10-Q 1 l14769ae10vq.htm A. SCHULMAN, INC. 10-Q A. Schulman, Inc. 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 

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 May 31, 2005

     
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: 0-7459

A. Schulman, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
Delaware   34-0514850
     
(State or Other Jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)   Identification No.)
     
3550 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio   44333
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(330) 666-3751
 
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

 
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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 is an Accelerated Filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

Yes þ       No o

Number of common shares outstanding as of June 30, 2005 – 30,605,296

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations
Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Item 4 — Controls and Procedures
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6 — Exhibits
SIGNATURES
Exhibit 31 Section 302 Certifications
Exhibit 32 Section 906 Certifications


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. SCHULMAN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

(in thousands except per share data)

                                 
    For the three months ended May 31,     For the nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
    Unaudited     Unaudited  
Net sales
  $ 374,948     $ 331,271     $ 1,088,132     $ 920,274  
Interest and other income
    1,195       731       1,992       1,605  
 
                       
 
    376,143       332,002       1,090,124       921,879  
 
                       
 
                               
Cost and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales (Note 13)
    327,499       280,136       939,766       779,633  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    35,381       30,642       105,857       90,746  
Interest expense
    695       1,066       2,576       3,183  
Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss
    (332 )     (511 )     1,675       62  
Restructuring expense — N. America (Note 11)
    (34 )     295       182       295  
Minority interest
    185       427       821       1,057  
 
                       
 
    363,394       312,055       1,050,877       874,976  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before taxes
    12,749       19,947       39,247       46,903  
 
                               
Provision for U.S. and foreign income taxes (Note 9)
    5,342       7,026       13,615       19,128  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
    7,407       12,921       25,632       27,775  
 
                               
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    (13 )     (13 )     (40 )     (40 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income applicable to common stock
  $ 7,394     $ 12,908     $ 25,592     $ 27,735  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding (Note 6):
                               
Basic
    30,625       30,232       30,607       30,041  
Diluted
    30,967       30,697       31,071       30,442  
 
                               
Earnings per share (Note 6):
                               
Basic
  $ 0.25     $ 0.43     $ 0.84     $ 0.93  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ 0.23     $ 0.42     $ 0.82     $ 0.91  
 
                       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

                 
    May 31,     August 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Unaudited  
Assets
               
 
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4)
  $ 74,410     $ 72,898  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,082 at May 31, 2005 and $9,268 at August 31, 2004
    230,885       204,091  
Inventories, average cost or market, whichever is lower
    246,166       232,102  
Prepaids, including tax effect of temporary differences
    17,626       13,339  
 
           
Total current assets
    569,087       522,430  
 
               
Other assets:
               
Cash surrender value of life insurance
    1,433       974  
Deferred charges, etc., including tax effect of temporary differences
    14,114       16,080  
Goodwill
    5,281       5,253  
Intangible assets (Note 10)
    2,500       2,653  
 
           
 
    23,328       24,960  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, at cost:
               
Land and improvements
    13,218       12,465  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    127,997       124,760  
Machinery and equipment
    284,426       274,279  
Furniture and fixtures
    35,127       32,999  
Construction in progress
    13,454       10,178  
 
           
 
    474,222       454,681  
Accumulated depreciation and investment grants of $1,214 at May 31, 2005 and $1,172 at August 31, 2004
    296,681       277,975  
 
           
 
    177,541       176,706  
 
           
 
 
  $ 769,956     $ 724,096  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(in thousands)

                 
    May 31,     August 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Unaudited  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Notes payable
  $ 580     $  
Current portion of long-term debt
    431       418  
Accounts payable
    91,587       95,160  
U.S. and foreign income taxes payable
    18,489       12,573  
Accrued payrolls, taxes and related benefits
    27,660       26,300  
Other accrued liabilities
    31,912       29,685  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    170,659       164,136  
 
               
Long-term debt
    61,205       49,679  
Other long-term liabilities
    67,450       61,984  
Deferred income taxes
    8,023       8,030  
Minority interest
    5,251       5,030  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 22)
           
 
               
Stockholders’ equity (Note 5):
               
Preferred stock, 5% cumulative, $100 par value, 10,564 shares outstanding at May 31, 2005 and 10,566 shares at August 31, 2004
    1,057       1,057  
Special stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
           
Common stock, $1 par value,
               
Authorized - 75,000,000 shares
               
Issued - 39,877,341 shares at May 31, 2005 and 39,633,132 at August 31, 2004
    39,877       39,633  
Other capital
    74,422       69,812  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 7)
    24,932       18,643  
Retained earnings
    486,037       473,540  
Treasury stock, at cost, 9,272,045 shares at May 31, 2005 and 9,211,095 shares at August 31, 2004
    (165,232 )     (164,231 )
Unearned stock grant compensation
    (3,725 )     (3,217 )
 
           
Common stockholders’ equity
    456,311       434,180  
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    457,368       435,237  
 
           
 
  $ 769,956     $ 724,096  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

                 
    For the nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004  
    Unaudited  
Provided from (used in) operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 25,632     $ 27,775  
Items not requiring the current use of cash:
               
Depreciation
    18,812       19,651  
Gain on sale of asset
    (759 )      
Non-current deferred taxes
    2,264       3,792  
Foreign pension and other deferred compensation
    5,179       4,993  
Postretirement benefit obligation
    2,321       731  
Minority interest in net income of subsidiaries
    821       1,057  
Restructuring charge
          161  
Changes in working capital:
               
Accounts receivable
    (24,687 )     (25,582 )
Inventories
    (10,945 )     (5,678 )
Prepaids
    456       138  
Accounts payable
    (5,060 )     25,730  
Income taxes
    (1,979 )     (2,391 )
Accrued payrolls and other accrued liabilities
    7,540       1,673  
Changes in other assets and other long-term liabilities
    (2,869 )     (869 )
 
           
Net cash provided from operating activities
    16,726       51,181  
 
           
 
               
Provided from (used in) investing activities:
               
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    (17,440 )     (17,530 )
Disposals of property, plant and equipment
    1,026       (465 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (16,414 )     (17,995 )
 
           
 
Provided from (used in) financing activities:
               
Cash dividends paid
    (13,135 )     (12,351 )
Notes payable
    580       (27 )
Increase in long-term debt
    11,515        
Reduction in long-term debt
          (9,871 )
Cash distributions to minority shareholders
    (600 )     (750 )
Exercise of stock options
    3,356       10,637  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (1,001 )      
 
           
Net cash provided from (used in) financing activities
    715       (12,362 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    485       4,223  
 
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,512       25,047  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    72,898       62,816  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 74,410     $ 87,863  
 
           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(1)   The accounting policies for the periods presented are the same as described in Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004.

