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

FORM 10-K

x   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005

or

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-14303


AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
 
38-3161171
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
ONE DAUCH DRIVE, DETROIT, MICHIGAN
 
48211-1198
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

313-758-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS, PAR VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None  

 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes o No x

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 o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
Large accelerated filer x                      Accelerated filer o                      Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

The closing price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2005 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $25.27 per share and the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates was approximately $1,072.3 million.
 
As of February 20, 2006, the number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding was 51,059,708 shares.  

Documents Incorporated By Reference
Portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2005 and Proxy Statement for use in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 27, 2006, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after December 31, 2005, are incorporated by reference in Part I (Items 1, 1A, 2, 3 and 4), Part II (Items 5, 6, 7, 7A and 8, 9, 9A, 9B), Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) and Part IV (Item 15) of this Report.

Internet Website Access to Reports  
The website for American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. is www.aam.com . Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.


 
 

AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS - ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Year Ended December 31, 2005

       
Page Number
   
1
Business
 
2
  Item 1A
Risk Factors
 
5
 
Properties
 
8
 
Legal Proceedings
 
9
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
9
   
Supplemental Item – Executive Officers and Directors of the Registrant
 
9
   
 
   
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
13
 
Selected Financial Data
 
13
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
 
13
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
13
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
13
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
13
 
Controls and Procedures
 
14
 
Other Information
 
14
       
 
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
15
 
Executive Compensation
 
15
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
 
15
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
15
 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
15
       
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
16
         
     
23
         
         
 
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
24
         
         
25
         
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
26
 
Subsidiaries of our Company
 
27
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
28
 
Certification of Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
 
29
 
Certification of Michael K. Simonte, Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
 
30
 
Certifications of Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer and Michael K. Simonte, Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
31
         
 
 

Cautionary Statements


Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are forward-looking in nature and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The terms “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. The statements are based on our current expectations, are inherently uncertain, are subject to risks and should be viewed with caution. Actual results and experience may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to:

·  
reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Corporation, DaimlerChrysler Corporation or other customers;

·  
reduced demand for our customers’ products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles produced by General Motors Corporation and DaimlerChrysler Corporation);

·  
our ability and our suppliers’ ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;

·  
our customers’ and their suppliers’ ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;

·  
supply shortages or price increases in raw materials, utilities or other operating supplies;

·  
our ability and our customers’ and suppliers’ ability to successfully launch new product programs;

·  
our ability to respond to changes in technology or increased competition;

·  
adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions including increases in fuel prices affecting our products or our customers’ products (including the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations);

·  
adverse changes in the economic conditions or political stability of our principal markets (particularly North America, Europe, South America and Asia);

·  
liabilities arising from legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party or claims against us or our products;

·  
risks of noncompliance with environmental regulations or risks of environmental issues that could result in unforeseen costs at our facilities;

·  
availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development or other general corporate purposes;

·  
our ability to attract and retain key associates;

·  
other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete.

It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.
 

Part I


Item 1 .   Business

(a)  
General Development of Business

General

As used in this report, except as otherwise indicated in information incorporated by reference, references to “our Company,” "we," "our," "us" or “AAM” mean American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) and its subsidiaries and predecessors, collectively.

We are a premier Tier I supplier to the automotive industry and a worldwide leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related powertrain components and chassis modules for light trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), passenger cars and crossover vehicles. Driveline and drivetrain systems include components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. Our driveline, drivetrain and related powertrain products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driving heads, crankshafts, transmission parts and metal-formed products.

(b)  
Financial Information About Segments

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report to Stockholders (Annual Report), section entitled “Financials - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11 - Segment and Geographic Information.”
 
(c)  
Narrative Description of Business
 
Company Overview

We are the principal supplier of driveline components to General Motors Corporation (GM) for its rear-wheel drive (RWD) light trucks and SUVs manufactured in North America, supplying substantially all of GM’s rear axle and front four-wheel drive/ all-wheel drive (4WD/AWD) axle requirements for these vehicle platforms. Sales to GM were approximately 78% of our total net sales in 2005, 80% in 2004 and 82% in 2003.

We are the sole-source supplier to GM for certain axles and other driveline products for the life of each GM vehicle program covered by a Lifetime Program Contract (LPC). Substantially all of our sales to GM are made pursuant to the LPCs. The LPCs have terms equal to the lives of the relevant vehicle programs or their respective derivatives, which typically run 6 to 12 years, and require us to remain competitive with respect to technology, design and quality. We have been successful in competing, and we will continue to compete for future GM business upon the expiration of the LPCs.

We are also the principal supplier of driveline system products for the Chrysler Group’s heavy-duty Dodge Ram full-size pickup trucks (Dodge Ram program) and its derivatives. As part of this program, we supply a fully integrated computer-controlled chassis system for the Dodge Ram Power Wagon. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DaimlerChrysler) were approximately 13% of our total net sales in 2005, 11% in 2004 and 9% in 2003.

In addition to GM and DaimlerChrysler, we supply driveline systems and other related components to PACCAR Inc., Volvo Group, Ford Motor Company, and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier I supplier companies such as Magna International, Inc. and The Timken Company. Our sales to customers other than GM increased 3.6 % to $754.4 million in 2005 as compared to $728.0 million in 2004 and $674.0 million in 2003. In the second quarter of 2005, we launched a program supporting independent rear drive axles (IRDAs) for South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor Corporation.
 
We have expanded our product portfolio. As a result, we now compete in a $27 billion global served market that consists of driveline, drivetrain and related powertrain components and chassis modules for light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars and crossover vehicles.

The following chart sets forth the percentage of total revenues attributable to our products for the periods indicated:

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2005
2004
2003
Axles and driveshafts
83.9%
84.9%
84.0%
Chassis components, forged products and other
16.1%
15.1%
14.0%
Total
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%

Industry Trends and Competition

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Industry Trends and Competition.”
 
Productive Materials

We believe that we have adequate sources of supply of productive materials and components for our manufacturing needs. Most raw materials (such as steel) and semi-processed or finished items (such as castings) are available within the geographical regions of our operating facilities from numerous qualified sources in quantities sufficient for our needs.

For further information regarding productive materials, see Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Industry Trends and Competition.”

Research and Development (R&D)

Since March 1, 1994, we have spent over $500 million in R&D focusing on new product and process development. We plan to continue to invest in the development of new product, process and systems technologies to improve productive efficiency and flexibility in our operations and continue to deliver innovative new products, chassis modules and integrated driveline systems to our customers.

In 2005, R&D spending in product, process and systems increased 7.3% to $73.6 million as compared to $68.6 million in 2004 and $60.7 million in 2003 . The focus of this increasing investment is to develop innovative driveline and drivetrain systems and components for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs in the global marketplace. Product development in this area include power transfer units, transfer cases, driveline and transmission differentials, multi-piece driveshafts, IRDAs and independent front drive axles (IFDAs). We also continue to focus on electronic integration in our existing products. The most recent examples of these initiatives are the electronic SmartBar TM stabilizer based roll-control system, TracRite ® GTL electronic differentials and TracRite ® EL electronic locking differentials all featured in the Dodge Ram Power Wagon. In addition, we continue to support the development of hybrid vehicle systems. Our efforts in these areas have resulted in the development of prototypes and various configurations of these driveline systems for several OEMs throughout the world.
 
Backlog

We typically enter into agreements with our customers to provide certain axles and driveline products for the life of our customers’ vehicle programs. Our new and incremental business backlog includes formally awarded programs and incremental content and volume including customer requested engineering changes. Our backlog may be impacted by various assumptions such as production volume estimates, changes in program launch timing and fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates.

Our new and incremental business backlog was approximately $1.4 billion at December 31, 2005 as compared to approximately $1.0 billion at December 31, 2004. We will launch over half of our new and incremental business backlog in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 calendar years. The balance of the backlog will launch between 2009 and 2012.



Patents and Trademarks

We maintain and have pending various U.S. and foreign patents and trademarks and other rights to intellectual property relating to our business, which we believe are appropriate to protect our interest in existing products, new inventions, manufacturing processes and product developments. We do not believe that any single patent or trademark is material to our business nor would expiration or invalidity of any patent or trademark have a material adverse effect on our business or our ability to compete .

Cyclicality and Seasonality

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Cyclicality and Seasonality.”

Environmental Matters

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Litigation and Environmental Matters.”

Associates

We believe that one of our most important assets is our workforce. Since 1994, we have focused on making significant improvements in our labor relations through improving working conditions, incentive programs and town hall meetings with our hourly and salaried associates. We have also implemented a program of continuous training whereby associates develop their skill sets using the latest manufacturing technology to produce products of precision quality. Our workforce has committed to assist us in achieving both quality and productivity gains over the life of our contracts. We believe our relationships with our associates are positive.

As of December 31, 2005, we employed approximately 11,000 associates, approximately 8,300 of which are employed in the United States. Approximately 6,400 associates are represented by the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Approximately 5,700 associates represented by the UAW are subject to a collective bargaining agreement that expires February 25, 2008; approximately 700 associates at MSP and Colfor are also represented by the UAW under collective bargaining agreements that expire April 17, 2009 and June 2, 2010, respectively. Approximately 200 associates are represented by the International Association of Machinists (IAM) under a collective bargaining agreement, which runs through May 4, 2008. In addition, approximately 500 associates at Albion, approximately 1,800 associates at our Silao, Mexico facility (Guanajuato Gear & Axle and Guanajuato Forge) and approximately 400 associates at our Brazilian majority-owned subsidiary are represented by labor unions that are subject to collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreements at Albion, certain of which may be terminated upon six-months notice, expire in 2006 and the agreements in Mexico and Brazil expire annually.

Credit and Working Capital Practices

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

(d)  
Financial Information About Geographic Areas

International operations are subject to certain additional risks inherent in conducting business outside the United States, such as changes in currency exchange rates, price and currency exchange controls, import restrictions, nationalization, expropriation and other governmental action.

For further financial information regarding foreign and domestic sales and export sales, see Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 11 - Segment and Geographic Information.”




Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following industry and market factors could have an adverse effect (which could be material) on our business, results of operations or financial condition in the future:

Our business is significantly dependent on sales to GM and DaimlerChrysler.
 
We are the principal supplier of driveline components to GM for its RWD light trucks and SUVs manufactured in North America, supplying substantially all of GM’s rear axle and front 4WD/AWD axle requirements for these vehicle platforms. We sell products to GM under LPCs, which have terms equal to the lives of the relevant vehicle programs or their respective derivatives of typically 6 to 12 years. The LPCs establish pricing for products sold to GM and require us to remain competitive with respect to technology, design and quality. Substantially all of our sales to GM are made pursuant to the LPCs. Sales to GM were approximately 78% of our total sales in 2005, 80% of our total sales in 2004 and 82% in 2003. We will compete for future GM business upon the termination of the LPCs with GM. There can be no assurance that we will remain competitive with respect to technology, design and quality to GM’s reasonable satisfaction. Pricing negotiated with GM in future agreements may be more or less favorable than the LPCs and other currently applicable agreements. If we lose any significant portion of our sales to GM, or if GM significantly reduces its production of light trucks or SUVs, it would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Disputes arising from any current or future agreements between GM and us could have a material adverse impact on our relations and our results of operations or financial condition. In addition, DaimlerChrysler accounted for approximately 13% of our sales in 2005 and 11% of our total sales in 2004 and 9% in 2003, which represents a significant portion of our non-GM business, and if we lose a significant portion of our sales to DaimlerChrysler it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is dependent on SUV and light truck market segments.
 
A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from products for SUV and light truck platforms. Sales and production of SUVs and light trucks could be affected by many factors including current and future fuel prices. Any significant reduction in this market segment could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

 
Our business could be adversely affected by future work stoppages at GM or DaimlerChrysler.
 
A substantial number of employees of our largest customers and of their key suppliers are represented by trade unions, including the UAW. Because GM accounts for approximately 78% of our sales, future work stoppages at GM or a key supplier to GM could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, DaimlerChrysler accounts for approximately 13% of our sales and represents a significant portion of our non-GM business.  Future work stoppages at DaimlerChrysler or a key supplier to DaimlerChrysler could also adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business could be adversely affected if we fail to maintain satisfactory labor relations.
 
A substantial number of our associates are members of industrial trade unions and are employed under the terms of collective bargaining agreements. There can be no assurance that future issues with our labor unions will be resolved favorably or that we will not experience a work stoppage that could adversely affect our business. Significant increases in labor and other costs as a result of renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements could also have an adverse impact.

Our business may be adversely affected by an increase in the price of raw materials.
 
Recent worldwide market conditions have resulted in significant increases in steel and other metallic material prices. The prices of raw materials needed for our products may continue to increase, and our inability to pass these price increases on to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.



 

Our business could be adversely affected by disruptions in our supply chain.
 
We depend on a limited number of suppliers for certain key components and materials in our products, which makes us susceptible to supply shortages or price increases. We rely upon, and expect to continue to rely upon, certain suppliers for critical components and materials that are not readily available in sufficient volume from other sources. There can be no assurance that the suppliers of these materials will be able or willing to meet our future needs on a timely basis. A significant disruption in the supply of these materials could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

 
Our company and our customers may not be able to timely or successfully launch new product programs.
 
Our customers are preparing to launch new product programs for which we will supply newly developed axles and other driveline components. Certain of these program launches will require substantial capital investments by us. We may not be able to install and certify the equipment needed to produce products for these new product programs in time for the start of production. There can be no assurance that the transitioning of our manufacturing facilities and resources to full production under these new product programs, or any other future product programs, will not impact production rates or other operational efficiency measures at our facilities. In addition, there is no assurance that our customers will execute the launch of these product programs, or any additional future product program for which we will supply products, on schedule.

 
Our company may not realize all of the revenue expected from our new and incremental business backlog.
 
The realization of additional revenues from awarded business is inherently subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including the number of vehicles our customers actually produce and the timing of that production. It is also possible that our customers may choose to delay or cancel a program for which we have been awarded business. Our revenues, operating results, and financial position could be adversely impacted relative to our current financial plans for future periods if we do not realize substantially all the revenue from new and incremental program awards.

Our business is under pressure from our customers to reduce our prices.

Annual price reductions are a common practice in the automotive industry. We may not be able to sufficiently reduce our costs in a manner that will allow us to improve or maintain our margins.

 
Our business faces substantial competition.
 
The original equipment manufacturer supply industry is highly competitive. Quality, delivery, price and technological innovation, are the primary elements of competition. Our competitors include driveline component manufacturing facilities of existing original equipment manufacturers, as well as independent domestic and international suppliers. Our business may be adversely affected by increased competition or we may not be able to maintain our profitability if the competitive environment changes.

Our company’s domestic and international operations are subject to risks and uncertainties.
 
Our international operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties such as currency exchange rate fluctuations, and the political, economic and financial environment in the countries where we do business. In addition, the United States economy may also be adversely affected by political events and domestic and international terrorist events and hostilities. These uncertainties could have an adverse effect on our continuity of business, results of operations and financial condition. As we continue to expand our business globally, our success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other risks.

Our business could be adversely affected by the cyclical nature of the automotive industry.
 
Our operations are cyclical because they are directly related to domestic automotive production and are dependent on general economic conditions including interest rates, fuel prices and consumer confidence. A decrease in consumer demand for the models that generate the most sales for us or our failure to obtain sales orders for new or redesigned models could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 
 
Our company faces rising costs for pension and retiree benefits.
 
We have significant pension and other post-employment benefit (OPEB) obligations to our employees and retirees. Our ability to satisfy these funding requirements will depend on our cash flow from operations and our ability to access the credit and capital markets. The funding requirement of these benefit plans, and the related expense reflected in our financial statements, is affected by several factors that are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Key assumptions used to value these obligations include the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.

We may incur material losses and costs as a result of product liability and warranty claims.
 
We are exposed to warranty and product liability claims in the event that our products fail to perform as expected, and we may be required to participate in a recall of such products.
 
Our business is subject to costs associated with environmental and health and safety regulations.
 
Our operations are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to waters and the generation, handling, storage, transportation treatment and disposal of waste and other materials. We believe that our operations and facilities have been and are being operated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. The operation of automotive parts manufacturing plants entails risks in these areas, however, and there can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving environmental and health and safety laws, regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future.
 
Our company’s ability to operate effectively could be impaired if we lose key personnel.
 
Our success will depend, in part, on the efforts of our executive officers and other key associates. In addition, our future success will depend on, among other factors, our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel. The loss of the services of key associates or the failure to attract or retain associates could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
 

Item 2.   Properties
 
The following is a summary of our principal facilities:
 
     
Approx.
 
Type
   
Name
 
Sq. Feet
 
of Interest
 
Function
Detroit Gear & Axle
      Detroit, MI
 
1,795,000
 
Owned
 
Rear and front axles
Buffalo Gear, Axle & Linkage
      Buffalo, NY
 
1,199,000
 
Owned
 
Rear axles and steering linkages
Three Rivers Driveline
      Three Rivers, MI
 
850,000
 
Owned
 
Rear axles and driveshafts, front auxiliary driveshafts and universal joints
Guanajuato Gear & Axle
      Guanajuato, Mexico
 
1,088,000
 
Owned
 
Rear axles and driveshafts and front axles and auxiliary driveshafts
Guanajuato Forge
      Guanajuato, Mexico
 
111,000
 
Owned
 
Forged products
Scotstoun Plant
      Glasgow, Scotland
 
453,000
 
Leased
 
Front and rear axles for medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses
Spurrier Plant
      Lancashire, England
 
303,000
 
Leased
 
Crankshafts and fabricated parts
AAM do Brasil
      Araucária, Brazil
 
264,000
 
Owned
 
Machining of forged and cast products
Detroit Forge
      Detroit, MI
 
710,000
 
Owned
 
Forged products
Tonawanda Forge
      Tonawanda, NY
 
470,000
 
Owned
 
Forged products
Cheektowaga Plant
      Cheektowaga, NY
 
116,000
 
Owned
 
Machining of forged products
Colfor – Malvern
      Malvern, OH
 
234,000
 
Owned
 
Forged products
Colfor – Salem
      Salem, OH
 
189,000
 
Owned
 
Forged products
Colfor – Minerva
      Minerva, OH
 
190,000
 
Owned
 
Machining of forged products
MSP – Oxford
      Oxford, MI
 
125,000
 
Leased
 
Forged products
Technical Center
      Rochester Hills, MI
 
104,000
 
Owned
 
R&D, design engineering, metallurgy, testing and validation
Detroit South Campus
      Detroit, MI
 
120,000
 
Owned
 
Quality Engineering Technical Center, Process Development Center and Safety Training Center
Corporate Headquarters
      Detroit, MI
 
219,000
 
Owned
 
Executive and administrative offices
 
AAM Europe
              Bad Homburg, Germany
 
24,000 
 
Leased
 
European headquarters 
 
AAM India
             Pune, India 
 
6,600 
 
Leased 
 
Engineering, information technologies and support services 
AAM Korea
              Seoul, South Korea 
 
4,000 
 
Leased 
 
Engineering, sales and support services 
AAM China
              Shanghai, China 
 
2,400 
 
Leased 
 
Engineering, sales and support services 
AAM Japan
             Tokyo, Japan 
 
1,700 
 
Leased 
 
Sales representative office 
 

 

Item 3 . Legal Proceedings

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Litigation and Environmental Matters.”

