market risk, including the use of derivative instruments to limit, offset or reduce such risk. Derivative financial instruments are used to manage well-defined commodity price risks from our primary business activity. The fair values of derivative instruments are based upon our analysis of valuations provided by third party counterparties with whom we have entered into substantially identical derivative contracts. We compare the valuations to ensure that there is an acceptable level of consistency among them. The valuations utilize forward pricing of the underlying commodity and are therefore subject to fluctuation based on the movements of the commodity markets.
          We are exposed to credit loss in cases where counter-parties with which we have entered into derivative transactions are unable to pay us when they owe us funds as a result of agreements with them. To minimize the risk of such losses, we use highly rated counter-parties that meet certain requirements. We currently do not anticipate that any of our counter-parties will default on their obligations to us.
     Impairment
          We review the carrying value of our intangible assets and our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. In September 2009, we wrote-down to net realizable value certain machinery and equipment and supplies inventories by $962. The write-down relates primarily to our Beaumont, Texas recycling facility. In the third quarter of 2009, we made a decision to proceed with the construction of our Barnwell, South Carolina kiln project and expect to start the first kiln early in the second quarter of 2010 and the second kiln early in the third quarter of 2010. The Waelz kiln process that will be used at the Barnwell facility is a lower cost process than the process that was used at the Beaumont facility, therefore, we do not intend to use the higher cost capacity at the Beaumont facility. At September 30, 2009, our market capitalization as indicated by the closing price of our common stock was $507.7 million. Our net book value was $344.7 million. We further examined our assets and found no events that would

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suggest any additional impairment. We have no goodwill. In the event we would determine the carrying amounts would not be recovered, an impairment charge would be recorded for the difference between the fair value and the carrying value.
     Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
          In August 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities. The guidance specifies the techniques to be used in measuring the fair value of liabilities in circumstances in which a quoted price in an active market for the identical liability is not available. It is effective for us on October 1, 2009. We are currently evaluating the effects that it may have on our consolidated financial statements.
          In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance that identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. The guidance adoption of SFAS 168 will change how we reference various elements of GAAP when preparing our financial statement disclosures, but will have no impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. It is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.
          In June 2009, the FASB issued updated guidance centering around consolidation of variable interest entities. The updated guidance includes: a requirement for an enterprise to perform a analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity; a requirement for an enterprise to perform ongoing reassessments of whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and provides guidance for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009, and for interim periods within the first annual reporting period. We are currently evaluating the effects it may have on our consolidated financial statements.
          In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance that establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The update had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.
          In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance amending the disclosure of noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. Among the requirements of the amendment is the presentation of ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent be clearly identified, labeled and presented in the consolidated statement of financial position within equity, but separate from the parent’s equity. The amendment also requires the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be clearly identified and presented on the face of the consolidated statement of income. The amendment is effective as of January 1, 2009. The provisions have been applied to our consolidated financial statements.
          In December 2007, the FASB issued revised guidance relating to business combinations. Among the principles and requirements of the revised guidance is how the acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. It also requires that acquisition costs generally be expensed as incurred. It is effective prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2009.
Results of Operations
          The following table sets forth the percentages of sales that certain items of operating data constitute for the periods indicated.
                                 
    Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,
    2009   2008   2009   2008
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation)
    93.5       79.9       112.2       79.1  
Depreciation
    6.2       2.8       7.4       2.5  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    6.1       4.3       7.7       3.8  
 
                               
Income (loss) from operations
    (5.8 )     13.0       (27.3 )     14.6  
Interest expense
    1.0       0.3       1.1       0.3  
Interest and other income
    0.3       0.7       0.3       0.5  
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (6.5 )     13.4       (28.1 )     14.8  
Income tax provision (benefit)
    (0.6 )     4.8       (9.4 )     5.4  
 
                               
Net income (loss)
    (5.9 )%     8.6 %     (18.7 )%     9.4 %
 
                               

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     The following table sets forth the activity and the fair values of our hedging instruments at the reporting dates.
                                         
    Put Options        
    2008   2009   2010   Swaps   Total
             
Fair value December 31, 2007
  $ 9,871                 $ (757 )   $ 9,114  
Purchases
          7,008                   7,008  
Settlements of closed positions
                      566       566  
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
    (3,322 )                   (182 )     (3,504 )
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
    2,612       932             (1,441 )     2,103  
             
Fair value March 31, 2008
    9,161       7,940             (1,814 )     15,287  
Purchases
          7,208                   7,208  
Settlements of closed positions
    (2,267 )                 827       (1,440 )
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
    736                   (60 )     676  
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
    5,730       7,233             4,522       17,485  
             