The intrinsic value method is used to measure compensation cost for stock-based compensation plans. Compensation cost for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of the grant over the amount the employee would pay to acquire the shares.

The following table represents the impact on net income and earnings per share had the fair value based method been applied to measure compensation cost:

                                 
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
    For the three months ended May 31,     For the nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net income applicable to common stock, as reported
  $ 7,394     $ 12,908     $ 25,592     $ 27,735  
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in reported net income, net of tax
    444       579       990       1,718  
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation determined under the fair value method, net of tax where applicable
    (1,404 )     (1,286 )     (3,846 )     (3,529 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income applicable to common stock, as adjusted
  $ 6,434     $ 12,201     $ 22,736     $ 25,924  
 
                       
 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic — as reported
  $ 0.25     $ 0.43     $ 0.84     $ 0.93  
— as adjusted
  $ 0.21     $ 0.40     $ 0.74     $ 0.86  
 
                               
Diluted — as reported
  $ 0.23     $ 0.42     $ 0.82     $ 0.91  
— as adjusted
  $ 0.20     $ 0.40     $ 0.73     $ 0.85  

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(2)   The results of operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ended August 31, 2005.
 
(3)   The interim financial statements furnished reflect all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to a fair presentation of the results of the interim period presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.
 
(4)   All highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Such investments amounted to $37,144,000 at May 31, 2005 and $39,671,000 at August 31, 2004.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(5)   A summary of the stockholders’ equity section for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                                 
                            Accumulated                              
                            Other                     Unearned Stock     Total  
    Preferred     Common     Other     Comprehensive     Retained             Grant     Stockholders’  
    Stock     Stock     Capital     Income     Earnings     Treasury Stock     Compensation     Equity  
Balance at September 1, 2004
  $ 1,057     $ 39,633     $ 69,812     $ 18,643     $ 473,540     $ (164,231 )   $ (3,217 )   $ 435,237  
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
                            25,632                      
Foreign currency translation gain
                      6,289                            
Total comprehensive income
                                                            31,921  
Cash dividends paid or accrued:
                                                               
Preferred, $3.75 per share
                            (40 )                 (40 )
Common, $.425 per share
                            (13,095 )                 (13,095 )
Stock options exercised
          244       3,112                               3,356  
Purchase of treasury stock
                                  (1,001 )           (1,001 )
Grant of restricted stock, net
                1,236                         (1,236 )      
Non-cash stock based compensation
                262                               262  
Amortization of restricted stock
                                        728       728  
 
                                               
Balance at May 31, 2005
  $ 1,057     $ 39,877     $ 74,422     $ 24,932     $ 486,037     $ (165,232 )   $ (3,725 )   $ 457,368  
 
                                               

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                                 
                            Accumulated                              
                            Other                 Unearned Stock     Total  
    Preferred     Common     Other     Comprehensive     Retained     Treasury     Grant     Stockholders’  
    Stock     Stock     Capital     Income (Loss)     Earnings     Stock     Compensation     Equity  
Balance at September 1, 2003
  $ 1,057     $ 38,781     $ 56,035     $ (8,365 )   $ 462,104     $ (164,231 )   $ (2,560 )   $ 382,821  
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
                            27,775                      
Foreign currency translation gain
                      27,492                            
Total comprehensive income
                                                            55,267  
Cash dividends paid or accrued:
                                                               
Preferred, $3.75 per share
                            (40 )                 (40 )
Common, $.405 per share
                            (12,311 )                 (12,311 )
Stock options exercised
          735       9,902                               10,637  
Issue of restricted stock
          3       (3 )                              
Grant of restricted stock
                2,080                         (2,080 )      
Non-cash stock based compensation
                653                               653  
Amortization of restricted stock
                                        1,065       1,065  
 
                                               
Balance at May 31, 2004
  $ 1,057     $ 39,519     $ 68,667     $ 19,127     $ 477,528     $ (164,231 )   $ (3,575 )   $ 438,092  
 
                                               

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(6)   Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if common stock equivalents were exercised and then shared in the earnings of the Company.

As of May 31, 2005, 1,730,629 shares remain under a six-million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in August 1998. The timing and amount of repurchases will vary based on market conditions. No shares were repurchased in fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2005, the Company made the following share repurchases under this plan:

                 
    Three months     Nine months  
    ended     ended  
    May 31, 2005     May 31, 2005  
Shares repurchased
    60,950       60,950  
Repurchase amount
  $ 1,001,000     $ 1,001,000  
Average price per share
  $ 16.42     $ 16.42  

(7)   The components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are as follows:

                 
    (in thousands)  
    Unaudited  
    May 31,     August 31,  
    2005     2004  
Foreign currency translation gain
  $ 27,443     $ 21,154  
Minimum pension liability
    (2,511 )     (2,511 )
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 24,932     $ 18,643  
 
           

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(8)   The Company is engaged in the sale of plastic resins in various forms, which are used as raw materials by its customers. The Company operates in two geographic business segments, North America and Europe, which includes Asia. A reconciliation of segment income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before taxes is presented below:

                                 
    (in thousands)  
    (Unaudited)  
    North                    
    America     Europe     Other     Consolidated  
Three months ended May 31, 2005
                               
 
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 116,227     $ 258,721     $     $ 374,948  
 
                       
Gross profit
  $ 12,497     $ 34,952     $     $ 47,449  
 
                       
Income (loss) before interest, restructuring and taxes
  $ (1,949 )   $ 14,961     $     $ 13,012  
Interest expense, net
  $     $     $ (297 )   $ (297 )
Restructuring expense (Note 11)
  $ 34     $     $     $ 34  
 
                       
Income (loss) before taxes
  $ (1,915 )   $ 14,961     $ (297 )   $ 12,749  
 
                       
 
                               
Three months ended May 31, 2004
                               
 
                               
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 109,317     $ 221,954     $     $ 331,271  
 
                       
Gross profit
  $ 13,492     $ 37,643     $     $ 51,135  
 
                       
Income before interest, restructuring and taxes
  $ 1,215     $ 19,399     $     $ 20,614  
Interest expense, net
  $     $     $ (372 )   $ (372 )
Restructuring expense (Note 11)
  $ (295 )   $     $     $ (295 )
 