Item 4 . Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Supplemental Item - Executive Officers and Directors of the Registrant

 
Name
Age
Position
Richard E. Dauch (3) …………………….
63
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
Yogendra N. Rahangdale………………
58
President & Chief Operating Officer
Joel D. Robinson……………………….
62
Vice Chairman (b)
David C. Dauch ………………………..
41
Executive Vice President - Commercial & Strategic Development
Richard F. Dauch ……………………...
45
Executive Vice President - Worldwide Manufacturing
John J. Bellanti…………………………
51
Vice President - Engineering & Chief Technology Officer
Marion A. Cumo, Sr.…………………..
63
Vice President - Special Projects
Thomas O. Delanoy……………………
54
Vice President - Materials Management & Logistics
Michael C. Flynn………………………
48
Vice President - Procurement
John E. Jerge………………...…………
44
Vice President - Human Resources
Patrick S. Lancaster……………………
58
Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Secretary
Thomas L. Martin………………………
62
Executive Director - Special Projects (a) (Formerly
Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer)
Allan R. Monich ………………………
52
Vice President - Program Management & Capital Planning
Steven J. Proctor…………………….…
49
Vice President - Sales & Marketing
Alberto L. Satine………………………
49
Vice President - Strategic & Business Development
Abdallah F. Shanti...…………………..
45
Vice President - Information Technology, Electronic Product Integration & Chief Information Officer
   
Michael K. Simonte…………………...
42
Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer (a)
John S. Sofia…………………………..
46
Vice President - Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction
Patrick J. Spohn……………………….
46
Vice President & Controller (a)
     
Elizabeth A. Chappell (2) ……………….
48
Director
Forest J. Farmer (1) ………………..…….
65
Director
Richard C. Lappin (1) …………………..
61
Director
B.G. Mathis (2) ………………………….
73
Director
William P. Miller II (3) ..…..…………...
50
Director
Larry K. Switzer (3) ……………………..
62
Director
Thomas K. Walker (1) …………………..
65
Director
Dr. Henry T. Yang (2) ...…………………
65
Director
________
(1)   Term expires in 2006
(2)   Term expires in 2007
(3)   Term expires in 2008
(a)   Effective January 1, 2006
(b)   Retired effective February 1, 2006
 
The business experience of our Board of Directors is incorporated by reference from the information in the sections entitled “Nominees for Directors” and “Returning Members of the Board of Directors” in our Proxy Statement.
 
 
 
Richard E. Dauch, age 63,   is Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of AAM, and is also Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. He has been Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since the Company began operations in March 1994. In October 1997, he was named Chairman of the Board of Directors. He was also President of AAM from March 1994 through December 2000. Prior to March 1994, he spent 12 years at Chrysler Corporation where he established the just-in-time materials management system and the three-shift manufacturing vehicle assembly process. He is a retired officer from the Chrysler Corporation. Mr. Dauch’s last position at Chrysler, in 1991 was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing. Mr. Dauch also served as Group Vice President of Volkswagen of America, where he established the manufacturing facilities and organization for the successful launch of the first major automotive transplant in the United States. Mr. Dauch has more than 40 years of experience in the automotive industry. Mr. Dauch has been named the 1996 Worldwide Automotive Industry Leader of the Year by the Automotive Hall of Fame, the 1997 Manufacturer of the Year by the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, and the 1999 Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News . In 2003, he received the Harvard Business School of Michigan Business Statesman Award, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and the Northwood University Outstanding Business Leader Award. Mr. Dauch also served as Chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers (N.A.M.). He has lectured extensively on the subject of manufacturing and authored the book, Passion for Manufacturing , which is distributed in colleges and universities globally and in several languages.

Yogendra (Yogen) N. Rahangdale, age 58, has been President & Chief Operating Officer since October 2005. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President - Operations & Planning (since May 2004); Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer (since September 2003); Group Vice President & Chief Technology Officer (since January 2001); Vice President, Manufacturing and Procurement Services (since March 2000); Vice President, Manufacturing Services (since April 1999); Executive Director, Manufacturing Services (since March 1998) and Director, Corporate Manufacturing Planning (since joining our Company in August 1995). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Rahangdale spent 12 years with Chrysler Corporation in a variety of positions including Manager, Paint & Energy Management.

Joel D. Robinson, age 62,   was appointed Vice Chairman in October 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Robinson served as President & Chief Operating Officer (since January 2001); Executive Vice President - Operations & Chief Operating Officer (since August 1998) and Vice President, Manufacturing (since May 1997). Mr. Robinson joined our Company in March 1994 and has held various other positions including Executive Director of the GMT-800 program and Executive Director, Manufacturing Services. Mr. Robinson began his career in the automotive industry at Ford Motor Company in 1963, where he held a series of technical and manufacturing management positions. Mr. Robinson also worked for American Motors Corporation, serving as Director of Vehicle Assembly, and later, at Chrysler Corporation, where he was responsible for all car body programs. Mr. Robinson has over 40 years of experience in the global automotive industry. Mr. Robinson retired from AAM effective February 1, 2006.

David C. Dauch, age 41, has been Executive Vice President - Commercial & Strategic Development since January 2005. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Commercial (since May 2004); Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Driveline Division (since September 2003); Vice President, Manufacturing - Driveline Division (since January 2001); Vice President, Sales and Marketing (since 1998) and Director of Sales, GM Full-Size Truck Programs (since May 1996). Mr. Dauch joined our Company in July 1995 as Manager, Sales Administration. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Dauch held various positions at Collins & Aikman Products Company, including Sales Manager. Mr. Dauch is a member of the Board of Directors of Collins & Aikman. David C. Dauch is a son of Richard E. Dauch.

Richard F. Dauch, age 45, has been Executive Vice President - Worldwide Manufacturing since October 2005. Prior to that, he served as President - Metal Formed Products Division (since January 2005); Vice President, Metal Formed Products Division (since May 2004); Vice President, Investor Relations (since September 2003); Vice President, Financial Planning (since September 2002); Vice President, Sales and Marketing (since January 2002); Vice President, Sales (since January 2001); Vice President, Manufacturing - Driveline Division (since July 1999); Vice President, Manufacturing (since August 1998); Director, Strategic and Capacity Planning (since February 1998) and Plant Manager, Detroit Gear & Axle Plant (since May 1996). Mr. Dauch joined our Company in May 1995 as Corporate Manager, Labor Relations, and served in that position until May 1996. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Dauch served as a Senior Business Manager and Business Unit Manager with United Technologies Corporation from July 1992. Prior to his automotive career, Mr. Dauch served in the U.S. Army for eleven years, with assignments including Platoon Leader and Company Commander. Richard F. Dauch is a son of Richard E. Dauch.
 
 
 
John J. Bellanti, age 51, has been Vice President - Engineering & Chief Technology Officer since May 2004. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Engineering & Product Development (since September 2003); Executive Director, Manufacturing Services (since March 2000); Director, Manufacturing Engineering (since June 1998); Director Advanced Programs (since May 1996) and Plant Manager, Detroit Forge Plant (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Bellanti, worked 22 years at General Motors in various manufacturing and engineering positions, most recently serving as Production Manager. Mr. Bellanti was on the Board of Directors for the North American Forging Industry Association from 1999 through 2003, serving as President of that Association in 2002.

Marion A. Cumo, Sr., age 63, has been Vice President - Special Projects since October 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Driveline Division (since May 2004); Vice President, Program Management & Launch (since September 2002); Vice President, Materials Management and Logistics (since May 1996) and Vice President, Quality Assurance and Customer Satisfaction (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Cumo spent 11 years working as a manufacturing executive at Chrysler Corporation. His most recent title at Chrysler was General Plants Manager of Assembly Operations. After leaving Chrysler, Mr. Cumo became president of Tri-County Chrysler Products in Peebles/West Union, Ohio, and also worked as an automotive manufacturing consultant. Mr. Cumo began his career at General Motors and has over 39 years experience in the global automotive industry including positions with General Motors, Volkswagen of America and Chrysler Corporation.

Thomas O. Delanoy, age 54, has been Vice President - Materials Management & Logistics since October 2004. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director Production Control and Materials Management (since September 2002); Director, Materials Management (since March 2000); Director of Business Integration (since December 1998); Plant Manager, Detroit Forge (since August 1994) and Production Manager (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Delanoy served at Chrysler Corporation in a variety of executive manufacturing positions.
 
Michael C. Flynn, age 48, has been Vice President - Procurement since November 2005. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director, Sales (since June 2004); Director, Sales (since August 2002); Manager, Manufacturing (since June 2001); Director, Direct Material Purchasing (since February 1998); Manager, Released Programs (since July 1997); and Platform Manager (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Flynn served at General Motors for 11 years in a variety of purchasing and engineering positions.

John E. Jerge, age 44, has been Vice President - Human Resources since September 2004. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director, Labor Relations (since April 2004); Director, Labor Relations (since January 2003); Plant Manager, Detroit Gear & Axle Plant (since March 2000); Plant Manager, Buffalo Gear Axle & Linkage (since November 1997) Manufacturing Manager, Buffalo Gear Axle & Linkage (since March 1996), Area manager of Axles and Area Manager of Linkage (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Jerge began his automotive career at Chrysler Corporation in 1984 where he progressed through a variety of manufacturing, engineering and plant management positions.

Patrick S. Lancaster, age 58, has been Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Secretary since September 2003. Prior to that, he served as Group Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Secretary (since January 2001); Vice President & Secretary (since March 2000); Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary (since November 1997) and General Counsel & Secretary (since June 1994). Mr. Lancaster is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.

Thomas L. Martin, age 62, has been Executive Director - Special Projects since January 2006. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since joining our Company in June 2004. Prior to that, he served on AAM’s Board of Directors and was a member of the Board’s Audit Committee (since February 2004). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Martin served in various financial positions at DaimlerChrysler including Chief Financial Officer and Board member, Chrysler de Mexico; Chief Financial Officer, Chrysler International - Europe; Controller, Chrysler de Mexico and Director, Core Process Implementation. In addition, he served as Controller, Service & Parts Division and Financial Manager for Manufacturing, Engineering, Program Management, Design, Procurement & Supply, Chrysler Financial and Corporate Staffs. Mr. Martin has over 37 years of experience in the global automotive industry.
 

 
Allan R. Monich, age 52, has been Vice President - Program Management & Capital Planning since October 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Program Management & Launch (since May 2004); Vice President, Manufacturing Forging Division (since October 2001); Vice President, Human Resources (since 1998); Vice President, Personnel (since November 1997) and Plant Manager for the Buffalo Gear & Axle Plant in Buffalo, NY since the formation of our Company in March 1994. Prior to joining our Company in March 1994, he worked for General Motors for 22 years in the areas of manufacturing, quality assurance, sales and engineering, including four years as a Plant Manager.

Steven J. Proctor, age 49, has been Vice President - Sales & Marketing since June 2004. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director, Driveline Sales & Marketing (since September 2003); President and Chief Operating Officer of AAM do Brasil (since September 1999); Director, GMT-360, I-10/GMT-355 (since December 1998); Director, Worldwide Programs (since February 1998); Director, Strategic Planning (since July 1996) and Director, General Motors Programs (since joining our Company in March 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Proctor worked for General Motors for 20 years in the areas of product and industrial engineering, production, material management and sales.

Alberto L. Satine, age 49, has been Vice President - Strategic & Business Development since November 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President - Procurement (since January 2005); Executive Director, Global Procurement Direct Materials (since January 2004); General Manager, Latin American Driveline Sales and Operations (since August 2003) and General Manager of International Operations (since joining our Company in May 2001). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Satine held several management positions at Dana Corporation, including the position of President of Dana’s Andean Operations in South America from 1997 to 2000 and General Manager of the Spicer Transmission Division in Toledo, Ohio from 1994 to 1997.

Abdallah F. Shanti, age 45, has been Vice President - Information Technology, Electronic Product Integration & Chief Information Officer since January 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Procurement, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (since September 2002) and Executive Director, Information Technology & Chief Information Officer (since joining our Company in December 1999). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Shanti served as Vice President, Global Information Technology at LucasVarity PLC. Mr. Shanti began his career with GM/Electronic Data Systems Corporation in 1984 where he served in a variety of information technology leadership roles providing services for automotive and manufacturing corporations. Mr. Shanti has over 22 years of experience in the global automotive industry including positions with General Motors, where he most recently served as General Director, Systems Engineering; LucasVarity PLC; Perot Systems Corporation and GM/Electronic Data Systems Corporation.

Michael K. Simonte, age 42, has been Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer since January 2006. Prior to that, he served as Vice President & Treasurer (since May 2004); and Treasurer (since September 2002). Mr. Simonte joined AAM in December 1998 as Director, Corporate Finance. In that role, he coordinated all of the financial accounting, planning and reporting activities of the company until he was appointed Treasurer in September 2002. Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Simonte served as Senior Manager at the Detroit office of Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Simonte is a certified public accountant.

John S. Sofia, age 46, has been Vice President - Quality Assurance & Customer Satisfaction since October 2004. Prior to that, he served as Director, Advanced Quality Planning (since August 2002); Plant Manager, Detroit Forge (since April 2001); Director, Product Engineering (since June 2000); Manager of the Current Production & Process Engineering Group (since September 1997) and Engineering Manager, (since joining our Company in May 1994). Prior to joining our Company, Mr. Sofia served at Chrysler Corporation in a variety of manufacturing and engineering positions.

Patrick J. Spohn, age 46, has been Vice President & Controller since January 2006. Prior to that, he served as Corporate Controller (since August 1999); Finance Manager, Detroit Gear & Axle Plant (since November 1997) and Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis (Since January 1997). Mr. Spohn has over 24 years of experience in the global automotive industry including 11 years at ITT Automotive where he most recently served as Division Controller, Switches and Controller of Precision Die Castings




Part II


Item 5 . Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information
 
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AXL.”

Holders and High and Low Sales Prices

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 12 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial and Market Data.”

Dividends

In April 2004, AAM’s Board of Directors declared our first quarterly cash dividend as a public company of $0.15 per share. We paid $30.4 million and $23.0 million to stockholders of record under the quarterly cash dividend program during 2005 and 2004, respectively. On an annualized basis, the dividend payout equates to $0.60 per share.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The information regarding our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference from the information in the section entitled “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Five Year Financial Summary.”

Item 7 . Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis.”

Item 7A . Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, section entitled “Financials - Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Market Risk.”

Item 8 . Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report, sections entitled “Financials - Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Financials - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Item 9 . Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None


 


Item 9A . Controls and Procedures

Under the direction of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and concluded that (1) our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2005 and (2) no change in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are incorporated by reference from Item 8 of this Form 10-K “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
Item 9B . Other Information

None
 

 

Part III


Item 10 . Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The information required by Item 10 regarding directors is incorporated by reference from the information in the sections entitled “Nominees for Directors,” “Returning Members of the Board of Directors” and “Security Ownership of AAM Directors and Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners” in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 27, 2006 (Proxy Statement), which is being filed on March 22, 2006. The information required by Item 10 regarding executive officers appears as a Supplemental Item in Part I and incorporated by reference from the information in the section entitled “Security Ownership of AAM Directors and Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners” in our Proxy Statement.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer and the senior financial executives who report directly to our Chief Financial Officer. This Code of Ethics is entitled, “Code of Ethics for CEO, CAO, CFO and other senior financial officers” within our Code of Business Conduct which has been posted to our website at www.aam.com. We will post any amendment to or waiver from the provisions of the Code of Business Conduct that applies to executive officers of the Company.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the information in the sections entitled “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” and “Executive Compensation, Retirement Program and Employment and Continuity Agreements” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 12 . Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table summarizes information as of 12/31/05 relating to our equity compensation plans pursuant to which grants of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other rights to acquire shares of our common stock may be made from time to time.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 
(a)
(b)
(c)
 
 
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans
approved by security holders
6,834,812
$23.00
5,346,233
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
-
-
-
Total
6,834,812
$23.00
5,346,233

The information in the section entitled “Security Ownership of AAM Directors and Officers and Certain Beneficial Owners” is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement.

Item 13 . Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The information required by Item 13 regarding certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated by reference from the information in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions” in our Proxy Statement.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the information in the section entitled “Report of the Audit Committee” in our Proxy Statement.
 

 

Part IV


Item 15 . Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1.  
All Financial Statements

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Income
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The above financial statements are filed as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K.

2.  
Financial Statement Schedules

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on our consolidated financial statement schedule (Schedule II) for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are filed as part of this form 10-K.

All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable or not required.

3.  
Exhibits

The following exhibits were previously filed unless otherwise indicated:
 
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
       
3.01
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
3.02
 
Bylaws
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
4.01
 
Specimen Certificate for shares of the Company's Common Stock
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
4.02   5.25% Senior Notes due 2014, Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2004, among AAM, Inc., as issuer, the Company, as guarantor, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee
       (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.02 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.)
       
4.03
  Senior Convertible Notes due 2024, Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2004, among the Company, as issuer, AAM, Inc., as guarantor, and BNY Midwest Trust Company, as trustee
              (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.03 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.)
 

