UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q  

 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012
 
Or
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                      to                     
 
Commission File No. 000-13059
 
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
Delaware
33-0055414
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
3169 Red Hill Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA
92626
(Address of principal executive)
(Zip Code)
   
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (714) 549-0421
 
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    x    No   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes  x     No   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

            Large accelerated filer   x
Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨
Smaller reporting company   ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).
 
Yes   ¨     No   x
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Class
 
 
November 9, 2012
  Common Stock, $0.01 par value  
  24,049,437 Shares
 
Exhibit Index on Page 36
 
 
 

 
 
CERADYNE, INC.
 
INDEX
 
     
PAGE NO.
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     
         
Item 1.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
    3  
           
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets – September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011
    3  
           
 
Consolidated Statements of Income – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
    4  
           
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
    5  
           
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
    6  
           
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
    7-17  
           
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
    18-30  
           
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
    31-32  
           
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
    32  
           
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
       
           
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
    33  
           
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
    33  
           
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    33  
           
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
    34  
           
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
    34  
           
Item 5.
Other Information
    34  
           
Item 6.
Exhibits
    34  
         
SIGNATURE
    35  
 
 
2

 

CERADYNE, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
September 30, 2012
 
P ART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
 
CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)
 

 
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
(Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
   
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 96,984     $ 50,275  
Short-term investments
  184,353       224,772  
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $9,946
             
and $1,547 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
  54,504       73,646  
Other receivables
  5,955       6,040  
Inventories
  129,050       117,273  
Production tooling, net
  11,380       11,792  
Prepaid expenses and other
  33,884       43,860  
Deferred tax asset
  4,635       5,782  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
  520,745       533,440  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net
  222,473       243,376  
LONG TERM INVESTMENTS
  21,770       15,026  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net
  97,042       100,690  
GOODWILL
  42,853       42,926  
OTHER ASSETS
  18,231       12,673  
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 923,114     $ 948,131  
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
             
Accounts payable
$ 23,202     $ 29,191  
Accrued expenses
  30,954       30,470  
Income taxes payable
  7,917       5,331  
Short-term debt
  92,259       89,294  
         TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
  154,332       154,286  
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
  24,649       24,462  
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES
  38,695       37,224  
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY
  23,253       23,461  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  240,929       239,433  
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)
             
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 authorized, 24,047,187 and 24,175,051 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
  240       242  
Additional paid-in capital
  118,282       121,940  
Retained earnings
  560,127       583,420  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
  3,536       3,096  
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  682,185       708,698  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
$ 923,114     $ 948,131  
 
See accompanying condensed notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
3

 

CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
   
Three Months Ended
  September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
NET SALES
  $ 106,204     $ 147,974     $ 343,156     $ 443,452  
COST OF GOODS SOLD
    75,777       94,248       246,883       278,681  
IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
    7,000       -       7,000       -  
Gross profit
    23,427       53,726       89,273       164,771  
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Selling, general and administrative
    17,864       19,251       54,213       57,543  
Research and development
    4,842       2,974       13,189       9,255  
Restructuring - plant closure and severance
    289       -       962       -  
Acquisition related charges
    2,023       702       2,254       2,124  
Impairment charges
    13,795       -       13,795       -  
      38,813       22,927       84,413       68,922  
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    (15,386 )     30,799       4,860       95,849  
                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
                               
Interest income
    995       1,069       3,189       2,744  
Interest expense
    (1,795 )     (1,721 )     (5,363 )     (4,838 )
Miscellaneous
    (1,178 )     1,081       (2,627 )     1,671  
      (1,978 )     429       (4,801 )     (423 )
                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    (17,364 )     31,228       59       95,426  
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
    5,696       10,819       12,491       32,291  
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (23,060 )   $ 20,409     $ (12,432 )   $ 63,135  
BASIC INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
  $ (0.96 )   $ 0.83     $ (0.51 )   $ 2.55  
DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
  $ (0.96 )   $ 0.82     $ (0.51 )   $ 2.52  
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                               
BASIC
    24,105       24,556       24,173       24,764  
DILUTED
    24,105       24,811       24,173       25,029  
 
 
See accompanying condensed notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
4

 

CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Amounts in thousands)
 

   
Three Months Ended
  September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (23,060 )   $ 20,409     $ (12,432 )   $ 63,135  
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
    3,539       (14,613 )     (1,744 )     2,006  
UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS
    892       (3,186 )     2,185       (3,180 )
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (18,629 )   $ 2,610     $ (11,991 )   $ 61,961  
 
 
See accompanying condensed notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
5

 

CERADYNE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ (12,432 )   $ 63,135  
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    26,481       29,438  
Amortization of bond premium
    310       827  
Non cash interest expense on convertible debt
    2,968       2,742  
Deferred income taxes
    (452 )     556  
Stock compensation
    3,226       3,150  
Loss from equity investments
    34       -  
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
    (701 )     87  
Loss on equipment disposal
    511       245  
Impairment charges
    20,795       -  
Change in operating assets and liabilities (net of effect of businesses acquired):
               
Accounts receivable, net
    11,573       (15,813 )
Other receivables
    85       5,535  
Inventories
    (19,106 )     (13,329 )
Production tooling, net
    404       (7,064 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    16,964       (4,945 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (5,611 )     11,043  
Income taxes payable
    2,620       3,532  
Other long term liability
    1,468       3,353  
Employee benefits
    956       633  
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    50,093       83,125  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (18,197 )     (23,833 )
Purchases of marketable securities
    (46,107 )     (78,607 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of marketable securities
    83,757       47,757  
Cash paid for acquisitions
    -       (27,673 )
Cash paid for other investments
    (4,762 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of equipment
    69       1,440  
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    14,760       (80,916 )
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from issuance of stock due to exercise of options
    317       1,033  
Excess tax benefit due to exercise of stock options
    663       2,018  
Common stock cash dividends paid
    (10,861 )     -  
Shares repurchased
    (7,760 )     (25,775 )
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (17,641 )     (22,724 )
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (503 )     (1,380 )
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    46,709       (21,895 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    50,275       53,436  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $ 96,984     $ 31,541  
 
See accompanying condensed notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 
6

 
 
CERADYNE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
 
1.  
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012. The balance sheet at December 31, 2011 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements included in Ceradyne’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Pending Transaction

On September 30, 2012, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with 3M Company (“3M”) and Cyborg Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M (“Purchaser”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, on October 15, 2012, Purchaser commenced a tender offer to purchase all of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01, at a purchase price of $35.00 per share, net to the holder in cash, without interest, less any required withholding taxes.

The consummation of the tender offer is conditioned on the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock on a fully diluted basis, as well as receipt of antitrust clearances, and other conditions that are specified in the Merger Agreement. Following successful completion of the tender offer and, if required, receipt of stockholder approval, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), and the remaining Company stockholders, other than
Purchaser, 3M or the Company or any wholly owned subsidiary of 3M or the Company or any stockholders who have properly exercised appraisal rights under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, will receive the same cash price per share as paid in the tender offer. In connection with the completion of the tender offer and the Merger, all of the Company's outstanding stock options and restricted stock units, whether vested or unvested, will become fully vested and converted into a right to receive a cash payment of $35.00 per share, less any applicable exercise price.

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights by the Company and 3M including the Company's acceptance of a superior proposal. In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Company may, under specified circumstances, be required to pay a termination fee of approximately $17.1 million.

2.  
Share-Based Compensation
 
Share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, which was related to restricted stock units only as the Company did not have any share-based compensation expense for stock options. This compared to $1.2 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.
 
Share-based compensation expense is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant in order to estimate the amount of share-based awards that will ultimately vest. The forfeiture rate is based on historical rates. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 includes compensation expense for share-based payment awards based on the estimated grant-date fair value. Since share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
 
The Company maintains the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and 2003 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
The Company was authorized to grant options for up to 2,362,500 shares under its 1994 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company has granted options for 2,691,225 shares and has had cancellations of 397,811 shares through September 30, 2012. There are no remaining stock options available to grant under this plan. The options granted under this plan generally became exercisable over a five-year period for incentive stock options and six months for nonqualified stock options and have a maximum term of ten years.
 
7

 
 
The 2003 Stock Incentive Plan was amended in 2005 to allow the issuance of Restricted Stock Units (the “Units”) to eligible employees and non-employee directors. The Units are payable in shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting. For directors, the Units typically vest annually over three years following the date of their issuance. For officers and employees, Units typically vest annually over five years following the date of their issuance.
 
The Company may grant options and Units for up to 1,875,000 shares under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. The Company has granted options for 475,125 shares and Units for 1,003,869 shares under this plan through September 30, 2012. There have been cancellations of 138,413 shares associated with this plan through September 30, 2012. The options under this plan have a life of ten years.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued Units to certain directors, officers and employees with weighted average grant date fair values and Units issued as indicated in the table below. The Company records compensation expense for the amount of the grant date fair value on a straight line basis over the vesting period.
 
Share-based compensation expense reduced the Company’s results of operations as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Share-based compensation expense recognized:
                       
General and administrative, options
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
General and administrative, restricted stock units
    960       1,120       3,226       3,150  
Related deferred income tax benefit
    (383 )     (446 )     (1,287 )     (1,255 )
Decrease in net income
  $ 577     $ 674     $ 1,939     $ 1,895  
Decrease in basic earnings per share
  $ 0.02     $ 0.03     $ 0.08     $ 0.08  
Decrease in diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.02     $ 0.03     $ 0.08     $ 0.08  
 
As of September 30, 2012, all stock options were vested, consequently there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to them. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1.1 million and $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
As of September 30, 2012, there was approximately $8.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Units granted under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.2 years.
 