                       
Income before taxes
  $ 920     $ 19,399     $ (372 )   $ 19,947  
 
                       
 
                               
Nine months ended May 31, 2005
                               
 
                               
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 327,433     $ 760,699     $     $ 1,088,132  
 
                       
Gross profit
  $ 36,474     $ 111,892     $     $ 148,366  
 
                       
Income (loss) before interest, restructuring and taxes
  $ (7,486 )   $ 48,569     $     $ 41,083  
Interest expense, net
  $     $     $ (1,654 )   $ (1,654 )
Restructuring expense (Note 11)
  $ (182 )   $     $     $ (182 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before taxes
  $ (7,668 )   $ 48,569     $ (1,654 )   $ 39,247  
 
                       
 
                               
Nine months ended May 31, 2004
                               
 
                               
Sales to unaffiliated customers
  $ 307,009     $ 613,265     $     $ 920,274  
 
                       
Gross profit
  $ 34,621     $ 106,020     $     $ 140,641  
 
                       
Income (loss) before interest, restructuring and taxes
  $ (2,613 )   $ 51,635     $     $ 49,022  
Interest expense, net
  $     $     $ (1,824 )   $ (1,824 )
Restructuring expense (Note 11)
  $ (295 )   $     $     $ (295 )
 
                       
Income (loss) before taxes
  $ (2,908 )   $ 51,635     $ (1,824 )   $ 46,903  
 
                       

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Table of Contents

A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

The majority of the Company’s sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 can be classified into five primary product families. The approximate amount and percentage of consolidated sales for these product families is as follows:

                                 
            (in thousands)          
            Amount and percentage of          
    sales for the three months ended May 31,  
Product Family   2005     2004  
Color and additive concentrates
  $ 133,016       35 %   $ 115,385       35 %
Polyolefins
    113,269       30       92,971       28  
Engineered compounds
    96,726       26       87,233       26  
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
    14,126       4       15,505       5  
Tolling
    4,485       1       3,313       1  
Other
    13,326       4       16,864       5  
 
                       
 
  $ 374,948       100 %   $ 331,271       100 %
 
                       
                                 
            (in thousands)          
            Amount and percentage of          
    sales for the nine months ended May 31,  
Product Family   2005     2004  
Color and additive concentrates
  $ 377,042       34 %   $ 330,450       36 %
Polyolefins
    323,935       30       251,534       27  
Engineered compounds
    283,881       26       245,208       27  
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
    40,862       4       44,001       5  
Tolling
    12,641       1       9,203       1  
Other
    49,771       5       39,878       4  
 
                       
 
  $ 1,088,132       100 %   $ 920,274       100 %
 
                       

(9)   The effective tax rate of 41.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2005 is greater than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily because no tax benefits have been recognized on losses in the United States. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, the effective tax rate is 34.7% which is lower than the statutory rate of 35.0%, due to of the realization of tax benefits of approximately $4,370,000 from certain tax reserves in the February 2005 quarter. These reserves were no longer required due to a change in Mexican tax laws effective in December, 2004 and the favorable settlement of a tax claim in Canada. In addition, the Company incurred additional tax costs of approximately $1 million during the November 2004 quarter due to a change in German tax law effective September 1, 2004. Changes were implemented by the Company in the November 2004 quarter that mitigated the effect of the increase in taxes in Germany for future periods.
 
    The effective tax rates of 35.2% and 40.8% for three and nine months ended May 31, 2004, respectively, were greater than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily because no tax benefits were recognized on losses in the United States.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(10)   Accumulated amortization for intangible assets was approximately $1,218,000 and $1,044,000 at May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004, respectively. The amortization expense for intangible assets was approximately $57,000 and $172,000 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively, and $55,000 and $170,000 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2004, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes in amortization expense for intangible assets in future periods.
 
(11)   During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, in order to balance capacity with demand, the Company closed two manufacturing lines at its Nashville, Tennessee plant. As a result, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $1,769,000 for the year ended August 31, 2004 and $182,000 for the nine months ended May 31, 2005.
 
    These charges were primarily non-cash and are summarized below:

                                                 
    (in thousands)  
                    Accrual             Paid     Accrual  
    Original     Paid fiscal     balance     2005     fiscal     balance  
    Charge     2004     8/31/04     Charge     2005     5/31/05  
Employee related costs
  $ 350     $     $ 350     $ (34 )   $ (316 )   $  
Other costs
    66             66       216       (282 )      
 
                                   
Restructuring
    416     $     $ 416     $ 182     $ (598 )   $  
 
                                     
Accelerated depreciation, included in North America cost of sales
    1,353                                          
 
                                             
 
  $ 1,769                                          
 
                                             

    The employee related costs included severance payments and medical insurance for 30 employees at the Nashville facility. The other costs include equipment removal and other exit costs that were incurred as of May 31, 2005. The accelerated depreciation represents a change in estimate for the reduced life on equipment totaling $1,353,000. At May 31, 2005, no further cash out-flows are required by the Company related to this restructuring.
 
    During fiscal 2003, the Company implemented a restructuring program in its North American operations. The purpose of the program was to improve cost efficiencies and profitability. A large part of this plan included the termination of manufacturing at its plant in Orange, Texas. The Company substantially completed its 2003 restructuring plan at August 31, 2003. As a result, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $8,616,000, net of a curtailment gain of $288,000, for the year ended August 31, 2003. The Company also incurred restructuring expense totaling $315,000 related primarily to the disposal of additional equipment and to work pertaining to the closing of the Texas facility during fiscal 2004.

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Table of Contents

A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

    The charges for this restructuring were primarily non-cash and are summarized below:

(in thousands)

                                                 
            Paid                          
            fiscal     Fiscal     Accrual     Paid     Accrual  
    Original     2003 and     2004     balance     fiscal     balance  
    charge     2004     charges     8/31/04     2005     5/31/05  
Employee related costs
  $ 1,972     $ (1,969 )   $     $ 3     $ (3 )   $  
Other Costs
    4,265       (4,580 )     315                    
 
                                   
Restructuring
    6,237     $ (6,549 )   $ 315     $ 3     $ (3 )   $  
 
                                     
Accelerated depreciation, included in North America cost of sales
    2,379                                          
 
                                             
 
  $ 8,616                                          
 
                                             

    The employee related costs included severance payments and medical insurance, net of a curtailment gain of $288,000, for 35 salaried and 97 hourly employees primarily at facilities in Ohio and Texas. The curtailment gain represents the gain realized from a reduction of the post-retirement obligation due to a reduction in the workforce. The other costs include a $1,300,000 write-down of the Texas manufacturing facility, the fair market value of which was determined from an independent third party appraisal, a $2,269,000 write-off and disposal of manufacturing equipment and other assets related to dropped product lines and other exit costs. The accelerated depreciation represents a change in estimate for the reduced life on equipment at the Texas manufacturing facility totaling $2,379,000. At May 31, 2005, no further cash out-flows are required by the Company relating to this restructuring.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(12)   The components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefits are shown below.
 
