DFAN14A 1 nu411241dfan14a.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

____________________

 

SCHEDULE 14A


Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

____________________

 

 

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¨Preliminary Proxy Statement
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¨Definitive Proxy Statement
ýDefinitive Additional Materials
¨Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

GrafTech International Ltd.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
Nilesh Undavia (The “Undavia Group”)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
¨Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

 

 

 

  
 

 

On April 12, 2024, Nilesh Undavia issued an investor presentation titled “Revive GrafTech International: Case For Nilesh Undavia As A Director For GrafTech” (the “Presentation”) regarding GrafTech International Ltd. (the “Company”). A copy of the Presentation is filed herewith as Exhibit 1. Also on April 12, 2024, the Undavia Group (as defined below) made certain updates to its campaign website, https://www.icomproxy.com/EAF. Copies of the updated website materials are filed herewith as Exhibit 2.

 

Additional Information and Where to Find It

 

Mr. Undavia and certain family trusts (collectively, the “Undavia Group”) are participants in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of the Company in favor of Mr. Undavia’s nomination for the Company’s Board of Directors at the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). On April 2, 2024, the Undavia Group filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) its definitive proxy statement and accompanying BLUE universal proxy card in connection with its solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of the Company for the Annual Meeting. ALL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE UNDAVIA GROUP, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE UNDAVIA GROUP AND ITS DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS IN THE COMPANY, BY SECURITY HOLDINGS OR OTHERWISE. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement, BLUE universal proxy card and other documents filed with the SEC by the Undavia Group free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the definitive proxy statement and accompanying BLUE universal proxy card filed with the SEC by the Undavia Group are also available free of charge by accessing the website at https://www.icomproxy.com/EAF.

 

  
 

 

Exhibit 1

 

1REVIVECASE FOR NILESH UNDAVIA AS A DIRECTOR FOR GRAFTECH (NYSE: EAF)April 12, 2024

 

   

 

2Legal DisclaimerTheviewsexpressedinthispresentation(this"Presentation")representtheopinionsofNilesh Undavia(collectively with certain family trusts, the "Undavia Group").ThisPresentationisforinformationalpurposesonly,anditdoesnothaveregardtothespecificinvestmentobjective,financialsituation,suitabilityorparticularneedofanyspecificpersonwhomayreceivethisPresentationandshouldnotbetakenasadviceonthemeritsofanyinvestmentdecision.TheviewsexpressedinthisPresentationrepresenttheopinionsofthe Undavia Group,andarebasedonpubliclyavailableinformationwithrespecttoGrafTech International Ltd. (the"Company")andthe Undavia Group's analyses. The Undavia GrouprecognizesthattheremaybeconfidentialinformationinthepossessionoftheCompanythatcouldleaditorotherstodisagreewiththe Undavia Group'sconclusions.The Undavia Group reservestherighttochangeanyofitsopinionsexpressedhereinatanytimeasitdeemsappropriateanddisclaimsanyobligationtonotifythemarketoranyotherpartyofanysuchchange,exceptasrequiredbylaw.TheinformationcontainedhereiniscurrentonlyasofthedateofthisPresentation.The Undavia Group disclaimsanyobligationtoupdatetheinformationoropinionscontainedherein.Certainfinancialinformation, projectionsandstatementsused in this PresentationhavebeenderivedorobtainedfromfilingsmadewiththeU.S.SecuritiesandExchangeCommission("SEC")orotherregulatoryauthoritiesandfromotherthird-partyreports.The Undavia Groupshallnot beresponsibleorhaveanyliabilityforanymisinformationcontainedinanySECorotherregulatoryfilingorthird-partyreport.The Undavia GrouphasnotsoughtorobtainedconsentfromanythirdpartytouseanystatementsorinformationindicatedinthisPresentationashavingbeenobtainedorderivedfromathirdparty.AnysuchstatementsorinformationshouldnotbeviewedasindicatingsupportofsuchthirdpartyfortheviewsexpressedinthisPresentation.InformationcontainedinthisPresentationhasnotbeenindependentlyverifiedbythe Undavia Group.SelectfiguresincludedinthisPresentationhavenotbeencalculatedusinggenerallyacceptedaccountingprinciples("GAAP")andhavenotbeenauditedbyindependentaccountants.SuchfiguresmayvaryfromGAAPaccountinginmaterialrespectsandtherecanbenoassurancethattheunrealizedvaluesreflectedwithinsuchmaterialswillberealized.ThisPresentationdoesnotrecommendthepurchaseorsaleofanysecurity,andshouldnotbeconstruedaslegal,tax,investmentorfinancialadvice,andtheinformationcontainedhereinshouldnotbetakenasadviceonthemeritsofanyinvestmentdecision.The information contained in this Presentation is provided merely as information, and this Presentation is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The Undavia Group currently beneficially owns, and/or has an economic interest in, the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"). The Undavia Group is in the business of trading?buying and selling?securities and intends to continue trading in the securities of the Company. You should assume the Undavia Group will from time to time sell all or a portion of its holdings of the Company in open market transactions or otherwise, buy additional shares of the Common Stock (in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise), or trade in options, puts, calls, swaps or other derivative instruments relating to such shares of the Common Stock, regardless of the views expressed in this Presentation. The Undavia Group reserves the right to take any actions with respect to investments in the Company as it may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, communicating with the Company's management, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board"), other investors and shareholders, stakeholders, industry participants, and/or interested or relevant parties about the Company or seeking representation constituting a minority of the Board, and to change its intentions with respect to its investments in the Company at any time and disclaims any obligation to notify the market or any other party of any such changes or actions, except as required by law. Althoughthe Undavia GroupbelievesthestatementsmadeinthisPresentationaresubstantiallyaccurateinallmaterialrespectsanddonotomittostatematerialfactsnecessarytomakethosestatementsnotmisleading,the Undavia Groupmakesnorepresentationorwarranty,expressorimplied,astotheaccuracyorcompletenessofthosestatementsoranyotherwrittenororalcommunicationitmakeswithrespecttotheCompanyandanyothercompaniesmentioned,andthe Undavia Groupdisclaimsanyliabilityrelatingtothosestatementsorcommunications(oranyinaccuraciesoromissionstherein).Thus,shareholdersandothersshouldconducttheirownindependentinvestigationandanalysisofthosestatementsandcommunicationsandoftheCompanyandanyothercompaniestowhichthosestatementsorcommunicationsmayberelevant.ThisPresentationcontainsforward-lookingstatements.Allstatementscontainedhereinthatarenotclearlyhistoricalinnatureorthatnecessarilydependonfutureeventsareforward-looking,andthewords"anticipate,""believe,""expect,""potential,""could,""intend,""project,""will,""may,""would,""opportunity,""estimate,""plan,"andsimilarexpressionsaregenerallyintendedtoidentifyforward-lookingstatements.Theprojectedresultsandstatementscontainedhereinthatarenothistoricalfactsarebasedoncurrentexpectations,speakonlyasofthedateofthesematerialsandinvolverisks,uncertaintiesandotherfactorsthatmaycauseactualresults,performancesorachievementstobemateriallydifferentfromanyfutureresults,performancesorachievementsexpressedorimpliedbysuchprojectedresultsandstatements.Assumptionsrelatingtotheforegoinginvolvejudgmentswithrespectto,amongotherthings,futureeconomiccompetitiveandmarketconditionsandfuturebusinessdecisions,allofwhicharedifficultorimpossibletopredictaccuratelyandmanyofwhichentailrisksanduncertaintiesandarebeyondthecontrolofthe Undavia Group.

 

   

 

3Legal Disclaimer (continued)ThoughthisPresentationmaycontainprojections,nothinginthisPresentationis,orisintendedtobe,apredictionofthefuturetradingpriceormarketvalueofsecuritiesoftheCompany.Accordingly,thereisnoassuranceorguaranteewithrespecttothepricesatwhichanysecuritiesoftheCompanywilltrade,andsuchsecuritiesmaynottradeatpricesthatmaybeimpliedherein.Theestimates,projectionsandpotentialimpactoftheopportunitiesidentifiedbythe Undavia Grouphereinarebasedonassumptionsthatthe Undavia GroupbelievestobereasonableasofthedateofthisPresentation,buttherecanbenoassuranceorguaranteethat(i)anyoftheproposedactionssetforthinthisPresentationwillbecompleted,(ii)theactualresultsorperformanceoftheCompanywillnotdiffer,andsuchdifferencesmaybematerial,or(iii)anyoftheassumptionsprovidedinthisPresentationareaccurate.Therecanbenoassurancethattheprojectedresultsorforward-lookingstatementsincludedhereinwillprovetobeaccurate,andthereforeactualresultscoulddiffermateriallyfromthosesetforthin,contemplatedby,orunderlyingtheseforward-lookingstatements.Inlightofthesignificantuncertaintiesinherentintheprojectedresultsandforward-lookingstatementsincludedherein,theinclusionofsuchinformationshouldnotberegardedasarepresentationastofutureresultsorthattheobjectivesandstrategicinitiativesexpressedorimpliedbysuchprojectedresultsandforward-lookingstatementswillbeachieved.The Undavia Groupwillnotundertakeandspecificallydeclinesanyobligationtodisclosetheresultsofanyrevisionsthatmaybemadetoanyprojectedresultsorforward-lookingstatementshereintoreflecteventsorcircumstancesafterthedateofsuchprojectedresultsorstatementsortoreflecttheoccurrenceofanticipatedorunanticipatedevents.ThisPresentationmaycontaincitationsorlinkstoarticlesand/orvideos(collectively,"Media").TheviewsandopinionsexpressedinsuchMediaorthoseoftheauthor(s)/speaker(s)referencedorquotedinsuchMedia,unlessspecificallynotedotherwise,donotnecessarilyrepresenttheopinionsofthe Undavia Group.Allregisteredorunregisteredservicemarks,trademarksandtradenamesreferredtointhisPresentationarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners,andthe Undavia Group'susehereindoesnotimplyanaffiliationwith,orendorsementby,theownersoftheseservicemarks,trademarksandtradenames.Additional Information and Where to Find ItNilesh Undavia and certain family trustsareparticipantsinthesolicitationofproxiesfromshareholdersoftheCompanyin favor of Mr. Undavia's nomination for the Board at the2024AnnualMeetingofShareholders(the"AnnualMeeting").OnApril 2,2024,theUndavia Group filedwiththeSEC itsdefinitiveproxystatementandaccompanyingBLUE universal proxy cardinconnectionwithits solicitationofproxiesfromtheshareholdersoftheCompanyfortheAnnualMeeting.ALL SHAREHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE ADVISED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE UNIVERSAL PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE UNDAVIA GROUP, AS THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE UNDAVIA GROUP ANDITS DIRECTORINDIRECTINTERESTSINTHECOMPANY,BYSECURITYHOLDINGSOROTHERWISE.TheCompany's shareholders may obtain copies of the definitiveproxystatement, BLUE universal proxy card and other documents filed with the SEC by the Undavia Group free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov/. Copies of the definitive proxy statement and BLUE universal proxy card are also availablefree ofchargeby accessing the website at https://www.icomproxy.com/EAF.