Number
 
Description of Exhibit
       
10.01
 
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 18, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM, and all amendments thereto
   
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
 
     
++10.02
 
Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.03
 
Amendment No. 1 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02(a) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.04
 
Amendment No. 2 to Component Supply Agreement, dated February 7, 1996, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02(b) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.05
 
Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), dated September 2, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02(f) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.06
 
MOU Extension Agreement, dated September 22, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02(g) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.07
 
Agreement dated February 17, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
 
++10.08
 
Letter dated December 13, 1996, by AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.05(a) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.09
 
1997 American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Replacement Plan
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.10
 
The Amended and Restated American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. Management Stock Option Plan
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
 
     
10.11
 
Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated October 30, 1997, between AAM, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.09 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
 
 
Number  
  Description of Exhibit
     
10.12
 
Indemnification Agreement, dated February 28, 1994, between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
‡10.13
 
Employment Agreement, dated November 6, 1997, by and between the Company and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.14
 
Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 1997, between AAM Acquisition, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11(a) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
10.15
 
Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of September 19, 1997, among AAM, Inc., the Company, Jupiter Capital Corporation, Richard E. Dauch, Morton E. Harris and AAM Acquisition, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
     
10.16
 
Disposition Agreement, dated as of December 10, 1998, between American Axle & Manufacturing of Michigan, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13(a) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.17
 
Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-325 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22(a) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.18
 
Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-330 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22(b) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.19
 
Lifetime Program Contract for New M-SUV Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22(c) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.20
 
Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-400 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22(d) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
       
++10.21
 
Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-800 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22(e) filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53491))
 
 
Number  
  Description of Exhibit
       
10.22
 
Letter Agreement, dated as of December 15, 1998, as amended January 11, 2000, between B.G. Mathis and the Company
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000)
 
++10.23
 
Agreement dated as of February 24, 2000, by and between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2000)
       
++10.24
 
Settlement Agreement dated as of July 28, 2000 by and between AAM, Inc. and GM
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2000)
       
‡10.25
 
Amendment dated December 20, 2000 to Employment Agreement dated as of November 6, 1997 by and between the Company and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.07 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000)
       
‡10.26
 
Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 20, 2000 by and between the Company and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2000)
       
‡10.27
 
Supplemental Compensation Agreement dated December 20, 2000 by and between the Company and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.09 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2000)
       
10.28
 
Lifetime Program Contract between General Motors Corporation North American Operations (Buyer) and AAM, Inc. (Seller)
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001)
       
10.29
 
Agreement dated as of June 14, 2001 by and between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001)
       
10.30
 
Restatement of the American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. Personal Savings Plan for Hourly-Rate Associates dated September 27, 2001
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Statement No. 333-70466))
       
10.31
 
Restatement of the American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. Salaried Savings Plan dated September 27, 2001
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration Statement No. 333-70466))
 
 
 
 
Number  
  Description of Exhibit
++10.32
 
Agreement dated as December 21, 2001 by and between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001)
       
‡10.33
 
Second Amendment, dated as of December 10, 2001, to the Employment Agreement, dated as of November 6, 1997, by and between the Company, a Delaware corporation and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.49 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001)
       
10.34
 
Lifetime Program Contract for GMT-900 Products, between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003)
       
10.35
 
Continuity Agreement dated as of September 29, 2003 between the Company and Richard E. Dauch
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003)
       
10.36
 
Continuity Agreements dated as of September 29, 2003 between the Company and certain officers
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.53 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2003)
       
10.37
 
Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility, dated as of January 9, 2004 (Credit Agreement), among the Company, AAM, Inc., the lenders named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2003)
 
10.38
 
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of January 9, 2004, among the Company, AAM, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agent
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003)
       
++10.39
 
Sourcing Letter Agreement dated as of February 26, 2004 by and between GM and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.42 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004)
       
++10.40
 
Letter Agreement dated April 22, 2004 by and between DaimlerChrysler Corporation and AAM, Inc.
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004)
 
 
Number 
   Description of Exhibit
       
10.41
 
Forms of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Agreements under 1999 Stock Incentive Plan
     
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004)
       
10.42
  Amended and Restated American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers
      (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 filed with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.)
       
10.43  
    Form of 2002 Stock Option Agreement
            (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 26, 2005.)
     
10.44
    Form of 2003 Stock Option Agreement
        (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 26, 2005.)
       
10.45
  Form of 2004 Stock Option Agreement
        (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 26, 2005.)
       
10.46
  Form of 2005 Stock Option Agreement
        (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 26, 2005.)
       
10.47
  Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement
        (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 26, 2005.)
       
10.48
    Employment Agreement Extension between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch dated November 3, 2005
      (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 2005.)
       
10.49
  Restricted Stock Award Agreement between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch dated November 3, 2005
      (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 2005.)
       
10.50  
    Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and Richard E. Dauch dated November 3, 2005
      (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 3, 2005.)
       
*10.51  
  Restated 1999 American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Compensation Plan
       
*12
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
       
*13
 
Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2005, sections entitled “Financials – Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” “Financials – Consolidated Financial Statements,” “Financials – Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” and “Five Year Financial Summary” **
       
*21
 
Subsidiaries of the Company
       
*23
 
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
 
*31.1
 
Certification of Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
       
*31.2
 
Certification of Michael K. Simonte, Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act
 
*32
 
Certifications of Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer and Michael K. Simonte, Vice President – Finance & Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
       
   
(All other exhibits are not applicable.)
                 

++   Confidentiality Requests Approved by the SEC
  Reflects Management or Compensatory Contract
*   Filed herewith
**   Shown only in the original filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
 
 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
(Registrant)

Date: March 1, 2006
 
By: /s/ Michael K. Simonte
Name: Michael K. Simonte
Title: Vice President - Finance &
                            Chief Financial Officer
                           (Chief Accounting Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities on the dates indicated.
 
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Richard E. Dauch
 
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board &
 
March 1, 2006
      Richard E. Dauch
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Michael K. Simonte 
 
Vice President - Finance &
 
March 1, 2006
      Michael K. Simonte
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Elizabeth A. Chappell
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Elizabeth A. Chappell
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Forest J. Farmer
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Forest J. Farmer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Richard C. Lappin
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Richard C. Lappin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ B.G. Mathis
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      B.G. Mathis
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ William P. Miller II
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      William P. Miller II
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Larry K. Switzer
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Larry K. Switzer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Thomas K. Walker
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Thomas K. Walker
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Dr. Henry T. Yang
 
Director
 
March 1, 2006
      Dr. Henry T. Yang
 
 
 
 
 
 

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
 
                        
                        
        
Additions -
             
   
  Balance at
 
Charged to
 
Deductions -
   
  Balance
 
   
  Beginning of
 
Costs and
 
See Notes
   
  At End of
 
   
  Period
 
Expenses
 
Below
   
  Period
 
   
  (In millions)
 
                        
Year Ended December 31, 2003:
                      
Allowance for doubtful accounts……………………..
    $
5.4
   
4.1
   
6.7
  (1 )
 
  $
2.8
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes……………….
   
41.6
   
9.2
   
15.9
  (2
)
 
 
34.9
Inventory valuation allowance…………………………..
   
22.2
   
6.5
   
13.9
  (3
)
 
 
14.8
LIFO reserve……………………………………………….
   
10.6
   
-
   
0.2
       
10.4
                               
Year Ended December 31, 2004:
                             
Allowance for doubtful accounts…………………………
   
2.8
   
0.4
   
0.7
  (1 )
 
 
2.5
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes………………….
   
34.9
   
2.8
   
5.2
  (2 )
 
 
32.5
Inventory valuation allowance…………………………..
   
14.8
   
6.7
   
8.9
  (3 )
 
 
12.6
LIFO reserve………………………………………………
   
10.4
   
3.9
   
-
       
14.3
                               
Year Ended December 31, 2005:
                             
Allowance for doubtful accounts…………………………
   
2.5
   
1.0
   
0.4
  (1
)
 
 
3.1
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes………………….
   
32.5
   
-
   
1.3
  (2 )
 
 
31.2
Inventory valuation allowance…………………………..
   
12.6
   
11.9
   
4.2
  (3 )
 
 
20.3
LIFO reserve………………………………………………
   
14.3
   
0.3
   
-
       
14.6
                               
(1) Uncollectible accounts charged off net of recoveries.
(2) Adjustments associated with our assessment of the uncertainty of realizing the full benefit of deferred tax
assets (principally related to acquired foreign NOLs and capital allowance carryforwards).
(3) Inventory adjustments for physical quantity discrepancies and write-offs of excess and obsolete inventories.
                               
For further information regarding our valuation allowances, see Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K, Annual Report,
section entitled "Financials - Management's Discussion and Analysis."

 
 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and have issued our reports thereon dated February 3, 2006; such consolidated financial statements and reports are included in your 2005 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company, listed in Item 15. This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Detroit, Michigan
February 3, 2006
 
 

RESTATED
1999 AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.   Purpose of the Plan
The purpose of the Plan is to aid the Company and its Subsidiaries in recruiting and retaining key individuals of outstanding ability and to motivate such individuals to exert their best efforts on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries by providing incentives through the granting of Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the added interest which such key individuals will have in the welfare of the Company as a result of their proprietary interest in the Company’s success.

2.   Definitions

The following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meetings set forth in this Section:

(a)  
Act : The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto.

(b)  
Award : An Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award granted pursuant to the Plan.

(c)  
Beneficial Owner : A “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto).

(d)  
Board : The Board of Directors of the Company.

(e)  
Change in Control : The purchase or other acquisition by any person, entity or group of persons, within the meaning of section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, or any comparable successor provisions, employees or directors of the Company or their respective Affiliates, of ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally.

(f)  
Code : The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor thereto.

(g)  
Committee : The Compensation Committee of the Board.
 
(h)  
Company : American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation

(i)  
Disability : Inability of a Participant to perform in all material respects his duties and responsibilities to the Company, or any Subsidiary of the Company by reason of a physical or mental disability or infirmity which inability is reasonably expected to be permanent and has continued (i) for a period of six consecutive months or (ii) such shorter period as the Board may reasonably determine in
 

 
good faith. The Disability determination shall be in the sole discretion of the Board and a Participant (or his representative) shall furnish the Board with medical evidence documenting the Participant’s disability or infirmity which is satisfactory to the Board.
 
(j)  
Effective Date : January 8, 1999.

(k)  
Fair Market Value : On a given date, the arithmetic mean of the high and low prices of the Shares as reported on such date on the Composite Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if no Composite Tape exists for such national securities exchange on such date, then on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted on a national securities exchange, the arithmetic mean of the per Share closing bid price and per Share closing asked price on such date as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (or such market in which such prices are regularly quoted), or, if there is no market on which the Shares are regularly quoted, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the Committee in good faith. If no sale of shares shall have been reported on such Composite Tape or such national securities exchange on such date or quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealer Automated Quotation System on such date, then the immediately preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so reported or quoted shall be used.

(l)  
ISO : An Option that is also an incentive stock option granted pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan.
 
(m)   LSAR : A limited stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Plan.
 
(n)  
Other Stock-Based Awards : Awards granted pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan.

(o)  
Option : A stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.

(p)  
Option Price : The purchase price per Share of an Option, as determined pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Plan.

(q)  
Participant : An individual who is selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan.

(r)  
Performance-Based Awards : Certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Plan.

(s)  
Person : A “person”, as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Act (or any successor section thereto).


 
(t)  
Plan : The 1999 American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc., Stock Incentive Plan.

(u)  
Shares : Shares of common stock of the Company.

(v)  
Stock Appreciation Right : A stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan.

(w)  
Subsidiary : A subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (or any successor section thereto).

3.   Shares Subject to the Plan
 
The total number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is 13,500,000. The maximum number of Shares for which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant shall be 1,500,000. The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of unissued Shares or treasury Shares. The issuance of Shares or the payment of cash upon the exercise of an Award shall reduce the total number of Shares available under the Plan, as applicable. Shares which are subject to Awards which terminate or lapse may be granted again under the Plan.

4.   Administration
 
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its duties and powers in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting solely of at least two individuals who are each “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto) and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto). The Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and to make any other determinations that it deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable. Any decision of the Committee in the interpretation and administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall lie within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties concerned (including, but not limited to, Participants and their beneficiaries or successors). The Committee shall require payment of any amount it may determine to be necessary to withhold for federal, state, local or other taxes as a result of the exercise of an Award. Unless the Committee specifies otherwise, the Participant may elect to pay a portion or all of such withholding taxes by (a) delivery in Shares or (b) having Shares withheld by the Company from any Shares that would have otherwise been received by the Participant.

5.   Limitations

No award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.

 
 



6.   Terms and Conditions of Options

Options granted under the Plan shall be, as determined by the Committee, nonqualified or incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes, as evidenced by the related Award agreements, and shall be subject to the foregoing and the following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:

(a)  
Option Price . The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date an Option is granted.

(b)  
Exercisability . Options granted under the Plan shall be exercisable at such time and such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an Option be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is granted.

(c)  
Exercise of Options . Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or in an Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For purposes of Section 6 of the Plan, the exercise date of an Option shall be the later of the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if applicable, the date payment is received by the Company pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) in the following sentence. The purchase price for the Shares as to which an Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company in full at the time of exercise at the election of the Participant (i) in cash, (ii) in Shares having Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee, (iii) partly in cash and partly in such Shares or (iv) through the delivery of irrevocable instruments to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate option price for the shares being purchased. No Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise of the Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if applicable, has satisfied any other conditions by the Committee pursuant to the Plan.

(d)  
ISOs . The Committee may grant Options under the Plan that are intended to be ISOs. Such ISOs shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (or any successor section thereto). No ISO may be granted to any Participant who at the time of such grant, owns more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary, unless (i) the Option Price for such ISO is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the ISO is granted and (ii) the date on which such ISO terminates is a date not later than the day preceding the fifth anniversary of the date on which the ISO is granted. Any Participant who disposes of Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO either (i) within two years after the date of grant of such ISO or (ii) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, shall notify the Company of such disposition and of the amount realized upon such disposition.


 
7.   Terms and Conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights
 
(a)  
Grants . The Committee also may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right independent of an Option or (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right in connection with an Option, or a portion thereof. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (A) may be granted at the time the related Option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or cancellation of the related Option, (B) shall cover the same Shares covered by an Option (or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee may determine) and (C) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as such Option except for such additional limitations as are contemplated by this Section 8 (or such additional limitations as may be included in an Award agreement).

(b)  
Terms . The exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be an amount determined by the Committee but in no event shall such amount be less than the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a portion thereof, the Option Price of the related Option and (ii) an amount permitted by applicable laws, rules, by-laws or policies of regulatory authorities or stock exchanges. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of an Option shall entitle a Participant upon exercise to an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the exercise price per Share, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a portion thereof, shall entitle a Participant to surrender to the Company the unexercised Option, or any portion thereof, and to receive from the Company in exchange therefore an amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of one Share over (B) the Option Price per Share, times (ii) the number of Shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof, which is surrendered. The date a notice of exercise is received by the Company shall be the exercise date. Payment shall be made in Shares or in cash, or partly in Shares and partly in cash (any such Shares valued at such Fair Market Value), all as shall be determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised from time-to-time upon actual receipt by the Company of written notice of exercise stating the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is being exercised. No fractional Shares will be issued in payment for Stock Appreciation Rights, but instead cash will be paid for a fraction or, if the Committee should so determine, the number of Shares will be rounded downward to the next whole Share.

(c)  
Limitations . The Committee may impose, in its discretion, such conditions upon the exercisability or transferability of Stock Appreciation Rights as it may deem fit.

(d)  
Limited Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee may grant LSARs that are exercisable upon the occurrence of specified contingent events. Such LSARs may provide for a different method of determining appreciation, may specify that payment will be made only in cash and may provide that any related Awards are not exercisable while such LSARs are exercisable. Unless the context otherwise
 


requires, whenever the term “Stock Appreciation Right” is used in the Plan, such term shall include LSARs.


8.   Other Stock-Based Awards
 
 
(a)
Generally . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards of Shares, Awards of restricted shares and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares (“Other Stock-Based Awards”). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form, and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, the right to receive more Shares (or the equivalent cash value of such Shares) upon the completion of a specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of performance objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone or in addition to any other Awards granted under the Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based Awards will be made, the number of Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such Other Stock-Based Awards; whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled in cash, Shares or a combination of cash and Shares; and all other terms and conditions of such Awards (including, without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof and provisions ensuring that all Shares so awarded and issued shall be fully paid and non-assessable).

(b)  
Performance-Based Awards . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted under this Section 8 may be granted in a manner which is deductible by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto) (“Performance-Based Awards”). A Participant’s Performance-Based Award shall be determined based on the attainment of written performance goals approved by the Committee for a performance period established by the Committee (i) while the outcome for that performance period is substantially certain and (ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance period to which the performance goal relates, or, if less, the number of days which is equal to 25 percent of the relevant performance period. The performance goals, which must be objective, shall be based upon one or more of the following criteria: (1) consolidated earnings before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization); (ii) net income, (iii) operating income; (iv) earnings per Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi) return on shareholders’ equity; (vii) expense management; (viii) return on investment; (ix) improvements in capital structure; (x) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi) maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) stock price; (xiii) market share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii) working capital and (xviii) return on assets. The foregoing criteria may relate to the Company, one or more of its Subsidiaries or one or more of its divisions or units, or any combination thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In addition, to the degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without regard to extraordinary items. The maximum amount of a Performance-Based Award during a calendar year to any Participant shall be $5,000,000. The Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a given


 
Participant and, if they have, to so certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. No Performance-Based Awards will be paid for such performance period until such certification is made by the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the discretion of the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based Award determined by the Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the Participant at such time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of such performance period; provided, however, that a Participant may, if and to the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code, elect to defer payment of a Performance-Based Award.

9.   Adjustments Upon Certain Events

Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to all Awards granted under the Plan:
 
(a)  
Generally. In the event of any change in the outstanding Shares after the Effective Date by reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitilization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of Shares or other corporate exchange, any distribution to shareholders of Shares other than regular cash dividends or any other similar event, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person may make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable, as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan or pursuant to outstanding Awards, (ii) the maximum number of Shares for which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant, (iii) the Option Price and/or (iv) any other affected terms of such Awards.
 
(b)  
Change in Control. Except as otherwise provided in an Award agreement, in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person may take such actions, if any, as it deems necessary or desirable with respect to any Award (including, without limitation), (i) the acceleration of an Award, (ii) the payment of a cash amount in exchange for the cancellation of an Award and/or (iii) the requiring of the issuance of substitute Awards that will substantially preserve the value, rights and benefits of any affected Awards previously granted hereunder (as of the date of the consummation of the Change in Control).

10.   No Right to Employment
 
The granting of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company or any Subsidiary to continue the employment of a Participant and shall not lessen or affect the Company’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate the employment of such Participant.


11.   Successors and Assigns

The Plan shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and a Participant, including without limitation, the estate of such Participant and the executor, administrator or trustee of such estate, or any receiver or trustee in a bankruptcy or representative of the Participant’s creditors.

12. Nontransferability of Awards
 
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, an Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. An award exercisable after the death of a Participant may be exercised by the legatees, personal representatives or distributees of the Participant.

13.   Amendments or Termination

The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made which, (a) without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, would (except as is provided in Section 9 of the Plan), increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan or change the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted to any Participant or (b) without the consent of a Participant, would impair any of the rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan; provided, however, that the Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Board may not amend, alter or discontinue the provisions relating to Section 9(b) of the Plan after the occurrence of a Change in Control.

14.   International Participants

With respect to Participants who reside or work outside the United States of America and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend the terms of the Plan or Award with respect to such Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law.

15.   Choices of Law

The Plan shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of laws principles thereof.

16.   Effectiveness of the Plan

The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date.   

 



EXHIBIT 12 - COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
                       
                       
   
Year Ended December 31,
   
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
2001
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(In millions, except for ratios)
Fixed Charges:
                     
Interest expense, including amortization of debt issuance
                     
costs…………………………………………………………
 
$
27.9
 
$
25.8
 
$
47.5
 
$
51.0
 
$
60.2
 
Estimated interest portion of rents………………………………
   
10.3
   
11.7
   
12.2
   
15.8
   
16.6
 
Capitalized interest……………………………………………
   
5.7
   
5.8
   
6.0
   
8.2
   
13.2
 
Total fixed charges as defined………………………………………
   
43.9
   
43.3
   
65.7
   
75.0
   
90.0
 
                                 
Earnings:
                               
Income from continuing operations before income tax
                               
expense………………………………………………………
   
80.0
   
235.8
   
303.2
   
273.8
   
180.9
 
Total fixed charges as defined…………………………………..
   
43.9
   
43.3
   
65.7
   
75.0
   
90.0
 
Fixed charges not deducted in the determination of income
                               
from continuing operations before income tax expense
   
(5.7
)
 
(5.8
)
 
(6.0
)
 
(8.2
)
 
(13.2
)
Total earnings as defined…………………………………………………………..
 