The following is a summary of stock option activity:
 
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
   
   Number of
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2011
    259,150     $ 15.80  
Options exercised
    (57,275 )   $ 5.51  
Outstanding, September 30, 2012
    201,875     $ 18.71  
Exercisable, September 30, 2012
    201,875     $ 18.71  
 
 
8

 
 
The following is a summary of Unit activity:

   
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
   
Number of
Units
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 
Non-vested Units at December 31, 2011
    362,727     $ 31.43  
Granted
    134,004     $ 29.13  
Forfeited
    (16,004 )   $ 34.41  
Vested
    (142,157 )   $ 31.36  
Non-vested Units at September 30, 2012
    338,570     $ 30.40  

The following table summarizes information regarding options outstanding and options exercisable at September 30, 2012:

     
Outstanding and Exercisable
 
Range of Grant Prices
   
Number of
Options
   
Average Remaining
Contractual Life (Years)
   
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
   
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (000s)
 
  $2.98 - $4.58       6,075       0.15     $ 3.69     $ 156  
  $16.89 - $18.80       109,450       1.09     $ 17.06     $ 1,339  
  $21.46 - $22.67       86,350       1.87     $ 21.86     $ 642  
          201,875       1.40     $ 18.71     $ 2,137  

The following table summarizes information regarding Units outstanding at September 30, 2012:

     
Outstanding
 
Range of Grant Prices
   
Number of
Units
   
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
  $16.53 - $28.10       158,927       2.18     $ 22.14  
  $30.99 - $39.43       111,542       3.68     $ 33.36  
  $40.73 - $45.70       68,101       2.80     $ 44.86  
  $66.35 - $81.18       -       -       -  
          338,570       2.80     $ 30.40  
 
 
3.  
Net Income Per Share
 
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of any dilutive stock options and Units using the treasury stock method and the net share settlement method for the convertible debt. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the average trading price of the Company’s stock did not exceed the conversion price of the convertible debt, therefore there was no impact to the calculation of diluted shares.
 
The following is a summary of the number of shares entering into the computation of net income per common and potential common shares (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
    24,105       24,556       24,173       24,764  
Dilutive stock options
    -       205       -       218  
Dilutive restricted stock units
    -       50       -       47  
Dilutive contingent convertible debt common shares
    -       -       -       -  
Number of shares used in fully diluted computations
    24,105       24,811       24,173       25,029  
 
 
9

 
 
The following are the number of shares not included in the fully diluted computation pertaining to restricted stock units as their impact would be anti-dilutive.
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Anti-dilutive restricted stock units
    180       171       180       141  
                                 
 
4.  
Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions
 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market. Inventory costs include the cost of material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The following is a summary of the inventory components as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
 
   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Raw materials
  $ 16,193     $ 8,533  
Work-in-process
    73,949       65,645  
Finished goods
    38,908       43,095  
    $ 129,050     $ 117,273  
 
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and consist of the following (in thousands):
 
   
September 30,
2012
   
December 31,
2011
 
Land
  $ 18,528     $ 18,550  
Buildings and improvements
    112,281       117,961  
Machinery and equipment
    228,320       233,702  
Leasehold improvements
    8,632       8,482  
Office equipment
    41,673       37,906  
Construction in progress
    15,691       11,961  
      425,125       428,562  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (202,652 )     (185,186 )
    $ 222,473     $ 243,376  
 
The components of intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):

   
September 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
   
Gross
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
Amount
   
Gross
Amount
   
Accumulated
Amortization
   
Net
Amount
 
Amortizing Intangible Assets
                                   
Backlog
  $ 1,805     $ 1,805     $ -     $ 1,808     $ 1,808     $ -  
Developed technology
    70,549       8,428       62,121       70,590       7,233       63,357  
Tradename
    4,110       770       3,340       4,110       698       3,412  
Customer relationships
    47,604       18,434       29,170       47,604       16,212       31,392  
Non-compete agreement
    1,100       875       225       1,100       775       325  
    Non-amortizing tradename
    2,186       -       2,186       2,204       -       2,204  
Total
  $ 127,354     $ 30,312     $ 97,042     $ 127,416     $ 26,726     $ 100,690  

 
10

 
 
The estimated useful lives for intangible assets are:

Identified Intangible Asset
 
Estimated Useful Life in Years or Months
Developed technology
 
10 years – 20 years
Tradename
 
10 years
Customer relationships
 
10 years – 12.5 years
Backlog
 
1 month – 3 months
Non-compete agreement
 
15 months

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets will be approximately (in thousands): $4,018 for the balance of fiscal year 2012, $5,637 in fiscal year 2013, $6,865 in fiscal year 2014, $9,826 in fiscal year 2015 and $13,275 in fiscal year 2016.
 
The roll forward of the goodwill balance by segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):

   
ACO
   
Thermo
   
ESK
   
Boron
   
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2011:
                             
Goodwill
  $ 13,108     $ 10,331     $ 9,033     $ 22,083     $ 54,555  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (7,797 )     -       -       (3,832 )     (11,629 )
      5,311       10,331       9,033       18,251       42,926  
Translation and other
    -       -       (73 )     -       (73 )
Balance at September 30, 2012:
                                       
Goodwill
    13,108       10,331       8,960       22,083       54,482  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (7,797 )     -       -       (3,832 )     (11,629 )
    $ 5,311     $ 10,331     $ 8,960     $ 18,251     $ 42,853  

The Company is required to test annually whether the estimated fair value of its reporting units is sufficient to support the goodwill assigned to those reporting units; the Company performs the annual test in the fourth quarter. The Company is also required to test goodwill for impairment before the annual test if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate. The Company determined that a test of goodwill for impairment was required for the Thermo reporting unit as of September 30, 2012 as a result of certain triggering events in China as further described in Note 14. Based upon the impairment test, the fair value of the Thermo reporting unit exceeded its carrying value at September 30, 2012, thus there was no goodwill impairment.
 
5.  
Stock Repurchases

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company repurchased and retired 326,900 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $7.8 million under a stock repurchase program authorized in 2011 by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company is authorized to repurchase an additional $92.2 million for a total of $100.0 million.
 
6.  
Fair Value Measurements
 
The Company measures fair value and provides required disclosures about fair value measurements as it relates to financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities in accordance with a framework specified by GAAP. This framework addresses how companies should measure fair value when they are required to use a fair value measure for recognition or disclosure purposes under GAAP. The framework also includes additional guidance to provide greater clarity about the credit and noncredit component of an other-than-temporary impairment event.
 
The fair value framework requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
 
Level 1:  quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
 
Level 2:  observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
 
Level 3:  unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and trade payables approximates the fair value due to their short-term maturities.
 
For recognition purposes, on a recurring basis, the Company measures available for sale short-term and long-term investments at fair value. Approximately $1.8 million of the unrealized losses in short term investments as of September 30, 2012 have been in a loss position for more than 12 months. The fair value of the following investments is determined using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1):
 
11

 

 
   
Level 1 Investments
 at September 30, 2012
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
Unrealized Gains
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Short term investments:
                               
  Investment funds – debt securities
 
$
  181,965
   
$
        78
   
$
      (1,820
 
$
     180,223
 
  Investment funds – equity securities
   
      1,138
     
            3
     
           (28
   
         1,113
 
  Corporate bonds
   
      3,017
     
              -
     
             -
     
         3,017
 
    Total short term investments
 
$
  186,120
   
$
            81
   
$
      (1,848
)  
$
     184,353
 
                                 
Long term investments:
                               
  Corporate bonds
 
$
      6,253
   
$
          22
   
$
            -
   
$
        6,275
 
                                 
   
Level 1 Investments at December 31, 2011
 
(In thousands)
 
Amortized Cost
   
Unrealized Gains
   
Unrealized Losses
   
Fair Value
 
Short term investments:
                               
  Investment funds – debt securities
 
$
  220,778
   
$
          30
   
$
      (4,881)
   
$
     215,927
 
  Corporate bonds
   
      8,851
     
              1
     
             (7)
     
         8,845
 
    Total short term investments
 
$
  229,629
   
$
            31
   
$
      (4,888)
   
$
     224,772
 

The fair value of long-term investments in auction rate securities is based on a Level 3 valuation technique that includes the present value of future cash flows (principal and interest payments), review of the underlying collateral, and considers relevant probability weighted and risk adjusted observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. The fair values of auction rate securities at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $15.5 million and $15.0 million, respectively.
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 there were no charges due to other-than-temporary reductions in the value of investments in auction rate securities. The Company also recognized a pre-tax credit of $12,000 and a pre-tax reduction of $0.9 million in other comprehensive income during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to temporary changes in the value of its investments in auction rate securities.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no charges due to other-than-temporary reductions in the value of investments in auction rate securities. The Company also recognized a pre-tax credit of $0.5 million and pre-tax reduction of $0.8 million in other comprehensive income during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, due to temporary changes in the value of its investments in auction rate securities.
 
Cumulatively to date, the Company has incurred $4.7 million in pre-tax charges due to other-than-temporary reductions in the value of its investments in auction rate securities, realized losses of $8.8 million from sales of auction rate securities and pre-tax temporary impairment charges of $2.6  million reflected in other comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s investments in auction rate securities was below cost by approximately $7.3 million. The fair value of the auction rate securities has been below cost for more than one year.
 
For disclosure purposes, the Company is required to measure the fair value of outstanding debt on a recurring basis. The fair value of outstanding debt is determined using quoted prices in active markets. The fair value of short-term debt, based on quoted market prices, was $93.1 million at September 30, 2012 and $93.5 million at December 31, 2011.
 
7.  
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2011, the FASB issued new guidance which changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). This new guidance also expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2012 which did not materially expand its consolidated financial statement footnote disclosures.
 
12

 
 
In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance which eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. This new guidance requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2012 which changed the presentation of its consolidated financial statements with the inclusion of a new separate statement labeled “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income”.
 
8.  
Convertible Debt and Credit Facility

During December 2005, the Company issued $121.0 million of 2.875% senior subordinated convertible notes (“Notes”) due December 15, 2035. The Company subsequently repurchased $27.9 million of the Notes during 2009 which reduced the outstanding principal amount to $93.1 million. Since the Notes are convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement), the Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the Notes in a manner that reflects the Company’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate as interest cost is recognized.