 

   

 

4About Nilesh Undavia»Mr. Undavia has been an institutional investor for over thirty years.»He spent 25 years at Wellington Management Co., an institutional asset manager with over $1 Trillion of client assets under management.»As a Partner at Wellington Management, he focused on metals and mining, energy, and global raw materials.»Mr. Undavia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College, Columbia University, and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College.»Currently, Mr. Undavia is the Portfolio Manager of Undavia Family Investment Office, a position he has held since 2018.25 yearsGlobal Raw MaterialsTop 5Top Tier Investment Management ExperienceIndustry KnowledgeShareholder of GrafTech

 

   

 

5Nilesh Undavia Is A Shareholder Representative With Significant Skin In The GameThe GrafTech BoardShare Ownership ComparisonOur NomineeDirector#of SharesChair Henry Keizer48,111CEO Timothy Flanagan23,572Marcel Kessler12,480Jean-Marc Germain92,620Diego Donoso21,476Michel Dumas96,066Anthony Taccone106,219Debra Fine91,382<491,926(less than 1%)Nilesh Undavia15,318,5175.9%Mr. Undavia's owns 31.1x the number of shares owned by the entire GrafTech Board

 

   

 

6About GrafTechGrafTech International Ltd. ("GrafTech") is a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of electric arc furnace ("EAF") steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals.It is the only large-scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, the key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing.The Board was reconstituted at the time of the IPO.GrafTech sells products under short-term purchase agreements, multi-year purchase agreements (which includes our take-or-pay agreements with initial term of three-to-five years ("LTAs")) and spot sales.In 2023, approximately 89% of the graphite electrodes were purchased by EAF steel producers.GrafTech went public through an IPO in April 2018. At the time of the IPO, was considered a ?controlled company' status, with Brookfield Asset Management Inc., as the controlling shareholder.

 

   

 

7GrafTech Is Uniquely Positioned to Maintain and Grow Market Share Due to its Vertical IntegrationVertical integration is a significant competitive advantage for GrafTech. We are substantially integrated petroleum needle through our wholly-owned Seadrift facility. This unique position differentiates us from our competitors and gives us a secure low cost high quality supply of petroleum needle coke.? David Rintoul, President & CEO, BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference, Feb 2019? Marcel Kessler, CEO, 4Q 2022 Earnings Call...we continue to believe GrafTech will remain an industry-leading supplier of mission-critical products to the electric arc furnace industry, the fastest growing segment of the global steel supply chain.? Jeremy S. Halford, COO, 3Q 2023 Earnings CallGrafTech is a leading manufacturer of high-quality graphite electrode products essential to the production of EAF steel and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals. We have a competitive portfolio of low-cost ultra-high power ("UHP") graphite electrode manufacturing facilities, with some of the highest capacity facilities in the world. We are the only large-scale graphite electrode producer that is substantially vertically integrated into petroleum needle coke, our key raw material for graphite electrode manufacturing. This unique position provides us with competitive advantages in product quality and cost.? 2023 10-KGrafTech is one of the largest producers of ultra-power, ultra-high power graphite electrodes in the world, operating three of the largest global facilities. GrafTech electrodes are a mission-critical component to the EAF steel industry and there is no substitute for our product.? David Rintoul, Q1 2021 Earnings Call? David Rintoul, Q4 2021 Earnings CallWe believe that GrafTech continues to be well-positioned for solid long term growth as one of the largest producers of ultra-high powered graphite electrodes in the world. We have a sustainable and long term competitive advantage from our low cost structure and vertical integration into our key raw material petroleum needle coke. ?electric arc furnace steelmaking and demand for graphite electrodes are expected to experience accelerating growth in the mediumto longer term.GrafTech's sustainable competitive advantages remain intact.These include three of the highest capacity electrode manufacturing facilities in the world and are our substantial vertical integration into petroleum needle coke.As such, we are well positioned to capitalize on long-term demand growth.

 

   

 

8Demand for Graphite Electrode and Needle Coke has Remained StableGraphite Electrode Industry Outlook (2023 10-K)Petroleum Needle Coke (2023 10-K)»We [GrafTech] estimate that annual global (excluding China) UHP graphite electrode demand has been approximately 660 thousand MT, on average, over the past three years.»UHP graphite electrodes are primarily used in the EAF steelmaking process, and long-term global growth of EAF steel production has driven increased demand for graphite electrodes over time. »EAF steelmaking has historically been the fastest-growing segment of the global steel market. According to the World Steel Association ("WSA"), global (excluding China) EAF steel production grew at a 2%-3% compound annual growth rate from 2015 to 2022, the most recent year for which WSA has published such figures.»?.. the EAF method of steelmaking accounted for 49% of the global (excluding China) steel production in 2022, compared to 44% in 2015, with share growth in nearly every region.»We [GrafTech] estimate that global (excluding China) needle coke demand for use in UHP graphite electrode production has been approximately 550 thousand MT, on average, over the past three years with the majority being petroleum needle coke.»With demand for UHP graphite electrodes expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 3% to 4% through 2028 we expect this to result in a similar increase in demand for needle coke used in graphite electrode production.»While the vast majority of petroleum needle coke produced globally (excluding China) is currently used in the production of graphite electrodes, its use in lithium-ion batteries for the EV market is expected to grow with the increased production of these vehicles. »Based on Benchmark Mineral Intelligence estimates for growth in battery anodes, we estimate this could result in global needle coke demand for use in EV applications increasing at a 20% or more compound annual growth rate through 2028. »As a result, demand growth for petroleum needle coke for use in the EV market is expected to be higher than that of overall needle coke demand growth. As noted above, with North American and European EV manufacturers increasing focus on domestic sourcing of battery material needs, we believe that regional supply-demand imbalances will occur for petroleum needle coke in the coming years.

 

   

 

9Table of Contents10Executive SummaryFinancial and TSR PerformanceStrategy and OperationsGovernanceCompensation Setting the Record StraightOur Nominee and Plan394957667077

 

   

 

10EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

   

 

11Why Change is WarrantedGrafTech has Suffered from Management and Board Instability Since its IPO in 2018? Resulting in Strategic Missteps and Failure to Develop and Execute a Cohesive Strategy? Leading to Massive Shareholder Value Destruction»GrafTech has struggled as a public company to develop and execute a cohesive strategy for growth»We attribute this failure to a high turnover in the executive leadership team and the Board »Timothy Flanagan, current CEO, is the third person to hold that position in two years?»? and there have been three CFOs in the past three years »The Board has also experienced a similar high turnover as four directors have resigned in the last two years»GrafTech has failed to effectively address customer concerns related to multi-year long term agreements ("LTA") executed in 2017,while still under Brookfield's sole ownership»According to the 2023 10-K, claimants that include some of the largest global steel companies like ArcelorMittal, are seeking approximately $180 million in damages related tothe LTAs»GrafTech failed to replace declining LTA revenue with new customer wins resulting in lower production volumes, reduced capacity utilization, and falling revenue/EBITDA»Additionally, failures in oversight involving adequately monitoring and managing regulatory risks, resulted in the temporary closure of Monterrey facilities in Mexico, severely damaging sales volume»As sales declined, GrafTech did little to manage expenses as between 2019-2023: selling and administrative expenses jumped 16% while revenue declined 65%»GrafTech IPO'd at $15 per share in April 2018 and the stock price is down approx. 90% since then»GrafTech Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") severely lags its proxy peers, key competitors, and Russell 3000 Index»Furthermore, its bonds trade at distressed levels ? $0.64 cents on the dollar»All Wall Street analysts who cover the stock have a Hold investment rating with a mean target price estimate of $1.75 per share onlyEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

12Nilesh Undavia is Best Positioned to Effect Positive ChangeDeteriorating Financials and Shareholder Value Loss Appears to be Due to Board's Governance MisstepsThe Current Board Continues to Exhibit Poor Judgement in Selecting Leadership and is Clearly Underqualified to ProvideManagement Oversight to Turnaroundthe BusinessNilesh Undavia is the Best Choice for Shareholders»In Aug. 2018, GrafTech spent $225 million to repurchase shares from Brookfield at $19.25 per share (IPO price was $15 per share in April 2018).»In Nov. 2018, the Board approved a $200 million special dividend which also benefited Brookfield. »In July 2022, the Board hired Marcel Kessler despite his lack of prior experience in the steel or manufacturing industry. »Further indication that Mr. Kessler may have been the wrong hire, was that he was based in Switzerland and had to be granted an extension to relocate to the Company HQ in the US. »Mr. Kessler resigned in November 2023, leaving a leadership void once again at a time when the industry was in a cyclical downturn and the Company's financials continued to deteriorate»Despite the missteps in selecting a CEO with limited relevant experience, the Board took six months to conduct a CEO search process, only to announce Mr. Timothy Flanagan (former CFO and interim CEO) as the non-interim CEO.»Appointing Mr. Flanagan as the CEO is yet another example of poor judgment as he lacks prior experience in customer management and sales, which are pivotal issues facing GrafTech at this time. »Importantly, Mr. Flanagan was NOT in a customer-facing role at Cleveland-Cliffs or the boutique law firm he served as the CFO before joining GrafTech in November 2021. »We question the Board's decision to hire two successive CEOs both lacking the core skills needed to revive GrafTech.»The presence of a large shareholder with 25 years of institutional investor experience as a former partner with Wellington Management, will significantly help to refocus the Board on three priorities relevant to ALL shareholders»Priority One: Help create a comprehensive strategic plan centered on rebuilding customer relationships and repairing the damage caused by LTAs in the marketplace»Priority Two: Determine how best to grow market share by examining and prioritizing the full suite of opportunities ? market expansion in Asia, the EV opportunity, and improved capacity utilization ? and pairing them with tangible steps, timelines, and KPIs.»Priority Three: Re-examine SGA to determine what drove the increase considering declining sales volume and ensure that business development incentives are aligned with shareholder value creationEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