$
118.2
 
$
273.3
 
$
362.9
 
$
340.6
 
$
257.7
 
                                 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ………………………………………………..
   
2.69
   
6.31
   
5.52
   
4.54
   
2.86
 
 
 
 
26

 

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
OVERVIEW  
 
 
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) and its subsidiaries (collectively, we, our, us or AAM) is a premier Tier I supplier to the automotive industry and a worldwide leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related powertrain components and chassis modules for light trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), passenger cars and crossover vehicles. Driveline and drivetrain systems include components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. Our driveline, drivetrain and related powertrain products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driving heads, crankshafts, transmission parts and metal-formed products.
 
We are the principal supplier of driveline components to General Motors Corporation (GM) for its rear-wheel drive (RWD) light trucks and SUVs manufactured in North America, supplying substantially all of GM’s rear axle and front four-wheel drive/all-wheel drive (4WD/AWD) axle requirements for these vehicle platforms. Sales to GM were approximately 78% of our total net sales in 2005, 80% in 2004 and 82% in 2003.
 
We are the sole-source supplier to GM for certain axles and other driveline products for the life of each GM vehicle program covered by a Lifetime Program Contract (LPC). Substantially all of our sales to GM are made pursuant to the LPCs. The LPCs have terms equal to the lives of the relevant vehicle programs or their respective derivatives, which typically run 6 to 12 years, and require us to remain competitive with respect to technology, design and quality. We have been successful in competing, and we will continue to compete for future GM business upon the expiration of the LPCs.
 
We are also the principal supplier of driveline system products for the Chrysler Group’s heavy-duty Dodge Ram full-size pickup trucks (Dodge Ram program) and its derivatives. As part of this program, we supply a fully integrated computer-controlled chassis system for the Dodge Ram Power Wagon. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DaimlerChrysler) were approximately 13% of our total net sales in 2005, 11% in 2004 and 9% in 2003.
 
In addition to GM and DaimlerChrysler, we supply driveline systems and other related components to PACCAR Inc., Volvo Group, Ford Motor Company (Ford), and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Tier I supplier companies such as Magna International, Inc. and The Timken Company. Our net sales to customers other than GM increased 3.6% to $754.4 million in 2005 as compared to $728.0 million in 2004 and $674.0 million in 2003. In the second quarter of 2005, we launched a program supporting independent rear drive axles (IRDAs) for South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor Corporation.
 
INDUSTRY TRENDS AND COMPETITION  
 
There are a number of key trends affecting the highly competitive automotive industry. The industry is global with an increased emphasis on new consumer markets, geographically diverse production facilities and supplier consolidation. Pricing pressures are significant, while domestic manufacturing costs, including labor and certain raw materials, are escalating. As a result, OEMs and suppliers are developing strategies to reduce costs such as producing in low cost locations and sourcing on a global basis. Product development and advanced technology are critical to attracting and retaining business. The driveline systems segment of the industry in which we compete reflects these trends, and we expect them to continue.
 
GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION Global automotive production is increasing in Central and Eastern Europe, Asia (particularly China, South Korea and India) and South America. The rate of growth of automotive production in these regions is expected to be much greater than the more traditional automotive production centers such as North America, Western Europe and Japan. We have opened offices in India, China and South Korea and we have expanded our existing facility in Brazil to support these growing markets. We expect our activity in these markets to increase significantly over the next several years. In 2006, we will begin construction of new manufacturing facilities in China and Central/Eastern Europe.
 
 
 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
CHANGE IN CONSUMER DEMAND AND PRODUCT MIX SHIFT The demand for SUV-type vehicles is shifting to smaller passenger cars and crossover vehicles with smaller displacement engines and higher fuel economy. A significant portion of our current revenue stream is tied to full-size and mid-size SUV’s and as demand softens for these products, our current revenue streams will be impacted. However, our R&D efforts have led to new business awards for new products that support AWD and RWD passenger cars and crossover vehicles positioning us well to compete as the product mix shifts. AAM’s new and incremental business backlog now includes awards for new products supporting seven passenger car and crossover vehicle programs that represent future annual sales of over $600 million by 2012.
 
4WD/AWD There is a continuing trend toward higher 4WD/AWD penetration in the market place. We benefit from increased 4WD/AWD penetration because we are able to sell two axles on a 4WD/AWD vehicle versus one on a traditional light truck or SUV, which also increases our content-per-vehicle.
 
DECLINING U.S. DOMESTIC MARKET SHARE Competition from offshore and transplant OEMs continues to intensify, and the U.S. market share for GM and Ford has declined as their U.S. domestic vehicle production levels decreased by 8% in 2005. Since approximately 78% of our 2005 revenue is derived from net sales to GM, this continuing trend is significant for us. A mitigating factor for us in this trend is our continuing effort to diversify our customer base as our sales to customers other than GM have increased to $754.4 million representing approximately 22% of net sales in 2005.
 
PRICE PRESSURE Year-over-year price reductions are a common practice in the automotive industry. We sell most of our products under long-term contracts with prices scheduled at the time the contracts are established. Some of our contracts require us to reduce our prices in subsequent years and most of our contracts allow us to adjust prices for engineering changes. We do not believe that the price reductions we have committed to our customers will have a material adverse impact on our future operating results because we intend to offset such price reductions through cost reductions and other productivity initiatives.
 
SUPPLY BASE CONSOLIDATION The OEMs have continued to reduce their supply base, preferring stronger relationships with a smaller number of suppliers capable of designing, engineering, testing, validating and manufacturing systems and modules for their increasingly global operations. The trend is to move away from regional suppliers and toward suppliers that can serve global markets in a cost efficient manner. The financial strength of a supplier is also an important factor in sourcing decisions as the OEMs work to protect their continuity of supply. We believe our engineering capabilities and financial resources position us well in this environment.
 
Supply base consolidation is not limited to Tier I suppliers. The competitive pressures of the automotive industry have forced the consolidation of our supply base as well. We have expanded our global purchasing activities in order to procure materials cost-effectively while ensuring continuity of high quality supply.
 
STEEL AND OTHER METALLIC MATERIAL PRICING Worldwide market conditions have resulted in higher steel and other metallic material prices. We are focused on mitigating the impact of this trend through commercial agreements with our customers, strategic sourcing arrangements with suppliers and technology advancements that will allow us to use less metallic content in the manufacture of our products.
 
The majority of our sales contracts with our largest customers provide price adjustment provisions for metal market price fluctuations. Because we do not have such provisions with all of our customers for all of the parts that we sell, we are experiencing higher net costs for raw materials. Our cost increases have come in the form of metal market adjustments, base price increases and surcharges. We also have contracts with our steel suppliers that ensure continuity of supply and our validation and testing capabilities enable us to strategically utilize steel sources on a global basis.
 
SHIFT OF WARRANTY RESPONSIBILITIES The OEMs are also shifting warranty responsibilities to their supply base. In our eleven-year history, we have experienced negligible warranty charges from our customers due to our contractual relationships and ongoing improvements in the areas of quality, reliability and durability with respect to the products that we sell. Although we do not expect that our warranty obligations will have a material adverse impact on our future operating results, we will continue to closely monitor potential future warranty costs.
 
FINANCIAL DISTRESS OF U.S. DOMESTIC SUPPLY BASE The declining market share of the U.S. domestic OEMs has resulted in the under-utilization of industry capacity which has significantly pressured the U.S. domestic supply base. Steel and metallic material prices rose significantly, and higher energy and fuel costs exacerbated the cost issue. In 2005, several key automotive suppliers joined many other suppliers that have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since 2003. The declining market share of U.S. domestic OEMs and its supply base caused by global competition is creating a major structural change in the U.S. domestic automotive industry targeted at dramatically reducing cost.
 
 

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  
 
 
 
  NET SALES Net sales were $3,387.3 million in 2005 as compared to $3,599.6 million in 2004 and $3,682.7 million in 2003. The decrease in 2005 net sales of 5.9% relative to 2004 compares to a decrease in North American (N.A.) light vehicle production of less than 1% and a decrease of nearly 9% in GM light truck production. The decrease in 2004 net sales of 2% relative to 2003 compares to a decrease in N.A. light vehicle production of less than 1% and a decrease of nearly 5% in GM light truck production.
 
The decreases in net sales resulting from lower GM light truck production volumes, in both 2005 and 2004, were partially offset by metal market price adjustments. Our sales were also positively impacted by increased production of the Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup truck program that we support.
 
 
Sales in 2004 and 2003 benefited from the launch in the second half of 2003 of the GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado and increased production of GM’s full-size pickup and SUV programs. Our sales activity in 2004 and 2003 also reflects the impact of our successful launch in the second half of 2002 of new driveline system products supporting the Dodge Ram program, the launch in the third quarter of 2002 of GM’s HUMMER H2 and the 2002 introduction of the longer wheel-base Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL. Sales in 2003 were partially offset by decreased production of the Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari van program.
 
Our content-per-vehicle (as measured by the dollar value of our products supporting GM’s N.A. light truck platforms and the Dodge Ram program) was $1,201 in 2005 up from $1,173 in 2004 and 2003. The impact of metal market price adjustments, favorable pricing due to technology improvements and mix shifts favoring 4WD/AWD versions of light truck products were the primary drivers of content growth for the year. Our 4WD/AWD penetration rate has also increased in these periods to 63.7% in 2005 as compared to 62.6% in 2004 and 61.8% in 2003. 4WD/AWD penetration is equal to the total number of front axles we produce divided by the total number of rear axles we produce for the vehicle programs on which we sell product.
 
 
   
GROSS PROFIT Gross profit was $304.7 million in 2005 as compared to $474.5 million in 2004 and $540.3 million in 2003. Gross margin was 9.0% in 2005 as compared to 13.2% in 2004 and 14.7% in 2003. Our gross profit in 2005 was adversely impacted by lower GM light truck production volumes, increased supplemental unemployment benefits to our hourly associates, higher energy and material costs, and increased launch costs, which include non-capitalizable project expenses in addition to machine start-up costs.
 
In 2004, we initiated a voluntary separation program whereby employees could receive lump-sum payments to voluntarily terminate their employment with AAM. We offered separation payments under this program to adjust our hourly workforce to meet current business conditions. The associated labor cost is normally recovered in approximately one year. The following table summarizes our activity under the program:
 
 
                 
   
2005
   
2004
 
 
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Approximate pre-tax charge
 
$
17.3
   
$
23.8
 
Number of associates
   
317
     
453
 
 
In February 2004, our national collective bargaining agreement with the UAW expired. As a result of not reaching an agreement before the expiration of the contract, we experienced a temporary work stoppage of less than two days at six of our North American manufacturing facilities. In 2004, our operating results include costs and expenses of approximately $5.2 million related to overtime and other costs to recover lost production as a result of the work stoppage.
 
Lump-sum ratification payments totaling $37.5 million (including applicable payroll taxes) were made in the first half of 2004 in accordance with new collective bargaining agreements with unions that represent our hourly associates at six of our locations in the U.S. These lump-sum payments relate to future service of our hourly associates. Through 2005, we expensed $21.2 million of these payments, which represented amounts earned in relation to the agreements including $7.1 million and $7.5 million paid in lieu of base wage increases in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The remaining $16.3 million relates to amounts which would be earned during the terms of the agreements and will be amortized over the remaining lives of the agreements.
 
In 2003, productivity gains were partially offset by a $9.3 million charge for an early retirement program for our hourly associates and a $2.2 million third quarter charge to adjust costs relating to our salaried workforce.
 

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
   
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (SG&A) SG&A (including research and development (R&D)) was $199.6 million in 2005 as compared to $189.7 million in 2004 and $194.0 million in 2003. SG&A as a percentage of net sales was 5.9% in 2005 and 5.3% in 2004 and 2003. In addition to higher R&D spending, SG&A in 2005 reflects the cost of AAM’s first-ever restricted stock grants. SG&A in 2005 as compared to 2004 also reflects higher costs incurred to support our strategic growth initiatives in other countries partially offset by lower profit sharing expense as a result of lower earnings. SG&A in 2004 as compared to 2003 includes higher R&D spending offset by lower profit sharing expense due to lower earnings and changes to our incentive compensation plans implemented in 2004.
 
 
    R&D In 2005, R&D spending in product, process and systems increased 7.3% to $73.6 million as compared to $68.6 million in 2004 and $60.7 million in 2003. The focus of this increasing investment is to develop innovative driveline and drivetrain systems and components for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs in the global marketplace. Product development in this area includes power transfer units, transfer cases, driveline and transmission differentials, multipiece driveshafts, IRDAs and independent front drive axles (IFDAs). We also continue to focus on electronic integration in our existing products. The most recent examples of these initiatives are the electronic SmartBar™ stabilizer based roll-control system, TracRite® GTL electronic differentials and TracRite® EL electronic locking differentials all featured in the Dodge Ram Power Wagon. In addition, we continue to support the development of hybrid vehicle systems. Our efforts in these areas have resulted in the development of prototypes and various configurations of these driveline systems for several OEMs throughout the world.
 
 
OPERATING INCOME Operating income was $105.1 million in 2005 as compared to $284.8 million in 2004 and $346.3 million in 2003. Operating margin was 3.1% in 2005, 7.9% in 2004 and 9.4% in 2003. The decreases in operating income and operating margin in 2005 and 2004 were due to the factors discussed in Gross Profit and SG&A.
 
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE Net interest expense was $27.2 million in 2005, $25.5 million in 2004 and $46.8 million in 2003. Interest expense increased in 2005 due to higher average outstanding borrowings and higher interest rates in 2005 as compared to 2004. Interest expense decreased in 2004 as compared to 2003 due to the favorable impact of our debt refinancing activities in the first quarter of 2004.
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Following are the components of Other Income (Expense) for 2005, 2004 and 2003:
 
Debt refinancing and redemption costs Debt refinancing and redemption costs expensed in the first quarter of 2004 are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):
 
         
Call premium on 9.75% Notes
 
$
14.6
 
Write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
       
     9.75% Notes
   
5.7
 
   1997 Bank Credit Facilities
   
3.2
 
         
    Debt refinancing and redemption costs
 
$
23.5
 
         
 
The details of the debt refinancing and redemption costs are more fully explained in the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources — Capitalization and Debt Availability.”
 
Other, net This activity is related principally to the net effect of foreign exchange gains and losses.
 
INCOME TAX EXPENSE Income tax expense was $24.0 million in 2005, $76.3 million in 2004 and $106.1 million in 2003. Our effective income tax rate was 30.0% in 2005, 32.4% in 2004 and 35.0% in 2003. The decrease in our effective income tax rate in 2005 as compared to 2004 was primarily due to the impact of federal income tax credits which do not vary proportionately with net income. These credits, when applied against our lower pre-tax income in 2005, had a more significant impact on our effective tax rate. The decrease in our effective income tax rate in 2004 as compared to 2003 was primarily due to tax effects related to the recognition of R&D tax credits, the Medicare Part D subsidy and lower foreign rates.
 

 
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) Net income was $56.0 million in 2005 as compared to $159.5 million in 2004 and $197.1 million in 2003. Diluted earnings were $1.10 per share in 2005 as compared to $2.98 per share in 2004 and $3.70 per share in 2003. Net income and EPS were primarily impacted by the factors discussed in Gross Profit and SG&A. Additionally, in 2004, net income and EPS include the impact of a one-time first quarter charge related to debt refinancing and redemption costs of $15.9 million, net of tax ($23.5 million before tax).
 
EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST EXPENSE, INCOME TAXES, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA) EBITDA was $293.0 million in 2005 as compared to $432.7 million in 2004 and $513.8 million in 2003. The decrease in EBITDA in 2005 and 2004 were primarily due to the factors discussed in Gross Profit and SG&A. In 2004, EBITDA includes the impact of a one-time first quarter charge of $23.5 million related to debt refinancing and redemption costs. For an explanation and reconciliation of EBITDA, refer to the section entitled “Supplemental Financial Data.”
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES  
 
Our primary liquidity needs are to fund capital expenditures, debt service obligations, working capital investments and our quarterly cash dividend program. We believe that operating cash flow and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet these needs in the foreseeable future.
 
 
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net cash provided by operating activities was $280.4 million in 2005 as compared to $453.2 million in 2004 and $496.9 million in 2003. Significant factors impacting our 2005 operating cash flow as compared to 2004 were:
 
 
  •  
 
Lower net income;
 
  •  
 
Lower tax deferrals;
 
  •  
 
Higher inventories;
 
  •  
 
Lower lump-sum payments per union contracts; and
 
  •  
 
Lower profit sharing payout.
 
Deferred taxes The impact on our operating cash flow as a result of deferring income taxes was $(1.1) million in 2005, $46.3 million in 2004 and $20.4 million in 2003. Our tax deferrals were lower in 2005 as compared to 2004 due to reduced provisions for acclerated tax and bonus depreciation and the realization of federal tax credits utilizable in future years.
 
Our deferred tax asset valuation allowances were $31.2 million at year-end 2005, $32.5 million at year-end 2004 and $34.9 million at year-end 2003. The majority of our allowances relate to foreign net operating losses and capital allowance carryforwards. Although these carryforwards do not expire, we considered prior operating results and future plans, as well as the utilization period of other temporary differences, in determining the amount of our valuation allowances.
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits We contributed $34.7 million to our pension trusts in 2005 as compared to $35.7 million in 2004 and $42.1 million in 2003. This funding compares to our annual pension expense of $41.3 million in 2005, $39.1 million in 2004 and $41.2 million in 2003. We expect our pension funding in 2006 to be in the range of $30.0 million to $40.0 million.
 
Our cash outlay for other postretirement benefit obligations was $3.5 million in 2005, $2.7 million in 2004 and $3.9 million in 2003. This compares to our annual postretirement benefit expense of $70.1 million in 2005, $69.5 million in 2004 and $55.7 million in 2003. We expect our funding of other postretirement benefit obligations in 2006 to be approximately $5.0 million.
 
Accounts receivable Accounts receivable at year-end 2005 were $328.0 million as compared to $334.9 million at year-end 2004 and $339.2 million at year-end 2003. Accounts receivable were impacted by reduced sales in the fourth quarter of 2005 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2004.
 
Our accounts receivable allowances were $3.1 million at year-end 2005, $2.5 million at year-end 2004 and $2.8 million at year-end 2003.
 
Inventories At year-end 2005, inventories were $207.2 million as compared to $196.8 million at year-end 2004 and $171.8 million at year-end 2003. Spare parts inventories increased in these periods as we implemented new product, process and systems technology initiatives to support ongoing major program launches. In addition, we managed preventive maintenance strategies to protect against costly disruptions in operations due to machine downtime.

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
 
Our inventory valuation allowances were $20.3 million at year-end 2005, $12.6 million at year-end 2004 and $14.8 million at year-end 2003. The change in our inventory valuation allowances in 2005 as compared to 2004 was primarily due to increased reserves for indirect inventories. We continuously monitor and adjust our allowance as necessary to recognize as an asset only those quantities that we can reasonably estimate will be used.
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses The change in our accounts payable and accrued expenses was a use of cash of $32.2 million in 2005 as compared to a source of cash of $18.9 million in 2004 and $2.6 million in 2003. Accounts payable were lower at year-end 2005 as compared to year-end 2004 due to lower inventory purchases and capital expenditures in the fourth quarter. Additionally, accrued compensation and benefits were lower at year-end 2005 as compared to year-end 2004 primarily due to lower profit sharing accruals.
 