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, short-term debt and the equity component (recorded in additional paid in capital, net of income tax benefit), determined in accordance with the accounting guidance for convertible debt, comprised the following (in thousands):

     
September 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
Outstanding debt
             
Principal amount
    $ 93,100     $ 93,100  
Unamortized discount
      (841 )     (3,806 )
Net carrying amount
      92,259       89,294  
Current portion of outstanding debt
      92,259       89,294  
Noncurrent portion of outstanding debt
    $ -     $ -  
Equity component, net of income tax benefit
    $ 16,399     $ 16,399  

The discount on the liability component of short-term debt is being amortized using the effective interest method based on an annual effective rate of 7.5%, which represented the market interest rate for similar debt without a conversion option on the issuance date, through December 2012, which coincides with the first date that holders of the Notes can exercise their put option as discussed below.

Interest expense on the Notes, excluding capitalized interest, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 included the following (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
 September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Contractual interest coupon
  $ 673     $ 673     $ 2,004     $ 2,003  
Non-cash amortization of discount on the liability component
    1,018       947       2,966       2,742  
Non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs
    100       96       296       283  
    $ 1,791     $ 1,716     $ 5,266     $ 5,028  
 
The Notes contain put options, which may require the Company to repurchase in cash all or a portion of the Notes on December 15, 2012, December 15, 2015, December 15, 2020, December 15, 2025, and December 15, 2030 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, including contingent interest, if any, up to but excluding the repurchase date.
 
In December 2005, the Company established an unsecured $10.0 million line of credit (“2005 LOC”) which was closed in April 2012. In June 2011, the Company established an unsecured $5.0 million line of credit (“2011 LOC”) that was increased to $7.0 million on December 19, 2011 and will mature on April 1, 2013. The Company expects to renew the 2011 LOC at that time for multiple years. As of September 30, 2012, there were no outstanding amounts on the 2011 LOC. However, the available line of credit at September 30, 2012 has been reduced by outstanding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $6.4 million. The interest rate on the 2011 LOC was 1.2% as of September 30, 2012 which was based on the LIBOR rate for a period of one month, plus a margin of 1.0% percent.
 
13

 
 
Pursuant to the bank line of credit, the Company is subject to certain covenants, which include, among other things, the maintenance of specified minimum amounts of net income and liquidity. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2012.
 
9.  
Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information
 
The Company serves its markets and manages its business through four operating segments, each of which has its own manufacturing facilities and administrative and selling functions.
 
The financial information for all segments is presented below (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Revenue from External Customers
                       
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 53,366     $ 74,041     $ 172,466     $ 217,308  
ESK Ceramics
    33,187       39,904       113,119       125,907  
Thermo Materials
    15,443       24,229       45,599       84,635  
Boron
    8,354       13,356       29,377       32,716  
Inter-segment elimination
    (4,146 )     (3,556 )     (17,405 )     (17,114 )
Total
  $ 106,204     $ 147,974     $ 343,156     $ 443,452  
                                 
Depreciation and Amortization
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 2,329     $ 2,364     $ 6,976     $ 7,749  
ESK Ceramics
    2,553       3,249       8,438       9,665  
Thermo Materials
    1,848       2,078       5,623       5,853  
Boron
    1,734       2,071       5,444       6,171  
Total
  $ 8,464     $ 9,762     $ 26,481     $ 29,438  
                                 
Segment Income (Loss) from Operations and Income Before Provision for Income Taxes
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 487     $ 14,622     $ 13,631     $ 45,677  
ESK Ceramics
    4,020       6,973       15,263       23,979  
Thermo Materials
    (21,982 )     5,966       (26,239 )     22,886  
Boron
    1,699       2,106       2,753       2,832  
Inter-segment elimination
    390       1,132       (548 )     475  
Income from Operations
    (15,386 )     30,799       4,860       95,849  
Other Income (Expense)
    (1,978 )     429       (4,801 )     (423 )
Income before Provision for Income Taxes
  $ (17,364 )   $ 31,228     $ 59     $ 95,426  
                                 
Segment Assets
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 492,006     $ 462,544     $ 492,006     $ 462,544  
ESK Ceramics
    165,227       178,058       165,227       178,058  
Thermo Materials
    140,690       173,245       140,690       173,245  
Boron
    125,191       127,651       125,191       127,651  
Total
  $ 923,114     $ 941,498     $ 923,114     $ 941,498  
                                 
Expenditures for Property, Plant & Equipment
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 1,964     $ 1,495     $ 4,968     $ 4,971  
ESK Ceramics
    3,239       1,722       6,943       3,704  
Thermo Materials
    439       1,687       1,298       11,353  
Boron
    1,774       1,831       4,988       3,805  
Total
  $ 7,416     $ 6,735     $ 18,197     $ 23,833  

 
14

 

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Percentage of U.S. net sales from external customers
                       
Advanced Ceramic Operations
    45 %     44 %     45 %     41 %
ESK Ceramics
    5 %     4 %     4 %     6 %
Thermo Materials
    10 %     1 %     9 %     4 %
Boron
    6 %     5 %     5 %     4 %
Total percentage of U.S. net sales from external customers
    66 %     54 %     63 %     55 %
                                 
Percentage of foreign net sales from external customers
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
    4 %     7 %     6 %     6 %
ESK Ceramics
    23 %     22 %     24 %     22 %
Thermo Materials
    5 %     14 %     4 %     15 %
Boron
    2 %     3 %     3 %     2 %
Total percentage of foreign net sales from external customers
    34 %     46 %     37 %     45 %
                                 
Percentage of total net sales from external customers
                               
Advanced Ceramic Operations
    49 %     51 %     51 %     47 %
ESK Ceramics
    28 %     26 %     28 %     28 %
Thermo Materials
    15 %     15 %     13 %     19 %
Boron
    8 %     8 %     8 %     6 %
Total percentage of total net sales from external customers
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

Foreign sales are determined by the country to which the shipment is delivered.
 
The following is revenue by market application for the Advanced Ceramic Operations segment (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Defense
  $ 37,176     $ 52,917     $ 115,851     $ 159,293  
Industrial
    9,932       9,943       29,626       24,770  
Energy
    1,519       6,644       10,312       19,769  
Automotive/Diesel
     1,362       2,563       5,086       7,712  
Commercial
    3,377       1,974       11,591       5,764  
    $ 53,366     $ 74,041     $ 172,466     $ 217,308  
 
10.  
Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Plans
 
The Company provides pension benefits to its employees in Germany. These pension benefits are rendered for the time after the retirement of the employees by payments into legally independent pension and relief facilities. They are generally based on length of service, wage level and position in the company. The direct and indirect obligations comprise obligations for pensions that are already paid currently and expectations for those pensions payable in the future. The Company has four separate plans in Germany: a) Pensionskasse - Old; b) Pensionskasse - New; c) Additional Compensation Plan; and d) Deferred Compensation Plan. For financial accounting purposes, the Additional and Deferred Compensation Plans are accounted for as single-employer defined benefit plans, Pensionskasse - Old is a multiemployer defined benefit plan and the Pensionskasse - New is a defined contribution plan. The Company also provides pension benefits to its employees of Ceradyne Boron Products located in Quapaw, Oklahoma. There are two defined benefit retirement plans, one for eligible salaried employees and one for hourly employees. The benefits for the salaried employee plan are based on years of credited service and compensation. The benefits for the hourly employee plan are based on stated amounts per year of service.
 
 
15

 
Components of net periodic benefit costs under these defined benefit plans were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Service cost
  $ 184     $ 198     $ 565     $ 591  
Interest cost
    312       339       951       1,014  
Expected return on plan assets
    (144 )     (139 )     (432 )     (417 )
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss
    3       (11 )     5       (33 )
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 355     $ 387     $ 1,089     $ 1,155  
 
11.  
Financial Instruments
 
The Company occasionally enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate changes to allow management to focus its attention on its core business operations. Accordingly, the Company enters into contracts which change in value as foreign exchange rates change to economically offset the effect of changes in value of foreign currency assets and liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and operating expenses. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts in amounts between minimum and maximum anticipated foreign exchange exposures, generally for periods not to exceed one year. These derivative instruments are not designated as accounting hedges. The Company had outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional value of 55.0 million Euros at September 30, 2012.

The Company measures the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other income, miscellaneous.
 
12.  
Income Taxes
 
The Company classifies accrued interest and penalties as part of the accrued liability for uncertain tax positions and records the corresponding expense in the provision for income taxes.

Components of the required reserve at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
September 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
Federal, state and foreign unrecognized tax benefits (“UTBs”)
  $ 1,813     $ 1,791  
Interest
    155       80  
Federal/State Benefit of Interest
    (61 )     (31 )
Total reserve for UTBs
  $ 1,907     $ 1,840  

It is anticipated that any change in the above UTBs will impact the effective tax rate. At September 30, 2012, the 2007 through 2011 years are open and subject to potential examination in one or more local jurisdictions and 2009 through 2011 years are open for federal income tax purposes. The Company does not anticipate any significant release of UTBs within the next twelve months.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Company was granted an income tax holiday for a manufacturing facility in China. The tax holiday allows for tax-free operations through December 31, 2009, followed by operations at a reduced income tax rate of 12.5% on the profits generated in 2010 through 2012, with a return to the full statutory rate of 25% for periods thereafter. This manufacturing facility in China incurred a pre-tax loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, accordingly, there was no benefit from the tax holiday for this period. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was reduced by $0.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively, from the tax holiday in China.

Income taxes are determined using an annual effective tax rate, which generally differs from the United States federal statutory rate, primarily because of state taxes, research and development tax credits and the income tax holiday in China. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial and tax reporting of the Company's assets and liabilities, along with net operating loss and credit carry forwards.
 
16

 

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets are the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the Company’s forecast of future taxable income, and available tax planning strategies that are prudent and feasible.

Based on the analysis as of September 30, 2012, and the weight of the evidence available, management determined that one of the manufacturing facilities in China will not generate sufficient taxable income in the foreseeable future to fully realize the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, management concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to fully realize the benefit of these deferred tax assets and thus, a valuation allowance for $8.3 million was recorded during the third quarter of 2012.  This amount includes a valuation allowance of $5.8 million that was attributable to the impairment and restructuring charges described in Note 14 below.