13GrafTech is a Company Beset with High CEO and Board Turnover2018202020212022202420232019January 31, 2018: Announced the appointment of David Rintoul as President & Chief Executive Officer, replacing Jeffrey DuttonAugust 5, 2020: Announced the appointment of new board member, Leslie Dunn, as Director of the CompanyFebruary 28, 2022: Announced the retirement of David Rintoul as CEO, President and member of the Board of DirectorsJune 28, 2022: Announced the appointment of Marcel Kessler as CEO, President and member of the Board of DirectorsJanuary 5, 2023: Announced that Brian Acton will not stand for re-election as a Director at the Company's 2023 Annual Meeting of StockholdersFebruary 2023: Announced that Leslie Dunn tendered her notice of resignation from the Board and the Board decided not to nominate David Gregory for re-election at the Annual MeetingMarch 21, 2019: Announced the appointment of new board member, Catherine Clegg, as Director of the CompanyMay 1, 2019: Announced the appointment of new board member, David Gregory, as Director of the Company and accepted the resignation of Ron BloomOctober 7, 2021: Announced the resignation of Jeffrey Dutton from its Board of Directors and the appointments of Debra Fine, Jean-Marc Germain, and Henry Keizer as independent directorsNovember 1, 2021: Announced the retirement of Quinn Coburn as CFO, Vice President Finance and Treasurer and the appointment of Timothy Flanagan as new CFO, Vice President Finance and TreasurerJune 13, 2023: Announced the appointment of new board member, Diego Donoso, as DirectorSeptember 28, 2023: Announced the resignation of Marcel Kessler as CEO and President; appointed Timothy Flanagan as interim CEO and President, and Catherine Hedoux-Delgado as interim CFO and TreasurerDecember 12, 2023: Announced the resignation of Denis Turcotte from the Board of DirectorsJanuary 26, 2024: Announced the resignation of Catherine Clegg from the Board of Directors effective immediately due to personal reasonsMarch 26, 2024: Appointed Timothy Flanagan as non-interim CEOSource: Company filingsLeadership Instability»3 CEOs since 2022»3 CFOs since 2022»Four directors departed since 2023EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

14Leadership Instability and Poor Decision Making Has Resulted in Massive Shareholder Value Destruction-100.00-80.00-60.00-40.00-20.000.0020.0040.0060.0080.00Total Shareholder Return Since IPO to Feb 12, 2024*Down approx. 90%CEO - Timothy Flanagan(Sept. 2023 - current)CEO - Marcel Kessler(July 2022 - Sept. 2023)CEO - David Rintoul (Jan. 2018 - June 2022)EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Factset. Feb 12, 2024 is the date of first Schedule 13D filing

 

   

 

15While GrafTech Shareholders Have Suffered, its Peers' Have Performed Significantly BetterEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Factset. Data as of Feb 12, 2024. Peers include include companies identified as key competitors in 10-K: Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., Resonac Holdings Corporation, HEG Limited, and Graphite India Limited. Proxy peers include Albany International Corp., Archrock Inc., Balchem Corp., Barnes Group Inc., Carpenter Technology Corporation, ChampionX Corporation, Chart Industries, Inc., Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Enerpac Tool Group Corp., ESCO Technologies Inc., Franklin Electric Co., Inc., GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd., IDEX Corporation, Ingevity Corporation, Kennametal Inc., Koppers Holdings Inc., Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Materion Corporation, Matrix Service Company, Mueller Water Products, Inc., Nordson Corporation, Oil States International, Inc., RBC Bearings Incorporated, Tennant Company, TriMas Corporation, and Woodward, Inc.

 

   

 

16The Dismal TSR Performance Reflects Deteriorating Financial Metrics Over the Past Five YearsSince 2019, Revenue has declined 65% and Adjusted EBITDA by 98%1,791 1,224 1,346 1,281 621 1,048 659 670 536 20 - 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,00020192020202120222023US$ MillionsNet salesAdjusted EBITDAEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Factset, Capital IQ, SEC filings

 

   

 

17Financial Metrics Have Deteriorated Significantly Since 2021 Despite Relatively Stable Customer Demand. GrafTech Has Lost Market Share"We estimate that annual global (excluding China) UHP graphite electrode demand has been approximately 660 thousand MT, on average, over the past three years." - 2023 10-K25.4%21.9%13.9%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%202120222023Market Share165.2157.188.10.020.040.060.080.0100.0120.0140.0160.0180.0202120222023'000 MTProduction Volume EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: 2021-2023 10K. Market Share = Sales Volume/Total Demand. 2022 estimate based on Global Electrode Demand of 680k MT as disclosed in 2022 10-K

 

   

 

18-5%-4%13%10%50%10%25%5%11%3%GraphiteHEGResonacTokaiGrafTechEBITDA Margin20212023Unlike GrafTech, Its Peers' Have Performed Significantly Better Since 2021GrafTech's Adj. EBITDA Margin has contracted by 4700 bps since 2021. The largest decline among peersWhile GrafTech's Revenue has collapsed since 2021, its peers have benefited from double-digit growthEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Company Filings, Capital IQ. Tokai Carbon revenue and EBITDA margin is for graphite electrode segment. Resonac revenue is for graphite electrodes and EBITDA margin is for Chemicals segment which includes graphite electrodes. Calculations based on USD revenue numbers. GrafTech EBITDA Margin is based on Adjusted EBITDA Margin as disclosed in 2021-2023 10-K75%45%16%9%(54%)(80%)(60%)(40%)(20%)0%20%40%60%80%100%HEGGraphiteTokaiResonacGrafTechRevenue Change 2021-2023

 

   

 

19GrafTech's Lost Market Share Is Due to Sustained Failure to Make-up for Declining LTA related Sales1451131109129262257586302040608010012014016020192020202120222023Sales Volum ('000 MT)Sales VolumeLTANon- LTA77%58%72%68%38%84.8%83.7%65.7%61.0%31.7%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%20192020202120222023Impact of LTA Sales Volume on Capacity UtilizationTotal capacity utilizationLTA % of total sales vol.LTA volumes have declined 80% since 2019Non-LTA volume failed to make up for the LTA related declinesGrafTech failure to make up for LTA related volume declines has resulted in falling capacity utilizationEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Company Filings

 

   

 

20As Revenue Declined, GrafTech Failed to Manage Its Operating Expenses»Considering a significant portion of revenues were from LTA and the fact that GrafTech was unable to replace declining LTA volume with new business, we question why Selling and Admin Expenses rose by $10 million from 2019 to 2023»We believe that recent cost-cutting measures are in response to shareholder pressure63.767.977.177.074.00.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%10203040506070809020192020202120222023US$ millionsSelling and Admin. Expenses*Selling and administrative expensesSelling and administrative expense % of salesEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: 10K. Selling and Admin Expense for 2021 excludes $55.5 million for Change in Control related payments.

 

   

 

21Despite the Missteps, Management Still Lacks a Cohesive Turnaround StrategyMarcel Kessler,CEO (July 2022 ? Nov. 2023), Q1 2023 Earnings CallTimothy K. Flanagan,CEO (Nov. 2023 ? Present), Former CFO (Nov. 2021 ? Nov. 2023) Q4 2023 Earnings CallSt. Mary's Facility RestartedWe have also made significant progress on our risk mitigation strategies related to pin stock. Earlier this month, we received the regulatory approval to restart production activities at our St. Marys facility in Pennsylvania. Following this milestone, the facility recently received its first shipment of needle coke since 2016. We are now in the process of beginning production at St. Marys. In addition, our efforts to initiate pin stock production capabilities at our Pamplona facility in Spain also remain on track. We are pleased with the progress of both initiatives as this will provide important risk mitigation for pin production.Expansion of Global OfficesOn the commercial expansion front, we have opened a new sales office in Dubai and added new sales and technical service representatives in additional countries. Although our business makes a shift to be predominantly non-LTA now, we remain uniquely positioned to offer our customers surety of supply via our multiyear electrode supply agreements. In fact, we are pleased to have recently entered into new multiyear agreements with several customers in North America and in Europe. This reflects our customers' confidence in GrafTech's ability to reliably deliver high-performing products over time.St. Mary's Facility ClosedFirst, we're indefinitely suspending most of the production activities at our St. Marys facility, as well as indefinitely idling certain assets within our remaining graphite electrode manufacturing footprint. As you know, last year we announced our intention to restart production at St. Marys as a primary component of our pin supply risk mitigation strategy. Specifically, the suspension of production at St. Marys and the reduction in corporate overhead will drive $25 million in annualized cost savings once fully implemented by the end of the second quarter, excluding the impact of onetime costs, which are estimated to be approximately $5 million.Global Cost Reduction PlanWe are implementing actions that will reduce the company's overhead structure and expenses. This includes a thorough review of all our corporate and support functions globally to ensure we have the right structure and resources moving forward.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

22Importantly, GrafTech's Decision to Indefinitely Idle Capacity Suggests that There is Limited Visibility into How to Revive Sales and Regain Lost Market ShareMarcel Kessler,CEO (July 2022 ? Nov. 2023), Q1 2023 Earnings CallTimothy K. Flanagan,CEO (Nov. 2023 ? Present), Former CFO (Nov. 2021 ? Nov. 2023) Q4 2023 Earnings Call»Announcements of planned EAF capacity additions by steel producers and estimated production increases at existing EAF plants could result in incremental annual graphite electrode demand outside of China of 200,000 metric tons by 2030. This compares to global graphite electrode demand outside of China in 2022 of approximately 680,000 metric tons.»On a regional basis, based on industry announcements, this could translate into incremental graphite electrode demand to approximately 65,000 metric tons in Europe and 25,000 metric tons in North America. We also anticipate demand for petroleum needle coke to accelerate, driven by its use as the precursor material to produce synthetic graphite for the anode portion of lithium ion batteries for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.»Based on estimates from the International Energy Agency regarding projected growth in EV sales and battery pack sizes, this could result in global needle coke demand for using EV applications increasing at a compound annual growth rate of over 20% through 2030.»Approximately 89% of our graphite electrodes were purchased by EAF steel producers in 2023. (2023 10-k)»Further, the indefinite idling of certain less efficient assets across our remaining graphite electrode manufacturing footprint will reduce our stated capacity on a go-forward basis from 202,000 metric tons to 178,000 metric tons, a reduction of 12%.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