Accrued compensation and benefits were lower at year-end 2004 as compared to year-end 2003 primarily due to lower profit sharing accruals, which were more than offset by increased accounts payable due to higher inventory purchases and capital expenditures in the fourth quarter.
 
   
INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures were $305.7 million in 2005, $240.2 million in 2004 and $229.1 million in 2003. In addition to ongoing productivity improvements, our largest capital projects in 2005 included investments for process development equipment for the GMT 900 program (GM’s next generation full-size truck and SUV platform which launched in December 2005) and expenditures to support the model year 2005 launch of the HUMMER H3, the Dodge Ram Mega Cab, GM’s new six speed transmission, and IFDAs for South Korean automaker Ssangyong Motor Corporation. We also incurred capital expenditures to support the further expansion of our Guanajuato Gear & Axle manufacturing facility in 2005.
 
We expect our capital spending in 2006 to approximate $260.0 million supporting the 2006 and 2007 model year launch of the GMT 900 program and other major customer programs. We expect to have expenditures in 2006 that will continue to support our selective global expansion initiatives with new manufacturing facilities in China and Central/Eastern Europe and new equipment to enhance our testing and validation capabilities at our European Headquarters in Bad Homburg, Germany. Other major capital projects include the expansion of our Colfor Manufacturing operations in Minerva, Ohio and expenditures to support passenger car and crossover vehicle programs in our new and incremental business backlog.
 
We have invested our capital with the objective of improving quality, productivity and long-term profitable growth. Our after-tax return on invested capital (ROIC) was 5.2 % in 2005, 12.7% in 2004 and 16.1% in 2003. In 2005 and 2004, our ROIC reflects the impact of lower production volumes, increased costs of steel and other metallic material prices, voluntary separation programs and the effect of debt refinancing activities in the first quarter of 2004. For an explanation and reconciliation of ROIC, refer to the section entitled “Supplemental Financial Data.”
 
NET OPERATING CASH FLOW AND FREE CASH FLOW Net operating cash flow was a deficit of $25.3 million in 2005 as compared to a surplus of $213.0 million and $267.8 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively. Free cash flow was a deficit of $55.7 million in 2005 as compared to surpluses of $190.0 million in 2004 and $267.8 million in 2003. For an explanation and reconciliation of net operating cash flow and free cash flow, refer to the section entitled “Supplemental Financial Data.”
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net cash provided by financing activities was $14.8 million in 2005 as compared to a use of $211.3 million in 2004 and $262.6 million in 2003. Total debt outstanding was $489.2 million at year-end 2005, $448.0 million at year-end 2004 and $449.7 million at year-end 2003. Total debt outstanding increased by $41.2 million at year-end 2005 as compared to year-end 2004 primarily due to a decrease in operating cash flow performance and increased capital expenditures to support the launch of new business and our global expansion.
 
   
CAPITALIZATION AND DEBT AVAILABILITY Our total capitalization was $1.5 billion at year-end 2005 and $1.4 billion at year-end 2004. Our net debt to capital ratio was 32.8% at year-end 2005 as compared to 31.2% at year-end 2004. For an explanation and reconciliation of net debt to capital, refer to the section entitled “Supplemental Financial Data.”
 
Our senior unsecured revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility) provides up to $600.0 million of revolving Bank financing commitments through April 2010 and bears interest at rates based on LIBOR or an alternate base rate, plus an applicable margin. Together with our foreign credit facilities and uncommitted lines of credit, the Revolving Credit Facility is our primary source of day-to-day liquidity.
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
The Revolving Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes, which included the refinancing of the previously existing senior secured bank credit facilities (1997 Bank Credit Facilities) in 2004. We had been amortizing fees and expenses associated with the 1997 Bank Credit Facilities over the life of the agreement. In January 2004, the unamortized balance of such fees and expenses of $3.2 million was expensed when we terminated our bank financing commitments under the 1997 Bank Credit Facilities.
 
At December 31, 2005, $575.0 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility, which reflected a reduction of $25.0 million for standby letters of credit issued against the facility. We also utilize foreign credit facilities and uncommitted lines of credit to finance working capital needs. At December 31, 2005, $87.1 million was outstanding and $83.9 million was available under such agreements.
 
In February 2004, we issued $250.0 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due February 2014 (5.25% Notes) and $150.0 million of 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 (2.00% Convertible Notes) in concurrent private offerings pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. We received net proceeds from these offerings of approximately $394.0 million, after deducting discounts and commissions of the initial purchasers and other expenses. We used a portion of the net proceeds to repurchase $63.0 million, or 1.59 million shares, of our common stock in privately negotiated transactions. The remainder of the net proceeds was used to redeem all $300.0 million of the outstanding 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2009 (9.75% Notes) at a cost of $314.6 million on March 1, 2004, and for other general corporate purposes. In the first quarter of 2004, the $14.6 million call premium and an additional $5.7 million of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs were expensed as a result of this redemption.
 
The weighted-average interest rate of our total debt outstanding was 5.0%, 4.8% and 5.9% during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
Credit Ratings Our current credit ratings and (outlook) are BBB — (Negative), Ba2 (Negative) and BBB — (Stable) with Standard & Poors Rating Services, Moody’s Investors Services and Fitch Ratings, respectively.
 
Dividend Program In April 2004, AAM’s Board of Directors declared our first quarterly cash dividend as a public company of $0.15 per share. On an annualized basis, the dividend payout equates to $0.60 per share. We paid $30.4 million and $23.0 million to stockholders of record under the quarterly cash dividend program during 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
Stock Repurchase Program During 2004, AAM’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to 5.5 million shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time through the first quarter of 2006. Including the common stock we acquired in connection with our debt refinancing activities in the first quarter of 2004, we have repurchased 5.0 million shares of our common stock for $171.0 million under this stock repurchase program.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements Our off-balance sheet financing relates principally to operating leases for certain facilities and manufacturing machinery and equipment. These operating leases are fully disclosed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to these operating leases, most of which were initiated prior to year-end 1999, we have the opportunity to purchase the underlying machinery and equipment at specified buy-out dates. We exercised our purchase options for $3.0 million of such lease buy-outs in 2003. Remaining lease renewal or repurchase options are approximately $106.0 million in 2006, of which $29.9 million has been elected for repurchase in April 2006. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities.
 
Contractual Obligations The following table summarizes payments due on our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2005:
 
                                               
       
 
Payments due by period
 
 
   
 
 
Total
 
<1 yr
 
1-3 yrs
 
3-5 yrs
 
>5 yrs
 
   
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Long-term debt
             
$
486.8
       
$
87.0
       
$
       
$
       
$
399.8
 
Interest obligations (1)
               
263.3
         
16.1
         
32.3
         
32.3
         
182.6
 
Capital lease obligations
               
2.4
         
0.3
         
0.7
         
0.8
         
0.6
 
Operating leases (2)
               
143.6
         
62.8
         
48.4
         
27.4
         
5.0
 
Purchase obligations (3)
               
163.1
         
146.8
         
16.3
         
         
 
Other long-term liabilities (4)
               
387.1
         
18.9
         
46.7
         
65.2
         
256.3
 
                                                                     
Total contractual obligations
             
$
1,446.3
       
$
331.9
       
$
144.4
       
$
125.7
       
$
844.3
 
                                                                     
 
 
(1)
 
Interest obligations represent future interest payments on our public debt.
(2)
 
 
Operating leases include all lease payments through the end of the contractual lease terms, including elections for repurchase options, and exclude any non-exercised purchase options on such leased equipment.
(3)
 
Purchase obligations represent our obligated purchase commitments for capital expenditures.
(4)
 
Other long-term liabilities represent our pension and other postretirement obligations that were actuarially determined through 2015.
 
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
MARKET RISK  
 
 
Our business and financial results are affected by fluctuations in world financial markets, including interest rates and currency exchange rates. Our hedging policy has been developed to manage these risks to an acceptable level based on management’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and cost. We do not hold financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
 
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RISK Because most of our business is denominated in U.S. dollars, we do not currently have significant exposures relating to currency exchange risk. From time to time, we use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily relating to the Euro, Mexican Peso, Pound Sterling, Brazilian Real and Canadian Dollar. At December 31, 2005, we had currency forward contracts with a notional amount of $35.7 million outstanding. A 10% change in any of these individual currencies would not have had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in 2005.
 
Future business operations and opportunities, including the expansion of our business outside North America, may further increase the risk that cash flows resulting from these activities may be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates. If and when appropriate, we intend to manage these risks by utilizing local currency funding of these expansions and various types of foreign exchange contracts.
 
INTEREST RATE RISK We are exposed to variable interest rates on certain credit facilities. From time to time, we use interest rate hedging to reduce the effects of fluctuations in market interest rates. The pre-tax earnings and cash flow impact of a one-percentage-point increase in interest rates (approximately 21.2% of our weighted-average interest rate at December 31, 2005) on our long-term debt outstanding at year-end 2005 would be approximately $0.9 million.
 
CYCLICALITY AND SEASONALITY  
 
Our operations are cyclical because they are directly related to worldwide automotive production, which is itself cyclical and dependent on general economic conditions and other factors. Our business is also moderately seasonal as our major OEM customers historically have a two-week shutdown of operations in July and an approximate one-week shutdown in December. In addition, our OEM customers have historically incurred lower production rates in the third quarter as model changes enter production. Accordingly, our third quarter and fourth quarter results may reflect these trends.
 
 
LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS  
 
We are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to our business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws, regulations and ordinances, including those regulating air emissions, water discharge, waste management and environmental cleanup. We will continue to closely monitor our environmental conditions to ensure that we are in compliance with all laws, regulations and ordinances. GM has agreed to indemnify and hold us harmless against certain environmental conditions existing prior to our asset purchase from GM on March 1, 1994. GM’s indemnification obligations terminated on March 1, 2004 with respect to new claims that may arise against GM. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures (including recurring administrative costs) to comply with environmental requirements. Such expenditures were not significant during 2005, nor do we expect such expenditures to be significant in 2006.
 
EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS  
 
FASB STATEMENT NO. 123 (REVISED 2004) In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment .” FASB Statement No. 123(R) replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees .” The revised statement requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements and measured on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Effective April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a new rule that amends the compliance dates for companies to implement the revised statement to the beginning of their next fiscal year after June 15, 2005, which for AAM is January 1, 2006. AAM currently estimates that its stock-based compensation expense will increase by approximately $10.0 million in 2006.
 
On December 31, 2005 we accelerated the vesting of certain “under water” stock options in response to the required adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. As a result of the vesting acceleration, approximately 1.8 million shares became immediately exercisable in full to the extent that the market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price of the options. The pro forma expense is reflected in our “Stock-Based Compensation” disclosure included within Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. The acceleration was intended to eliminate future compensation expense with respect to the “under water” stock options that we would otherwise recognize under our adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R).
 
 

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES  
 
In order to prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our consolidated financial statements. These estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results could differ from our estimates.
 
Other items in our consolidated financial statements require estimation. In our judgment, they are not as critical as those disclosed herein. We have discussed and reviewed our critical accounting policies disclosure with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.
 
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS In calculating our liabilities and expenses related to pension and other postretirement benefits, key assumptions include the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in compensation and health care costs.
 
The discount rates used in the valuation of our U.S. pension and other postretirement benefit obligations were based on an actuarial review of a hypothetical portfolio of long-term, high quality corporate bonds matched against our expected payment stream. In 2005, the discount rates determined on that basis were 5.8% for the valuation of our pension and 5.9% for the valuation of our other postretirement benefit obligations. The discount rate used in the valuation of our foreign pension obligation was based on a review of long-term bonds, including published indices in the applicable market. In 2005, the discount rate determined on that basis was 5.0%. The expected long-term rate of return on our plan assets was 8.0% in 2005. We developed this rate of return assumption based on a review of long-term historical returns for the asset classes represented within our portfolio. The asset allocation for our plans was developed in consideration of the demographics of the plan participants and expected payment stream of the liability. Our investment policy allocates 65-70% of the plans’ assets to equity securities, with the remainder invested in fixed income securities and cash. The rates of increase in compensation and health care costs are based on current market conditions, inflationary expectations and historical information.
 
All of our assumptions were developed in consultation with our actuarial service providers. While we believe that we have selected reasonable assumptions for the valuation of our pension and other postretirement benefits obligations at year-end 2005, actual trends could result in materially different valuations.
 
The effect on our pension plans of a 0.5% decrease in both the discount rate and expected return on assets is shown below as of September 30, 2005, our valuation date.
 
 
 
 
                 
           
 
 
 
Expected
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount
 
 
Return on
 
 
 
 
 
 
Rate
 
 
Assets
 
   
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Decline in funded status
             
$
50.2
         
N/A
 
Reduction in equity
             
$
52.4
         
N/A
 
Increase in 2005 expense
             
$
6.7
       
$
1.7
 
 
No changes in benefit levels and no changes in the amortization of gains or losses have been assumed.  
 
A 9% annual increase in the per-capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2006. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5% for 2012 and remain at that level thereafter. A 0.5% decrease in the discount rate for our other postretirement benefits would have increased total service and interest cost by $8.8 million in 2005. A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care trend rate would have increased total service and interest cost in 2005 and the postretirement obligation at December 31, 2005 by $16.3 million and $107.3 million, respectively.
 
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE ALLOWANCES The scope of our relationships with certain customers, such as GM and DaimlerChrysler, is inherently complex and, from time to time, we identify differences in our valuation of receivables due from these customers. Differences in the quantity of parts processed as received by customers and the quantity of parts shipped by AAM is one major type of such difference. Price differences can arise when we and our customer agree on a price change but the customer’s pricing database does not reflect the commercial agreement. In these instances, revenue is fixed and determinable, but payment could fall outside our normal payment terms as we work through the process of resolving these differences.
 
All of our transactions with our customers occur within the parameters of a purchase order which makes the price fixed and determinable. Because of the inherently complex nature of our supply relationships with our customers, from time to time we encounter situations that were not contemplated in the purchase order. As a result, we sometimes enter into non-routine agreements outside the original scope of the purchase order. These agreements may be temporary, are fixed and determinable, and often have payment terms that are different than our normal terms. We
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
recognize the revenue or cost recovery from such arrangements in accordance with the commercial agreement.
 
We track the aging of uncollected billings and adjust our accounts receivable allowances on a quarterly basis as necessary based on our evaluation of the probability of collection. We recognize revenue or cost recoveries in accordance with our understanding of a commercial agreement.
 
While we believe that we have made an appropriate valuation of our accounts receivable due from GM, DaimlerChrysler and other customers for accounting purposes, unforeseen changes in our ability to enforce commercial agreements or collect aged receivables may result in actual collections that differ materially from current estimates.
 
VALUATION OF INDIRECT INVENTORIES As part of our strategy to control our investment in working capital and manage the risk of excess and obsolete inventory, we generally do not maintain large balances of productive raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods inventories. Instead, we utilize lean manufacturing techniques and coordinate our daily production activities to meet our daily customer delivery requirements. The ability to address plant maintenance issues on a real-time basis is a critical element of our ability to pursue such an operational strategy. Our machinery and equipment may run for long periods of time without disruption and suddenly fail to operate as intended. In addition, certain repair parts required to address such maintenance requirements may be difficult or cost prohibitive to source on a real-time basis.
 
To facilitate our continuous preventive maintenance strategies and to protect against costly disruptions in operations due to machine downtime, we carry a significant investment in inherently slow-moving machine repair parts and other maintenance materials and supplies. At December 31, 2005, such indirect inventories comprised approximately 39% of our total gross inventories. For inventory valuation purposes, we evaluate our usage of such slow-moving inventory on a quarterly basis by part number and adjust our inventory valuation allowances as necessary to recognize as an asset only those quantities that we can reasonably estimate will be used. We have used the same approach in 2005 and 2004 to evaluate the adequacy of our indirect inventory valuation allowances.
 
While we believe that we have made an appropriate valuation of such inventories for accounting purposes, unforeseen changes in inventory usage requirements, manufacturing processes, maintenance and repair techniques, or inventory control may result in actual usage of such inventories that differ materially from current estimates.
 
ESTIMATED USEFUL LIVES FOR DEPRECIATION At December 31, 2005, approximately 81% of our capitalized investment in property, plant and equipment, or $2.3 billion, was related to productive machinery and equipment used in support of our manufacturing operations. The selection of appropriate useful life estimates for such machinery and equipment is a critical element of our ability to properly match the cost of such assets with the operating profits and cash flow generated by their use. We currently depreciate productive machinery and equipment on the straight-line method using composite useful life estimates up to 15 years.
 
While we believe that the useful life estimates currently being used for depreciation purposes reasonably approximate the period of time we will use such assets in our operations, unforeseen changes in product design and technology standards or cost, quality and delivery requirements may result in actual useful lives that differ materially from the current estimates.
 
VALUATION OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND OTHER TAX LIABILITIES Because we operate in many different geographic locations, including several foreign, state and local tax jurisdictions, the evaluation of our ability to use all recognized deferred tax assets is inherently complex. In assessing our ability to realize such deferred tax assets, we review the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, the projections of taxable income in future periods and the effectiveness of various tax planning strategies in making our assessment. Our consideration of these matters, including the determination of our other tax liabilities, requires significant management judgment.
 
While we believe we have made appropriate valuations of our deferred tax assets, unforeseen changes in tax legislation, regulatory activities, audit results, operating results, financing strategies, organization structure and other related matters may result in material changes in our deferred tax asset valuation allowances.
 
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION
 
 
Certain statements in this MD&A and elsewhere in this Annual Report are forward-looking in nature and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The terms “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “project” and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. The statements are based on our current expectations, are inherently uncertain, are subject to risks and should be viewed with caution. Actual results and experience may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, but not limited to:
 
   
  reduced purchases of our products by GM, DaimlerChrysler or other customers;
 
       
 
 
reduced demand for our customers’ products (particularly light trucks and SUVs produced by GM and DaimlerChrysler);
 
       
 
 
our ability and our suppliers’ ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;
 
       
 
 
our customers’ and their suppliers’ ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages;
 
       
 
 
supply shortages or price increases in raw materials, utilities or other operating supplies;
 
       
our ability and our customers’ and suppliers’ ability to successfully launch new product programs;
 
       
   
our ability to respond to changes in technology or increased competition;
 
       
 
 
adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions including increases in fuel prices affecting our products or our customers’ products (including the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations);
       
 
 
adverse changes in the economic conditions or political stability of our principal markets (particularly North America, Europe, South America and Asia);
 
       
 
 
liabilities arising from legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party or claims against us or our products;
 
       
 
 
risks of noncompliance with environmental regulations or risks of environmental issues that could result in unforeseen costs at our facilities;
 
       
 
 
availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes;
 
       
 
 
our ability to attract and retain key associates;
 
       
 
 
other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete.
 