    Net periodic pension cost recognized included the following components:

                                 
    (in thousands)  
    Three months ended May 31,     Nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Service cost
  $ 521     $ 482     $ 1,578     $ 1,443  
Interest cost
    803       700       2,429       2,042  
Expected return on plan assets
    (183 )     (132 )     (550 )     (395 )
Net amortization and other
    146       224       438       528  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1,287     $ 1,274     $ 3,895     $ 3,618  
 
                       

Postretirement benefit cost included the following components:

                                 
    (in thousands)  
    Three months ended May 31,     Nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Service cost
  $ 396     $ 263     $ 1,189     $ 788  
Interest cost
    380       323       1,140       968  
Net amortization and other
    70       26       208       79  
 
                       
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 846     $ 612     $ 2,537     $ 1,835  
 
                       

(13)   The May 2005 quarter includes income from a refinement in assumptions relating to freight in North America of $1,010,000 before-tax, or $962,000 after-tax. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, new information became available for estimating freight liabilities for outbound customer shipments. As a result of the new information, the Company recorded a favorable adjustment which decreased cost of sales and increased net income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005.
 
(14)   The May 2005 quarter includes income from the sale of an office in Europe of $759,000 before-tax, or $497,000 after-tax.
 
(15)   In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 106-2 (“FSP 106-2”) regarding SFAS No. 106, Employer’s Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions. FSP 106-2, “Accounting for Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” discusses the effect of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (“the Act”) enacted on December 8, 2003. FSP 106-2 considers the effect of the features introduced in the Act in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit cost, which may serve to reduce a company’s postretirement benefit costs. The adoption of FSP 106-2, effective September 1, 2004, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. On January 21, 2005 regulations implementing the Act were issued and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(16)   In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, (“SFAS 151”), Inventory Costs — an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 in an effort to converge U.S. accounting standards for inventories with International Accounting Standards. SFAS 151 requires abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage to be recognized as current period charges. SFAS 151 also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of SFAS 151 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006 and the Company is currently assessing the impact from the adoption of SFAS 151.
 
(17)   In December 2004, the FASB revised SFAS No. 123, (“SFAS 123R”), Share-Based Payment. SFAS 123R requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and record the related expense in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS 123R requires disclosure of information relating to the nature of share-based payment transactions and the effects of those transactions on the financial statements. The adoption of SFAS 123R is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006 and the Company is currently assessing the impact from the adoption of SFAS 123R.
 
(18)   In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, (“SFAS 153”), Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. SFAS 153 addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary assets and redefines the scope of transactions that should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The adoption of SFAS 153 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006. It is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
(19)   In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 109-1, (“FSP 109-1”), Application of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The FASB also issued Staff Position 109-2, (“FSP 109-2”), Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision Within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Creation Act”). The Jobs Creation Act provided deductions for qualified domestic production activities and repatriation of foreign earnings. The adoption of FSP 109-1 and FSP 109-2 by the Company in the February 2005 quarter is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for fiscal 2005. The Company is currently assessing the impact for fiscal years after 2005.
 
(20)   In May 2005, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 154, (“SFAS 154”), Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. Previously, APB No. 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements” required the inclusion of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 requires companies to recognize changes in accounting principle, including changes required by a new accounting pronouncement when the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions, retrospectively to prior periods’ financial statements, unless impracticable to determine the effects of the change. The adoption of SFAS 154 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2007. The Company will assess the impact of a retrospective application of a change in accounting principle in accordance with SFAS No. 154 if the need for such a change arises after the effective date of September 1, 2006.

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A. SCHULMAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004

(21)   In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, (“FIN 47”), Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. FIN 47 clarifies the definition and treatment of conditional asset retirement obligations as discussed in FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. A conditional asset retirement obligation is defined as an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are dependent on future events that may be outside the control of the Company. FIN 47 requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is intended to provide more information about long-lived assets, more information about future cash outflows for these obligations and more consistent recognition of these liabilities. The adoption of FIN 47 is required in by the end of fiscal 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of FIN 47 on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
(22)   The Company is engaged in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The ultimate outcome of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
    During fiscal 2004, a railroad company asserted that the Company was liable for environmental costs to investigate and remediate property located near its Bellevue, Ohio facility. The Company has not recorded a reserve relating to this matter. In June of 2005, the railroad company notified the Company that it intends to file suit regarding this matter. Legal counsel for the Company is of the opinion that valid cause of action does not exist. The Company will continue to pursue resolution of this matter. The ultimate outcome of this assertion is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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Table of Contents

Item 2 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and the Results of Operations

Results of Operations

Net sales increased $43.6 million or 13.2% over last year’s third-quarter sales of $331.3 million and $167.9 million or 18.2% over the comparable nine-month period last year. The reasons for the change in sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 are as follows:

                 
    Increase (decrease)  
    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    May 31, 2005     May 31, 2005  
Tonnage
    -4.3 %     1.3 %
Price and product mix
    13.2       10.9  
Translation effect
    4.3       6.0  
 
           
 
    13.2 %     18.2 %
 
           

A comparison of consolidated sales by business segment for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

                                                                 
            (in thousands)                             (in thousands)        
    Three months ended May 31,     Increase     Nine months ended May 31,     Increase  
Sales   2005     2004     $     %     2005     2004     $     %  
Europe
  $ 258,721     $ 221,954     $ 36,767       16.6 %   $ 760,699     $ 613,265     $ 147,434       24.0 %
North America
    116,227       109,317       6,910       6.3 %     327,433       307,009       20,424       6.7 %
 
                                               
 
  $ 374,948     $ 331,271     $ 43,677       13.2 %   $ 1,088,132     $ 920,274     $ 167,858       18.2 %
 
                                               

The two largest markets served by the Company are the packaging and automotive markets. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, approximately 37% of consolidated sales were derived from packaging and 18% from the automotive market. For the nine months ended May 31, 2004, approximately 36% and 22% of consolidated sales were derived from the packaging and automotive markets, respectively. Sales to the automotive industry were down in the third quarter because of a weak sales environment in the North American market.