23In the Company's April 2, 2024 Letter, The Board Fails to Acknowledge Its Strategic Failures That Lead to Shareholder Value Destruction»In its latest response, the Board failed to address GraftTech's strategic missteps most notably, the lack of a credible plan to replace LTA revenue with non-LTA revenue»The strategic failure seemingly was relying on LTAs as the ONLY strategy, and not crafting a comprehensive forward-looking plan to replace LTA revenue with non-LTA revenueYour Board and the management team have taken decisive action in response to the cyclical downturn that pressured the price of your shares??Notably, in 2023, we took actions to:?Actively manage production levels, commensurate with customer demand.?Reduce costs, resulting in a 10% decline in our period costs.?Manage working capital levels, resulting in a more than $100 million reduction in inventory levels and positive free cash flow for the year.?Proactively refinance our term loan due in February 2025, thereby extending our remaining debt maturities to December 2028.As market weakness continued, in February 2024, we announced further measures to optimize our manufacturing footprint and reduce costs that include:?Indefinitely suspending most production activities at our St. Marys facility, expecting to generate $15 million in annualized fixed cost savings.?Reducing our overhead structure, expecting to generate $10 million in selling and administrative expense savings.?Indefinitely idling certain other production assets, resulting in a proactive 12% reduction in our production capacity in response to weak market conditions.?Operating our remaining facilities at reduced levels to further manage working capital levels.?Reducing our anticipated 2024 capital expenditures by more than 25% compared to 2023.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: 2023 10-K

 

   

 

24The Letter Also Illustrates How the Board is Trying to Mislead Shareholders to Avoid Accountability»The Board lays blame for the client-damaging LTAs to a previous shareholder that is no longer invested in GrafTech»While LTAs may have been structured by Brookfield, some were entered into after the 2018 IPO, when there was a public board in place that had a fiduciary obligation to act in the interest of ALL shareholders»What actions did the Board take to ease the burden on customers and mitigate potential long-term damage to shareholder value (including litigation)?»We would hope that meeting with customers is standard operating procedure by now»Sales in the Americas accounted for 49% of Total Revenue in 2023, which means that by having a ?dozen meetings' with customers representing 75% of sales in the Americas, management met with customers responsible for 37% of total revenue onlyWe are confident in our ability to restore revenue growth based on our compelling customer value proposition and competitive advantages.From 2018 to 2023, GrafTech sold the majority of its graphite electrode volume under long term agreements ("LTAs") with many of its largest customers. These contracts were structured by Brookfield, a private equity firm, when they owned GrafTech. Most of these LTAs will expire by the close of 2024. As our business continues to shift to a more spot-oriented commercial approach, we have embarked on a deliberate campaign to reinforce the importance of the partnership we have with our valued customers. Our executive management team, alongside our commercial team, has been investing significant time meeting with current and potential customers to demonstrate the importance of these relationships. Since the beginning of 2024 there have been a dozen meetings, representing more than 75% of our electrode sales volume in the Americas."Our LTAs were entered into between the end of 2017 and early 2019, which coincided with a period of elevated market prices for graphite electrodes."11%49%40%2023 Revenue by RegionAPACAmericasEMEARelevant Disclosures from the 2023 10-K: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: 2023 10-K

 

   

 

25It is Clear that This Board has No Real Strategy for Success»The Board continues to present ideas without any detailed roadmap for execution.»Shareholders need more than a list of ideas that mayor may not work ? we need a detailed plan»The Company's share price has been in a free-fall since 2018 with over $2.8 billion in shareholder value destroyed»With shareholder representation on the Board, we can establish a new standard of performance and accountability by ensuring that there is a comprehensive strategy in place to address the needs of the CompanyWe are confident in our ability to meet the needs of our existing and prospective customers, now and in the future. To that end, we continue to take actions to enhance our customer value proposition and to further differentiate ourselves from our competition by:?Introducing new product offerings, as evidenced by our significant progress toward adding 800-millimeter super-sized graphite electrodes to our portfolio.?Expanding the breadth of our ArchiTech®Furnace Productivity System, building upon our best-in-class customer technical service and support, where our personnel work side-by-side with furnace operators.?Broadening our range of contract terms that can be tailored to provide win-win solutions for our customers and our business?.At the same time, to further support revenue and profit growth, under the Board's guidance, the management team is pursuing value-creating opportunities to participate in the development of a Western EV battery supply chain. GrafTech is uniquely positioned to participate in this space given our existing petroleum needle coke and synthetic graphite production capacity. Specific actions being taken include:?Filing a permit application to significantly expand production capacity at Seadrift, our petroleum needle coke manufacturing facility.?Testing needle coke with battery anode material producers.?Conducting pilot tests on graphitization capabilities in multiple locations.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: 2023 10-K

 

   

 

26Even Wall Street Analysts are Not Optimistic About GrafTech's StrategyWall Street analysts have a unanimous HOLD ratingThe Mean Target Price estimate of $1.75 is 68% lower than the same period last yearEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Factset. Data as of 04/11/2024

 

   

 

27Company's Failures can Largely be Tied to Weak Governance$11.44$2.19$0$4$8$12$16$205-Year Share Price Performance12/31/2018 - 12/31/2023»A Board lacking in relevant experience and expertise»Excessive CEO and director turnover»Lack of leadership»Ineffective CEO search process (3 CEOs in 6 years)»Lack of responsiveness to shareholders or engagement80.9% Decline$2.8 Billion in Shareholder Value DestructionEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Factset

 

   

 

28The Current Board Lacks Critical Skills and Relevant ExpertiseGrafTech continues to promote underqualified directors. Current Board MembersTenure (Years)Prior Public Board ExperiencePrior Steel Industry ExperiencePrior Manufacturing Experience (Metals)Stockholder NominatedPrior Public CEO ExperiencePrior Industry/ OccupationHenry Keizer (Chairman)2.6Audit Accounting, and Tax AdvisoryTimothy Flanagan (New CEO)0FinanceMarcel Kessler (Former CEO)1.9Data Management and Management ConsultingJean-Marc Germain2.6Aluminum Design and ManufacturingMichel Dumas6.1Lumber and Paper, FinanceDiego Donoso0.9Packaging& Specialty PlasticsDebra Fine2.6Investment ManagementAnthony Taccone6.1Strategy ConsultingCurrent nominees»The current board lacks critical expertise in related manufacturing and steel industries»The board appears ill-equipped to craft and execute a credible strategy to create shareholder valueEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Company Filings

 

   

 

29The Graftech Board has Been Unresponsive to Shareholders in the Past»Shareholders continue to voice their opposition to Company leadership and performance with 3 incumbent directors receiving less than 80% support in each of the last two Annual Meetings»The Board, specifically the Nominating and Governance Committee, has not publicly disclosed any shareholder engagement to address the low vote support. We are left to question whether there has been any effort by the Board, or the Nominating and Governance Committee, to understand and respond to shareholder concerns»Debra Fine and Anthony Taccone are key members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and share in the responsibility of being nonresponsive to shareholders2023 AGM (5/10/2023)DirectorFORAGAINSTJean-Marc Germain79.9%20.1%Chair Henry Keizer67.9%32.1%Marcel Kessler98.4%1.6%2022 AGM (5/12/2022)DirectorFORAGAINSTDenis A. Turcotte95.1%4.9%Michel J. Dumas70.7%29.3%Leslie D. Dunn83.9%16.1%Jean-Marc Germain98.2%1.8%David Gregory96.1%3.9%Anthony TacconeDebra Fine»Serves as Current Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2023»Has served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2018»Is the only incumbent member of the Committee that has served throughout its historyEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE* Marcel Kessler was appointed CEO and President July 1, 2022

 

   

 

30Numerous Red Flags in GrafTech's Dealings with BrookfieldCase Study 1: Share Repurchase from Brookfield»Spent $225 million cash to purchase Brookfield shares»The purchase price was 28% higher than the IPO price, less than four months earlier»Elected to the Board in April 2018.»Member of Audit Committee (FY18)»Member, Governance & Compensation Committee (FY18)»During his tenure as a Director, GrafTech returned over $900 million to Brookfield within the first six months of the IPOAug. 2015: GrafTech become wholly owned subsidiary of BrookfieldApril 19, 2018: Declared a $160 million cash dividend payable to Brookfield, the sole pre-IPO stockholderApril 23, 2018: Completed the IPO of 35 million shares of common stock at a price of $15 per shareAug 2018: Repurchased 11.7 million shares @ $19.25 per share from Brookfield using cashIn June 2018, EAF amended its senior secured term loan facility to provide for an additional $750 million in aggregate principal of incremental term loans. The proceeds were used to repay promissory note held by BrookfieldCase Study 2: Brookfield Note Repayment»Spent $750 million to repay promissory note held by BrookfieldDirector, Anthony TacconeEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

31Questionable Judgement with Respect to Former CEO (Mr. Kessler) Recruitment and Compensation Decisions and Seemingly Lack of Relevant ExpertiseIssued a relocation extension as part of the CEO compensation agreement for Marcel Kessler»CEO Kessler never arrived and decided to resign one month after receiving the generous extension»Mr. Kessler also decided to keep his directorship as he continues to serve on the Board today ? just not from OhioDirector, Anthony Taccone»Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (2021 ? Present)»Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (2021 ? Present) »Member, Governance & Compensation Committee (2018 - 2021)»Founding Partner and Co-Owner of First River LLCJune 27, 2022: GrafTech Board appointed Marcel Kessler to CEO, President, Board member effective July 1, 2022June 27, 2022: Company agrees to reimburse Mr. Kessler for all reasonable relocation expenses in connection with his relocation to Cleveland, Ohio area with the expectation that he will spend the first year as CEO in Switzerland before relocating to Ohio. Company will also provide housing allowance not to exceed $52,000 for up to one year.Purports to have over thirty years of consulting to companies in the steel industry»According to its website, First River LLC has two employees only including Mr. TacconeJune 13, 2023: Mr. Kessler still has not relocated to Ohio, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee amends the Restated Employment Agreement to extend the period Mr. Kessler must relocate to Ohio from August 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, along with all other reimbursementsOn September 25, 2023, Mr. Kessler informed the Board of his intention to step down as CEO due to family reasons effective Dec 31, 2023, but will continue to serve on the Board.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

32Gains in Board and Executive Compensation Appear Misaligned with Shareholder Value Destruction»While leadership destroyed $2.6 billion in shareholder value from 2019 to 2023 as indicated by a decline of 82% in market value, Director and CEO pay increased by 79% and 49% respectively»Pay and Performance are clearly misaligned »Anthony Taccone has been the only chair of the Compensation Committee (now known as the Human Resources and Compensation Committee) since its establishment in November 2021Anthony Taccone»Appointed Chair of the Compensation Committee in November 2021»Serves as Current Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (successor to the Compensation Committee, renamed in 2023)$130,000$232,44120192023Average Incumbent Director Pay$2.4 M$3.5 M20192023CEO Pay$562 M$3,143 M20232019GrafTech Market ValueEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCECompany ceased being "controlled" upon completion of a secondary offering by Brookfield in January2021; pursuant to NYSE listing standards, Company reconfigured its committee structure shortly thereafter

 

   

 

