Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Debt

Note 6 – Debt

Borrowings were comprised of the following:

	March 31, 2022			December 31, 2021
Revolving credit facility	$	45,487		$	29,744
Sale and leaseback financing obligation		20,690			20,546
Industrial Revenue Bonds		9,191			9,191
Minority shareholder loan (Note 17)		742			0
Finance lease liabilities		1,812			1,438
Outstanding borrowings		77,922			60,919
Debt – current portion		(19,530	)		(20,007	)
Long-term debt	$	58,392		$	40,912

The current portion of debt includes primarily swing loans under the revolving credit facility and the Industrial Revenue Bonds (“IRBs”). By definition, swing loans are temporary advances under the revolving credit facility and short term in nature. Accordingly, swing loans are classified as a current liability until the amount is either repaid, as customers remit payments, or, if elected by the Corporation, refinanced as a longer-term loan under the revolving credit facility. The swing loans equaled $7,487 and $8,744 at March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, respectively. Although the IRBs begin to become due in 2027, the bonds can be put back to the Corporation on short notice if they are not able to be remarketed, which is considered remote by the Corporation; accordingly, the IRBs are classified as a current liability.

Revolving Credit Facility

The Corporation is a party to a revolving credit security agreement with a syndicate of banks that most recently was amended on June 29, 2021 (the “First Amended and Restated Security Agreement”). The agreement provides for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility of $100,000, that can be increased to $130,000 at the option of the Corporation and with the approval of the lenders, and an allowance of $20,000 for new capital equipment financing but, otherwise, restricts the Corporation from incurring additional indebtedness outside of the agreement, unless approved by the banks. The revolving credit facility includes sub-limits for letters of credit not to exceed $40,000 and European borrowings not to exceed $30,000, of which up to $7,500 may be further allocated for Swedish borrowings. The maturity date for the revolving credit facility is June 29, 2026, and, subject to other terms and conditions of the agreement, would become due on that date.

Availability under the revolving credit facility is based on eligible accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets. Domestic borrowings from the credit facility bear interest, at the Corporation’s option, at either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging between 2.00% to 2.50% based on the quarterly average excess availability or (ii) the alternate base rate plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.00% to 1.50% based on the quarterly average excess availability. European borrowings denominated in euros, pound sterling or krona bear interest at the Successor Rate as defined in the agreement. As of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021, there were no European borrowings outstanding. Additionally, the Corporation also is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% based on the daily unused portion of the credit facility.

As of March 31, 2022, the Corporation had outstanding borrowings under the credit facility of $45,487. The average interest rate approximated 3% and 4%, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021. The Corporation also utilizes a portion of the credit facility for letters of credit (Note 8). As of March 31, 2022, remaining availability under the credit facility approximated $33,000, net of standard availability reserves. At June 30, 2021, deferred financing fees of $485 were incurred related to the First Amended and Restated Security Agreement and are being amortized over the remaining term of the agreement.

Borrowings outstanding under revolving credit facility are collateralized by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (other than real property). Additionally, the revolving credit facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and limitations, including, but not limited to, investments in certain of its subsidiaries, payment of dividends, incurrence of additional indebtedness and guaranties, and acquisitions and divestures. In addition, the Corporation must maintain a certain level of excess availability or otherwise maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.05 to 1.00. The Corporation was in compliance with the applicable bank covenants as of March 31, 2022.

Sale and Leaseback Financing Obligation

In September 2018, Union Electric Steel Corporation (“UES”), an indirect subsidiary of the Corporation, completed a sale and leaseback financing transaction for certain of its real property, including its manufacturing facilities in Valparaiso, Indiana and Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and its manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters located in Carnegie, Pennsylvania (the “Properties”). Simultaneously with the sale, UES entered into a lease agreement pursuant to which UES leased the Properties from the buyer. The lease provides for an initial term of 20 years; however, UES may extend the lease for four successive periods of five years each. If fully extended, the lease would expire in September 2058. UES also has the option to repurchase the Properties, which it may exercise in 2025, for a price equal to the greater of (i) their Fair Market Value, or (ii) 115% of Lessor’s Total Investment for the Facilities, with such terms defined in the lease agreement. Annual payments will increase each anniversary date by an amount equal to the lesser of 2% or 1.25% of the change in the consumer price index, as defined in the lease agreement. The effective interest rate approximated 8% for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021.

Industrial Revenue Bonds (“IRBs”)

The Corporation has two IRBs outstanding: (i) $7,116 taxable IRB maturing in 2027 and (ii) $2,075 tax-exempt IRB maturing in 2029. Interest accrues on the IRBs at a floating rate which averaged less than 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021. The IRBs are secured by letters of credit of equivalent amounts and are remarketed periodically at which time the interest rates are reset. If the IRBs are not able to be remarketed, although considered a remote possibility by the Corporation, the bondholders can seek reimbursement immediately from the letters of credit; accordingly, the IRBs are recorded as current debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.