Fair value June 30, 2008
    13,360       22,381             3,475       39,216  
Purchases
                             
Settlements of closed positions
    (8,866 )                 175       (8,691 )
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
    2,601                   (358 )     2,243  
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
    3,926       11,553             (655 )     14,824  
             
Fair value September 30, 2008
    11,021       33,934             2,637       47,592  
Sales
          (33,934 )                 (33,934 )
Purchases
          10,472                   10,472  
Settlements of closed positions
    (20,806 )                 907       (19,899 )
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
    9,785                     (1,086 )     8,699  
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
          (3,626 )           (690 )     (4,316 )
             
Fair value December 31, 2008
          6,846             1,768       8,614  
Settlements of closed positions
                      356       356  
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
          (744 )           (256 )     (1,000 )
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
          (3,903 )           284       (3,619 )
             
Fair value March 31, 2009
          2,199             2,152       4,351  
Settlements of closed positions
                      (916 )     (916 )
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
          (217 )           411       194  
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
          (1,566 )           446       (1,120 )
             
Fair value June 30, 2009
          416             2,093       2,509  
             
Purchases
              $ 2,374             2,374  
Settlements of closed positions
                      (1,260 )     (1,260 )
Gain (loss) on settlements of closed positions
          (51 )           398       347  
Mark to market adjustment on open positions
          (364 )     (870 )     778       (456 )
             
Fair value September 30, 2009
  $     $ 1     $ 1,504     $ 2,009     $ 3,514  
             
          A significant portion of our zinc product shipments are priced based on prior months’ LME average zinc price. Consequently, changes in the LME average zinc price are not fully realized until subsequent periods. The LME average zinc prices for the periods indicated are listed in the table below.

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    2007   2008   2009
Average LME   Fiscal quarter ended   Fiscal quarter ended   Fiscal quarter ended
zinc price   December 31   March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31   March 31   June 30   September 30
               
Quarter
  $ 1.19     $ 1.10     $ 0.96     $ 0.80     $ 0.54     $ 0.53     $ 0.67     $ 0.80  
Year-to-date
  $ 1.47     $ 1.10     $ 1.03     $ 0.95     $ 0.85     $ 0.53     $ 0.60     $ 0.67  
     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
          Net sales. Net sales decreased $48.9 million, or 44.8%, to $60.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $109.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was a result of a $10.0 million decrease in price realization, a $17.2 million decrease in sales volume reflecting a net decrease in shipments across all product lines and a decrease in EAF dust receipts. Our net sales were further decreased by $18.6 million relating to our hedging activity and by a $3.1 million decrease in co-product and miscellaneous sales. The $18.6 million reduction in net sales relating to our hedging positions consisted of an unfavorable non-cash adjustment of $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus a favorable non-cash adjustment of $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Zinc product shipments were 30,568 tons for the three months ended September 30, 2009, or 27,818 tons on a zinc contained basis, compared to 39,615 tons, or 35,941 tons on a zinc contained basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2008.
          The decrease in the price realization reflects the contractual lag effect of not fully realizing the changes in the average LME zinc price in the current quarter, as well as lower average premiums to the LME. The lag effect is associated with our zinc oxide sales contracts. The average sales price realization for zinc products on a zinc contained basis, excluding the effects from the non-cash mark to market adjustments of our open hedge positions, was $0.87 per pound for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $0.99 per pound for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflects not only the movement in the average LME zinc price for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008, but also the previously mentioned contractual lag effect associated with our zinc oxide sales contracts. The average LME zinc price for the three months ended September 30, 2009 trended up to an average of $0.80 per pound versus down to an average of $0.80 per pound for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Additionally, the average premium to the LME on zinc products sold for the three months ended September 30, 2009 versus the three months ended September 30, 2008, declined for both zinc metal and zinc oxide.
          Net sales of zinc metal decreased $8.9 million, or 24.7%, to $27.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $36.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable primarily to a $1.5 million decrease in price realization and a $7.4 million decrease in sales volume. The decrease in price realization was attributable primarily to a lower average premium to the LME on zinc products sold for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The decrease in shipment volume reflects the weakened demand for our products that began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued throughout the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
          Net sales of zinc oxide decreased $13.9 million, or 40.1%, to $20.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $34.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable to an $8.7 million decrease in sales volume and a $5.2 million decrease in price realization. The volume decrease was caused primarily by decreased shipments to our largest tire customers reflecting the general slowdown in the market that began in fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009. The decrease in price realization reflects the reduction of the average LME zinc prices over the past twelve months partially offset by the lag effect of pricing a majority of our zinc oxide shipments on prior months’ average LME zinc prices. We realized a discount to the LME on sales of zinc oxide in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 versus a premium to the LME in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, both reflecting the lag effect and the movements of the average LME zinc prices from the immediately preceding quarters.
          Net sales of zinc and copper-based powder decreased $0.9 million, or 29.0%, to $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable primarily to a decrease in prices.
          Revenues from EAF dust recycling decreased $3.5 million, or 27.1%, to $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $12.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. A 20.7% decrease in price realization on EAF dust recycling fees for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008 resulted in a decrease in net sales of $2.4 million. The decrease reflects, in part, an increase in freight allowances to certain customers for freight diversion charges. These charges were incurred by them in shipping their EAF dust greater distances to our recycling facilities that have not been temporarily idled during the current economic downturn. As the economy improves and we resume operations at our idled facilities, we expect these charges will diminish.