33Nilesh Undavia is a Better Director Candidate Than GrafTech Nominees. His Interest is Directly Aligned with ALL ShareholdersGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia has no prior experience on a public company board.»No prior public board experience»Party to $2.8 billion in shareholder value destruction, 80.9% decline in share price»No prior public board experience»Party to $2.6 billion in shareholder value destruction, 78.8% decline in share price»Prior board experience not necessary for nominee seeking directorship as a shareholder representative»No additional board experience»No additional board experience»Owns 8,750 shares of common stock; is beneficial owner of 73,498 DSUs and 23,971 DRSUs as director compensation, all amounting to less than 1% of outstanding shares, 6 years as director»Owns ZERO shares of common stock; is beneficial owner of 67,411 DSUs and 23,971 DRSUs as director compensation, all amounting to less than 1% of outstanding shares, 2.5 years as director»Owner of over 15 million shares, 5.9% of outstanding shares Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh Undavia?EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

34Nilesh Undavia Has Relevant Industry Knowledge to be an Effective DirectorGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia lacks direct industry experience.»26 years at First River LLC, a private boutique strategy consulting firm, owner/founder»4 years at Beddows& Company, consultant»20 years at Fine Capital Partners, private financial services firm, owner/founder»3 years at Loews Corporation, Director of Global Equities»Intimate knowledge of graphite electrode and steel industry as an investor for many decades»5 years at Undavia Family Investment Office, owner/founder»25 years at Wellington Management Co, LLP, Partner/Senior Managing Director »2 years at Credit Suisse First Boston?Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

35Nilesh Undavia Has A Plan For Creating Shareholder ValueGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia did not provide any new or differentiated views with respect to GrafTech's strategy.»Board has produced no value creating strategy during tenure»Board has produced no value creating strategy during tenure»Focus on repairing customer relationships»Ensure a cohesive strategy is in place along with better accountability and transparency»Better align executive compensation to regain market leadership »Introduce market share and capacity utilization as additional KPIs for compensation»Be operationally prepared for upturn in demand»Run European plants at higher utilization and try to sell capacity into new and existing markets in Asia»Be aggressive about capturing graphite opportunities for EVs»Closely evaluate SGA spending to determine if the $10 million in reduced costs are appropriate or if additional cost savings can be realized?Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

36Our Nominee: Nilesh Undavia»Mr. Undavia has been an institutional investor for over thirty five years, the majority of which were spent analyzing global raw materials industries. »Mr Undavia was employed at Wellington Management Co, LLP in Boston for nearly 25 years where he was a Partner and Senior Managing Director of the firm. »Mr. Undavia is the Portfolio Manager of Undavia Family Investment Office, a position he has held since 2018.»Mr. Undavia previously worked as an analyst in Credit Suisse First Boston from 1988 ? 1990.»Mr. Undavia has deep experience in global macro-economic cycles, global steel industry, global energy and raw materials industries, corporate strategy, maximization of shareholder value, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.»Mr. Undavia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College, Columbia University, and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College. 36EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

37Our Plan to Revive Graftech08.»Focus on repairing customer relationships01.02.03.04.05.06.»Reexamine the culture ensuring that there is a more cohesive strategy in place along with better accountability and transparency07.»Considering the decline in revenue, reexamine/refocus SGA spending to determine if the $10 million in reduced costs are appropriate»Better align executive compensation to regain market leadership >Introduce market share and capacity utilization as additional KPIs for compensation»Be operationally prepared for upturn in demand»Run European plants at higher utilization and try to sell capacity into new and existing markets in Asia»Be aggressive about capturing graphite opportunities for EVsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

38Vote for Nilesh UndaviaThe choice is clear: Nilesh Undavia brings much needed shareholder perspective to GrafTechCompany nominee, Anthony Taccone, has failed to provide board oversight and has overseen massive shareholder value destructionAdditionally, Mr. Taccone has shown poor judgment as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Chair of the HR and Compensation CommitteesMr. Undavia has the necessary experience and expertise to be an effective directorVote the BLUE Proxy Card "FOR" the election of Mr. UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

39FINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

40Leadership Instability and Poor Decision Making Has Resulted in Massive Shareholder Value DestructionSource: Factset. Feb 12, 2024 is the date of first Schedule 13D filing-100.00-80.00-60.00-40.00-20.000.0020.0040.0060.0080.00Total Shareholder Return Since IPO to Feb 12, 2024*Down approx. 90%CEO - Timothy Flanagan(Sept. 2023 - current)CEO - Marcel Kessler(July 2022 - Sept. 2023)CEO - David Rintoul (Jan. 2018 - June 2022)EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

41While GrafTech Shareholders Have Suffered, its Peers' Have Performed Significantly BetterSource: Factset. Data as of Feb 12, 2024. Peers include include companies identified as key competitors in 10-K: Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd., Resonac Holdings Corporation, HEG Limited, and Graphite India Limited. Proxy peers include Albany International Corp., Archrock Inc., Balchem Corp., Barnes Group Inc., Carpenter Technology Corporation, ChampionX Corporation, Chart Industries, Inc., Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Enerpac Tool Group Corp., ESCO Technologies Inc., Franklin Electric Co., Inc., GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd., IDEX Corporation, Ingevity Corporation, Kennametal Inc., Koppers Holdings Inc., Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Materion Corporation, Matrix Service Company, Mueller Water Products, Inc., Nordson Corporation, Oil States International, Inc., RBC Bearings Incorporated, Tennant Company, TriMas Corporation, and Woodward, Inc.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

42The Dismal TSR Performance Reflects Deteriorating Financial Metrics Over the Past Five YearsSince 2019, Revenue has declined 65% and Adjusted EBITDA by 98%1,791 1,224 1,346 1,281 621 1,048 659 670 536 20 - 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,00020192020202120222023US$ MillionsNet salesAdjusted EBITDASource: Factset, Capital IQ, SEC filingsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

43Financial Metrics Have Deteriorated Significantly Since 2021 Despite Relatively Stable Customer Demand. GrafTech Has Lost Market Share"We estimate that annual global (excluding China) UHP graphite electrode demand has been approximately 660 thousand MT, on average, over the past three years." - 2023 10-KSource: 2021-2023 10K. Market Share = Sales Volume/Total Demand. 2022 estimate based on Global Electrode Demand of 680k MT as disclosed in 2022 10-K25.4%21.9%13.9%0.0%5.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%202120222023Market Share165.2157.188.10.020.040.060.080.0100.0120.0140.0160.0180.0202120222023'000 MTProduction Volume EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

44-5%-4%13%10%50%10%25%5%11%3%GraphiteHEGResonacTokaiGrafTechEBITDA Margin20212023Unlike GrafTech, Its Peers' Have Performed Significantly Better Since 2021GrafTech's Adj. EBITDA Margin has contracted by 4700 bps since 2021. The largest decline among peersWhile GrafTech's Revenue has collapsed since 2021, its peers have benefited from double-digit growthEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESource: Company Filings, Capital IQ. Tokai Carbon revenue and EBITDA margin is for graphite electrode segment. Resonac revenue is for graphite electrodes and EBITDA margin is for Chemicals segment which includes graphite electrodes. Calculations based on USD revenue numbers. GrafTech EBITDA Margin is based on Adjusted EBITDA Margin as disclosed in 2021-2023 10-K75%45%16%9%(54%)(80%)(60%)(40%)(20%)0%20%40%60%80%100%HEGGraphiteTokaiResonacGrafTechRevenue Change 2021-2023

 

   

 

45GrafTech's Lost Market Share Is Due to Sustained Failure to Make-up for Declining LTA related Sales1451131109129262257586302040608010012014016020192020202120222023Sales Volum ('000 MT)Sales VolumeLTANon- LTA77%58%72%68%38%84.8%83.7%65.7%61.0%31.7%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%20192020202120222023Impact of LTA Sales Volume on Capacity UtilizationTotal capacity utilizationLTA % of total sales vol.LTA volumes have declined 80% since 2019Non-LTA volume failed to make up for the LTA related declinesGrafTech failure to make up for LTA related volume declines has resulted in falling capacity utilizationSource: Company FilingsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

46As Revenue Declined, GrafTech Failed to Manage Its Operating Expenses»Considering a significant portion of revenues were from LTA and the fact that GrafTech was unable to replace declining LTA volume with new business, we question why Selling and Admin Expenses rose by $10 million from 2019 to 2023»We believe that recent cost-cutting measures are in response to shareholder pressure63.767.977.177.074.00.0%2.0%4.0%6.0%8.0%10.0%12.0%14.0%10203040506070809020192020202120222023US$ millionsSelling and Admin. Expenses*Selling and administrative expensesSelling and administrative expense % of salesSource: 2019-2023 10K. Selling and Admin Expense for 2021 excludes $55.5 million for Change in Control related payments.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

47Even Wall Street Analysts are Not Optimistic About GrafTech's StrategyWall Street analysts have a unanimous HOLD ratingThe Mean Target Price estimate of $1.75 is 68% lower than the same period last yearSource: Factset. Data as of 04/11/2024EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

48GrafTech has Lost Market Credibility as Reflected in Negative 1-day Price Reaction to Earning Announcements »Approx. 70% of shareholder value was destroyed due to negative market reaction to earnings. »We question Board's judgement in appointing the CFO who oversaw such value destruction as the new CEO1.5-12.1-22.6-0.4-15.3-4.9-9.3-6.5-25.0-20.0-15.0-10.0-5.00.05.0Dec '23Sep '23Jun '23Mar '23Dec '22Sep '22Jun '22Mar '221-day Price Impact of Earnings Announcement (%)Timothy FlanaganCEO (Nov. 2023 ?Present) CFO (Nov. 2021 ?Nov. 2023)Source: FactSetEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

49STRATEGYAND OPERATIONS

 

   

 

50Background: Take or Pay Contracts i.e. Long-Term Agreements (LTA)»Beginning in 4Q 2017, GrafTech executed three- to five-year take-or-pay contracts (aka LTA) for approximately 60% to 65% of its cumulative expected production capacity from 2018 through 2022. »All of the take-or-pay contracts had fixed prices. »Within this contract framework, the customers agreed to purchase a specified volume of product at the price under the contract. »Contract customers were unable to renegotiate or adjust the price under the contract. These fixed prices under the contracts also prevented GrafTech from passing along any changes related to the costs of raw materials to contract customers. »As a result of the take-or-pay obligation of the contracts, the customer was required to purchase the annual contracted volume (or annual volume within the specified range). »In the event the customer did not take delivery of the annual volume specified in the contract, the contracts provided for a capacity payment equal to the product of the number of MTs short of the annual volume specified in the contract multiplied by the price under the contract for that contract year. »In addition to defining annual volumes and prices, these three- to five-year take-or-pay contracts included significant termination payments (typically, 50% to 70% of remaining contracted revenue) and, in certain cases, parent guarantees and collateral arrangements to manage customer credit risk. »In most cases, the customer could only terminate the contract unilaterally: (i) upon certain bankruptcy events; (ii) if GrafTech materially breach certain anti-corruption legislation; (iii) if GrafTech was affected by a force majeure event that precludes the delivery of the agreed-to graphite electrodes for more than a six-month period; or (iv) if GrafTech failed to ship certain minimum levels during a specified period of time. »The customer would also be able to temporarily suspend obligations under the contract due to a force majeure event, with the contract term being extended by a period equal to the duration of such suspension.»GrafTech's substantially vertically integrated Seadrift plant was particularly important to its ability to provide customers with a reliable supply of graphite electrodes. Therefore, the likelihood that GrafTech would fail to deliver the contracted volume was significantly reduced due to its substantial vertical integration. -Source: 2017-2019 10-KEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