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Table of Contents

The majority of the Company’s sales for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 can be classified into five primary product families. The approximate amount and percentage of consolidated sales for these product families is as follows:

                                 
    (in thousands)  
    Amount and percentage of  
    sales for the three months ended May 31,  
Product Family   2005     2004  
Color and additive concentrates
  $ 133,016       35 %   $ 115,385       35 %
Polyolefins
    113,269       30       92,971       28  
Engineered compounds
    96,726       26       87,233       26  
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
    14,126       4       15,505       5  
Tolling
    4,485       1       3,313       1  
Other
    13,326       4       16,864       5  
 
                       
 
  $ 374,948       100 %   $ 331,271       100 %
 
                       
                                 
    (in thousands)  
    Amount and percentage of  
    sales for the nine months ended May 31,  
Product Family   2005     2004  
Color and additive concentrates
  $ 377,042       34 %   $ 330,450       36 %
Polyolefins
    323,935       30       251,534       27  
Engineered compounds
    283,881       26       245,208       27  
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
    40,862       4       44,001       5  
Tolling
    12,641       1       9,203       1  
Other
    49,771       5       39,878       4  
 
                       
 
  $ 1,088,132       100 %   $ 920,274       100 %
 
                       

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Table of Contents

A comparison of gross profit dollars and percentages by business segment for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

                                 
            (in thousands)          
    For the three months ended May 31,     Increase (decrease)  
    2005     2004     $     %  
Gross profit $
                               
Europe
  $ 34,952     $ 37,643     $ (2,691 )     (7.1 )
North America
    12,497       13,492       (995 )     (7.4 )
 
                         
 
  $ 47,449     $ 51,135     $ (3,686 )     (7.2 )
 
                         
 
                               
Gross profit %
                               
Europe
    13.5       17.0                  
North America
    10.8       12.3                  
Consolidated
    12.7       15.4                  
                                 
            (in thousands)          
    For the nine months ended May 31,     Increase  
    2005     2004     $     %  
Gross profit $
                               
Europe
  $ 111,892     $ 106,020     $ 5,872       5.5  
North America
    36,474       34,621       1,853       5.4  
 
                         
 
  $ 148,366     $ 140,641     $ 7,725       5.5  
 
                         
 
                               
Gross profit %
                               
Europe
    14.7       17.3                  
North America
    11.1       11.3                  
Consolidated
    13.6       15.3                  

European gross profit, including Asia, decreased for the three months ended May 31, 2005 primarily due to lower margins on manufactured products. European gross profit increased for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 due to increased tonnage of 5.9% and a $7.7 million positive impact from the translation effect of exchange rates, primarily the Euro. The decline in European gross profit percentage for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 was due to increased sales of commodity products with lower margins. Gross profit percentages on manufactured products also declined due to decreased plant utilization and increased raw material costs for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005.

Gross profits and gross profit percentages for North America decreased for the three months ended May 31, 2005 compared with the same period last year. These decreases were primarily the result of a 10.3% decline in tonnage and decreased gross profits on manufactured products due to the increased cost of plastic resins. Decreases in gross profit were also generated from the sales of commodity products that have lower margins than manufactured products. Gross profits increased for North America for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 primarily due to increased selling prices on commodity products. Overall, gross profit percentages for the nine months ended declined slightly for North America.

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Table of Contents

The May 2005 quarter includes income from a refinement in assumptions adjustment relating to freight in North America of $1,010,000 before-tax, or $962,000 after tax. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, new information became available for estimating freight liabilities for outbound customer shipments. As a result of the new information, the Company revised its estimate and recorded a favorable adjustment which decreased cost of sales and increased net income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005.

Interest and other income increased approximately $464,000 and $387,000 for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively, primarily due to a gain on the sale of an office in Europe of $759,000 before-tax, or $497,000 after-tax.

A comparison of capacity utilization levels for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

                                 
    For the three months ended May 31,     For the nine months ended May 31,  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Europe
    85 %     98 %     87 %     90 %
North America
    85 %     95 %     87 %     86 %
Worldwide
    85 %     97 %     87 %     88 %

Capacity utilization for the third quarter as compared to the same period last year decreased primarily due to the decline in demand as customers reduced inventory levels. For the three months ended May 31, 2005, production decreased approximately 26 million pounds, or 10.3%, compared to the prior year. Capacity utilization for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 remained stable compared to the prior year. Capacity utilization is calculated by dividing production pounds by practical capacity at each plant.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $35.4 million and $105.9 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively. This represents an increase of $4.7 million or 15.5% for the quarter and $15.1 million or 16.7% for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 compared with the same periods last year. These increases were due to the following:

                 
    (in millions)  
    Increase/(decrease)  
    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    May 31, 2005     May 31, 2005  
Translation effect
  $ 1.1     $ 4.3  
Sarbanes/Oxley compliance
    0.8       2.6  
Bad debts
    0.5       1.0  
Compensation and related benefits
  0.5     2.4  
Legal and professional
    0.4       1.9  
Other
    1.4       2.9  
 
           
 
  $ 4.7     $ 15.1  
 
           

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During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, in order to balance capacity with demand, the Company closed two manufacturing lines at its Nashville, Tennessee plant. As a result, the Company recorded pre-tax charges of $1,769,000 for the year ended August 31, 2004 and $182,000 for the nine months ended May 31, 2005. These charges were primarily non-cash and are summarized below:

                                                 
    (in thousands)  
            Paid     Accrual             Paid     Accrual  
    Original     fiscal     balance     2005     fiscal     balance  
    Charge     2004     8/31/04     Charge     2005     5/31/05  
Employee related costs
  $ 350     $     $ 350     $ (34 )   $ (316 )   $  
Other costs
    66             66       216       (282 )      
 
                                   
Restructuring
    416     $     $ 416     $ 182     $ (598 )   $  
 
                                     
Accelerated depreciation, included in North America cost of sales
    1,353                                          
 
                                             
 
  $ 1,769                                          
 
                                             

The employee related costs included severance payments and medical insurance for 30 employees at the Nashville facility. The other costs include equipment removal and other exit costs that were incurred as of May 31, 2005. The accelerated depreciation represents a change in estimate for the reduced life on equipment totaling $1,353,000. At May 31, 2005, no further cash out-flows are required by the Company related to this restructuring.