The Company concluded that it is more likely than not that the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized through future taxable income and tax planning strategies based on evaluation positive and negative evidence. Management will reassess the realizability of the deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of the year. Failure to achieve the forecasted taxable income and successful implementation of tax planning strategies in the applicable taxing jurisdictions could affect the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and could result in an increase in the Company’s effective tax rate on future earnings.
 
13.  
Commitments and Contingencies
 
The Company leases certain of its manufacturing facilities under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2015. The Company incurred rental expense under these leases of $3.0 million and $2.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The approximate minimum rental commitments required under existing noncancelable leases as of September 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
 
2012
  $ 1,021  
2013
    3,490  
2014
    1,404  
2015
    651  
2016
    -  
Thereafter
    -  
    $ 6,566  
 
14.  
China Impairment and Restructuring Charges
 
Due to the continuing decrease in demand in the solar energy market due to a reduction of government subsidies for the installation of solar panels and a buildup of inventories of solar cells and solar wafers in end market distribution channels, during the third quarter of 2012, the Company made a strategic decision to reduce its solar manufacturing capacity by closing one of its plants. The Company initiated a restructuring plan to consolidate its solar crucible manufacturing operations in China and to reduce its workforce. In connection with the consolidation of its manufacturing operations in China, the Company recognized non-cash impairment charges totaling $20.8 million which comprised an impairment charge of $6.4 million for long-lived assets and an increase of $7.4 million in the allowance for bad debt. The Company also recognized a charge of $7.0 million for inventory for pricing pressures and to reflect the lower of cost or market. This write-down of the inventory was included in cost of goods sold. The consolidation plan also includes the future sale of a manufacturing facility with a net carrying value of $6.8 million, which approximates the expected sales price, less disposal costs, in Tianjin which has been reclassified to other current assets. The Company also incurred severance costs of $0.3 million for the reduction in workforce.
 

 
17

 
 
Item 2.                  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Preliminary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. One generally can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “may,” “will,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” or “continues,” or the negative thereof, or variations thereon, or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of the Company involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Reference is made to the risks and uncertainties which are described in this Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and in Part II, Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors.” Reference is also made to the risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors,” and in Item 7 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Overview
 
We develop, manufacture and market advanced technical ceramic products, ceramic powders and components for defense, industrial, energy, automotive/diesel and commercial applications. Our products include:
 
 
lightweight ceramic armor for soldiers and other military applications;
 
 
ceramic industrial components for erosion and corrosion resistant applications;
 
 
ceramic powders, including boron carbide, boron nitride, titanium diboride, calcium hexaboride, zirconium diboride and fused silica, which are used in manufacturing armor and a broad range of industrial products and  consumer products;
 
 
evaporation boats for metallization of materials for food packaging and other products;
 
 
durable, reduced friction, ceramic diesel engine components;
 
 
functional and frictional coatings primarily for automotive applications;
 
 
translucent ceramic orthodontic brackets;
 
 
bio-glass compounds as a key ingredient in tooth paste to rejuvenate the growth of enamel;
 
 
ceramic-impregnated dispenser cathodes for microwave tubes, lasers and cathode ray tubes;
 
 
ceramic crucibles for melting silicon in the photovoltaic solar cell manufacturing process;
 
 
specialty glass compositions for solar, electronic, industrial and health care markets;
 
 
ceramic missile radomes (nose cones) for the defense industry;
 
 
fused silica powders for precision investment casting (PIC);
 
 
neutron absorbing materials, structural and non-structural, in combination with aluminum metal matrix composite that serve as part of a barrier system for spent fuel wet and dry storage in the nuclear industry, and non-structural neutron absorbing materials for use in the transport of nuclear fresh fuel rods;
 
 
nuclear chemistry products for use in pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors;
 
 
boron dopant chemicals for semiconductor silicon manufacturing and for ion implanting of silicon wafers;
 
 
ceramic bearings and bushings for oil drilling and fluid handling pumps;
 
 
ceramic micro-reactors used to process chemicals and pharmaceuticals;
 
 
PetroCeram ® ceramic sand screens for oil and gas recovery and exploration; and
 
 
enhanced combat helmets for soldiers.
 
Our customers include the U.S. government, prime government contractors, companies engaged in solar energy, oil and natural gas exploration and nuclear energy, and large industrial, automotive, diesel and commercial manufacturers in both domestic and international markets.
 
18

 
 
On September 30, 2012, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with 3M Company (“3M”) and Cyborg Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M (“Purchaser”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, on October 15, 2012, Purchaser commenced a tender offer to purchase all of our outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01, at a purchase price of $35.00 per share, net to the holder in cash, without interest, less any required withholding taxes.
 
The consummation of the tender offer is conditioned on the tender of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock on a fully diluted basis, as well as receipt of antitrust clearances, and other conditions that are specified in the Merger Agreement. Following successful completion of the tender offer and, if required, receipt of stockholder approval, the Purchaser will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), and the remaining Company stockholders, other than Purchaser, 3M or the Company or any wholly owned subsidiary of 3M or the Company or any stockholders who have properly exercised appraisal rights under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, will receive the same cash price per share as paid in the tender offer. In connection with the completion of the tender offer and the Merger, all of our outstanding stock options and restricted stock units, whether vested or unvested, will become fully vested and converted into a right to receive a cash payment of $35.00 per share, less any applicable exercise price.
 
The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights by us and 3M including our acceptance of a superior proposal.  In the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated, we may, under specified circumstances, be required to pay a termination fee of approximately $17.1 million.

The tables below show, for each of our four operating segments, revenues and income (loss) from operations in the periods indicated.

Segment revenues (in millions):

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
 
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 53.4     $ 74.0       (27.9 %)   $ 172.5     $ 217.4       (20.6 %)
ESK Ceramics
    33.2       39.9       (16.8 %)     113.1       125.9       (10.2 %)
Thermo Materials
    15.4       24.2       (36.3 %)     45.6       84.6       (46.1 %)
Boron
    8.3       13.4       (37.5 %)     29.4       32.7       (10.2 %)
Inter-segment elimination
    (4.1 )     (3.5 )     16.6 %     (17.4 )     (17.1 )     1.7 %
    Total
  $ 106.2     $ 148.0       (28.2 %)   $ 343.2     $ 443.5       (22.6 %)
 
Segment operating income (loss) (in millions):

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
 
Advanced Ceramic Operations
  $ 0.5     $ 14.6       (96.7 %)   $ 13.6     $ 45.7       (70.2 %)
ESK Ceramics
    4.0       7.0       (42.3 %)     15.3       24.0       (36.3 %)
Thermo Materials
    (22.0 )     6.0       n/m *     (26.3 )     22.9       n/m  
Boron
    1.7       2.1       (19.3 %)     2.8       2.8       (2.8 %)
Inter-segment elimination
    0.4       1.1       65.5 %     (0.5 )     0.4       215.4 %
    Total
  $ (15.4 )   $ 30.8       n/m     $ (4.9 )   $ 95.8       n/m  
* Not meaningful

We categorize our products into five market applications. The tables below show our sales by market application and the percentage contribution to our total sales of each market application in the different time periods.

 
19

 
 
Sales by Market Application (in millions):
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
   
2012
   
2011
   
Change
 
Defense
  $ 43.2     $ 59.1       (26.8 %)   $ 135.4     $ 179.9       (24.7 %)
Industrial
    39.1       42.5       (7.8 %)     120.1       126.8       (5.3 %)
Energy
    11.9       33.2       (64.2 %)     47.7       98.2       (51.4 %)
Automotive/Diesel
    7.9       10.2       (23.3 %)     25.8       30.2       (14.7 %)
Commercial
    4.1       3.0       37.3 %     14.2       8.4       68.7 %
    Total
  $ 106.2     $ 148.0       (28.2 %)   $ 343.2     $ 443.5       (22.6 %)
 
Percentage Contribution:
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Defense
    40.8 %     40.0 %     39.5 %     40.5 %
Industrial
    36.8       28.7       35.0       28.6  
Energy
    11.2       22.4       13.9       22.2  
Automotive/Diesel
    7.4       6.9       7.5       6.8  
Commercial
    3.8       2.0       4.1       1.9  
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
The principal factor contributing to our growth in sales from 2002 through 2007 was increased demand by the U.S. military for ceramic body armor that protects soldiers, which was driven primarily by military conflicts such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. This demand was driven by recognition of the performance and life saving benefits of utilizing advanced technical ceramics in lightweight body armor. Our sales declined in 2008 primarily because of a reduction in shipments of body armor. Our sales declined in 2009 primarily because of a continued reduction in shipments of body armor and also due to a decline in sales of our industrial, automotive/diesel and commercial market product lines due to the severe economic recession. In 2010, sales of body armor continued to decline. However, sales from energy related products grew by 61.6% in 2010 when compared to 2009. Most of this growth in energy sales was generated by sales of our ceramic crucibles used in the production of photovoltaic cells for solar panels. Additionally, sales of industrial and automotive/diesel products rebounded sharply in 2010, particularly at our ESK Ceramics subsidiary. In 2011, our sales increased due to higher shipments of body armor due to the increased demand for ESAPI body armor, an increase of sales to the nuclear industry, and continuing growth of sales at our ESK Ceramics subsidiary.
 
Commencing in 2004, several strategic acquisitions also have contributed to our sales growth. These include our acquisition of ESK Ceramics in August 2004, our acquisition of Minco, Inc. in July 2007, our acquisition of EaglePicher Boron, LLC in August 2007, which we renamed Boron Products, LLC and our acquisition of VIOX Corporation in January 2011.
 