51The Analyst Community was Skeptical of LTAs from the StartOkay. Thanks. And as a follow-up just to understand that point then if the industry is a little bit more reluctant to move towards long-term contracts are unable to do so, it appears that that there is a possibility that you would be the only producer who has that structure, in which case if your customers ? I mean, have you gotten strong confidence for your customers that they would honor the long-term contract. And what are your recourses ?if prices head lower and your competitors are offering shorter contracts, what are the recourse you have to make your customers honor that long-term contract? Thanks.Arun Viswanathan Analyst, RBC Capital Markets LLC Earnings Call, May 7, 2018Just wanted to get a little bit more understanding on both the long-term contracts as well as the spot market price development. What do you think is driving the reduction in the spot price to that $12,000 level or the near-term contracts? And I guess are you still seeing good acceptance of your longer-term contracts? I know you signed up the 40,000 tons. But do you sense a willingness amongst customers to accept that, say, $10,000 average price because the sense is that spot prices will remain well above that? I'm just asking because we have seen this decline in the last couple months. Thanks.Arun Viswanathan Analyst, RBC Capital Markets LLC Earnings Call, Feb. 8, 2019? if you can't get the incremental needle coke, doesn't that just imply that the market is going to be super tight and the pricing that gets repriced in the spot market when those annual contracts that you signed in the summer of 2017 come off are going to be a lot higher pricing than you probably thought if you could get the needle coke for St. Marys. So it's kind of tails you win, heads the customer loses in the sense that they pay higher pricing. I mean this seems like a win-win situation for you either way.Michael F. Gambardella Analyst, JPMorgan Securities LLC Earnings Call Nov. 2, 2018Great. Thanks very much. I know we've got time for questions. I'm going to start it off with one of the more common questions that comes up on my side, on our numbers by the way the free cash flow associated just with those contracts over the next even just two years equates to almost like a 60% free cash flow yield or something like that, so it's pretty interesting, but when I say that to investors one of the common responses is, I don't believe those contracts are going to be in place. So, can you just talk us through and address that issue, please?David Francis GaglianoAnalyst, BMO Capital Markets (United States) BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference, Feb. 26, 2019EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

52? It Appears that GrafTech Lacked A Credible Strategy to Address Customer Concerns with LTAQuestion: Arun Viswanathan from RBC; 2Q 2020 Earnings Call »"?when we're starting to think about this industry, you referenced a lot of difficulties, your customers are going through some financial difficulties. I guess maybe you can just discuss the contracting environment there. Looks like you potentially renegotiating some contracts and securing more volumes for out-years. How are those discussions going? I guess are you able to kind of give us any kind of thoughts on where those contracts are kind of ending up? Are they materially lower than your prior contracts? Are they closer to spot? Yeah, how do we think about the future here?David J. Rintoul (CEO): »So, I think the important thing to remember is that there's no one size fits all solution. Every one of the customers that has come to us has their own unique set of circumstances that is driving the components that are important to them. So, the complication, but we're working through it, is that this is not a cookie cutter exercise. Every one of them is unique and I think that speaks to our efforts of being a good partner that we infact are receptive to ensuring that solutions that we come up withwork for both parties. And like I said, it's not just cookie cutter.»In terms of ? so therefore there's no specific that I'm able to give you because each one of them is a bit different. But I did say something in answering a previous question and I think it's important. As we strive to solve and work through issues in the near term for our customers, we also take very seriously our fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders. So, we try to work hard to come up with win-win solutions where the responsibilities of the shareholders are not forgotten while we're trying to navigate near term solutions for our customers.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

53GrafTech's Decision to Enforce LTA Agreements Seems to Have Impacted Customer Relationships10,1009,9009,6009,4009,4008,5005,7005,7004,9005,0006,1004,80002,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,000FY2018FY20194Q20204Q20214Q20224Q2023$ per MTDifference Between LTA and Non-LTA PriceAvg. LTA priceAvg. price for non-LTA»GrafTech is involved in several arbitrations as respondents pending before the International Chamber of Commerce with global steel companies»These arbitrations pertain to failure to perform under the LTAs and in certain instances attempts to modify or frustrate the LTA related contracts»Claimants include Aperam South America LTDA, Aperam Sourcing S.C.A., ArcelorMittal Sourcing S.C.A., and ArcelorMittal Brasil S.A. (collectively, the "Claimants"). According to the World Steel Association, ArcelorMittal is the second-largest steel producer in the World.»In June 2021, the Claimants sought approx. $61.0 million plus interest in monetary relief and/or reimbursement in respect of several fixed price LTAs that were executed between 2017 and 2018. »On December 16, 2022, the Claimants revised their calculation of damages to approx. $178.9 million including interest, with damages covering the period from the first quarter of 2020 through the end of the third quarter of 2022 and interest covering the period from June 2020 through December 16, 2022. »The Claimants argue that they should no longer be required to comply with the terms of the LTAs that they signed due to an alleged drop in market prices for graphite electrodes in January 2020. Alternatively, the Claimants argue that they should not be required to comply with the LTAs that they signed due to alleged market circumstances at the time of execution. We [GrafTech] believe we have valid defenses to these claims. We intend to vigorously defend them and enforce our rights under the LTAs.Source: 2023 10-KSource: 2018-2023 10K, 10Q and Earnings TranscriptsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

54Lack of Cohesive Strategy: Why Did Mgmt Restart St. Mary's Only to Close it Within a Year?Marcel KesslerCEO (July 2022 ? Nov. 2023)Q1 2022 Earnings CallTimothy K. FlanaganCEO (Nov. 2023 ? Present), Former CFO (Nov. 2021 ? Nov. 2023)Q4 2023 Earnings CallSt. Mary's Facility RestartedWe have also made significant progress on our risk mitigation strategies related to pin stock. Earlier this month, we received the regulatory approval to restart production activities at our St. Marys facility in Pennsylvania. Following this milestone, the facility recently received its first shipment of needle coke since 2016. We are now in the process of beginning production at St. Marys. In addition, our efforts to initiate pin stock production capabilities at our Pamplona facility in Spain also remain on track. We are pleased with the progress of both initiatives as this will provide important risk mitigation for pin production.New Global OfficesOn the commercial front, we have opened a new sales office in Dubai and added new sales and technical service representatives in additional countries. Although our business makes a shift to be predominantly non-LTA now, we remain uniquely positioned to offer our customers surety of supply via our multiyear electrode supply agreements. In fact, we are pleased to have recently entered into new multiyear agreements with several customers in North America and in Europe. This reflects our customers' confidence in GrafTech's ability to reliably deliver high-performing products over time.St. Mary's Facility ClosedFirst, we're indefinitely suspending most of the production activities at our St. Marys facility, as well as indefinitely idling certain assets within our remaining graphite electrode manufacturing footprint. As you know, last year we announced our intention to restart production at St. Marys as a primary component of our pin supply risk mitigation strategy. Specifically, the suspension of production at St. Marys and the reduction in corporate overhead will drive $25 million in annualized cost savings once fully implemented by the end of the second quarter, excluding the impact of onetime costs, which are estimated to be approximately $5 million.Global Cost Reduction Planwe are implementing actions that will reduce the company's overhead structure and expenses. This includes a thorough review of all our corporate and support functions globally to ensure we have the right structure and resources moving forward.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

55Lack of Cohesive Strategy: Why Idle Capacity Indefinitely When Industry Outlook is Positive?Marcel KesslerCEO (July 2022 ? Nov. 2023)Q1 2022 Earnings CallTimothy K. FlanaganCEO (Nov. 2023 ? Present), Former CFO (Nov. 2021 ? Nov. 2023)Q4 2023 Earnings Call»Announcements of planned EAF capacity additions by steel producers and estimated production increases at existing EAF plants could result in incremental annual graphite electrode demand outside of China of 200,000 metric tons by 2030. This compares to global graphite electrode demand outside of China in 2022 of approximately 680,000 metric tons.»On a regional basis, based on industry announcements, this could translate into incremental graphite electrode demand to approximately 65,000 metric tons in Europe and 25,000 metric tons in North America. We also anticipate demand for petroleum needle coke to accelerate, driven by its use as the precursor material to produce synthetic graphite for the anode portion of lithium ion batteries for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.»Based on estimates from the International Energy Agency regarding projected growth in EV sales and battery pack sizes, this could result in global needle coke demand for using EV applications increasing at a compound annual growth rate of over 20% through 2030.»Further, the indefinite idling of certain less efficient assets across our remaining graphite electrode manufacturing footprint will reduce our stated capacity on a go-forward basis from 202,000 metric tons to 178,000 metric tons, a reduction of 12%.»Approximately 89% of our graphite electrodes were purchased by EAF steel producers in 2023. (2023 10-K)EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

56Management's Response is Inadequate: Client Relationships»According to its recent GrafTech shareholder letter, since the beginning of 2024 there have been a dozen meetings [by GrafTech], representing more than 75% of its electrode sales volume in the Americas."»Considering EMEA and APAC accounts for over 50% of sales revenue, we question why GrafTech did not mention anything about meetings with clients in those regions.11%49%40%2023 Revenue by RegionAPACAmericasEMEASource: 2023 10-KEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

57GOVERNANCE

 

   

 

58Company's Failures can Largely be Tied to Weak Governance$11.44$2.19$0$4$8$12$16$205-Year Share Price Performance12/31/2018 - 12/31/2023»A Board lacking in relevant experience and expertise»Excessive CEO and director turnover»Lack of leadership»Ineffective CEO search process (3 CEOs in 6 years)»Lack of responsiveness to shareholders or engagement80.9% Decline$2.8 Billion in Shareholder Value DestructionSource: FactsetEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