During fiscal 2003, the Company implemented a restructuring program in its North American operations. The purpose of the program was to improve cost efficiencies and profitability. A large part of this plan included the termination of manufacturing at its plant in Orange, Texas. The Company substantially completed its 2003 restructuring plan at August 31, 2003. As a result, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $8,616,000, net of a curtailment gain of $288,000, for the year ended August 31, 2003. The Company also incurred restructuring expense totaling $315,000 related primarily to the disposal of additional equipment and to work pertaining to the closing of the Texas facility during fiscal 2004.

The charges for this restructuring were primarily non-cash and are summarized below:

                                                 
    (in thousands)  
            Paid                          
            fiscal     Fiscal     Accrual     Paid     Accrual  
    Original     2003 and     2004     balance     fiscal     balance  
    Charge     2004     charges     8/31/04     2005     5/31/05  
Employee related costs
  $ 1,972     $ (1,969 )   $     $ 3     $ (3 )   $  
Other Costs
    4,265       (4,580 )     315                    
 
                                   
Restructuring
    6,237     $ (6,549 )   $ 315     $ 3     $ (3 )   $  
 
                                     
Accelerated depreciation, included in North America cost of sales
    2,379                                          
 
                                             
 
  $ 8,616                                          
 
                                             

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The employee related costs included severance payments and medical insurance, net of a curtailment gain of $288,000, for 35 salaried and 97 hourly employees primarily at facilities in Ohio and Texas. The curtailment gain represents the gain realized from a reduction of the post-retirement obligation due to a reduction in the workforce. The other costs include a $1,300,000 write-down of the Texas manufacturing facility, the fair market value of which was determined from an independent third party appraisal, a $2,269,000 write-off and disposal of manufacturing equipment and other assets related to dropped product lines and other exit costs. The accelerated depreciation represents a change in estimate for the reduced life on equipment at the Texas manufacturing facility totaling $2,379,000. At May 31, 2005 no further cash out-flows are required by the Company relating to this restructuring.

Foreign currency transaction gains or losses were the result of changes in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005 there was a $1.7 million foreign currency transaction loss, primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar compared with the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso.

Minority interest represents a 30% equity position of Mitsubishi Chemical MKV Company in a partnership with the Company and a 35% equity position of P.T. Prima Polycon Indah in an Indonesian joint venture with the Company.

A comparison of income (loss) before interest, restructuring and taxes for each business segment for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005 and 2004 is as follows:

                                                 
                    (in thousands)                  
    For the three months ended May 31,     For the nine months ended May 31,  
                    Favorable                     Favorable  
    2005     2004     (Unfavorable)     2005     2004     (Unfavorable)  
Europe
  $ 14,961     $ 19,399     $ (4,438 )   $ 48,569     $ 51,635     $ (3,066 )
North America
    (1,949 )     1,215       (3,164 )     (7,486 )     (2,613 )     (4,873 )
Restructuring (Note 11)
    34       (295 )     329       (182 )     (295 )     113  
Interest expense, net
    (297 )     (372 )     75       (1,654 )     (1,824 )     170  
 
                                   
Income before taxes
  $ 12,749     $ 19,947     $ (7,198 )   $ 39,247     $ 46,903     $ (7,656 )
 
                                   

European income before interest and taxes, including Asia, decreased for the three months ended May 31, 2005 primarily due to a decline in gross profit of $2.7 million and an increase of selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.7 million. Income before interest and taxes for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 decreased due to increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $9.9 million. This increase was primarily due to increased compensation costs, translation effect of $4.2 million and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance expenses.

The North American loss before interest, restructuring and taxes for the May 2005 quarter increased due to lower gross profits, a decline in tonnage, and an increase of selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.0 million. The loss increased for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 due to a $5.2 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses and a $2.1 million increase in currency transaction losses from the change in the value of the U.S. dollar compared with the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily as a result of increased Sarbanes-Oxley compliance expenses and compensation costs.

Interest expense decreased in 2005 mainly due to lower average borrowings.

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The effective tax rate of 41.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2005 is greater than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily because no tax benefits have been recognized on losses in the United States. For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, the effective tax rate is 34.7% which is lower than the statutory rate of 35.0%, due to of the realization of tax benefits of approximately $4,370,000 from certain tax reserves in the February 2005 quarter. These reserves were no longer required due to a change in Mexican tax laws effective in December, 2004 and the favorable settlement of a tax claim in Canada. In addition, the Company incurred additional tax costs of approximately $1 million during the November 2004 quarter due to a change in German tax law effective September 1, 2004. Changes were implemented by the Company in the November 2004 quarter that mitigated the effect of the increase in taxes in Germany for future periods.

The effective tax rates of 35.2% and 40.8% for three and nine months ended May 31, 2004, respectively, were greater than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily because no tax benefits were recognized on losses in the United States.

The translation effect of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, increased net income by $0.6 and $2.5 million for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2005, respectively.

The Company is adding a second manufacturing line to the facility in China. This line, with an annual capacity of about 22 million pounds, will produce engineered compounds for the Chinese automotive industry and consumer product applications. The cost for this project is approximately $4.0 million and production is scheduled to start in early 2006.

The Company experienced a very challenging third quarter in 2005. There was a significant increase in the cost of plastic resins over the last nine months, primarily because of escalating energy and feedstock costs for resins. During this period, customers built inventories in raw materials and finished products as a response to the higher resin prices.

Subsequent to this inventory build-up, demand for all of the Company’s products softened as customers reduced inventories in response to weaker order levels, especially in the North American automotive market. The Company also experienced a weakening of orders in its European operations during the quarter just ended, again in response to softer economic conditions and efforts by customers to reduce inventory levels.

The Company has recently seen an improvement in its European order levels, but competitive price pressures continue to hamper profit margins. The Company is also entering the traditional vacation period in Europe and, therefore, anticipates softer demand at least through its fourth quarter ending August 31, 2005.

In North America, business conditions are less than ideal, although there are some indications that sales may start to improve in the automotive area. The current business environment makes it extremely difficult to maintain appropriate margin levels with acceptable volume.