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Decreased volumes caused revenues to decrease by $1.1 million. EAF dust receipts for the three months ended September 30, 2009 declined 8.2% to 127,058, tons compared to 138,337 tons for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decline reflects the sharp drop in steel production that began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009, partially offset by the tons associated with the purchase of the customer contracts from ESOI in June 2009. According to data from the American Iron & Steel Institute, reported steel production for the three months ended September 30, 2009 declined 38.2% from the three months ended September 30, 2008.
          Cost of sales (excluding depreciation). Cost of sales decreased $30.9 million, or 35.4%, to $56.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $87.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales was 93.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 79.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Changes in the average LME zinc price are restricted to the purchased feed component of our cost of sales; therefore any changes in the average LME zinc price have a smaller effect on our cost of sales than on our net sales.
          The cost of zinc material and other products sold decreased $32.0 million, or 38.2%, to $51.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $83.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of a $14.8 million decrease in shipment volume across all major product lines, a $10.2 million decrease in the cost of products shipped and an $8.2 million decrease in recycling and other costs. The decreases reflect lower feed costs and lower conversion costs for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. Purchased feed costs were reduced by $11.5 million, reflecting the lower price of purchased feeds we pay expressed as a percentage of the LME average zinc price, a 35.0% reduction in the number of tons of purchased feed consumed and a reduction in the percentage of purchased feed used in our feed mix. The cost of zinc material and other products sold for the three months ended September 30, 2009 include a $1.0 million write-down of certain machinery and equipment and supplies inventories primarily at our Beaumont, Texas recycling facility.
          Our conversion costs were $17.7 million lower in the three months ended September 30, 2009 than in the three months ended September 30, 2008. The reduction reflects a $7.6 million decrease in utility costs, a $2.5 million reduction in labor costs and a $4.8 million reduction in maintenance and supplies costs. These reductions were driven primarily by lower production levels for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008 in response to the economic slowdown that accelerated in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009.
          The cost of EAF dust services increased $1.1 million, or 31.8%, to $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily reflecting an increase in transportation costs partially offset by a reduced volume of EAF dust received.
          Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $0.7 million, or 24.0%, to $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The increase reflects the increased capital expenditures during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009.
          Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million to $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $4.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflects primarily a reduction in labor and benefit costs of $0.7 million resulting from a workforce reduction, a decrease of $0.4 million in bad debt expense and decreases in other general expenses partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in legal and professional costs related to potential merger and acquisition due diligence activity.
          Interest expense. Interest expense increased $0.2 million to $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The increase reflects increased fees associated with our current credit facility.
          Interest and other income. Interest and other income decreased $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was attributable primarily to a $0.3 million decrease in scrap sales and a $0.2 million decrease in interest earned on excess cash during the quarter.
          Income tax (benefit) provision. Our income tax benefit was $(0.4) million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to an income tax provision of $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Our effective tax rates were 9.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 35.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2008. The decline in the effective tax rates primarily reflects the impact of permanent differences on a lower expected loss for fiscal 2009 and completion of the tax returns for fiscal 2008. The change reduced the estimated tax benefits for fiscal 2009 in the current quarter and resulted in the 9.5% effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