 
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA  
 
The following supplemental financial data presented for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 are reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures, which are intended to facilitate analysis of our business and operating performance. This information is not and should not be viewed as a substitute for financial measures determined under GAAP. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently.
 
 
Earnings Before Interest Expense, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)  
 
                               
 
 
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
Net income
             
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
Interest expense
               
27.9
         
25.8
         
47.5
 
Income taxes
               
24.0
         
76.3
         
106.1
 
Depreciation and amortization
               
185.1
         
171.1
         
163.1
 
                                             
EBITDA
             
$
293.0
       
$
432.7
       
$
513.8
 
                                             
 
We believe EBITDA is a meaningful measure of performance as it is commonly utilized by management and investors to analyze operating performance and entity valuation. Our management, the investment community and the banking institutions routinely use EBITDA, together with other measures, to measure our operating performance relative to other Tier I automotive suppliers. EBITDA should not be construed as income from operations, net income or cash flow from operating activities as determined under GAAP.
 
 
Net Operating Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow  
 
                           
   
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
   $    
 
280.4
    $    
 
453.2
  $    
 
496.9
 
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment
         
305.7
         
240.2
         
229.1
 
Net operating cash flow
         
(25.3
)
       
213.0
         
267.8
 
Less: Dividends paid
         
(30.4
)
       
(23.0
)
       
 
Free cash flow
   $    
 
(55.7
)
$    
 
190.0
    $    
 
267.8
 
                                       
 
We believe net operating cash flow and free cash flow are meaningful measures as they are commonly utilized by management and investors to assess our ability to generate cash flow from business operations to repay debt and return capital to our stockholders. Net operating cash flow is also a key metric used in our calculation of incentive compensation.
 
 
After-Tax Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)  
 
                           
   
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
   
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Net income
       
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
Add: After-tax net interest expense (1)
         
19.0
         
17.2
         
30.4
 
After-tax return
         
75.0
         
176.7
         
227.5
 
Net debt (2)
         
485.5
         
433.6
         
437.3
 
Add: Stockholders’ equity
         
994.8
         
955.5
         
954.7
 
Invested capital
                                     
   End of year
         
1,480.3
         
1,389.1
         
1,392.0
 
   Beginning of year
         
1,389.1
         
1,392.0
         
1,428.3
 
Average invested capital (3)
         
1,434.7
         
1,390.6
         
1,410.2
 
                                       
ROIC (4)
         
5.2
%
       
12.7
%
       
16.1
%
                                       
 
     
(1)
 
 
After-tax net interest expense is equal to tax effecting net interest expense by the applicable effective income tax rate as disclosed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements.
(2)
 
Net debt is equal to total debt less cash and cash equivalents as reconciled in the net debt to capital table appearing on this page.
(3)
 
Average invested capital is equal to the average of beginning and ending invested capital.
(4)
 
ROIC is equal to after-tax return divided by average invested capital.
 
We believe ROIC is a meaningful overall measure of business performance because it reflects our earnings performance relative to our investment level. ROIC is also a key metric used in our calculation of incentive compensation.
 
Net Debt to Capital  
 
                           
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Total debt
        $
 
489.2
        $
 
448.0
       
 
449.7
 
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
         
3.7
         
14.4
         
12.4
Net debt
         
485.5
         
433.6
         
437.3
 
Add: Stockholders’ equity
         
994.8
         
955.5
         
954.7
 
Invested capital
         
1,480.3
         
1,389.1
         
1,392.0
 
                                       
Net debt to capital (1)
         
32.8
%
       
31.2
%
       
31.4
%
                                       
(1)
 
Net debt to capital is equal to net debt divided by invested capital.
 
We believe net debt to capital is a meaningful measure of financial condition as it is commonly utilized by management, investors and creditors to assess relative capital structure risk.
 
 


 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING  
 
 
We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
 
 
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005. In making this assessment, we used the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment, we believe that as of December 31, 2005, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
 
 
Our independent auditors have issued an audit report on our assessment of our internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 29.
 
     
 
/s/  Richard E. Dauch  
 
 
/s/  Michael K. Simonte
Richard E. Dauch   Michael K. Simonte
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board &  
 
Vice President — Finance &
Chief Executive Officer  
 
Chief Financial Officer
February 3, 2006  
 
(also in the capacity of Chief Accounting Officer)
   
February 3, 2006
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 3, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Detroit, Michigan
February 3, 2006  
 

 

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM  
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
 
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s Board of Directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
 
In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005 of the Company and our report dated February 3, 2006 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
 
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Detroit, Michigan
February 3, 2006  
 
 


 
 
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income 
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)
 
                           
   
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
                           
Net sales
       
$
3,387.3
       
$
3,599.6
       
$
3,682.7
 
                                       
Cost of goods sold
         
3,082.6
         
3,125.1
         
3,142.4
 
                                       
Gross profit
         
304.7
         
474.5
         
540.3
 
                                       
Selling, general and administrative expenses
         
199.6
         
189.7
         
194.0
 
                                       
Operating income
         
105.1
         
284.8
         
346.3
 
                                       
Net interest expense
         
(27.2
)
       
(25.5
)
       
(46.8
)
                                       
Other income (expense)
                                     
    Debt refinancing and redemption costs
         
         
(23.5
)
       
 
    Other, net
         
2.1
         
         
3.7
 
                                       
Income before income taxes
         
80.0
         
235.8
         
303.2
 
                                       
Income taxes
         
24.0
         
76.3
         
106.1
 
                                       
Net income
       
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
                                       
Basic earnings per share
       
$
1.12
       
$
3.09
       
$
3.84
 
                                       
Diluted earnings per share
       
$
1.10
       
$
2.98
       
$
3.70
 
                                       
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 


 
 
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)
 
                   
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
                   
 
Assets
                         
Current assets
                         
    Cash and cash equivalents
       
$
3.7
       
$
14.4
 
    Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $3.1 million in 2005 and $2.5 million in 2004
         
328.0
       
334.9
 
    Inventories, net
         
207.2
         
196.8
 
    Prepaid expenses and other
         
45.5
         
39.1
 
    Deferred income taxes
         
17.0
         
7.4
 
Total current assets
         
601.4
         
592.6
 
                           
Property, plant and equipment, net
         
1,836.0
       
1,713.0
 
Deferred income taxes
         
3.0
         
6.8
 
Goodwill
         
147.8
         
147.8
 
Other assets and deferred charges
         
78.4
         
78.6
 
Total assets
       
$
2,666.6
       
$
2,538.8
 
                           
                           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                         
Current liabilities
                         
    Accounts payable
       
$
338.5
       
$
349.3
 
    Trade payable program liability
         
42.6
         
49.3
 
    Accrued compensation and benefits
         
115.3
         
128.4
 
    Other accrued expenses
         
52.8
         
58.6
 
Total current liabilities
         
549.2
         
585.6
 
                           
Long-term debt
         
489.2
         
448.0
 
Deferred income taxes
         
116.1
         
114.5
 
Postretirement benefits and other long-term liabilities
         
517.3
         
435.2
 
Total liabilities
          $
1,671.8
          $
1,583.3
 
                           
Stockholders’ Equity
                         
    Series A junior participating preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 0.1 million shares authorized; no shares outstanding in 2005 or 2004
         
         
 
    Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 10.0 million shares authorized; no shares outstanding in 2005 or 2004
         
         
 
    Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 150.0 million shares authorized; 55.4 million and 54.8 million shares issued in 2005 and 2004, respectively
         
0.5
         
0.5
 
    Series common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 40.0 million shares authorized; no shares outstanding in 2005 or 2004
         
         
 
    Paid-in capital
         
385.6
         
357.6
 
    Retained earnings
         
843.5
         
817.9
 
    Treasury stock at cost, 5.1 million shares in both 2005 & 2004
         
(171.7
)
       
(171.7
)
    Unearned compensation
         
(14.8
)
       
 
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
                         
        Minimum pension liability adjustments
         
(52.6
)
       
(47.1
)
        Foreign currency translation adjustments
         
3.9
         
(2.2
)
        Unrecognized gain on derivatives
         
0.4
       
0.5
 
Total stockholders’ equity
         
994.8
         
955.5
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
       
$
2,666.6
       
$
2,538.8
 
                           
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 


 
 
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions)
 
                           
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
                           
Operating activities
                                     
Net income
       
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
                                     
    Depreciation and amortization
         
185.1
         
171.1
         
163.1
 
    Deferred income taxes
         
(1.1
)
       
46.3
         
20.4
 
    Stock-based compensation
         
5.6
         
         
 
    Pensions and other postretirement benefits, net of contributions
         
72.0
         
72.1
         
51.9
 
    Loss on retirement of equipment
         
7.0
         
9.2
       
3.5
 
    Debt refinancing and redemption costs
         
         
23.5
         
 
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities
                                     
        Accounts receivable
         
6.5
         
7.2
         
(2.1
)
        Inventories
         
(10.6
)
       
(23.7
)
       
4.1
 
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses
         
(32.2
)
       
18.9
         
2.6
 
        Other assets and liabilities
         
(7.9
)
       
(30.9
)
       
56.3
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
         
280.4
         
453.2
         
496.9
 
                                       
                                       
Investing activities
                                     
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
         
(305.7
)
       
(240.2
)
       
(229.1
)
Purchase buyouts of leased equipment
         
         
         
(3.0
)
Net cash used in investing activities
         
(305.7
)
       
(240.2
)
       
(232.1
)
                                       
Financing activities
                                     
Net borrowings (repayments) under revolving credit facilities
         
49.0
         
(81.9
)
       
87.5
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
         
         
399.7
         
 
Redemption of 9.75% Notes
         
         
(314.6
)
       
 
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
         
(8.4
)
       
(24.4
)
       
(375.2
)
Debt issuance costs
         
         
(9.7
)
       
 
Employee stock option exercises
         
4.6
         
13.6
         
25.1
 
Dividends paid
         
(30.4
)
       
(23.0
)
       
 
Purchase of treasury stock
         
         
(171.0
)
       
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
         
14.8
         
(211.3
)
       
(262.6
)
                                       
                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
         
(0.2
)
       
0.3
         
0.8
 
                                       
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
         
(10.7
)
       
2.0
         
3.0
 
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
         
14.4
         
12.4
         
9.4
 
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
       
$
3.7
       
$
14.4
       
$
12.4
 
                                       
                                       
Supplemental cash flow information
                                     
Interest paid
       
$
31.3
       
$
33.6
       
$
50.1
 
Income taxes paid, net of refunds
       
$
35.7
       
$
32.2
       
$
34.2
 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
 
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(In millions)
 
                                           
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Accumulated
 
  
 
 
 
Common Stock    
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
Other
 
  
 
 
 
Shares  
 
Par  
 
Paid-in  
 
Retained  
 
Treasury  
 
Unearned  
 
Comprehensive  
 
Comprehensive  
 
 
 
Outstanding  
 
Value  
 
Capital  
 
Earnings  
 
Stock  
 
Compensation  
 
Loss  
 
Income  
 
                                           
Balance at January 1, 2003
   
49.7
 
$
0.5
 
$
279.0
 
$
484.3
 
$
(0.7
)
  $
 
$
(59.5
)
     
                                                   
Net income
                     
197.1
                   
$
197.1
 
Unrecognized gain on derivatives, net
                                       
1.0
   
1. 0
 
Foreign currency translation, net
                                       
0.7
   
0.7
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net
                                       
(4.9
)
 
(4.9
)
                                                   
Comprehensive income
                                           
$
193.9
 
                                                   
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit
   
3.9
         
57.2
                               
                                                   
Balance at December 31 , 2003
   
53.6
   
0.5
   
336.2
   
681.4
   
(0.7
)
 
   
(62.7
)
     
                                                   
Net income
                     
159.5
                   
$
159.5
 
Unrecognized gain on derivatives, net
                                       
1.0
   
1.0
 
Foreign currency translation, net
                                       
3.9
   
3.9
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net
                                       
9.0
   
9.0
 
                                                   
Comprehensive income
                                           
$
173.4
 
                                                   
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit
   
1.1
         
21.4
                               
Dividends paid
                     
(23.0
)
                       
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(5.0
)
                   
(171.0
)
                 
                                                   
Balance at December 31, 2004
   
49.7
   
0.5
   
357.6
   
817.9
   
(171.7
)
 
   
(48.8
)
     
                                                   
Net income
                     
56.0
                   
$
56.0
 
Unrecognized loss on derivatives, net
                                       
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
Foreign currency translation, net
                                       
6.1
   
6.1
 
Minimum pension liability, adjustment, net
                                       
(5.5
)
 
(5.5
)
                                                   
Comprehensive income
                                           
$
56.5
 
                                                   
Exercise of stock options, including tax benefit
   
0.6
         
28.0
                               
Dividends paid
                     
(30.4
)
                       
Stock-based compensation expense
                                 
5.6
             
Restricted stock awards
                                 
(20.4
)
           
                                                   
Balance at December 31, 2005
   
50.3
 
$
0.5
 
$
385.6
 
$
843.5
 
$
(171.7
)
$
(14.8
)
$
(48.3
)
     
                                                   
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 
ORGANIZATION American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings) and its subsidiaries (collectively, we, our, us or AAM) is a premier Tier I supplier to the automotive industry and a worldwide leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and related powertrain components and chassis modules for light trucks, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), passenger cars and crossover vehicles. Driveline and drivetrain systems include components that transfer power from the transmission and deliver it to the drive wheels. Our driveline, drivetrain and related powertrain products include axles, chassis modules, driveshafts, power transfer units, transfer cases, chassis and steering components, driving heads, crankshafts, transmission parts and metal-formed products. In addition to locations in the United States (U.S.) (Michigan, New York and Ohio), we also have offices or facilities in Brazil, China, England, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Scotland and South Korea.
 
 
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION We include the accounts of Holdings and its subsidiaries in our consolidated financial statements. We eliminate the effects of all intercompany transactions, balances and profits in our consolidation.
 
 
REVENUE RECOGNITION We recognize revenue when products are shipped to our customers and title transfers under standard commercial terms or when realizable in accordance with our commercial agreements. If we are uncertain as to whether we will be successful collecting a balance we determine in accordance with our understanding of a commercial agreement, we do not recognize the revenue or cost recovery until such time as the uncertainty is removed.
 
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) COSTS We expense R&D as incurred. R&D spending was $73.6 million, $68.6 million and $60.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and cash equivalents include all of our cash balances and highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase.
 
 
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE The majority of our accounts receivable are due from original equipment manufacturers in the automotive industry. Credit is extended based on the evaluation of our customers’ financial condition and is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Trade accounts receivable are generally due on average within 50 days from the date of shipment and are past due when payment is not received within the stated terms. Amounts due from customers are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. We determine our allowances by considering factors such as, length of time accounts are past due, our previous loss history, the customer’s ability to pay its obligation to us, and the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. We write-off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible.
 
 
CUSTOMER TOOLING Reimbursable costs incurred for customer tooling are classified as accounts receivable. In the event we estimate that the cost of such customer tooling is not deemed collectible, a loss is recognized at such time.
 
 
INVENTORIES We state our inventories at the lower of cost or market. The cost of our U.S. inventories is determined principally using the last-in, first-out method (LIFO). The cost of our foreign and indirect inventories is determined principally using the first-in, first-out method (FIFO). We classify indirect inventories, which include perishable tooling, repair parts and other materials consumed in the manufacturing process but not incorporated into our finished products, as raw materials. When we determine that our gross inventories exceed usage requirements, or if inventories become obsolete or otherwise not saleable, we record a provision for such loss as a component of our inventory accounts. This policy predominantly affects our accounting for indirect inventories. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, inventories were as follows:
 
                   
 
 
 
 
 2005  
 
 
 2004
   
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Raw materials and work-in-progress
       
$
212.2
       
$
196.1
 
Finished goods
         
29.9
         
27.6
 
Gross inventories
         
242.1
         
223.7
 
LIFO reserve
         
(14.6
)
       
(14.3
)
Other inventory valuation reserves
         
(20.3
)
       
(12.6
)
Inventories, net
       
$
207.2
       
$
196.8
 
                           
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
 
                           
   
Estimated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
useful lives
 
2005
 
2004
 
 
 
(Years)
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Land
   
 
  $      
 
24.6
    $    
 
23.5
   
Land improvements
   
  10-15
         
19.6
         
18.7
   
Buildings and building improvements
   
  15-40
         
391.8
         
350.9
   
Machinery and equipment
   
  3-15
         
2,319.5
         
2,045.8
   
Construction in progress
   
 
         
96.8
         
143.6
   
                                         
                       
2,852.3
         
2,582.5
   
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
                     
(1,016.3
)
       
(869.5
)
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
                $    
 
1,836.0
    $    
 
1,713.0
   
                                         
 

 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
We state property, plant and equipment including tooling at cost. Construction in progress includes costs incurred for the construction of buildings and building improvements, and machinery and equipment in process. All expenditures for repair and maintenance costs that do not extend the useful life of the related asset are expensed in the period incurred.
 
 
We record depreciation and tooling amortization on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets. Depreciation and tooling amortization amounted to $158.3 million, $156.6 million and $159.8 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
 
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed for potential impairment on an ongoing basis in accordance with FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets .” We consider projected future undiscounted cash flows, trends and other circumstances in making such estimates and evaluations. If an impairment is deemed to exist, the carrying amount of the asset is adjusted based on its fair value.
 
 
GOODWILL We record goodwill when the purchase price of acquired businesses exceeds the value of their identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. With the adoption of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets ,” on January 1, 2002, we no longer amortize goodwill. Instead, we periodically evaluate goodwill for impairment. To meet our ongoing annual obligation, we completed impairment tests as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and concluded that there was no impairment of our goodwill. Goodwill is our only significant intangible asset.
 
 
Goodwill was reduced $2.4 million in 2003 due to the utilization of a portion of our foreign net operating loss carryforwards for which deferred tax asset valuation allowances were established in our initial purchase accounting for the 1998 acquisition of Albion Automotive (Holdings) Limited.
 
 
TRADE PAYABLE PROGRAM LIABILITY We offer our suppliers access to an accelerated supplier payment program through which they can elect for a designated finance company to advance payment on their invoices due from us. We gain no advantage on the timing of such payments or the amounts due to be paid. The only difference between these obligations and other trade payables is that we are obligated to pay the finance company on the due date for such payment established in the terms and conditions of the purchase order. Our agreement with the finance company calls for us to share in the discount fees charged to the suppliers by the finance company for any advance payments made through this program. The fees collected in association with this program were negligible for 2005, 2004, and 2003.
 
 
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION As permitted by FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ,” we account for our employee stock options in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ,” and related interpretations. Although it is our practice to grant options with no intrinsic value, we measure compensation cost as the excess, if any, of the market price of our common stock at the date of grant over the amount our associates must pay to acquire the stock.
 