In addition to the anticipated soft economic conditions for the fourth quarter, there has also been a weakening in the value of the euro, which the Company expects will negatively impact its net income. Accordingly, the Company anticipates net income for the 2005 fourth quarter to be somewhat less than last year’s comparable quarter, excluding charges for restructuring, goodwill impairment and a valuation allowance for tax assets.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has identified critical accounting policies that, as a result of the judgments, uncertainties, and the operations involved, could result in material changes to its financial condition or results of operations under different conditions or using different assumptions. The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, interim provisions for income taxes, restructuring costs and goodwill.

Management records an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the careful monitoring of the current and projected credit quality of the Company’s customers, historical experience, customer payment history, expected trends and other factors that affect collectibility. Changes in these factors or changes in economic circumstances could result in changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Management establishes an inventory reserve based on historical experience and amounts expected to be realized for slow-moving and obsolete inventory. The Company monitors its slow-moving and obsolete inventory on a quarterly basis and makes adjustments as considered necessary. The proceeds from the sale or dispositions of these inventories may differ from the net recorded amount.

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The Company’s quarterly provision for income taxes involves a significant amount of judgment by management. Quarterly, the provision for income taxes is based upon actual year to date results plus an estimate of pretax income for the remainder of the year. This provision is impacted by the income and tax rates of the countries where the Company operates. A change in the geographical source of the Company’s income can have a significant effect on the tax rate.

The Company has not recognized any tax benefits from losses in the United States.

Restructuring charges are recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. Liabilities for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity are recognized when the liability is incurred. Fair value is the basis for the measurement of any asset write-downs that are reflected as accelerated depreciation in cost of sales.

Goodwill is not amortized. The Company conducts a formal impairment test of goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The major sources of cash inflows are primarily net income, long-term debt and the exercise of stock options. The primary uses of cash for other than operations are generally cash dividends and capital expenditures. Presently, the Company anticipates that cash flow from operations and other sources will be sufficient to meet its short and long-term operational requirements.

Net cash provided from operations was $17.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 and $51.2 million in the same nine-month period last year. This decrease of $33.7 million of cash flow from operations from last year was due primarily to higher inventories from increased resin prices and a decrease in accounts payable.

                         
    (in millions)        
    May 31,     August 31,        
    2005     2004     % Change  
Cash and Cash Equivalents
  $ 74.4     $ 72.9       2.1 %
Working Capital
    398.4       358.3       11.2  
Long-Term Debt
    61.2       49.7       23.1  
Stockholders’ Equity
    457.4       435.2       5.1  

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents increased $1.5 million, from August 31, 2004. The primary reasons for the increase were relatively flat earnings with higher working capital requirements offset by increased borrowings.

As of May 31, 2005, the current ratio was 3.33 to 1 and working capital was $398.4 million, an increase of $40.1 million from August 31, 2004. Accounts receivable increased $26.8 million as of May 31, 2005, compared with August 31, 2004, primarily because of increased selling prices and a $3.2 million positive translation impact of foreign currencies. Inventories increased $14.1 million as of May 31, 2005, compared with August 31, 2004, primarily because of increased raw material costs and a $2.9 million positive translation impact of foreign currencies. Accounts payable decreased $3.6 million from August 31, 2004, primarily due to a decline in third quarter production.

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The allowance for doubtful accounts increased $1.8 million from August 31, 2004. The increase represents an estimate of the amount of probable credit losses due to a difficult economic environment for the Company’s customers.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, the Company repatriated approximately $5 million as dividends from foreign subsidiaries. The Company intends to repatriate approximately $38 million from its foreign operations during the remainder of fiscal 2005. These funds will be used for payment of common stock dividends, capital expenditures and other working capital requirements.

Long-term debt was up $11.5 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 primarily due to borrowings under the revolving credit agreement. Total long-term debt was $61.2 million as of May 31, 2005.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2005 were $17.4 million compared with $17.5 million last year. The largest amounts of capital expenditures were for additional equipment in China and the Bellevue, Ohio and Sharon Center, Ohio plants.

The ratio of long-term liabilities to capital was 22.0% at May 31, 2005 and 20.4% at August 31, 2004. This ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of long-term debt and other long-term liabilities by the sum of total stockholders’ equity, long-term debt and other long-term liabilities. Other long-term liabilities increased $5.5 million, primarily due to increases in liabilities for a German pension plan of $2.1 million and other postretirement benefits of $2.3 million.

The Company has a $100,000,000 revolving credit agreement which expires in August 2009. The Company, under this agreement, can increase the credit amount by $50,000,000 if necessary, at a later date. Under terms of the agreement, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial and operating covenants including leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio. The revolving credit agreement is unsecured. There were borrowings of $12,000,000 outstanding under this agreement at May 31, 2005, while there were no borrowings at August 31, 2004. As of May 31, 2005, there are no defaults under this agreement.

The Company has an outstanding private placement of $50,000,000 of Senior Notes due in 2009. The interest rate is fixed at 7.27% and is payable quarterly with principal due upon maturity in 2009. In 1999, the Company completed an interest rate lock in order to reduce the interest cost over the life of the notes. Proceeds from this transaction totaling $630,000 have been deferred and are being amortized over the life of the loan, effectively reducing the annual interest rate from 7.27% to 7.14%. Under this agreement, as of May 31, 2005, approximately $33,000,000 of retained earnings was available for the payment of cash dividends. As of May 31, 2005, there are no defaults under these notes.

The Company has an interest rate swap agreement that converts $25,000,000 of the $50,000,000 of Senior Notes from fixed rate debt to variable rate debt and is designated as a fair value hedge. As of May 31, 2005, the notional value of the underlying debt has been marked-to-market to $24,173,000 and carries a variable interest rate of 7.48%. The interest rate swap has been recorded at fair market value of $827,000 and is included in other long-term liabilities at May 31, 2005.

The Company leases certain items under capital leases. The European segment leases certain land and buildings with an amount due on this capital lease at May 31, 2005 of approximately $423,000. The North American segment leases certain equipment with an amount due on these capital leases at May 31, 2005 of approximately $40,000.