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          Net income (loss). For the reasons stated above, we incurred a net loss of ($3.6) million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income of $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
          Net sales. Net sales decreased $206.5 million, or 58.3%, to $147.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $354.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was a result of a $64.8 million decrease in price realization, due primarily to a lower average LME zinc price for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the first nine months of fiscal 2008, a $90.6 million decrease in sales volume reflecting decreases in shipments across all product lines and a decrease in EAF dust receipts. Our net sales were further decreased by $42.9 million relating to our hedging activity and by an $8.2 million decrease in co-product and miscellaneous sales. The $42.9 million reduction in net sales relating to our hedging positions consisted of an unfavorable non-cash adjustment of $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus a favorable non-cash adjustment of $35.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The average premium to the LME on zinc products sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 versus the nine months ended September 30, 2008 declined for both zinc metal and zinc oxide. Zinc product shipments were 86,759 tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, or 78,956 tons on a zinc contained basis, compared to 123,970 tons, or 111,833 tons on a zinc contained basis, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
          The average sales price realization for zinc products on a zinc contained basis, excluding the effects from the non-cash mark to market adjustments of our open hedge positions, was $0.76 per pound for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1.14 per pound for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflects the 30.1% decline in the average LME zinc price for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008, which decline was caused by the general economic recession that began in fiscal 2008 and continued into fiscal 2009.
          Net sales of zinc metal decreased $59.9 million, or 47.4%, to $66.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $126.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable primarily to a $28.8 million decrease in price realization and a $31.1 million decrease in sales volume. The decrease in price realization was attributable to both a lower average LME zinc price for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the first nine months of fiscal 2008 and a lower average premium to the LME on zinc products sold for the nine months of fiscal 2009 versus the first nine months of fiscal 2008. The decrease in shipment volume reflects the weakened demand for our products that began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued throughout the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
          Net sales of zinc oxide decreased $73.4 million, or 58.2%, to $52.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $126.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable to a $45.1 million decrease in sales volume and a $28.3 million decrease in price realization. The volume decrease was caused primarily by decreased shipments to our largest tire customers reflecting the general slowdown in the market that began in fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009. The decrease in price realization reflects the lower average LME zinc prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the average LME zinc prices for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The average LME zinc prices declined during the first nine months of fiscal 2008 to an average of $0.95 per pound for the period. They began to recover during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to an average of $0.67 per pound for the period. The movements in the average LME zinc prices are partially offset by the lag effect of pricing a majority of our zinc oxide shipments on prior months’ average LME zinc prices. We realized a premium to the LME on sales of zinc oxide in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 and 2008, both reflecting the lag effect and the movements of the average LME zinc prices from the immediately preceding quarters.
          Net sales of zinc and copper-based powder decreased $5.6 million, or 51.4%, to $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $10.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was attributable primarily to decreases in prices and shipment volumes of our copper-based powders.
          Revenues from EAF dust recycling decreased $16.5 million, or 40.9%, to $23.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $40.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Decreased volumes caused revenues to decrease by $12.3 million. A 14.9% decrease in price realization on EAF dust recycling fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 resulted in a decrease in net sales of $4.2 million. The decrease reflects, in part, the effects of two temporary items. The first is an increase in freight allowances to certain customers for freight diversion charges. These charges were incurred by them in shipping their EAF dust greater distances to our recycling facilities that have not been temporarily idled during the current economic downturn. As the economy improves and we resume operations at our idled facilities, we expect these charges will diminish. The second is related to EAF dust received and processed in April and May of 2009 that generated no revenue. This EAF dust was