Had we determined compensation cost based upon the fair value of the options at the grant date consistent with the alternative fair value method set forth in FASB Statement No. 123, our net income and EPS would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated as follows:
 
                           
   
 
  2005
 
 
  2004
 
 
 
 
 
  2003
 
   
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
Net income, as reported
       
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
Deduct: Total employee stock option expense determined under the fair value method, net of tax
         
(22.3
)
       
(16.4
)
       
(13.1
)
Pro forma net income
       
$
33.7
       
$
143.1
       
$
184.0
 
Basic EPS, as reported
       
$
1.12
       
$
3.09
       
$
3.84
 
Basic EPS, pro forma
       
$
0.67
       
$
2.77
       
$
3.59
 
Diluted EPS, as reported
       
$
1.10
       
$
2.98
       
$
3.70
 
Diluted EPS, pro forma
       
$
0.67
       
$
2.69
       
$
3.50
 
                                       
 
We estimated the fair value of our employee stock options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
 
                         
   
 
  2005
 
 
  2004
 
 
 
 
 
  2003
 
Expected volatility
       
 
41.64
%      
 
44.04
%      
 
47.55
%
Risk-free interest rate
         
4.36
%
       
3.70
%
       
3.50
%
Dividend yield
       
 
2.25
%  
     
 
None
       
 
None
 
Expected life of options
       
 
7 years
       
 
7 years
       
 
7 years
 
Weighted-average grant-date fair value
       
$
10.50
       
$
19.83
       
$
12.69
 
                                       
In March 2005, we awarded performance accelerated restricted stock and restricted stock units (PARS and RSUs, respectively) under our 1999 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. The total amount of compensation expense associated with these awards has been recorded as unearned compensation and is presented as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The PARS and RSUs vest over three to five years contingent upon the satisfaction of future financial performance targets. The unearned compensation is expensed over the vesting period. As of December 31, 2005, approximately $5.6 million pre-tax of compensation expense has been recorded under these awards.
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
DERIVATIVES We account for derivatives under FASB Statement No. 133, “ Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities , ” as amended and interpreted. FASB Statement No. 133 requires us to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative qualifies under FASB Statement No. 133 as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value, and changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, are immediately recognized in earnings.
 
 
In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149, “ Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities . ” FASB Statement No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133. FASB Statement No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003 with this guidance applied prospectively. The adoption of this Statement did not have a significant impact on our results of operations or financial position at December 31, 2005 or 2004.
 
 
CURRENCY TRANSLATION We translate the assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. dollars at end-of-period exchange rates. We translate the income statement elements of our foreign subsidiaries to U.S. dollars at average-period exchange rates. We report the effect of translation for our foreign subsidiaries that use the local currency as their functional currency as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiary that uses the U.S. dollar as its functional currency are reported in current period income. We also report any gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than our functional currency in current period income.
 
 
USE OF ESTIMATES In order to prepare consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS We have reclassified certain 2004 amounts to conform to the presentation of our 2005 consolidated financial statements.
 
 
EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004) In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment .” FASB Statement No. 123(R) replaces FASB Statement No. 123, “ Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ” and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “ Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. ” The revised statement requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements and measured on the fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. Effective April 14, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued a new rule that amends the compliance dates for companies to implement the revised statement to the beginning of their next fiscal year after June 15, 2005, which for AAM is January 1, 2006. AAM currently estimates that its stock-based compensation expense will increase by approximately $10.0 million in 2006.
 
 
On December 31, 2005 we accelerated the vesting of certain “under water” stock options in response to the required adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R) on January 1, 2006. As a result of the vesting acceleration, approximately 1.8 million shares became immediately exercisable in full to the extent that the market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price of the options. The pro forma expense is reflected in our “Stock-Based Compensation” disclosure included within Note 1. The acceleration was intended to eliminate future compensation expense with respect to the “under water” stock options that we would otherwise recognize under our adoption of FASB Statement No. 123(R).
 
 
2. LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
Long term debt consists of the following:
 
                   
   
 
  2005
 
 
  2004
 
   
 
 
  (Dollars in millions)
 
5.25% Notes, net of discount
       
$
249.7
       
$
249.7
 
2.00% Convertible Notes
         
150.0
         
150.0
 
Uncommitted lines of credit
         
71.5
         
 
Foreign credit facilities and other
         
15.6
         
44.1
 
Capital lease obligations
         
2.4
         
4.2
 
                           
Long-term debt
       
$
489.2
       
$
448.0
 
                           
 
DEBT REFINANCING AND REDEMPTION In 2004, we entered into our senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility, as amended, provides up to $600.0 million of revolving bank financing commitments through April 2010, (Revolving Credit Facility). The Revolving Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes, which included the refinancing of the previously existing senior secured bank credit facilities (1997 Bank Credit Facilities). We had been amortizing fees and expenses associated with the 1997 Bank Credit Facilities over the life of the agreement. In January 2004, the unamortized balance of such fees and expenses of $3.2 million was expensed when we terminated our bank financing commitments under the 1997 Bank Credit Facilities.
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
In February 2004, we issued $250.0 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due February 2014 (5.25% Notes) and $150.0 million of 2.00% Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 (2.00% Convertible Notes) in concurrent private offerings pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. We received net proceeds from these offerings of approximately $394.0 million, after deducting discounts and commissions of the initial purchasers and other expenses. We used a portion of the net proceeds to repurchase $63.0 million, or 1.59 million shares, of our common stock in privately negotiated transactions. The remainder of the net proceeds was used to redeem all $300.0 million of the outstanding 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due March 2009 (9.75% Notes) at a cost of $314.6 million on March 1, 2004, and for other general corporate purposes. In the first quarter of 2004, the $14.6 million call premium and an additional $5.7 million of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs were expensed as a result of this redemption.
 
 
Debt refinancing and redemption costs expensed in the first quarter of 2004 are summarized as follows (dollars in millions):
 
       
Call premium on 9.75% Notes
 
$
14.6
 
Write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs
      9.75% Notes
   
5.7
 
      1997 Bank Credit Facilities
   
3.2
 
      Debt refinancing and redemption costs
 
$
23.5
 
         
 
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY Our Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at rates based on LIBOR or an alternate base rate, plus an applicable margin. At December 31, 2005, $575.0 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility, which reflected a reduction of $25.0 million for standby letters of credit issued against the facility.
 
 
The Revolving Credit Facility provides back-up liquidity for our foreign credit facilities and uncommitted lines of credit. We intend to use the availability of long-term financing under the Revolving Credit Facility to refinance any current maturities related to such debt agreements that are not otherwise refinanced on a long-term basis in their respective markets. Accordingly, we have classified such amounts as long-term debt.
 
 
5.25% NOTES The 5.25% Notes are senior unsecured obligations of American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc. (AAM, Inc.) and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Holdings. Holdings has no significant assets other than its 100% ownership of AAM, Inc. and no subsidiaries other than AAM, Inc.
 
 
2.00% CONVERTIBLE NOTES The 2.00% Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Holdings and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by AAM, Inc. At the option of the holder, under certain conditions, these notes are convertible through 2024. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment for certain events, including the payment of dividends, change of control and other events specified in the indenture. In October 2004, we gave notice of our irrevocable election to pay cash for the accreted principal portion of the securities upon conversion.
 
 
LEASES We lease certain facilities, machinery and equipment under capital leases expiring at various dates. Approximately $9.4 million and $22.2 million of such gross asset cost is included in property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on these capital lease obligations at December 31, 2005 was 7.1%.
 
 
We also lease certain facilities, machinery and equipment under operating leases expiring at various dates. Pursuant to these operating leases, we have the opportunity to purchase the underlying machinery and equipment at specified buy-out dates. The existing lease renewal or repurchase options are approximately $106.0 million in 2006, of which $29.9 million has been elected for repurchase in April 2006. Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases are as follows: $62.8 million in 2006; $24.7 million in 2007; $23.7 million in 2008, $19.1 million in 2009, $8.3 million in 2010 and $5.0 million thereafter. Our total expense relating to operating leases was $32.2 million, $30.6 million and $33.3 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
 
UNCOMMITTED LINES OF CREDIT In 2005, we had access to $110.0 million of uncommitted bank lines of credit. At December 31, 2005, $71.5 million was outstanding under such uncommitted bank credit lines.
 
 
FOREIGN CREDIT FACILITIES We utilize local currency credit facilities to finance the operations of certain foreign subsidiaries. These credit facilities, guaranteed by Holdings and/or AAM, Inc., expire at various dates through March 2006. At December 31, 2005, $15.6 million was outstanding under these facilities and an additional $45.4 million was available. At December 31, 2004, $44.1 million was outstanding and an additional $14.8 million was available.
 
 
DEBT COVENANTS The Revolving Credit Facility contains operating covenants which, among other things, require us to comply with a leverage ratio and maintain a minimum level of net worth. The Revolving Credit Facility also limits our ability to incur certain types of liens and amounts of indebtedness or merge into another company.
 
 
DEBT MATURITIES Aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows (dollars in millions):
 
       
2006
 
$
87.3
 
2007
   
0.3
 
2008
   
0.4
 
2009
   
0.4
 
2010
   
0.4
 
Thereafter
   
400.4
 
Total
 
$
489.2
 
         
 
 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
NET INTEREST EXPENSE The following table summarizes supplemental information regarding the components of net interest expense as reported in our consolidated statements of income:
 
                           
 
 
 
 
2005
 
 
 
2004
 
 
 
2003
 
 
 
                                          
(Dollars in millions)
 
Gross interest expense
       
$
33.6
       
$
31.6
       
$
53.5
 
Capitalized interest
         
(5.7
)
       
(5.8
)
       
(6.0
)
Interest income
         
(0.7
)
       
(0.3
)
       
(0.7
)
Net interest expense
       
$
27.2
       
$
25.5
       
$
46.8
 
                                       
 
3. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT
 
 
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS In the normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage a portion of these inherent risks, we purchase certain types of derivative financial instruments, from time to time, based on management’s judgment of the trade-off between risk, opportunity and cost. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
 
 
CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS Because most of our business is denominated in U.S. dollars, we do not currently have significant exposures relating to currency exchange risk. From time to time, we use foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the effects of fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily relating to the Euro, Mexican Peso, Pound Sterling, Brazilian Real and Canadian Dollar. We had currency forward contracts with a notional amount of $35.7 million and $21.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
 
 
INTEREST RATE SWAPS We are exposed to variable interest rates on certain credit facilities. From time to time, we use interest rate hedging to reduce the effects of fluctuations in market interest rates. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, we did not hedge any of our interest rate risk through interest rate swaps. At December 31, 2003, we hedged a portion of our interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps with a notional amount of approximately $26.4 million. These interest rate swaps, which were first established in 1999, converted variable financing based on 3-month LIBOR rates into fixed U.S. dollar rates varying from 6.88% to 6.96% and expired during 2004. Generally, we designate interest rate swaps as effective cash flow hedges of the related debt and reflect the net cost of such agreements as an adjustment to interest expense over the lives of the debt agreements. The ineffective portion of any such hedges is included in current earnings to the extent hedges are in place. There were no hedges in place during 2005. The impact of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant during the year ended December 31, 2004.
 
 
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximates their fair values due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The carrying value of our borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, the uncommitted lines of credit and foreign credit facilities approximates their fair value due to the frequent resetting of the interest rates. We have estimated the fair value of the 5.25% Notes and the 2.00% Convertible Notes, using available market information, to be approximately $195.0 million and $110.1 million, respectively at December 31, 2005.
 
 
CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK In the normal course of business, we provide credit to customers in the automotive industry. We periodically evaluate the credit worthiness of our customers and we maintain reserves for potential credit losses, which, when realized, have been within the range of our allowances for doubtful accounts. When appropriate, we also diversify the concentration of invested cash among different financial institutions and we monitor the selection of counter parties to other financial instruments to avoid unnecessary concentrations of credit risk.
 
 
Sales to General Motors Corporation (GM) were approximately 78%, 80% and 82% of our total net sales in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Accounts receivable due from GM were $233.3 million at year-end 2005 and $237.2 million at year-end 2004. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DaimlerChrysler) were approximately 13% of our total net sales in 2005, 11% in 2004 and 9% in 2003. Accounts receivable due from DaimlerChrysler were $66.0 million at year-end 2005 and $51.7 million at year-end 2004. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated net sales in any year presented.

 

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
4. STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
 
In September 2003, our Board of Directors adopted a Stockholder Rights Plan (the Rights Plan) and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock for stockholders of record on September 25, 2003. The Rights Plan provides a reasonable means of safeguarding the interests of all stockholders against unsolicited takeover attempts at a price not reflective of its fair value. The Rights Plan is designed to give the Board of Directors sufficient time to evaluate and respond to an unsolicited takeover attempt and to encourage anyone or group considering such action to negotiate first with the Board of Directors.
 
 
5. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
 
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS We sponsor various qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans for our eligible associates. We maintain hourly and salaried benefit plans that provide postretirement medical, dental, vision and life benefits to our eligible retirees and their dependents in the U.S. We also provide benefits under collective bargaining agreements to a majority of our hourly associates.
 
 
Actuarial valuations of our benefit plans were made as of September 30, 2005 and 2004. The principal weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation of our U.S. and foreign plans appear in the following table. The U.S. discount rate was based on an actuarial review of a hypothetical portfolio of long-term, high quality corporate bonds matched against our expected payment stream. The foreign discount rate was based on a review of long-term bonds, including published indices in the applicable market. The assumptions for expected return on plan assets were based on a review of long-term historical returns for the asset classes represented within our portfolio. The rates of increase in compensation and health care costs were based on current market conditions, inflationary expectations and historical information.
 
   
Pension Benefits
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
 
2005
2004
2003
   
U.S.
Foreign
 
U.S.
Foreign
 
U.S.
Foreign
                       
Discount rate
   
5.80
%
 
 
5.00
%
 
 
6.20
%
 
 
5.75
%
 
 
6.25
%
 
 
5.50
%
 
 
5.90
%
 
 
6.35
%
 
 
6.25
%
Expected return on plan assets
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
9.00
%
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
9.00
%
 
 
8.00
%
 
 
N/A
 
 
 
N/A
 
 
 
N/A
 
Rate of compensation increase
 
 
4.25
%
 
 
3.25
%
 
 
4.25
%
 
 
3.50
%
 
 
4.25
%
 
 
3.50
%
 
 
4.25
%
 
 
4.25
%
 
 
4.25
%
 
The weighted-average asset allocations at September 30, 2005 and 2004, by asset category appear in the following table. The asset allocation for our plans was developed in consideration of the demographics of the plan participants and expected payment stream of the liability.
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
  
 
Foreign  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
Allocation
 
2005
 
2004
 
Allocation
Equity securities
         
69.7
%
       
66.0
%
     
65.0% - 70.0
%
       
71.0
%
       
70.5
%
       
65.0% - 70.0
%
Fixed income securities
         
29.2
%
       
32.8
%
       
30.0% - 35.0
%
       
28.0
%
       
28.0
%
       
30.0% - 35.0
%
Cash
         
1.1
%
       
1.2
%
       
0.0% - 5.0
%
       
1.0
%
       
1.5
%
       
0.0% - 5.0
%
Total
         
100.0
%
       
100.0
%
                   
100.0
%
       
100.0
%
           
                                                                           


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $535.9 million and $461.0 million at September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The following table summarizes the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets and reconciles the funded status of the benefit plans to the net benefit plan asset (liability):
 
                                   
   
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
   
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Change in benefit obligation
                                                 
                                                   
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
    $    
 
486.3
    $    
 
416.5
    $    
 
418.6
    $    
 
397.5
 
Service cost
         
32.7
         
32.6
         
38.1
         
39.0
 
Interest cost
         
31.3
         
27.9
         
28.9
         
25.6
 
Plan amendments
         
         
21.2
         
(9.7
)
       
(9.3
)
Actuarial loss (gain)
         
34.0
         
(5.6
)
       
32.4
         
(31.7
)
Participant contributions
         
1.7
         
1.7
         
         
 
Curtailment
         
(1.4
)
       
         
         
 
Benefit payments
         
(13.8
)
       
(14.5
)
       
         
(2.5
)
Currency fluctuations
         
(9.2
)
       
6.5
         
(3.2
)
       
 
Net change
         
75.3
         
69.8
         
86.5
         
21.1
 
Benefit obligation at end of year
         
561.6
         
486.3
         
505.1
         
418.6
 
                                                   
                                                   
Change in plan assets
                                                 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
         
350.6
         
283.5
         
         
 
Actual return on plan assets
         
47.0
         
35.6
         
         
 
Employer contributions
         
33.2
         
40.2
         
3.3
         
2.5
 
Participant contributions
         
1.7
         
1.7
         
         
 
Benefit payments
         
(13.7
)
       
(14.5
)
       
(3.3
)
       
(2.5
)
Currency fluctuations
         
(6.1
)
       
4.1
         
         
 
Net change
         
62.1
         
67.1
         
         
 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
         
412.7
         
350.6
         
         
 
                                                   
Funded status — U.S. plans at September 30
         
(120.7
)
       
(106.1
)
       
(505.1
)
       
(418.6
)
Funded status — foreign plan at September 30
         
(28.3
)
       
(29.6
)
       
         
 
Unrecognized actuarial loss
         
117.3
         
108.3
         
129.7
         
99.4
 
Unrecognized prior service cost
         
31.1
         
34.2
         
(19.8
)
       
(10.9
)
Fourth quarter contribution
         
5.5
         
4.0
         
0.8
         
0.6
 
Net asset (liability) at December 31
    $    
 
4.9
    $    
 
10.8
    $    
 
(394.4
)
  $    
 
(329.5
)
                                                   
 
Amounts recognized in our balance sheets are as follows:
 
                                   
   
 
Pension Benefits
 
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Prepaid benefit cost
       
$
19.5
       
$
11.4
       
$
       
$
 
Accrued benefit liability
         
(128.1
)
       
(109.5
)
       
(394.4
)
       
(329.5
)
Intangible asset
         
28.9
         
31.9
         
         
Minimum pension liability adjustment
         
84.6
         
77.0
       
         
 
Net asset (liability) at December 31
       
$
4.9
       
$
10.8
       
$
(394.4
)
     
$
(329.5
)
                                                   


 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
 
                                                   
   
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Service cost
    $    
 
32.7
    $    
 
32.6
    $    
 
28.1
    $    
 
38.1
    $    
 
39.0
    $    
 
32.6
 
Interest cost
         
31.3
         
27.9
         
23.6
         
28.9
         
25.6
         
20.7
 
Expected asset return
         
(30.3
)
       
(26.6
)
       
(23.6
)
       
N/A
         
N/A
         
N/A
 
Amortized loss
         
4.5
         
4.1
         
1.9
         
3.9
         
5.4
         
2.4
 
Amortized prior service cost
         
3.1
         
2.5
         
1.7
         
(0.8
)
       
(0.5
)
       
 
Special termination benefits
         
         
         
9.3
         
         
         
 
Other
         
         
(1.4
)
       
0.2
         
         
         
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $    
 
41.3
    $    
 
39.1
    $    
 
41.2
    $    
 
70.1
    $    
 
69.5
    $    
 
55.7
 
                                                                           
 
For measurement purposes, a 9% annual increase in the per-capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for 2006. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 5% for 2012 and remain at that level thereafter. Health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have increased total service and interest cost in 2005 and the postretirement obligation at December 31, 2005 by $16.3 million and $107.3 million, respectively. A one-percentage-point decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have decreased total service and interest cost in 2005 and the postretirement obligation at December 31, 2005 by $12.3 million and $82.1 million, respectively.
 