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Aggregate maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations subsequent to May 31, 2005 are presented below:

                                         
                    (in thousands)                
            Less than                     After 5  
    Total     1 year     1-3 years     3-5 years     years  
Long-term Debt
  $ 62,000     $     $     $ 62,000     $  
Capital Lease Obligations
    463       431       32              
 
                             
 
  $ 62,463     $ 431     $ 32     $ 62,000     $  
 
                             

The Company’s outstanding commercial commitments at May 31, 2005 are not material to the Company’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

At August 31, 2004 the Company had purchase obligations of $108.5 million, $85.7 million being less than one year and $22.8 million within one to three years. During the quarter ended February 28, 2005, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with one of its suppliers which requires it to purchase approximately $9.3 million in the current fiscal year and $25.7 million in fiscal 2006 and 2007, based on then current market prices. Under this agreement, monthly purchases are made at the existing market prices at the time of purchase. Other than this purchase agreement, as of May 31, 2005 there were no material changes to the Company’s future contractual obligations as previously reported in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report.

During the nine months ended May 31, 2005, the Company has declared and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $.425 per share. The total amount of these dividends was $13.1 million. Cash has been sufficient to fund the payment of these dividends.

As of May 31, 2005, 1,730,629 shares remain under a six-million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in August 1998. The timing and amount of repurchases will vary based on market conditions. No shares were repurchased in fiscal 2004. During fiscal 2005, the Company made the following share repurchases under this plan:

                 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    May 31, 2005     May 31, 2005  
Shares repurchased
    60,950       60,950  
Repurchase amount
  $ 1,001,000     $ 1,001,000  
Average price per share
  $ 16.42     $ 16.42  

For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, 244,000 common shares were issued upon the exercise of employee stock options. The total amount received from the exercise of these options was $3.4 million.

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates. Income statement items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the “accumulated other comprehensive income” account in stockholders’ equity. The weakening of the U.S. dollar during the nine months ended May 31, 2005 increased this account by $6.3 million.

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New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 106-2 (“FSP106-2”) regarding SFAS No. 106, Employer’s Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions. FSP 106-2, “Accounting for Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” discusses the effect of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (“the Act”) enacted on December 8, 2003. FSP 106-2 considers the effect of the features introduced in the Act in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation and net periodic postretirement benefit cost, which may serve to reduce a company’s postretirement benefit costs. The adoption of FSP 106-2, effective September 1, 2004, did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. On January 21, 2005 regulations implementing the Act were issued and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, (“SFAS 151”), Inventory Costs — an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 in an effort to converge U.S. accounting standards for inventories with International Accounting Standards. SFAS 151 requires abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and spoilage to be recognized as current period charges. SFAS 151 also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of SFAS 151 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006 and the Company is currently assessing the impact from the adoption of SFAS 151.

In December 2004, the FASB revised SFAS No. 123, (“SFAS 123R”), Share-Based Payment. SFAS 123R requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and record the related expense in the financial statements. In addition, SFAS 123R requires disclosure of information relating to the nature of share-based payment transactions and the effects of those transactions on the financial statements. The adoption of SFAS 123R is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006 and the Company is currently assessing the impact from the adoption of SFAS 123R.

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, (“SFAS 153”), Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29. SFAS 153 addresses the measurement of exchanges of nonmonetary assets and redefines the scope of transactions that should be measured based on the fair value of the assets exchanged. The adoption of SFAS 153 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2006. It is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In December 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position 109-1, (“FSP 109-1”), Application of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” to the Tax Deduction on Qualified Production Activities Provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The FASB also issued Staff Position 109-2, (“FSP 109-2”), Accounting and Disclosure Guidance for the Foreign Earnings Repatriation Provision Within the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Jobs Creation Act”). The Jobs Creation Act provided deductions for qualified domestic production activities and repatriation of foreign earnings. The adoption of FSP 109-1 and FSP 109-2 by the Company in the February 2005 quarter is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows for fiscal 2005. The Company is currently assessing the impact for fiscal years after 2005.

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In May 2005, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 154, (“SFAS 154”), Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. Previously, APB No. 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements” required the inclusion of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting principle in net income of the period of the change. SFAS No. 154 requires companies to recognize changes in accounting principle, including changes required by a new accounting pronouncement when the pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions, retrospectively to prior periods’ financial statements, unless impracticable to determine the effects of the change. The adoption of SFAS 154 is required in the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2007. The Company will assess the impact of a retrospective application of a change in accounting principle in accordance with SFAS No. 154 if the need for such a change arises after the effective date of September 1, 2006.

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, (“FIN 47”), Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. FIN 47 clarifies the definition and treatment of conditional asset retirement obligations as discussed in FASB Statement No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. A conditional asset retirement obligation is defined as an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are dependent on future events that may be outside the control of the Company. FIN 47 requires an entity to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 is intended to provide more information about long-lived assets, more information about future cash outflows for these obligations and more consistent recognition of these liabilities. The adoption of FIN 47 is required in by the end of fiscal 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, of FIN 47 on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Cautionary Statements

Certain statements in this report may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts. They use such words as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “plan”, “believe”, and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available information, but are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company’s operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of the Company. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements, and that could adversely affect the Company’s future financial performance, include, but are not limited to, the following:

  Worldwide and regional economic, business and political conditions, including continuing economic uncertainties in some or all of the Company’s major product markets;
 
  Fluctuations in the value of currencies in major areas where the Company operates, including the U.S. dollar, Euro, U.K. pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan and Indonesian rupiah;
 
  Fluctuations in the prices of sources of energy or plastic resins and other raw materials;
 
  Changes in customer demand and requirements;
 
  Escalation in the cost of providing employee health care; and
 
  The outcome of any legal claims known or unknown.

The risks and uncertainties identified above are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that it believes to be immaterial also may adversely affect the Company. Should any known or unknown risks or uncertainties develop into actual events, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, these developments could have material adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Item 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in related foreign currencies. These contracts are with major financial institutions and the risk of loss is considered remote. The total value of open contracts and any risk to the Company as a result of these arrangements is not material to the Company’s financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Item 4 – Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

The Company carries out a variety of on-going procedures, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

     Items 1 through 5 are not applicable or the answer to such items is negative; therefore, the items have been omitted and no reference is required in this Report.

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Item 6 – Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

     
Exhibit    
Number   Exhibit
31
  Certifications of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officers pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
   
32
  Certifications of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officers pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350

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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.

     
Date: July 11, 2005
  A. Schulman, Inc.
 
  (Registrant)
 
  /s/ R.A. STEFANKO
 
  R. A. Stefanko, Executive Vice President—Finance & Administration (Signing on behalf of Registrant as a duly authorized officer of Registrant and signing as the Principal Financial Officer of Registrant)

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