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associated with the purchase of the customer contracts from ESOI in June 2009. EAF dust receipts for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 declined 30.6% to 292,702 tons compared to 421,907 tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflecting the sharp drop in steel production that began in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009. According to data from the American Iron & Steel Institute, reported steel production for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 declined 46.6% from the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
          Cost of sales (excluding depreciation). Cost of sales decreased $114.5 million, or 40.9%, to $165.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $280.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales was 112.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 79.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The change in percentage reflects the net effect of changes in the average LME zinc prices on our net sales and cost of sales. Changes in the average LME zinc price are restricted to the purchased feed component of our cost of sales; therefore any changes in the average LME zinc price have a smaller effect on our cost of sales than on our net sales. The change in percentage also reflects the effect of decreased production on our cost per ton.
          The cost of zinc material and other products sold decreased $114.1 million, or 42.3% to $155.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $269.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease was primarily the result of a $66.4 million decrease in shipment volume across all major product lines, a $30.4 million decrease in the cost of products shipped and an $18.6 million decrease in recycling and other costs. The decreases reflect lower feed costs and lower conversion costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Purchased feed costs were reduced by $53.2 million, reflecting both the lower LME average zinc price as well as the lower price of purchased feeds we pay expressed as a percentage of the LME. The reduction in our purchased feed costs also reflects a 44.1% reduction in the number of tons of purchased feed consumed and a reduction in the percentage of purchased feed used in our feed mix. The cost of zinc material and other products sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 include a $1.0 million write-down of certain machinery and equipment and supplies inventories primarily at our Beaumont, Texas recycling facility.
          Our conversion costs were $48.2 million lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 than in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The reduction reflects a $20.9 million decrease in utility costs, a $8.6 million reduction in labor costs and a $10.5 million reduction in maintenance and supplies costs. These reductions were driven primarily by lower production levels for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 in response to the economic slowdown that accelerated in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and continued into 2009. Although our conversion costs declined, a portion of them do not change proportionally with changes in volume. Therefore our conversion cost per ton has increased as the decline in our production has occurred faster than the decline in our conversion costs.
          The cost of EAF dust services decreased $1.4 million, or 20.4%, to $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $10.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily reflecting a reduced volume of EAF dust received partially offset by an increase in transportation costs.
          Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased $2.2 million, or 24.2%, to $11.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase reflects the increased capital expenditures during the twelve months ended September 30, 2009.
          Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.1 million to $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $13.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease reflects primarily a reduction in labor and benefit costs of $1.7 million resulting from a workforce reduction, and decreases in other general expenses partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in bad debt expense.
          Interest expense. Interest expense increased $0.5 million to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The increase reflects increased fees associated with our current credit facility.
          Interest and other income. Interest and other income decreased $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was attributable primarily to a $0.9 million decrease in interest earned on excess cash and a $0.5 million decrease in scrap sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
          Income tax (benefit) provision. Our income tax benefit was $(13.8) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to a provision of $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Our effective tax rates were 33.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 36.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The

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decline in the effective tax rates primarily reflects the impact of permanent differences on a lower expected loss for fiscal 2009 and completion of the tax returns for fiscal 2008.
          Net income. For the reasons stated above, we incurred a net loss of ($27.7) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to net income of $33.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
          We finance our operations, capital expenditures and debt service primarily with funds generated by our operations. We believe the combination of our cash balance, the borrowing availability under our credit facilities, our cost reduction initiatives, our hedging positions, and our cash generated from operations will be sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital requirements for the next twelve months. Our cash is not restricted with the exception of $25.2 million related to the New Markets Tax Credit (“NMTC”), the ESOI customer contract purchase and the collateral for our new letters of credit described below. The portion that is unrestricted is available to satisfy our liquidity and capital requirements. If for any reason we would be unable or choose not to borrow under our credit facility, we believe our cash balance is sufficient to satisfy our liquidity and capital requirements for the next twelve months. We further believe we could reduce our capital requirements, if necessary, to maintain liquidity. Our ability to continue to fund these requirements may be affected by industry factors, including LME zinc prices, and by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors discussed herein.
     September 30, 2009
          Our balance of cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2009, excluding the $25.2 million of restricted cash, was $145.2 million, a $22.4 million increase from the December 31, 2008 balance of $122.8 million. In December 2008, we purchased $40.0 million of commercial paper from a major U.S. bank to mitigate the risk associated with the concentration of our cash balance with a single U.S. bank. In January 2009, we purchased an additional $20.0 million of commercial paper with a second major U.S. bank. The commercial paper carried interest rates ranging from 0.3% to 0.4% and had various maturity dates through July 7, 2009. A portion was reinvested in new commercial paper with maturity dates through August 10, 2009 with similar interest rates. The funds were not reinvested in commercial paper as they matured. The debt was guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) through its Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program (“TLGP”). The goal of the TLGP is to preserve confidence in the U.S. banking system and to restore liquidity to the credit markets. The program covers eligible debt issued by financial institutions between October 13, 2008 and June 30, 2009 with the guarantees expiring no later than June 30, 2012.
          In June 2009, we began purchasing certificates of deposit with maturities ranging from four weeks to thirteen weeks and having interest rates ranging from 0.3% to 1.10%. As of September 30, 2009, we had $50.0 million invested in certificates of deposit. We purchased them through the Certificate of Deposit Account Registration Service (“CDARS”). CDARS allows a depositor to keep large deposits federally insured by conveniently investing in certificates of deposit in amounts covered by the FDIC. Under the program the depositor invests one amount with a financial institution participating in the CDARS program. That financial institution purchases certificates of deposit from other participating financial institutions in amounts covered by the FDIC. In October we reinvested $30.0 million in certificates of deposit through CDARS having similar maturities and interest rates. In September 2009, we invested $70.0 million in a liquidity management fund through a U.S. financial institution. The fund invests in obligations guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury only and does not invest in repurchase agreements. The fund seeks to provide high levels of current income, liquidity and stability of principal. We expect to continue to invest our cash in secured positions.
          In June 2009, we purchased the customer contracts related to the electric arc furnace (“EAF”) dust collection business of Envirosafe Services of Ohio Inc. (“ESOI”) for $11.7 million. We expect the cost of the zinc units recovered from the EAF dust under these contracts will be lower than the cost of zinc units we would need to purchase. As part of the purchase, we obtained a standard agreement from ESOI not to compete in the EAF dust collection business for a period of seventeen years. We paid $3.0 million on the effective date with the balance of the purchase price to be paid in a series of annual fixed and quarterly variable payments through 2025. The payments have been discounted using rates of approximately 11.8% and 16.0% for the fixed and variable payments, respectively. At September 30, 2009 the net present value of the payments is approximately $8.9 million, of which $1.8 million is recorded as a current liability and $7.1 million is recorded as a non-current liability. We are required to provide security in the amount of $4.0 million for the fixed payment stream until December 31, 2010 at which time the amount of the security will be reduced to $2.5 million. On July 30, 2009 we paid $4.0 million into an escrow account to satisfy the requirement.