To illustrate the impact of body armor, energy-related products, and our acquisitions, the following table shows our sales from body armor, energy-related products, from our acquisitions, and from all other sources for each of the years 2002 through 2011 (in millions).
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
   
2003
   
2002
 
Sales from body armor
  $ 193.8     $ 70.4     $ 170.0     $ 385.0     $ 535.3     $ 479.4     $ 199.5     $ 120.3     $ 58.2     $ 26.2  
Sales from energy products:
                                                                               
    Gross sales from energy products
    129.0       99.9       62.2       57.7       20.9       11.9       9.8       5.3       2.5       1.7  
    Less sales from energy products included in acquired companies
    (66.2 )     (28.5 )     (24.5 )     (11.4 )     (4.5 )     (3.2 )     (3.2 )     (0.7 )     -       -  
                                                                                 
Sales from energy products due to organic growth
    62.8       71.4       37.7       46.3       16.4       8.7       6.6       4.6       2.5       1.7  
Sales from acquired companies
    254.5       191.1       136.8       177.1       142.6       110.2       109.8       36.0       -       -  
All other sales
    60.9       70.0       56.1       71.8       62.5       64.6       52.4       54.7       40.8       33.3  
Total sales
  $ 572.0     $ 402.9     $ 400.6     $ 680.2     $ 756.8     $ 662.9     $ 368.3     $ 215.6     $ 101.5     $ 61.2  
 
 
20

 
 
Sales decreased by $100.3 million during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period last year as shipments of body armor and ceramic crucibles were lower by $43.9 million and $46.7 million, respectively. Partially offsetting this were increased sales of nuclear products, ceramic missile radomes, non-ECH Helmets and specialty glass or bio-glass products.
 
Sales in the third quarter of 2012 decreased $41.8 million compared to sales in the same quarter of 2011 due to decreased shipments of body armor as demand for ESAPI plates was lower, continued very weak shipments of ceramic crucibles and solar paste to the solar industry. We continued to incur approximately the same amount of operating losses from our crucible product line during the third quarter 2012 as we did in the first two quarters of 2012. Our ESK Ceramics subsidiary recorded lower sales in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the same quarter last year due to weakness in the European economy especially in the industrial and automotive segments of the economy.
 
In October 2008, we were awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity, or ID/IQ, contract by the U.S. Army for the next ballistic threat generation of ceramic body armor plates, called XSAPI, as well as for the current generation ESAPI plates. This five-year contract has a maximum value of $2.37 billion and allows the U.S. Army to order either XSAPI or ESAPI body armor from us.
 
Through September 30, 2012, we have received delivery orders under the October 2008 ID/IQ contract totaling $278.8 million.  We have completed the shipmentsof these delivery orders. With less than two years remaining under this ID/IQ contract, the war in Iraq concluded, and the war in Afghanistan winding down, we expect that the total amount of body armor that we ultimately ship under this contract will be substantially less than the maximum amount.
 
In September 2011, we were awarded a three-year ID/IQ contract for ESAPI ceramic armor plates from Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support group. This purchasing group services the United States Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. This award was in response to our bid to the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) in response to their requirement for a three-year sustainment order for the replacement of body armor inserts. Simultaneously with the receipt of this award, we received an initial delivery order for $127.1 million for ESAPI ceramic body armor plates and two additional delivery orders of $15.4 million for a total of $142.5 million. Of this amount, we have shipped $84.7 million of body armor through September 30, 2012 and we expect to ship the balance of $57.9 million by April 30, 2013. This ID/IQ contract includes options for additional deliveries of up to $127.3 million in each of the second and third years. We estimate that we will receive $71.1 million in ESAPI delivery orders for all of 2013.
 
In October 2011, we announced the receipt of a delivery order for approximately $6.9 million for ceramic body armor plates from the United States Special Operations Command (“SOCOM”). In March 2012, we received a stop work notice on this order and other orders from SOCOM because the ceramic body armor plates failed government testing. On June 1, 2012, we received an extension of this stop work notice. We recommended solutions to SOCOM and on July 20, 2012, SOCOM issued a show cause notice questioning our proposed solutions. SOCOM provided us an opportunity to present an acceptable corrective action plan (“CAP") by August 20, 2012. Ceradyne provided a CAP for line items SPEAR BALCS GEN III and for TSA Swimmer GEN III on August 17, 2012 and was notified on October 30, 2012 that SOCOM would accept the recommendations for the SPEAR line item but determined not to accept the CAP for the TSA line item.  Ceradyne will incorporate the CAP for the SPEAR line item in November and submit the new design for First Article Testing in the first quarter of 2013. 
 
For 2012 and for the next several years, we expect that our sales of body armor will continue in a range of approximately $50.0 to $150.0 million per year. We will continue to bid on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) for the first generation of SAPI body armor through our existing ID/IQ contract with Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
 
Although we believe that demand for ceramic body armor will continue for many years, the quantity and timing of government orders depends on a number of factors outside of our control, such as the amount of U.S. defense budget appropriations, positions and strategies of the current U.S. government, the level of international conflicts and the deployment of armed forces. Moreover, ceramic armor contracts generally are awarded in an open competitive bidding process and may be cancelled by the government at any time without penalty. Therefore, our future level of sales of ceramic body armor will depend on our ability to successfully compete for and retain this business.
 
In June 2009, we acquired substantially all of the business, assets, technology and intellectual property related to ballistic combat and non-combat helmets of Diaphorm Technologies, LLC, based in Salem, New Hampshire. Based on this technology, we submitted a proposal to the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command in June 2009 in response to a solicitation for the procurement of Enhanced Combat Helmets (ECH), which are intended to provide substantially increased levels of protection compared to combat helmets now in use. In response to our proposal, the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command in July 2009 awarded us a contract for up to a maximum of 246,840 helmets. After an extended period of First Article Testing, our helmets have been approved by the U.S. Government. In March 2012, we received the first of two low rate initial production ECH Helmet orders. The initial release has a value of approximately $3.0 million. The second low rate initial production order was received in May 2012 with a value of approximately $3.9 million. The full multi-year production order has been delayed pending resolution of technical issues related to production and testing.  If these issues are successfully resolved,the total of the initial orders plus full production orders could exceed $170.0 million. Our strategy regarding this acquisition is to combine our successful track record in body armor programs with the proprietary helmet-forming technologies acquired from Diaphorm to create a world class manufacturer of Enhanced Combat Helmets.
 
21

 

New orders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $76.1 million and $236.2 million, respectively, compared to $272.0 million and $612.5 million, respectively, for the same periods last year. Orders for ceramic body armor for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $15.8 million  and $15.5 million compared to $174.7 million and $282.8 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

Our order backlog was $179.0 million as of September 30, 2012 and $354.9 million as of September 30, 2011. The backlog for ceramic body armor represented approximately $75.7 million, or 42.3%, of the total backlog as of September 30, 2012 and $208.7 million, or 58.8%, of the total backlog as of September 30, 2011. We expect that substantially all of our order backlog as of September 30, 2012 will be shipped during the next 12 months.
 
For the next several quarters, demand for ceramic body armor is likely to be the most significant factor affecting our sales. We expect sales of body armor will be lower in 2012 than in 2011.

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011
 
Net Sales
 
Our total net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net Sales
  $ 106.2     $ 148.0     $ 343.2     $ 443.5  
Increase (decrease) in net sales
  $ (41.8 )   $ 56.2     $ (100.3 )   $ 141.3  
Percentage change in net sales
    (28.2 %)     61.3 %     (22.6 %)     46.7 %
 
Sales declined in the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 as shipments of ceramic body armor, and ceramic crucibles and solar paste to the solar industry were lower by $43.9 million and $55.3 million, respectively, when compared to the same period last year. We continued to experience lower sales in our ESK Ceramics subsidiary during the nine month period ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period last year due to continued weakness in the European economy especially in the industrial and automotive segments of the economy.
 
Sales declined for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period last year, primarily from decreases in shipments of body armor of $16.5 million, lower shipments of ceramic crucibles and solar paste to the solar industry of $16.2 million, lower shipments of metal matrix composite products to the nuclear industry by our Ceradyne Canada business unit of $4.7 million and lower shipments of $6.7 million by our ESK Ceramics subsidiary, reflecting softness in the European economy. Offsetting these declines, were increased shipments to the semiconductor industry by our Boron segment of $1.3 million, increased shipments of non-ECH Helmets of $1.8 million and ceramic missile radomes of $1.9 million, and increased shipments of $1.3 million of our bio-glass product for use as an ingredient in tooth paste.
 
Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 of energy products amounted to $11.9 million, a decrease of $21.3 million, or 64.2%, from $33.2 million in the prior year as sales of ceramic crucibles to the solar industry continued their decline due to a reduction of government subsidies for the installation of solar panels and a buildup of inventories of solar cells and solar wafers in end market distribution channels.
 
Sales of industrial products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased $3.3 million compared to the prior year due to weakness in the European economy.
 
Sales of automotive/diesel products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 decreased $2.4 million compared to the same period last year due to lower sales to our European customers.
 
22

 
 
Our net sales of commercial products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $4.1 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 37.3%, from $3.1 million in the prior year. This increase was caused by increased demand for our bio-glass product for use as an ingredient in tooth paste and increased sales of our orthodontic brackets.
 
Advanced Ceramic Operations Segment
 
Our Advanced Ceramic Operations segment had net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net Sales
  $ 53.4     $ 74.0     $ 172.5     $ 217.3  
Increase (decrease) in net sales
  $ (20.6 )   $ 45.7     $ (44.8 )   $ 93.6  
Percentage change in net sales
    (27.9 %)     161.8 %     (20.6 %)     75.6 %
 
Contributing to the decrease of $20.6 million in sales during the three months ended September 30, 2012 were lower shipments of body armor and solar paste of $16.5 million and $4.9 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, shipments of ceramic body armor amounted to $108.3 million, a decrease of $43.9 million, or 28.8%, from $152.2 million in the same period last year. The primary reasons for the decrease in shipments of ceramic body armor were a decrease in demand for ESAPI body armor plates.
 