59The Current Board Lacks Critical Skills and Relevant ExpertiseGrafTech continues to promote underqualified directors. Current Board MembersTenure (Years)Prior Public Board ExperiencePrior Steel Industry ExperiencePrior Manufacturing Experience (Metals)Stockholder NominatedPrior Public CEO ExperiencePrior Industry/ OccupationHenry Keizer (Chairman)2.6Audit Accounting, and Tax AdvisoryTimothy Flanagan (New CEO)0FinanceMarcel Kessler (Former CEO)1.9Data Management and Management ConsultingJean-Marc Germain2.6Aluminum Design and ManufacturingMichel Dumas6.1Lumber and Paper, FinanceDiego Donoso0.9Packaging& Specialty PlasticsDebra Fine2.6Investment ManagementAnthony Taccone6.1Strategy ConsultingCurrent nominees»The current board lacks critical expertise in related manufacturing and steel industries»The board appears ill-equipped to craft and execute a credible strategy to create shareholder valueSource: Company FilingsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

60Excessive Board And CEO Changes Have Destabilized The CompanyChairCEO201820222024Brookfield DirectorsDeparting DirectorsThe GrafTech Board features:»No Continuity»No Cohesion»No Accountability»No PlanHenry KeizerAnthony TacconeMarcel KesslerJean-Marc GermainDebra FineMichel DumasTimothy FlanaganDiego DonosoDavid RintoulBrian ActonDenis TurcotteMichel DumasAnthony TacconeRon BloomJeffrey DuttonBrian ActonDenis TurcotteMichel DumasAnthony TacconeCatherine CleggDavid GregoryLeslie DunnMarcel Kessler*Jean-Marc GermainDebra Fine* Marcel Kessler was appointed CEO and President July 1, 2022»In just six years, the Board has seemingly been overhauled twice with eight departures and nine additions»This instability coupled with the lack of core skills among directors has rendered this Board seemingly incapable of providing meaningful oversightEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

61Shareholders Have Suffered Due to Questionable Leadership At Chair And CEO Positions»The legacy of failure at GrafTech begins at the top with leadership»For the Company to successfully reverse course, the CEO and Board Chair will have to be more accountable to shareholdersBoard Chair»Joined GrafTech Board in 2015»Became Board Chair in 2018, served as Chair of the Governance& Compensation Committee from July 2019 to November 2021»Resigned in December 2023 »Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer? Private Equity Group of Brookfield Corporation (Non-independent)»Joined the GrafTech Board in 2021»Served on Audit and Nominating and Governance Committees in 2021 and 2022 before becoming Board Chair in May of 2023»Has comparable public board and Chairman experience»Most recent CEO search and mishandling of selection and announcement occurred under his ChairmanshipHenry KeizerDenis TurcotteCEO»Served as CEO from March 1, 2018 ? June 30, 2022 when he retired»Qualified CEO and Board member»Tenure as CEO covered period when GrafTech was a controlled company, oversaw return of significant amounts of capital to Brookfield»Joined as CEO in July 2022, serving from July 1, 2022 to Nov. 15, 2023»Resigned after 15 months due to family reasons»No relevant CEO experience»No steel industry or equivalent experience, yet remains on the Board»Joined Company as CFO in November 2021»Named interim CEO in November 2023 and Non-interim CEO in March 2024 »No CEO experience»No leadership experience beyond Finance»No substantive steel industry experience beyond FinanceTimothy FlanaganDavid RintoulMarcel KesslerEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

62The Nominating/Governance Committee Has Conducted Two CEO Searches with Questionable ResultsPrior ExperienceCEOTenureStatusPublic CEO, Relevant IndustrySteel IndustryGlobal MarketsLeadershipParty Conducting the Search ProcessMarch 1, 2018 ? June 30, 2022Retired???»President, U.S. Steel Tubular Products»Senior Vice President of United States Steel CorporationJuly 1, 2022 ? Nov. 15, 2023Resigned (family reasons), still serves on Board?»CEO Pasrons Systems (data management)»President, Exploration Logistics GroupNov. 15, 2023 ? Present Current»CFO, GrafTech, Nov 2021 ? Nov 2023»CFO, Cleveland-Hills, Jan 2017 ? Feb 2019»The last two CEO selections have lacked relevant leadership experience, and have had limited relevant industry expertise»Incumbent Nominees Anthony Taccone and Debra Fine have each played a significant role in the CEO search and selection process as members of the Nominating and Governance Committee»Anthony Taccone was a member of the Committee for each of the last two CEO search and selection»Debra Fine was the Chair of the Committee for the last searchTimothy FlanaganDavid RintoulMarcel KesslerMichel DumasMichelDumasAnthonyTacconeJean-Marc GermainHenryKeizerDebra FineCatherineCleggNominating/Corporate Governance CommitteeNominating/Corporate Governance CommitteeAnthony TacconeEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

63The Handling of the Appointment of the New CEO Denied Shareholders a Voice»The upcoming annual meeting is an opportunity for shareholders to express support for change at the GrafTech board»Through the potential election of Nilesh Undavia, shareholders would not only have a voice in the direction of the Company, but also a say in the election of the Company's next CEO»The Board's decision to appoint Timothy Flanagan as the non-interim CEO after filing the prelim proxy but before the annual shareholder meeting ensured any shareholder representative, if elected, would have no say in the CEO search process. Former CFO/Interim CEOTimothy FlanaganLarge ShareholderNilesh UndaviaFormer CEO Marcel KesslerAnthony TacconeJean-Marc GermainMichelDumasDebra FineNominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeSeptember 25, 2023»Marcel Kessler resigns as CEO effective Nov. 15, 2023»Board announces beginning of global CEO search process»CFO Timothy Flanagan named as interim CEONov. 2023 ? Feb. 2024»Nilesh Undavia begins private discussions with the Board regarding the company's performance, the importance of the CEO search and collaboration with shareholders, and his nomination to the BoardFebruary 12, 2024»Mr. Undavia files 13D expressing publicly his intention to nominate directors to the Board at the upcoming annual meetingFebruary 23, 2024»Mr. Undavia files 13D expressing publicly his frustration with the Board for rejecting his efforts to collaborate, the importance of the CEO search for all shareholders, and the potential for the Board to further entrench itself with the wrong CEO selectionMarch 26, 2024»Company announces appointment of Timothy Flanagan as Non-interim CEO thereby ending any potential for shareholders to have a voice in the CEO selection process through the nomination of Mr. undaviaDebra FineAnthony TacconeEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

64The Graftech Board has Been Unresponsive to Shareholders in the Past»Shareholders continue to voice their opposition to Company leadership and performance with 3 incumbent directors receiving less than 80% support in each of the last two Annual Meetings»The Board, specifically the Nominating and Governance Committee, has not publicly disclosed any shareholder engagement to address the low vote support. We are left to question whether there has been any effort by the Board, or the Nominating and Governance Committee, to understand and respond to shareholder concerns»Debra Fine and Anthony Taccone are key members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and share in the responsibility of being nonresponsive to shareholders2023 AGM (5/10/2023)DirectorFORAGAINSTJean-Marc Germain79.9%20.1%Chair Henry Keizer67.9%32.1%Marcel Kessler98.4%1.6%2022 AGM (5/12/2022)DirectorFORAGAINSTDenis A. Turcotte95.1%4.9%Michel J. Dumas70.7%29.3%Leslie D. Dunn83.9%16.1%Jean-Marc Germain98.2%1.8%David Gregory96.1%3.9%Anthony TacconeDebra Fine»Serves as Current Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2023»Has served as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since 2018»Is the only incumbent member of the Committee that has served throughout its history* Marcel Kessler was appointed CEO and President July 1, 2022EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

65Perhaps Shareholder Marginalization is Due to a Controlled Company Culture»The original board was beholden to Brookfield and returned over $2.5 billion in capital to the private equity investor while making financial decisions and implementing measures that may not have been in the best interest of non-controlling shareholders and the CompanyDenis TurcotteBoard ChairRon BloomJeffrey DuttonOriginal Controlling Board MembersDavid RintoulCEOBrian ActonMichel DumasAnthony TacconeOriginal ?Independent' Board MembersMay 8, 2018Cash Dividend$160 MJune 15, 2018Promissory Note Dividend$750 MAug 13, 2018Share Repurchase$225.0 MDec 5, 2019Share Repurchase$250.0 M$1.4 Billion$150 Million Capital Investment$1.4 Billion in Capital ReturnedCan these incumbents now be trusted to act in the best interest of ALL shareholders? EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCEGOVERNANCE

 

   

 

66COMPENSATION

 

   

 

67Gains in Board and Executive Compensation Appear Misaligned with Shareholder Value Destruction»While leadership destroyed $2.6 billion in shareholder value from 2019 to 2023 as indicated by a decline of 82% in market value, Director and CEO pay increased by 79% and 49% respectively»Pay and Performance are clearly misaligned »Anthony Taccone has been the only chair of the Compensation Committee (now known as the Human Resources and Compensation Committee) since its establishment in November 2021Anthony Taccone»Appointed Chair of the Compensation Committee in November 2021»Serves as Current Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (successor to the Compensation Committee, renamed in 2023)$130,000$232,44120192023Average Incumbent Director Pay$2.4 M$3.5 M20192023CEO Pay$562 M$3,143 M20232019GrafTech Market ValueCompany ceased being "controlled" upon completion of a secondary offering by Brookfield in January2021; pursuant to NYSE listing standards, Company reconfigured its committee structure shortly thereafterEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

68Questionable Judgement with Respect to Former CEO (Mr. Kessler) Recruitment and Compensation Decisions and Seemingly Lack of Relevant ExpertiseIssued a relocation extension as part of the CEO compensation agreement for Marcel Kessler»CEO Kessler never arrived and decided to resign one month after receiving the generous extension»Mr. Kessler also decided to keep his directorship as he continues to serve on the Board today ? just not from OhioDirector, Anthony Taccone»Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee (2021 ? Present)»Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (2021 ? Present) »Member, Governance & Compensation Committee (2018 - 2021)»Founding Partner and Co-Owner of First River LLCJune 27, 2022: GrafTech Board appointed Marcel Kessler to CEO, President, Board member effective July 1, 2022June 27, 2022: Company agrees to reimburse Mr. Kessler for all reasonable relocation expenses in connection with his relocation to Cleveland, Ohio area with the expectation that he will spend the first year as CEO in Switzerland before relocating to Ohio. Company will also provide housing allowance not to exceed $52,000 for up to one year.Purports to have over thirty years of consulting to companies in the steel industry»According to its website, First River LLC has two employees only including Mr. TacconeJune 13, 2023: Mr. Kessler still has not relocated to Ohio, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee amends the Restated Employment Agreement to extend the period Mr. Kessler must relocate to Ohio from August 31, 2023 to March 31, 2024, along with all other reimbursementsOn September 25, 2023, Mr. Kessler informed the Board of his intention to step down as CEO due to family reasons effective Dec 31, 2023, but will continue to serve on the Board.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCECOMPENSATION