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          On June 4, 2009 and again on June 30, 2009 we amended our financing agreement. The June 4, 2009 amendment enables us to participate in the New Markets Tax Credit Program (“NMTC”) to help us fund our expansion project in Barnwell, South Carolina. The June 4, 2009 amendment also increased our borrowing costs and increased the threshold below which we would be required to comply with certain financial covenants under our revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). The June 30, 2009 amendment primarily reduces the amount of borrowing available to us under the Revolver by $30.0 million, from $75.0 million to $45.0 million. We expect the amendments will increase our borrowing costs by approximately $0.2 million annually. As of September 30, 2009 we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolver and $14.6 million in letters of credit outstanding. On September 30, 2009 our excess availability was $30.3 million. In October, we cancelled $10.8 million of the outstanding letters of credit, thereby increasing the excess availability of the revolver.
          In July 2009, we requested an advance on our Revolver which was not honored by the agent, resulting in the lender being in default under our financing agreement. The default was cured shortly afterward but has created uncertainty around our financing agreement. On November 1, 2009, the lender voluntarily filed a prepackaged plan of reorganization with the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. None of the operating subsidiaries are included in the filing, and are therefore expected to continue operations as the cases proceed. Consequently, the filing is not expected to have an impact on our access to capital through our Revolver. In the event that our Revolver is unavailable, we believe that we currently have adequate liquidity based on our expected cash flow and our cash on-hand. We believe we will be able to obtain a new financing agreement with a revolving credit facility, if necessary. On June 8, 2009 we completed a financing arrangement under the NMTC program to help us fund our expansion project in Barnwell, South Carolina. The arrangement provides $5.9 million of NMTC funds in the form of equity and loans to be used for completion of development of the site and construction of buildings and other real property. The equity portion may be purchased by us at the end of seven years for a nominal amount. The equity holders are entitled to receive guaranteed annual payments equal to 2% of their investment. The cash underlying the NMTC equity is currently being held in escrow and will be released upon completion of the project site development, which is anticipated to be in the next twelve months. The NMTC program is designed to encourage investment in underserved areas and is part of the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000.
     Cash Flows from Operating Activities
          Our operations used a net $7.0 million in cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflecting the low LME average price of zinc during the period as well as the weakness in the overall economy. These causes also contributed to the decrease in accounts receivable and inventory. In addition, a decrease in finished goods inventory tons reflects our reduced production levels in response to the slowdown in business activity and contributed to further reductions in inventory. We expect to remain at reduced operating levels for the remainder of the year.
          Our investment in working capital increased 9.4% to $176.0 million at September 30, 2009 from $160.9 million at December 31, 2008. The increase includes a $22.4 million increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $2.7 million decrease in accounts receivable and an $18.7 million decrease in inventory partially offset by a decrease of $14.7 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The increase in cash and cash equivalents reflects the successful underwritten pubic offering of our stock in September of fiscal 2009. The decrease in accounts receivable primarily reflects reduced sales volume during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 as well as the receipt in January of 2009 of $7.5 million relating to the January settlement of the December 2008 put options. The reduction in inventory reflects decreases of 74.2% and 67.9% in the cost and volume, respectively, of purchased feeds inventory and decreases of 34.9% and 45.8% in the cost and volume, respectively, of finished goods inventory. We expect to continue to reduce our costs and our working capital to conserve cash for the balance of the year unless demand for our products increases.
          The increase in our working capital was partially offset by an unfavorable, non-cash fair value adjustment of $7.7 million on the zinc put options we purchased in October of 2008 to protect our cash flows from declines in the LME price of zinc. The options settle monthly. We are entitled to receive the amount, if any, by which the option strike price, set at $0.50 per pound, exceeds the average LME price of zinc during the preceding month. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the average LME zinc price exceeded the strike price, consequently the options settled with no payment due to us.
     Cash Flows from Investing Activities
          Cash used in investing activities was $55.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Capital expenditures included $17.3 million related to the construction of two kilns in South Carolina, an increase of $25.2 million in restricted cash and $3.0 million in expenditures related to the purchase of the EAF dust collection business of ESOI. Our funding of restricted cash is related to the NMTC financing of the development of the South Carolina project site, a $4.0 million deposit into an escrow account as security for the fixed portion of the payments in connection with the ESOI purchase and $15.3 million related to letters of credit we issued in September of fiscal 2009. The projected completion date of the first