ESK Ceramics Segment
 
Our ESK Ceramics segment had net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net Sales
  $ 33.2     $ 39.9     $ 113.1     $ 125.9  
Increase (decrease) in net sales
  $ (6.7 )   $ 7.8     $ (12.8 )   $ 31.1  
Percentage change in net sales
    (16.8 %)     24.2 %     (10.2 %)     32.8 %
 
On a constant currency basis, sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $36.5 million, a decrease of $3.4 million, or 8.6%, from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The major factor causing the decrease in sales was weakness in the European economy which impacted all product lines except the PetroCeram ® ceramic sand screens whose sales increased by $0.2 million. Sales of industrial products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $18.7 million, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 16.8%,  from $22.5 million in the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Sales of defense products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $5.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 12.7%, from $6.2 million in the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Included in sales of defense products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were inter-segment sales of $3.8 million compared to $2.9 million in the prior year. Sales of automotive/diesel products for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $6.5 million, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 15.5%, from $7.7 million in the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
 
On a constant currency basis, sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $120.9 million, a decrease of $5.0 million, or 4.0%, from the corresponding prior year period. Sales declined for the reasons stated above. Sales of industrial products for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $60.7 million, a decrease of $10.4 million, or 14.5%, from $71.1 million in the corresponding prior year period. Sales of defense products for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $22.7 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 5.7%, from $21.5 million in the corresponding prior year period. Included in sales of defense products for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were inter-segment sales of $16.4 million compared to $14.5 million in the prior year period. The increase of $1.9 million in inter-segment sales was due to an increase in demand for boron carbide powder used in body armor plates manufactured by our Advanced Ceramic Operations division. Sales of automotive/diesel products for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $20.7 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 8.1%, from $22.5 million in the corresponding prior year period. Lower demand from European automotive original equipment manufacturers accounted for the decrease in sales.
 
 
23

 
 
Thermo Materials Segment
 
Our Thermo Materials segment had net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net Sales
  $ 15.4     $ 24.2     $ 45.6     $ 84.6  
Increase (decrease) in net sales
  $ (8.8 )   $ (2.3 )   $ (39.0 )   $ 14.8  
Percentage change in net sales
    (36.3 %)     (8.4 %)     (46.1 %)     21.2 %
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the decrease in sales at our Thermo Materials segment was due to lower shipments of crucibles to the solar energy market, partially offset by increased shipments of ceramic missile radomes to the defense industry. Sales of crucibles used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $3.9 million, a decrease of $11.4 million, or 74.4%, from $15.3 million in the corresponding period a year ago. The decrease was due to the continuing slowdown of demand in the solar energy market due to a reduction of government subsidies for the installation of solar panels and a buildup of inventories of solar cells and solar wafers in end market distribution channels. Sales to the defense industry for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $4.5 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 74.0%, from $2.6 million when compared to the corresponding prior year period due to increased sales of ceramic missile radomes.
 
Sales of crucibles used in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $10.9 million, a decrease of $46.7 million, or 81.0%, from $57.6 million in the corresponding period a year ago. Sales to the defense industry for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $13.3 million, an increase of $5.5 million, or 70.4%, from $7.8 million when compared to the corresponding prior year period, due to increased shipments of ceramic missile radomes. Sales of precision investment casting products for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were $19.2 million, an increase of $1.9 million, or 11.0%, from $17.3 million in the same period last year.
 
Boron Segment
 
Our Boron segment had net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Net Sales
  $ 8.4     $ 13.4     $ 29.4     $ 32.7  
Increase (decrease) in net sales
  $ (5.0 )   $ 4.2     $ (3.3 )   $ 9.5  
Percentage change in net sales
    (37.5 %)     45.3 %     (10.2 %)     41.3 %
 
Our Boron business segment comprises the business units Ceradyne Boron Products, SemEquip, Inc. and Ceradyne Canada.  The reason for the decrease in sales in this segment for three months ended September 30, 2012 were lower sales to the nuclear industry. Sales to the nuclear industry were $4.7 million, a decrease of $5.5 million, or 53.7%, from $10.2 million in the corresponding period last year. Of the $5.5 million decrease in sales to the nuclear industry, $4.7 million originated from our Ceradyne Canada business unit. Offsetting this was an increase in shipments by $1.3 million to the semiconductor industry.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, sales to the nuclear industry were $20.8 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 8.2%, from $22.6 million in the corresponding period last year and sales by our SemEquip business unit were $144,000, a decrease of $2.6 million, or 94.8%, from $2.8 million. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in sales of $1.1 million to the semiconductor industry.
 
Gross Profit
 
Our total gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Gross profit
  $ 23.4     $ 53.7     $ 89.3     $ 164.8  
Increase (decrease) in gross profit
  $ (30.3 )   $ 30.1     $ (75.5 )   $ 90.0  
Gross profit percentage
    22.1 %     36.3 %     26.0 %     37.2 %

 
24

 
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the decrease in gross profits of $30.3 million was primarily due to impairment charges of $7.0 million as we reduced our China solar manufacturing capacity by closing one of our plants, lower gross profits from body armor of $8.8 million, ceramic crucibles of $17.4 million and lower gross profits from our ESK Ceramics subsidiary of $2.6 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, gross profit was lower by $75.5 million and was attributable to a decline in gross profits of body armor by $29.1 million, ceramic crucibles by $39.7 million, to the impairment charges of $7.0 million described above, and from lower gross profits from sales of industrial products by ESK Ceramics of $6.8 million.

Several factors caused the decrease in gross profit and the gross profit as a percentage of net sales during both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012. The main factors were the impairment charges in connection with the reduction in our China solar crucible manufacturing capacity, lower average unit selling prices of our largest product line, body armor, substantially lower average unit selling prices of ceramic crucibles, and lower units shipped for both items when compared to both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The other factor was lower shipments of industrial products by our ESK Ceramics subsidiary, all resulting in reduced operating leverage and a decrease in absorption of manufacturing overhead expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
 
Advanced Ceramic Operations Segment
 
Our Advanced Ceramic Operations segment had total gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):
   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Gross profit
  $ 13.1     $ 24.3     $ 44.4     $ 74.0  
Increase (decrease) in gross profit
  $ (11.2 )   $ 26.0     $ (29.6 )   $ 61.0  
Gross profit percentage
    24.6 %     32.9 %     25.8 %     34.0 %
 
The primary reason for the decrease in gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was lower average unit selling prices of body armor. For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the decrease in gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of net sales were caused by lower average unit selling prices of body armor, by lower volumes of production of body armor resulting in reduced operating leverage and a decrease in absorption of manufacturing overhead expenses, and by lower sales of body armor as they declined by $43.9 million, or 28.8%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
ESK Ceramics Segment
 
Our ESK Ceramics segment had total gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Gross profit
  $ 10.4     $ 13.0     $ 34.9     $ 41.7  
Increase (decrease) in gross profit
  $ (2.6 )   $ 2.4     $ (6.8 )   $ 13.9  
Gross profit percentage
    31.4 %     32.6 %     30.8 %     33.1 %
 
Gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 due to a decrease in manufacturing production of industrial and automotive products leading to a decrease in absorption of manufacturing overhead expenses and an unfavorable change in sales mix to sales of products with lower sales margins.
 
Thermo Materials Segment
 
Our Thermo Materials segment had total gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):
 
25

 

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Gross profit
  $ (4.8 )   $ 10.0     $ (0.6 )   $ 36.2  
Increase (decrease) in gross profit
  $ (14.8 )   $ (1.6 )   $ (36.8 )   $ 6.7  
Gross profit percentage
    (31.1 %)     41.1 %     (1.3 %)     42.8 %
 
Gross profit decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 because of impairment charges of $7.0 million as we reduced our China solar manufacturing capacity by closing one of our plants and reduced the carrying value of our inventory, a decrease in sales of crucibles by $11.4  million, or 74.4%, and $46.7 million, or 81.0% during those periods, respectively; a decline in unit sales prices of crucibles due to pricing pressure from customers, and because of lower volumes of production of ceramic crucibles resulting in reduced operating leverage and a decrease in absorption of manufacturing overhead expenses.
 
Boron Segment
 
Our Boron segment had total gross profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 as follows (dollars in millions):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Gross profit
  $ 4.3     $ 5.3     $ 11.1     $ 12.4  
Increase (decrease) in gross profit
  $ (1.0 )   $ 1.7     $ (1.3 )   $ 7.1  
Gross profit percentage
    51.0 %     39.8 %     37.8 %     38.0 %
 
The decrease in gross profit in the three months ended September 30, 2012 was the result of lower sales to the nuclear industry, especially from our Ceradyne Canada business unit as sales were only $0.7 million, a decrease of $4.7 million, or 87.3%, from $5.4 million in the same period last year. This resulted in a reduction in gross profits of $2.3 million. This was offset by an increase in gross profit in the three months ended September 30, 2012 at our Ceradyne Boron business unit of $1.2 million.
 
Gross profit and gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 due to an unfavorable sales mix, lower sales to the semiconductor and nuclear industries and gross margin losses of $3.0 million incurred in our Canada business unit due to much lower sales levels than the same period last year.
 
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
 
Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
  $ 17.9     $ 19.3     $ 54.2     $ 57.5  
Increase (decrease) in selling, general and administrative expenses
  $ (1.4 )   $ 4.9     $ (3.3 )   $ 13.6  
Percentage change in selling, general and administrative expenses
    (7.2 %)     33.5 %     (5.8 %)     30.9 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of net sales
    16.8 %     13.0 %     15.8 %     13.0 %
 
Total selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 7.2% and 5.8% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to the same periods in 2011, respectively. They increased as a percentage of net sales, due to the 28.2% and 22.6% year-over-year decline in the Company’s net sales during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
 
For the three months ended September 30, 2012, the decrease of $1.4 million in selling, general and administrative expenses over the same period last year was caused by decreases in personnel expenses caused by lower employee bonuses due to the reduction in financial performance, and lower group health expenses. Slightly offsetting these decreases was an increase in bad debts expense for our China operations, and additional expenses for payroll due to cost of living increases and for legal fees incurred for the proposed acquisition of Ceradyne by 3M.
 
26

 
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the decrease of $3.3 million over the same period last year was caused by the same reasons as stated above.
 
Research and Development Expenses
 
Our research and development expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Research and development expenses
  $ 4.8     $ 3.0     $ 13.2     $ 9.3  
Increase (decrease) in research and development expenses
  $ 1.8     $ 0.4     $ 3.9     $ 0.6  
Percentage change in research and development expenses
    62.8 %     13.8 %     42.5 %     6.0 %
Research & development expenses as a percentage of net sales
    4.6 %     2.0 %     3.8 %     2.1 %
 
Research and development expenses increased for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 due to an increase in expenditures for the qualification and development of the ECH Helmet program.
 