 

   

 

69Unnecessary and Untimely Director Pay Increases have Preceeded Layoffs»In November of 2022, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board approved a $50,000 increase in Director Pay, raising the annual retainer from $150,000 to $200,000»In February 2024, the Company announced the indefinite suspension of its St. Marys facility resulting in layoffs1 »Did leadership not prepare for a potential market downturn? »Are the Directors and Executives simply tone deaf or have they entrenched themselves within a culture that lacks accountability? Anthony Taccone»Serves as Current Chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee, a position held since the Committee's formation in November 2021»Serves as member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, held since 2018GrafTech's St. Marys facilityAs we enter 2024, we are experiencing ongoing softness in the commercial environment, with graphite electrode demand weak and pricing continuing to be pressured,?In response, we are adding to the steps taken in 2023 by taking a number of further actions to reduce costs and optimize our manufacturing footprint. These include indefinitely suspending the majority of our production processes at our St. Marys facility, reducing the Company's overhead expenses and reducing graphite electrode production at our remaining facilities as needed in response to weak market conditions.Timothy Flanagan Timothy FlanaganFormer CFO, Current CEOGrafTech Cites Weak Market Conditions Resulting in Recent Layoffs | News | SMDailyPress.comEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCECOMPENSATION

 

   

 

70SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

 

   

 

71Your Board and the management team have taken decisive action in response to the cyclical downturn that pressured the price of your shares??Notably, in 2023, we took actions to:?Actively manage production levels, commensurate with customer demand.?Reduce costs, resulting in a 10% decline in our period costs.?Manage working capital levels, resulting in a more than $100 million reduction in inventory levels and positive free cash flow for the year.?Proactively refinance our term loan due in February 2025, thereby extending our remaining debt maturities to December 2028.As market weakness continued, in February 2024, we announced further measures to optimize our manufacturing footprint and reduce costs that include:?Indefinitely suspending most production activities at our St. Marys facility, expecting to generate $15 million in annualized fixed cost savings.?Reducing our overhead structure, expecting to generate $10 million in selling and administrative expense savings.?Indefinitely idling certain other production assets, resulting in a proactive 12% reduction in our production capacity in response to weak market conditions.?Operating our remaining facilities at reduced levels to further manage working capital levels.?Reducing our anticipated 2024 capital expenditures by more than 25% compared to 2023.In the Company's April 2, 2024 Letter, The Board Fails to Acknowledge Its Strategic Failures That Lead to Shareholder Value Destruction»In its latest response, the Board failed to address GraftTech's strategic missteps most notably, the lack of a credible plan to replace LTA revenue with non-LTA revenue»The strategic failure seemingly was relying on LTAs as the ONLY strategy, and not crafting a comprehensive forward-looking plan to replace LTA revenue with non-LTA revenueSource: 2023 10-KEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

72The Letter Also Illustrates How the Board is Trying to Mislead Shareholders to Avoid Accountability»The Board lays blame for the client-damaging LTAs to a previous shareholder that is no longer invested in GrafTech»While LTAs may have been structured by Brookfield, some were entered into after the 2018 IPO, when there was a public board in place that had a fiduciary obligation to act in the interest of ALL shareholders»What actions did the Board take to ease the burden on customers and mitigate potential long-term damage to shareholder value (including litigation)?»We would hope that meeting with customers is standard operating procedure by now»Sales in the Americas accounted for 49% of Total Revenue in 2023, which means that by having a ?dozen meetings' with customers representing 75% of sales in the Americas, management met with customers responsible for 37% of total revenue onlyWe are confident in our ability to restore revenue growth based on our compelling customer value proposition and competitive advantages.From 2018 to 2023, GrafTech sold the majority of its graphite electrode volume under long term agreements ("LTAs") with many of its largest customers. These contracts were structured by Brookfield, a private equity firm, when they owned GrafTech. Most of these LTAs will expire by the close of 2024. As our business continues to shift to a more spot-oriented commercial approach, we have embarked on a deliberate campaign to reinforce the importance of the partnership we have with our valued customers. Our executive management team, alongside our commercial team, has been investing significant time meeting with current and potential customers to demonstrate the importance of these relationships. Since the beginning of 2024 there have been a dozen meetings, representing more than 75% of our electrode sales volume in the Americas."Our LTAs were entered into between the end of 2017 and early 2019, which coincided with a period of elevated market prices for graphite electrodes."11%49%40%2023 Revenue by RegionAPACAmericasEMEARelevant Disclosures from the 2023 10-K: Source: 2023 10-KEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

73It is Clear that This Board has no Real Strategy for Success»The Board continues to present ideas without any detailed roadmap for execution.»Shareholders need more than a list of ideas that mayor may not work ? we need a detailed plan»The Company's share price has been in a free-fall since 2018 with over $2.8 billion in shareholder value destroyed»With shareholder representation on the Board, we can establish a new standard of performance and accountability by ensuring that there is a comprehensive strategy in place to address the needs of the CompanyWe are confident in our ability to meet the needs of our existing and prospective customers, now and in the future. To that end, we continue to take actions to enhance our customer value proposition and to further differentiate ourselves from our competition by:?Introducing new product offerings, as evidenced by our significant progress toward adding 800-millimeter super-sized graphite electrodes to our portfolio.?Expanding the breadth of our ArchiTech®Furnace Productivity System, building upon our best-in-class customer technical service and support, where our personnel work side-by-side with furnace operators.?Broadening our range of contract terms that can be tailored to provide win-win solutions for our customers and our business?.At the same time, to further support revenue and profit growth, under the Board's guidance, the management team is pursuing value-creating opportunities to participate in the development of a Western EV battery supply chain. GrafTech is uniquely positioned to participate in this space given our existing petroleum needle coke and synthetic graphite production capacity. Specific actions being taken include:?Filing a permit application to significantly expand production capacity at Seadrift, our petroleum needle coke manufacturing facility.?Testing needle coke with battery anode material producers.?Conducting pilot tests on graphitization capabilities in multiple locations.Source: 2023 10-KEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

74Nilesh Undavia is a Better Director Candidate Than GrafTech Nominees. His Interest is Directly Aligned with ALL ShareholdersGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia has no prior experience on a public company board.»No prior public board experience»Party to $2.8 billion in shareholder value destruction, 80.9% decline in share price»No prior public board experience»Party to $2.6 billion in shareholder value destruction, 78.8% decline in share price»Prior board experience not necessary for nominee seeking directorship as a shareholder representative»No additional board experience»No additional board experience»Owns 8,750 shares of common stock; is beneficial owner of 73,498 DSUs and 23,971 DRSUs as director compensation, all amounting to less than 1% of outstanding shares, 6 years as director»Owns ZERO shares of common stock; is beneficial owner of 67,411 DSUs and 23,971 DRSUs as director compensation, all amounting to less than 1% of outstanding shares, 2.5 years as director»Owner of over 15 million shares, 5.9% of outstanding shares Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh Undavia?EXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

 

   

 

75Nilesh Undavia Has Relevant Industry Knowledge to be an Effective DirectorGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia lacks direct industry experience.»26 years at First River LLC, a private boutique strategy consulting firm, owner/founder»4 years at Beddows& Company, consultant»20 years at Fine Capital Partners, private financial services firm, owner/founder»3 years at Loews Corporation, Director of Global Equities»Intimate knowledge of graphite electrode and steel industry as an investor for many decades»5 years at Undavia Family Investment Office, owner/founder»25 years at Wellington Management Co, LLP, Partner/Senior Managing Director »2 years at Credit Suisse First Boston?Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

 

   

 

76Nilesh Undavia Has A Plan For Creating Shareholder ValueGrafTech's ClaimsMr.Undavia did not provide any new or differentiated views with respect to GrafTech's strategy.»Board has produced no value creating strategy during tenure»Board has produced no value creating strategy during tenure»Focus on repairing customer relationships»Ensure a cohesive strategy is in place along with better accountability and transparency»Better align executive compensation to regain market leadership »Introduce market share and capacity utilization as additional KPIs for compensation»Be operationally prepared for upturn in demand»Run European plants at higher utilization and try to sell capacity into new and existing markets in Asia»Be aggressive about capturing graphite opportunities for EVs»Closely evaluate SGA spending to determine if the $10 million in reduced costs are appropriate or if additional cost savings can be realized?Anthony TacconeDebra FineNilesh UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCESTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCESETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

 

   

 

77OUR NOMINEE AND PLAN

 

   

 

78Meet Our Nominee: Nilesh Undavia»Mr. Undavia has been an institutional investor for over thirty five years, the majority of which were spent analyzing global raw materials industries. »Mr Undavia was employed at Wellington Management Co, LLP in Boston for nearly 25 years where he was a Partner and Senior Managing Director of the firm. »Mr. Undavia is the Portfolio Manager of Undavia Family Investment Office, a position he has held since 2018.»Mr. Undavia previously worked as an analyst in Credit Suisse First Boston from 1988 ? 1990.»Mr. Undavia has deep experience in global macro-economic cycles, global steel industry, global energy and raw materials industries, corporate strategy, maximization of shareholder value, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.»Mr. Undavia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College, Columbia University, and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

79Our Plan to Revive Graftech08.»Focus on repairing customer relationships01.02.03.04.05.06.»Reexamine the culture ensuring that there is a more cohesive strategy in place along with better accountability and transparency07.»Considering the decline in revenue, reexamine/refocus SGA spending to determine if the $10 million in reduced costs are appropriate»Better align executive compensation to regain market leadership >Introduce market share and capacity utilization as additional KPIs for compensation»Be operationally prepared for upturn in demand»Run European plants at higher utilization and try to sell capacity into new and existing markets in Asia»Be aggressive about capturing graphite opportunities for EVsEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

   

 

80Vote for Nilesh UndaviaThe choice is clear: Nilesh Undavia brings much needed shareholder perspective to GrafTechCompany nominee, Anthony Taccone, has failed to provide board oversight and has overseen massive shareholder value destructionAdditionally, Mr. Taccone has shown poor judgment as a member of the Nominating and Governance Committee and Chair of the HR and Compensation CommitteesMr. Undavia has the necessary experience and expertise to be an effective directorVote the BLUE Proxy Card "FOR" the election of Mr. UndaviaEXECUTIVE SUMMARYSTRATEGY AND OPERATIONSCOMPENSATIONSETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHTOUR NOMINEE AND PLANGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL & TSR PERFORMANCE

 

  
 

 

Exhibit 2

 

ICOM PROXY MATERIAL GRAFTECH Proxy Contest of Nilesh Undavia PROXY STATEMENT PROXY CARD