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South Carolina kiln is currently the second quarter of 2010. The development of the South Carolina project site is expected to be completed and the $5.9 million in restricted cash released within the next twelve months. The letters of credit were issued in anticipation of cancelling the existing letters of credit issued under our credit facility
          Although our credit facility imposes certain limits on capital spending, such limits did not preclude us from funding any of our currently planned projects. We funded capital expenditures with cash on hand. Our current capital expenditure plan for the balance of the year is $12.2 million, the majority of which will be related to the construction of the new kilns in South Carolina.
     Cash Flows from Financing Activities
          Our financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 provided a net $84.4 million in cash. In September we successfully completed an underwritten public offering of 8,050,000 shares of common stock at $10.50 per share, including 1,050,000 shares sold pursuant to the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option to purchase additional shares. We received approximately $79.8 million in net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.
          The financing received in connection with the South Carolina project through the NMTC program totaled $5.9 million and consisted of an equity contribution of $5.6 million, of which $0.3 relates to our commitment to purchase the equity at the end of the NMTC program’s seven year investment period in the project. Additionally, a portion of the $5.9 million in financing consisted of a seven-year $0.3 loan. The commitment is classified as a non-current liability and the note payable is classified as long-term debt on our consolidated balance sheet. We incurred $0.8 million in equity issuance costs which were deducted from the equity proceeds.
     Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
          Our off-balance sheet arrangements include operating leases and letters of credit. As of September 30, 2009, we had letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $29.2 million to collateralize self-insured claims for workers’ compensation and other general insurance claims and closure bonds for our two facilities in Pennsylvania. Of the total amount outstanding, $14.6 million were issued under the $35.0 million letter of credit sub-line under the terms of our credit facility. In October of 2009, we cancelled $10.8 million of the $14.6 million outstanding letters of credit issued under our credit facility.
Available Information
          Our internet website address is www.horsehead.net. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our website and the information contained or incorporated therein are not intended to be incorporated into this report.
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
          In the ordinary course of our business, we are exposed to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates and the prices of zinc, natural gas and coal. We have historically used derivative instruments, such as swaps, put options and forward purchase contracts to manage the effect of these changes. When we use forward contract hedging instruments to reduce our exposure to rising energy prices, we are limited in our ability to take advantage of future reductions in energy prices, because the hedging instruments require us to exercise the hedging instrument at the settlement date regardless of the market price at the time. We have also used put options to reduce our exposure to future declines in zinc prices. We have entered into arrangements hedging a portion of our exposure to future changes in the price of zinc for 2009 and 2010.
          Our risk management policy seeks to meet our overall goal of managing our exposure to market price risk, particularly risks related to changing zinc prices. All derivative contracts are held for purposes other than trading and are used primarily to mitigate uncertainty and volatility of expected cash flow and cover underlying exposures. We are exposed to losses in the event of non-performance by the counter-parties to the derivative contracts discussed below, as well as any similar contracts we may enter into in future periods. Counter-parties are evaluated for creditworthiness and risk assessment both prior to our initiating contract activities and on an ongoing basis.