Restructuring – Plant Closure and Severance.
 
Our restructuring – plant closure and severance expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Restructuring – plant closure and severance
  $ 0.3     $ 0.0     $ 1.0     $ 0.0  
Increase (decrease) in restructuring – plant closure and severance
  $ 0.3     $ 0.0     $ 1.0     $ (7.0 )
Percentage change in restructuring – plant closure and severance
    n/m       0.0 %     n/m       n/m  
Restructuring –as a percentage of net sales
    0.3 %     0.0 %     0.3 %     0.0 %
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded pre-tax restructuring and severance charges of $0.3 million for the reduction in workforce in connection with our plan to consolidate operations in China by selling one of our manufacturing facilities.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded pre-tax restructuring and severance charges of $0.6 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the closure of our manufacturing facilities in India, Utah and China, respectively. We closed the India facilities and moved the equipment associated with that facility to the United States because the cost of manufacturing orthodontic products was lower in the United States than in India. In order to gain synergies and reduce costs in our police helmet operation, we closed our Utah facility and combined its operations with our Diaphorm business unit in Salem, New Hampshire.
 
Acquisition Related Charge (Credit)
 
Our acquisition related charges and credits for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Acquisition related charges and credits
  $ 2.0     $ 0.7     $ 2.3     $ 2.1  
Increase (decrease) in acquisition related charges and credits
  $ 1.3     $ 0.7     $ 0.2     $ 2.2  
Percentage change in acquisition related charges and credits
    188.2 %     n/m       6.1 %     n/m  
Acquisition charges and credits as a percentage of net sales
    1.9 %     0.5 %     0.7 %     0.5 %
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded acquisition-related charges of $2.0 million to reflect the fair value of contingent purchase price consideration for Diaphorm Technologies, acquired in 2009.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded acquisition-related charges of $0.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively, to reflect the fair value of contingent purchase price consideration for SemEquip, Inc., acquired in 2008, Diaphorm Technologies, acquired in 2009 and VIOX Corporation, acquired on January 3, 2011.
 
27

 
 
Impairment charges
 
Our impairment charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September   30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Impairment related charges
  $ 13.8     $ 0.0     $ 13.8     $ 0.0  
Increase (decrease) in impairment related charges
  $ 13.8     $ 0.0     $ 13.8     $ 0.0  
Percentage change in impairment related charges
    n/m       n/m       n/m     $ 0.0  
Impairment charges as a percentage of net sales
    13.0 %     0.0 %     4.0 %     0.0 %
 
Due to the continuing decrease in demand in the solar energy market due to a reduction of government subsidies for the installation of solar panels and a buildup of inventories of solar cells and solar wafers in end market distribution channels, during the third quarter of 2012, we made a strategic decision to reduce our solar manufacturing capacity by closing one of our plants. We initiated a restructuring plan to consolidate our solar crucible manufacturing operations in China and to reduce our workforce. In connection with the consolidation of its manufacturing operations in China, we recognized non-cash impairment charges totaling $20.8 million. Of this amount, $13.8 million was recognized as an operating expense and the balance of $7.0 million was for inventory write-downs included in cost of goods sold. The composition of the total non-cash impairment charges of $20.8 million were $6.4 million for long-lived assets, an increase of $7.4 million in the allowance for bad debt, and a charge of $7.0 million for pricing pressures and to reflect the lower of cost or market. This plan includes the future sale of a manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China with a net carrying value of $6.8 million, which approximates the expected sales price, less disposal costs. This asset has been reclassified to other current assets. We also incurred severance costs of $0.3 million for the reduction in workforce.
 
Other Income (Expense)
 
Our net other income (expense) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):

   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Other income (expense)
  $ (2.0 )   $ 0.4     $ (4.8 )   $ (0.4 )
Increase (decrease) in other income (expense)
  $ (2.4 )   $ 1.9     $ (4.4 )   $ 2.2  
Percentage change in other income (expense)
    n/m       n/m       1,035.0 %     (84.0 %)
Other income (expense) as percentage of net sales
    (1.9 %)     0.3 %     (1.4 %)     (0.1 %)
 
Other income (expense) decreased by $2.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 because we recognized a loss from foreign currency transactions of $1.3 million compared to a gain of $0.7 million during the same period last year.
 
Other income (expense) decreased by $4.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 because we recognized a loss from foreign currency transactions of $2.9 million compared to a gain of $0.7 million during the same period last year, and we were reimbursed $0.8 million for legal fees during the six months ended June 30, 2011 concerning a workers compensation matter.
 
Income Taxes
 
Our provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 
 
28

 
 
   
Three Months Ended
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Provision for income taxes
  $ 5.7     $ 10.8     $ 12.5     $ 32.3  
Increase (decrease) in provision for income taxes
  $ (5.1 )   $ 10.3     $ (19.8 )   $ 28.8  
Percentage change in provision for income taxes
    (47.4 %)     n/m       (61.3 %)     821.5 %
Provision for income taxes as a percentage of net sales
    5.4 %     7.3 %     3.6 %     7.3 %
Effective tax rate
    (16.6 %)     34.6 %     (73.8 %)     33.8 %
 
The effective tax rate for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 was higher compared to the same periods last year because we recorded a valuation allowance of $8.3 million against the deferred tax assets from our China operations in the third quarter of 2012. These deferred tax assets most likely will not be realizable due to our estimates that financial losses from our China operations will continue indefinitely.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We generally have met our operating and capital requirements with cash flow from operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility.

The following tables present selected financial information and statistics as of  September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (in millions):

   
September 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
Cash, cash equivalents and short term investments
  $ 281.3     $ 275.0  
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 54.5     $ 73.7  
Inventories
  $ 129.1     $ 117.3  
Working capital
  $ 366.4     $ 379.2  


   
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2012
   
2011
 
Operating cash flow
  $ 28.6     $ 24.7     $ 50.1     $ 83.1  
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and short term investments
  $ 13.3     $ (14.2 )   $ 6.3     $ 12.7  
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we generated $50.1 million of cash from operations compared to $83.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The $50.1 million of cash flow from operations during 2012 is comprised of net income before impairment charges of $8.4 million, with $70.1 million of non-cash charges which included $20.8 million of non-cash impairment charges therein, offset by an increase in working capital of $9.4 million. We also invested $18.2 million in capital expenditures. Of this amount, $15.6 million was spent to replace manufacturing equipment in selected product lines and the balance, $2.6 million, was spent to expand manufacturing capacity at our Ceradyne Boron Products facility. We plan to spend a total of $9.3 million during this fiscal year for this expansion. We invested $1.0 million in connection with our purchase of a minority interest in Chemtrix, Ltd. Chemtrix develops and sells equipment and services based on the concept of executing research and development, and process development in revolutionary micro reactors with a direct scale to larger quantity production in mid-size reactors. Our ESK Ceramics subsidiary is a supplier of flow-chemistry reactors suitable for production on an industrial scale. We also invested $3.8 million in connection with our purchase of a minority interest in GMSI, LLC. GMSI develops and sells a proprietary method of applying a chemical vapor deposited silicon carbide ceramic coating on precision machined graphite shapes. We purchased $46.1 million of marketable securities while we received $83.8 million from proceeds and maturities of marketable securities. During the first three quarters of 2012, we disbursed a total of $10.9 million for cash dividends to holders of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we repurchased and retired 326,900 shares of our common stock at an aggregate cost of $7.8 million under a stock repurchase program authorized in 2011 by our Board of Directors. Our net cash at September 30, 2012 increased by $46.7 million as compared to a $21.9 million decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
During December 2005, we issued $121.0 million principal amount of 2.875% senior subordinated convertible notes due December 15, 2035. During 2009, we purchased and retired an aggregate of $27.9 million principal amount of our convertible debt for $23.2 million, which reduced the outstanding balance of the notes to $93.1 million. We have not purchased any of the notes since 2009. Since the notes are convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement), we separately account for the liability and equity components of the notes in a manner that reflects the nonconvertible debt borrowing rate as interest cost is recognized.

 
29

 
 
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, short-term debt and the equity component (recorded in additional paid in capital, net of income tax benefit) associated with the adoption in 2009 of the accounting guidance for convertible debt comprised the following (in thousands):

     
September 30, 2012
   
December 31, 2011
 
Outstanding debt
             
Principal amount
    $ 93,100     $ 93,100  
Unamortized discount
      (841 )     (3,806 )
                   
Net carrying amount
      92,259       89,294  
Current portion of outstanding debt
      92,259       89,294  
Noncurrent portion of outstanding debt
    $ -     $ -  
Equity component, net of income tax benefit
    $ 16,399     $ 16,399  

The discount on the liability component of short-term debt is being amortized using the effective interest method based on an annual effective rate of 7.5%, which represented the market interest rate for similar debt without a conversion option on the issuance date, through December 2012, which coincides with the first date that holders of the notes can exercise their put option as discussed below.
 
Interest on the notes is payable on December 15 and June 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2006. The notes are convertible into 17.1032 shares of our common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of the notes (which represents a conversion price of approximately $58.47 per share), subject to adjustment. The notes contain put options, which may require us to repurchase in cash all or a portion of the notes on December 15, 2012, December 15, 2015, December 15, 2020, December 15, 2025, and December 15, 2030 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, including contingent interest, if any, up to but excluding the repurchase date. For further information regarding the notes, refer to Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.
 
In December 2005, the Company established an unsecured $10.0 million line of credit (“2005 LOC”) which was closed in April 2012. In June 2011, the Company established an unsecured $5.0 million line of credit (“2011 LOC”) that was increased to $7.0 million on December 19, 2011 and will mature on April 1, 2013. The Company expects to renew the 2011 LOC at that time for multiple years. As of September 30, 2012, there were no outstanding amounts on the 2011 LOC. However, the available line of credit at September 30, 2012 has been reduced by outstanding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $6.4 million. The interest rate on the 2011 LOC was 1.2% as of September 30, 2012 which was based on the LIBOR rate for a period of one month, plus a margin of 1.0% percent. We use this line of credit for letters of credits for insurance purposes.

Pursuant to the bank line of credit, we are subject to certain covenants, which include, among other things, the maintenance of specified minimum amounts of liquidity and profitability and annual net income. At September 30, 2012, we were in compliance with these covenants.
 
Our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $281.3 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $275.0 million at December 31, 2011. At September 30, 2012, we had working capital of $366.4 million, compared to $379.2 million at December 31, 2011. Our cash position includes amounts denominated in foreign currencies. The repatriation of cash balances from our ESK Ceramics subsidiary will not result in additional tax costs. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash available from the sale of short-term investments, and cash we expect to generate from operations will be sufficient to finance our anticipated capital and operating requirements for at least the next 12 months. Our anticipated capital requirements primarily relate to the normal replacement and some expansion of our manufacturing facilities at ESK Ceramics and Ceradyne Boron Products. We also may utilize cash, and, to the extent necessary, borrowings from time to time to acquire other businesses, technologies or product lines that complement our current products, enhance our market coverage, technical capabilities or production capacity, or offer growth opportunities. From time to time, we may utilize cash to repurchase our common stock or our convertible debt.
 
Our material contractual obligations and commitments as of September 30, 2012 include a $1.9 million reserve for unrecognized tax benefits. The reserve is classified in Other Long Term Liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012.
 
We anticipate that in December 2012, holders of our convertible notes will exercise their put rights and require us to repurchase the entire outstanding principal amount of $93.1 million. To fund this obligation, we intend to use proceeds from sales of our short-term investments.

 
30

 
 
Item 3.                  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on our debt. We routinely monitor our risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates and interest rates. We address these risks through controlled risk management that may, in the future, include the use of derivative financial instruments to economically hedge or reduce these exposures. We do not enter into foreign exchange contracts for speculative or trading purposes. Currently, we do not utilize interest rate swaps. Our investments in marketable securities consist primarily of high-grade corporate and government securities with maturities of less than two years. Investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.
 
Our long term investments at September 30, 2012 included $15.5 million of auction rate securities. Cumulatively to date, the Company has incurred $4.7 million in pre-tax losses from its investments in auction rate securities, realized losses of $8.8 million from the sale of auction rate securities and pre-tax temporary impairment charges against other comprehensive income of $2.6 million. The Company’s investments in auction rate securities represent interests in insurance securitizations collateralized by pools of residential and commercial mortgages, asset backed securities and other structured credits relating to the credit risk of various bond guarantors that mature at various dates from June 2021 through July 2052. These auction rate securities were intended to provide liquidity via an auction process which is scheduled every 28 days, that resets the applicable interest rate, allowing investors to either roll over their holdings or gain immediate liquidity by selling such interests at par. Interest rates are capped at a floating rate of one month LIBOR plus additional spread ranging from 1.25% to 4.00% depending on prevailing rating. During the second half of the year 2007, through 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and through September 30, 2012, the auctions for these securities failed. As a result of current negative conditions in the global credit markets, auctions for the Company’s investment in these securities failed to settle on their respective settlement dates. Consequently, the investments are not currently liquid through the normal auction process and may be liquidated if a buyer is found outside the auction process. Although the auctions have failed, the Company continues to receive underlying cash flows in the form of interest income from the investments in auction rate securities. As of September 30, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s investments in auction rate securities was below cost by approximately $7.3 million. The fair value of the auction rate securities has been below cost for more than one year.
 
Beginning in the third quarter of 2008 and at September 30, 2012, the Company determined that the market for its investments in auction rate securities and for similar securities continued to be inactive since there were few observable or recent transactions for these securities or similar securities. The Company’s investments in auction rate securities continued to be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company determined that significant adjustments using unobservable inputs were required to determine fair value as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
 
An auction rate security is a type of structured financial instrument where its fair value can be estimated based on a valuation technique that includes the present value of future cash flows (principal and interest payments), review of the underlying collateral and considers relevant probability weighted and risk adjusted observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. Probability weighted inputs included the following:

 
Probability of earning maximum rate until maturity
 
Probability of passing auction at some point in the future
 
Probability of default at some point in the future (with appropriate loss severity assumptions)

The Company determined that the appropriate risk-free discount rate (before risk adjustments) used to discount the contractual cash flows of its auction rate securities ranged from 0.02% to 2.78%, based on the term structure of the auction rate security. Liquidity risk premiums are used to adjust the risk-free discount rate for each auction rate security to reflect uncertainty and observed volatility of the current market environment. This risk of nonperformance has been captured within the probability of default and loss severity assumptions noted above. The risk-adjusted discount rate, which incorporates liquidity risk, appropriately reflects the Company’s estimate of the assumptions that market participants would use (including probability weighted inputs noted above) to estimate the selling price of the asset at the measurement date.
 
In determining whether the decline in value of the ARS investments was other-than-temporary, the Company considered several factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, interest related or market fluctuations); (2) the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investments for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery of value; (3) whether the decline is substantial; and (4) the historical and anticipated duration of the events causing the decline in value. The evaluation for other-than-temporary impairments is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to various risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties include changes in the credit quality of the securities, changes in liquidity as a result of normal market mechanisms or issuer calls of the securities, and the effects of changes in interest rates.
 
31

 
 
We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign exchange rate changes to allow our management team to focus its attention on its core business operations. Accordingly, we enter into contracts which change in value as foreign exchange rates change to economically offset the effect of changes in value of foreign currency assets and liabilities, commitments and anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and operating expenses. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts in amounts between minimum and maximum anticipated foreign exchange exposures, generally for periods not to exceed one year. These derivative instruments are not designated as accounting hedges. We had an outstanding foreign exchange forward contract at September 30, 2012 for 55.0 million Euros.
 
Given the inherent limitations of forecasting and the anticipatory nature of the exposures intended to be hedged, there can be no assurance that such programs will offset more than a portion of the adverse financial impact resulting from unfavorable movements in either interest or foreign exchange rates. In addition, the timing of the accounting for recognition of gains and losses related to mark-to-market instruments for any given period may not coincide with the timing of gains and losses related to the underlying economic exposures and, therefore, may adversely affect our operating results and financial position and cash flows.
 
We measure the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in other income, miscellaneous.
 
Our debt is comprised of $93.1 million of a convertible note with a fixed coupon rate of 2.875% (“Notes”). The fair value of short-term debt was $93.1  million and is based on quoted market prices at September 30, 2012.
 
Approximately 37.1% of our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were derived from operations outside the United States. Overall, we are a net recipient of currencies other than the U.S. dollar and, as such, we benefit from a weaker dollar and are adversely affected by a stronger dollar relative to major currencies worldwide. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, may negatively affect net sales, gross profit, and net income from our subsidiary, ESK Ceramics, as expressed in U.S. dollars. This would also negatively impact our consolidated reported results.
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2012 (the end of the period covered by this report). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management evaluated our internal control over financial reporting and there have been no changes during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
32

 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
Between October 9 and October 19, 2012, four plaintiffs filed putative class actions against Ceradyne, its directors, 3M and Cyborg Acquisition Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M (“Purchaser”) in connection with the tender offer by Purchaser (the “Offer”) and the proposed merger of Purchaser with and into Ceradyne (the “Merger”). Two suits were filed in California Superior Court for the County of Orange and two suits were filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The suits seek principally to enjoin the Offer and the proposed Merger, and allege that the defendants breached and/or aided and abetted the breach of their fiduciary duties to Ceradyne by seeking to sell Ceradyne through an allegedly unfair process and for an unfair price and on unfair terms, and/or by allegedly failing to make adequate disclosures to Ceradyne stockholders regarding the Offer and the proposed Merger. The California Superior Court, upon the parties’ stipulation, consolidated those two actions, set an expedited briefing schedule, and set a preliminary injunction hearing for November 26, 2012. The Delaware Chancery Court similarly consolidated the two Delaware actions, and on November 2, 2012 denied the plaintiffs’ motion for expedited proceedings, ruling that the plaintiffs had presented no colorable claims. Ceradyne believes the allegations in all of these cases are without merit, and is defending the actions vigorously.
 
Additional details regarding the four actions are as follows:

Court
    Filing Date
Case Name
Case Number
Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange
    October 9, 2012
Golovoy v. Ceradyne, Inc., et al.
30-2012-00604001-CU-BT-CXC
Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange
    October 12, 2012
Kumar v. Ceradyne, Inc., et al.
30-2012-00604931-CU-SL-CXC
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
    October 19, 2012
Fulton v. Moskowitz, et al.
C.A. No. 7965
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
    October 19, 2012
Henderson v. Ceradyne, Inc., et al.
C.A. No. 7968
 
To management’s knowledge, there currently are no other material pending legal proceedings involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
Item 1A.           Risk Factors
 
There have been no significant changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
 
Item 2.               Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table sets forth information regarding shares of our common stock that we repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2012.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
(a)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   
(b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
(c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs
   
(d)
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs
 
July 1 to July 31, 2012
    -       -       4,003,305     $ 95,973,088  
August 1 to August 31, 2012
    165,900     $ 22.51       4,169,205     $ 92,239,493  
September 1 to September 30, 2012
    -       -       4,169,205     $ 92,239,493  
      Total
    165,900     $ 22.51       4,169,205          
 
 
33

 
On March 4, 2008, we announced that our board of directors had authorized the repurchase and retirement of up to $100 million of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately negotiated transactions. We completed the $100 million of purchases under this authorization in September 2011. On August 31, 2011, we announced that our board of directors had authorized the repurchase and retirement of up to an additional $100 million of our common stock in open market transactions, including block purchases, or in privately negotiated transactions. We did not set a time limit for completion of this repurchase program, and we may suspend or terminate it at any time.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Other Information
 
Not applicable.

Item 6.
Exhibits
 
(a)   Exhibits
 
31.1  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

 
34

 

SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
CERADYNE, INC.
       
Date: November 14, 2012
 
By:
/s/ JERROLD J. PELLIZZON
     
Jerrold J. Pellizzon
     
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
35

 


Index to Exhibits
 
Exhibit
 
Description
31.1  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document


36





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