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Interest Rate Risk
          We are subject to interest rate risk in connection with our senior secured credit facilities, which provided for borrowings of up to $45.0 million at September 30, 2009 and bear interest at variable rates. Assuming that our senior secured credit facilities are fully drawn and holding other variables constant and excluding the impact of any hedging arrangements, each one percentage point change in interest rates would be expected to have an impact on pre-tax earnings and cash flows for the next year of approximately $0.5 million. We may enter into interest rate swaps, involving the exchange of a portion of our floating rate interest obligations for fixed rate interest obligations, to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we cannot provide assurance that any interest rate swaps we implement will be effective.
Commodity Price Risk
          Our business consists principally of the sale of zinc metal and other zinc-based products. As a result, our results of operations are subject to risk of fluctuations in the market price of zinc. Because our finished products are generally priced based on a spread to the price of zinc on the LME, our sales volumes are impacted significantly by changes in the market price of zinc. Changes in zinc prices will also impact our ability to generate revenue from our EAF recycling operations as well as our ability to procure raw materials. In addition, we consume substantial amounts of energy in our zinc production and EAF dust recycling operations, and therefore our cost of sales is vulnerable to changes in prevailing energy prices, particularly natural gas, coke and coal.
          In early 2008, we purchased put options for 2009 for a financial hedge for approximately 90,000 tons of zinc, (7,500 tons monthly), or approximately 60% of our anticipated 2009 sales volume. The cost of these options was approximately $14.2 million. The options were to settle on a monthly basis, and in each settlement we were entitled to receive the amount, if any, by which the option strike price, set at $0.90 per pound for the duration of 2009, exceeded the average LME price for zinc during the preceding month. In October of 2008, we sold the put options primarily to reduce our exposure to credit risk with the counter-parties to these options. We subsequently replaced these options with similar options for 2009 having a strike price of $0.50 per pound for the same quantity of tons for a cost of approximately $10.5 million. In September and October of 2009, we purchased similar options for 2010 for approximately 100,000 tons of zinc, (8,300 tons monthly), having a strike price of $0.65 per pound. At the time of the purchases the options represented approximately 80% of our anticipated 2010 sales volume. The cost of these options was $5.3 million. The fair value of the options is included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in our consolidated financial statements.
          We are party to contracts for the purchase and delivery of the coal requirements for our power plant in Monaca through 2010. Each year, we enter into contracts for the forward purchase of natural gas to cover the majority of natural gas requirements in order to reduce our exposure to the volatility of natural gas prices.
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.
          Based on our management’s evaluation (with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
          No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.
          We are party to various litigation, claims and disputes, including labor regulation claims and OSHA and environmental regulation violations, some of which are for substantial amounts, arising in the ordinary course of business. While the ultimate effect of such actions cannot be predicted with certainty, we expect that the outcome of these matters will not result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.
          There have been no material changes in the risk factors as previously reported on the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the SEC on March 16, 2009.
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Change in Securities.
a. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities:
          [None]
Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
          [None]
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
          [None]
Item 5.   Other Information.
          [None]
Item 6.   Exhibits.

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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
     
Exhibit No.   Description
31.1
  Certification by James M. Hensler, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
  Certification of Robert D. Scherich, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
  Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  HORSEHEAD HOLDING CORP.
 
 
  /s/ James M. Hensler    
  By: James M. Hensler   
  Its: President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     This report has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on November 9, 2009.
         
SIGNATURE   TITLE   DATE
         
/s/ James M. Hensler
 
  Principal Executive Officer   November 9, 2009
James M. Hensler        
         
/s/ Robert D. Scherich
 
Robert D. Scherich
  Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer
  November 9, 2009
         

31

EX-31.1 2 l38009exv31w1.htm EX-31.1 exv31w1
Exhibit 31.1
Certification
I, James M. Hensler, certify that:
     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Horsehead Holding Corp.;
     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: November 9, 2009
         
     
  /s/ James M. Hensler    
  James M. Hensler   
  Chief Executive Officer   

32

EX-31.2 3 l38009exv31w2.htm EX-31.2 exv31w2
         
Exhibit 31.2
Certification
I, Robert D. Scherich, certify that:
     1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Horsehead Holding Corp.;
     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: November 9, 2009
         
     
  /s/ Robert D. Scherich    
  Robert D. Scherich   
  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   

33

EX-32.1 4 l38009exv32w1.htm EX-32.1 exv32w1
         
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Horsehead Holding Corp. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned president and chief executive officer and vice president and chief financial officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
          1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
          2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
             
/s/ James M. Hensler
      /s/ Robert D. Scherich    
 
           
James M. Hensler
President and Chief Executive Officer
      Robert D. Scherich
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
 
           
Date: November 9 , 2009
      Date: November 9, 2009    
A signed original of this written statement has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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