 
The expected future pension and postretirement benefits to be paid for each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the succeeding five years thereafter are as follows: $18.9 million in 2006; $21.5 million in 2007; $25.2 million in 2008; $30.4 million in 2009; $34.8 million in 2010 and $256.3 million thereafter. These amounts were estimated using the same assumptions to measure our 2005 year-end pension and postretirement benefit obligation and include an estimate of future employee service.
 
 
MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG, IMPROVEMENT AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003 During 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 was signed into law. This Act introduces a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (Medicare Part D) as well as a federal subsidy to sponsors of postretirement health care benefit plans that provide a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. The effect of the subsidy reduced our other postretirement benefit obligation by $28.1 million in 2004, which was treated as an actuarial gain and is being amortized over the future service lives of active employees. Our net periodic other postretirement benefit cost was reduced by $6.0 million and $4.7 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, as a result of the subsidy.
 
 
CONTRIBUTIONS We expect our pension funding in 2006 to be in the range of $30.0 million to $40.0 million and our cash outlay for other postretirement benefit obligations to be approximately $5.0 million in 2006.
 
 
ACCELERATED ATTRITION PROGRAM In accordance with FASB Statement No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits ,” we recorded a $9.3 million charge in 2003 for hourly associates who were eligible to participate in an early retirement program. Each hourly associate who elected to participate received a one-time lump sum payment.
 
 
SEVERANCE OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Pursuant to FASB Statement No. 112, Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits ,” we recorded a $3.4 million charge during the third quarter of 2003 to adjust costs relating to our salaried workforce.
 
 
VOLUNTARY SAVINGS PLANS Most of our U.S. associates are eligible to participate in voluntary savings plans. Our maximum match under these plans is 50% of salaried associates’ contributions up to 6% of their eligible salary. Matching contributions amounted to $2.6 million in 2005 and $3.6 million in 2004 and 2003. Under these plans, our common stock became an investment option for our participants during 2002.
 
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN Certain U.S. associates are eligible to participate in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. Payments of $0.8 million and $0.6 million have been made in 2005 and 2004, respectively to eligible associates that have elected distributions. At December 31, 2005 and 2004, our deferred compensation liability was $13.8 million and $12.7 million, respectively. We recognized $0.9 million, $1.0 million and $1.3 million of expense related to this deferred compensation plan in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
6. STOCK OPTIONS
 
 
At December 31, 2005, we have stock options outstanding under three stock compensation plans approved by our stockholders. Under two of these plans, a total of 19.1 million options have been authorized for issuance to our directors, officers and certain other associates in the form of options, stock appreciation rights or other awards that are based on the value of our common stock. We have granted a total of 13.8 million options under these stock compensation plans through December 31, 2005, which become vested based upon duration of employment. The vesting of some of these options awarded pursuant to one of the plans was accelerated due to the satisfaction of certain annual or cumulative performance criteria. At December 31, 2005, 6.9 million of these options have been exercised.
 
 
At December 31, 2004, there were 0.2 million options held by several of our officers which were granted in 1997 as a replacement for an incentive compensation plan established in 1994. These options were immediately vested and were exercisable at a weighted-average exercise price per share of approximately $0.12. All remaining options granted under this plan were exercised during 2005.
 
 
The following table summarizes activity relating to our stock options:
 
                   
   
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average
 
 
 
 
Number of
 
 
Exercise Price
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
 
Per Share
 
   
 
(In millions, except per share data)
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2003
         
8.9
       
$
10.61
 
Options granted
         
2.0
         
23.74
Options exercised
         
(3.9
)
       
6.55
 
Options lapsed or canceled
         
          
20.56
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2003
         
7.0
       
$
16.43
 
Options granted
         
1.7
         
38.35
 
Options exercised
         
(1.1
)
       
12.17
 
Options lapsed or canceled
         
(0.3
)
        
28.07
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2004
         
7.3
       
$
21.82
 
Options granted
         
0.3
         
26.24
 
Options exercised
         
(0.6
)
       
7.70
 
Options lapsed or canceled
         
(0.2
)
        
29.22
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
         
6.8
        
$
23.00
 
                           
 
Options outstanding at December 31, 2005 have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of approximately 6 years. The following is a summary of the range of exercise prices for stock options that are outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2005:
 
                                   
   
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average
 
Number of
 
Weighted-Average
 
 
 
Outstanding
 
Exercise Price
 
Stock Options
 
Exercise Price
 
 
 
Stock Options
 
Per Share
 
Exercisable
 
Per Share
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
 
(In millions, except per share data)
 
Range of exercise prices
                                                 
$4.26
         
0.6
    $      
4.26
         
0.6
    $      
4.26
 
$8.85
         
0.7
         
8.85
         
0.7
         
8.85
 
$ 9.15 - $13.13
         
0.1
         
12.17
         
0.1
         
12.17
 
$15.00 - $24.13
         
2.2
         
21.09
         
2.2
         
21.10
 
$24.15 - $28.45
         
1.7
         
24.66
         
1.7
         
24.66
 
$32.13 - $40.83
         
1.5
         
38.50
         
1.5
         
38.50
           
6.8
    $    
 
23.00
         
6.8
  $    
 
22.99
 
                                                   


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
 
Income before income taxes for U.S. and non-U.S. operations was as follows:
 
           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
U.S. income
    $    
 
20.2
    $    
 
155.3
    $    
 
253.9
 
U.S. foreign source income
         
33.0
         
31.7
         
31.5
 
Non-U.S. income
         
26.8
         
48.8
         
17.8
 
Total income before income taxes
    $    
 
80.0
    $    
 
235.8
    $    
 
303.2
 
                                       
 
The following is a summary of the components of our provisions for income taxes:
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Current
                                     
Federal
    $    
 
5.9
    $    
 
18.3
    $    
 
76.2
 
Other state and local
         
4.5
         
4.0
         
6.8
 
Foreign
         
14.7
         
7.7
         
2.7
 
Total current
         
25.1
         
30.0
         
85.7
 
                                       
Deferred
                                     
Federal
         
(1.3
)
       
36.8
         
20.0
 
Other state and local
         
(1.6
)
       
0.5
         
(2.9
)
Foreign
         
1.8
         
9.0
         
3.3
 
Total deferred
         
(1.1
)
       
46.3
         
20.4
Total income taxes
    $    
 
24.0
    $    
 
76.3
    $    
 
106.1
 
                                       
 
The following is a reconciliation of our provision for income taxes to the expected amounts using statutory rates:
 
                           
   
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
                           
Federal statutory
         
35.0
%
       
35.0
%
       
35.0
%
Foreign income taxes
         
(1.9
)
       
(0.5
)
       
(0.1
)
State and local
         
1.8
         
1.2
         
0.8
 
Federal tax credits
         
(5.3
)
       
(1.7
)
       
(1.0
)
Other
       
0.4
         
(1.6
)
       
0.3
 
Effective income tax rate
         
30.0
%
       
32.4
%
       
35.0
%
                                       
 
The following is a summary of the significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities:
 
                 
   
 
2005
2004
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Current deferred tax assets
               
Employee benefits
   
$
 
 
11.4
 
$
 
 
10.9
 
Prepaid taxes and other
         
9.9
       
 
Total current deferred tax assets
         
21.3
       
10.9
 
                         
Current deferred tax liabilities
                       
Inventory and other
         
(4.3
       
(3.5
)
Current deferred tax asset, net
   
$  
 
 
17.0
 
$  
 
 
7.4
 
                         
 

 
                   
   
 
2005
 
 
2004
 
   
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Noncurrent deferred tax assets
                         
Employee benefits
        $
 
159.8
        $
 
127.5
 
NOL carryforwards
         
20.8
         
19.7
 
Tax credit carryforwards
         
2.4
         
1.7
 
Capital allowance carryforwards
         
13.7
       
15.0
 
Prepaid taxes
         
2.8
         
12.1
 
Goodwill
         
         
0.4
 
Other
         
1.3
         
1.3
 
Valuation allowances
         
(31.2
)
       
(32.5
)
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, net
         
169.6
         
145.2
 
                           
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities
                         
Fixed assets and other
         
(282.7
)
       
(252.9
)
Noncurrent deferred tax liability, net
        $
 
(113.1
)
      $
 
(107.7
)
                           
 
Noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in our balance sheets are as follows:
 
                   
   
 
2005
 
 
 
2004
 
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
U.S. federal deferred tax liability, net
        $
 
(116.1
)
      $
 
(114.5
)
Other foreign deferred tax asset, net
         
3.0
         
6.8
 
                           
Noncurrent deferred tax liability, net
        $
 
(113.1
)
      $
 
(107.7
)
                           
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
The deferred income tax assets and liabilities summarized on the preceding page reflect the impact of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the basis of such assets and liabilities as measured by tax laws. At year-end 2005 and 2004, our net noncurrent foreign deferred tax asset was primarily attributable to timing differences related to our minimum pension liability for our foreign operations. Also at year-end 2005 and 2004, our net noncurrent U.S. Federal deferred tax liability was principally attributable to the impact of accelerated tax depreciation. The impact of this accelerated tax depreciation was offset in both 2005 and 2004 primarily by timing differences related to postretirement benefits and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards that do not expire.
 
 
Our deferred tax asset valuation allowances at December 31, 2005 and 2004 are principally related to foreign net operating losses and capital allowance carryforwards. Although these carryforwards do not expire, we considered prior operating results and future plans, as well as the utilization period of other temporary differences, in determining the amount of our valuation allowances. In 2005 and 2004, we utilized a portion of such foreign tax benefits.
 
 
Payments for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes were $36.0 million, $33.3 million and $44.9 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
 
 
8. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)
 
 
The following table sets forth the computation of our basic and diluted EPS:
 
                           
 
 
 
 
2005
 
 
 
2004
 
 
 
2003
 
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
 
Numerator
                                     
Net income
       
$
56.0
       
$
159.5
       
$
197.1
 
                                       
Denominators
                                     
Basic shares outstanding — Weighted-average shares outstanding
         
50.1
         
51.6
         
51.3
 
                                       
Effect of dilutive securities Dilutive stock-based compensation
         
1.0
         
1.9
         
2.0
 
                                       
Diluted shares outstanding — Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions
         
51.1
         
53.5
         
53.3
 
                                       
Basic EPS
       
$
1.12
       
$
3.09
       
$
3.84
 
Diluted EPS
       
$
1.10
       
$
2.98
       
$
3.70
 
                                       
 
Certain exercisable stock options were excluded in the computations of diluted EPS because the exercise price of these options was greater than the average annual market prices. The number of stock options outstanding, which was not included in the calculation of diluted EPS, was 4.7 million at year-end 2005, 1.6 million at year-end 2004 and less than 0.1 million at year-end 2003. The ranges of exercise prices related to the excluded exercisable stock options were $23.73-$40.83 at year-end 2005, $34.88 - $40.83 at year-end 2004 and $34.15 - $34.88 at year-end 2003.
 
 
9. LABOR RELATIONS
 
 
In 2004, we initiated a voluntary separation program whereby employees could receive lump-sum payments to voluntarily terminate their employment with AAM. We offered separation payments under this program to adjust our hourly workforce to meet current business conditions. The associated labor cost is normally recovered in approximately one year. The following table summarizes our activity under the program:
 
 
                 
   
2005
   
2004
 
 
 (Dollars in millions)
 
Approximate pre-tax charge
 
$
17.3
   
$
23.8
 
Number of associates
   
317
     
453
 
 
In February 2004, our national collective bargaining agreement with the UAW expired. As a result of not reaching an agreement before the expiration of the contract, we experienced a temporary work stoppage of less than two days at six of our North American manufacturing facilities. In 2004, our operating results include costs and expenses of approximately $5.2 million related to overtime and other costs to recover lost production as a result of the work stoppage.
 
 
Lump-sum ratification payments totaling $37.5 million (including applicable payroll taxes) were made in the first half of 2004 in accordance with new collective bargaining agreements with unions that represent our hourly associates at six of our locations in the U.S. These lump-sum payments relate to the future service of our hourly associates. Through 2005, we expensed $21.2 million of these payments, which represented amounts earned in relation to the agreements including $7.1 million and $7.5 million paid in lieu of base wage increases in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The remaining $16.3 million relates to amounts which would be earned during the terms of the agreements and will be amortized over the remaining lives of the agreements.


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
 
Obligated purchase commitments for capital expenditures were approximately $163.1 million at December 31, 2005 and $155.6 million at December 31, 2004.
 
We are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to our business. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that any of these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws, regulations and ordinances, including those regulating air emissions, water discharge, waste management and environmental cleanup. We will continue to closely monitor our environmental conditions to ensure that we are in compliance with all laws, regulations and ordinances. GM has agreed to indemnify and hold us harmless against certain environmental conditions existing prior to our purchase of the assets from GM on March 1, 1994. GM’s indemnification obligations terminated on March 1, 2004 with respect to any new claims that we may have against GM. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures (including recurring administrative costs) to comply with environmental requirements. Such expenditures were not significant during 2005, and we do not expect such expenditures to be significant in 2006.
 
 
11. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
 
 
We operate in one reportable segment: the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline systems and related powertrain components and chassis modules for light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars and crossover vehicles. Financial information relating to our operations by geographic area is presented in the following table. Net sales are attributed to countries based upon location of customer. Long-lived assets exclude deferred income taxes.
 
                           
   
2005
 
 
2004
 
2003
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Net sales
                                     
United States
        $
 
2,323.6
        $
 
2,472.5
        $
 
2,600.0
 
Canada
         
316.8
         
328.1
         
325.2
 
Mexico and South America
         
614.6
         
667.6
         
642.2
 
Europe and other
         
132.3
         
131.4
         
115.3
 
Total net sales
        $
 
3,387.3
        $
 
3,599.6
        $
 
3,682.7
 
                                       
Long-lived assets
                                     
United States
        $
 
1,603.0
        $
 
1,499.3
        $
 
1,411.6
 
Other
         
459.2
         
440.1
         
416.5
 
Total long-lived assets
        $
 
2,062.2
        $
 
1,939.4
        $
 
1,828.1
 
                                       
 


 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
12. UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL AND MARKET DATA
 
                                           
   
March 31
 
June 30
 
September 30
 
December 31
 
Full Year
 
 
 
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
2005
                                         
Net sales
    $    
 
818.9
    $    
 
867.7
    $    
 
848.1
    $    
 
852.6
    $    
 
3,387.3
 
Gross profit
         
72.3
         
85.4
         
83.3
         
63.7
         
304.7
 
Net income
         
13.3
         
18.9
         
19.3
         
4.5
         
56.0
 
Basic EPS
    $    
 
0.27
    $    
 
0.38
    $    
 
0.38
    $    
 
0.09
    $    
 
1.12
 
Diluted EPS (1)
    $    
 
0.26
    $    
 
0.37
    $    
 
0.38
    $    
 
0.09
    $    
 
1.10
 
Market price (2)
                                                             
High
    $    
 
29.88
    $    
 
25.27
    $    
 
28.61
    $    
 
23.08
    $    
 
29.88
 
Low
    $    
 
24.11
    $    
 
18.76
    $    
 
22.01
    $    
 
17.87
    $    
 
17.87
 
                                                               
2004
                                                             
Net sales
    $    
 
952.8
    $    
 
929.6
    $    
 
841.6
    $    
 
875.6
    $    
 
3,599.6
 
Gross profit
         
136.4
         
133.4
         
107.9
         
96.8
         
474.5
 
Net income
         
36.5
         
55.3
         
36.4
         
31.3
         
159.5
 
Basic EPS
    $    
 
0.69
    $    
 
1.06
    $    
 
0.71
    $    
 
0.63
    $    
 
3.09
 
Diluted EPS (1)
    $    
 
0.66
    $    
 
1.02
  $    
 
0.68
    $    
 
0.61
    $    
 
2.98
 
Market price (2)
                                                           
High
    $    
 
41.98
    $    
 
39.86
    $    
 
35.66
    $    
 
30.84
    $    
 
41.98
 
Low
    $    
 
34.10
    $    
 
33.30
    $    
 
27.84
    $    
 
26.87
    $    
 
26.87
 
 
     
(1)
 
Full year diluted EPS will not necessarily agree to the sum of the four quarters because each quarter is a separate calculation.
(2)
 
 
Prices are the quarterly high and low closing sales prices for our common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). We had approximately 466 stockholders of record as of February 20, 2006.
 
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Five Year Financial Summary
Year Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)  

 
                                               
   
2005
 
2004
 
 
2003
 
2002
 
 
 
2001
 
Statement of income data
                                           
Net sales
  $      
 
3,387.3
    $    
 
3,599.6
    $    
 
3,682.7
    $    
 
3,480.2
    $        
 
3,107.2
 
Gross profit
         
304.7
         
474.5
         
540.3
         
491.7
             
409.7
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
         
199.6
         
189.7
         
194.0
         
180.5
             
164.4
 
Operating income
         
105.1
         
284.8
         
346.3
       
311.2
             
241.3
 
Net interest expense
         
(27.2
)
       
(25.5
)
       
(46.8
)
       
(50.6
)
           
(59.4
)
Net income
         
56.0
         
159.5
(a)
       
197.1
         
176.1
  (b)  
 
 
     
114.9
 
Diluted earnings per share
    $    
 
1.10
    $    
 
2.98
    $    
 
3.70
    $    
 
3.38
    $        
 
2.36
 
Diluted shares outstanding
         
51.1
         
53.5
         
53.3
         
52.1
             
48.7
 
                                                                   
Balance sheet data
                                                                 
Cash and cash equivalents
    $    
 
3.7
    $    
 
14.4
    $    
 
12.4
    $    
 
9.4
    $        
 
12.3
 
Total assets
         
2,666.6
         
2,538.8
         
2,398.7
         
2,335.7
             
2,160.9
 
Total long-term debt
         
489.2
         
448.0
         
449.7
         
734.1
             
878.2
 
Dividends paid
         
(30.4
)
       
(23.0
)
       
         
             
 
Stockholders’ equity
         
994.8
         
955.5
         
954.7
         
703.6
             
534.7
 
Dividends declared per share
    $    
 
0.60
    $    
 
0.45
    $    
 
    $    
 
    $        
 
 
                                                                   
Statement of cash flows data
                                                                 
Cash provided by operating activities
    $    
 
280.4
    $    
 
453.2
  $      
 
496.9
    $    
 
384.2
    $        
 
232.8
 
Cash used in investing activities
         
(305.7
)
       
(240.2
)
       
(232.1
)
       
(252.9
)
           
(375.5
)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
         
14.8
         
(211.3
)
       
(262.6
)
       
(133.2
)
           
120.2
 
                                                                   
Other data
                                                                 
EBITDA(c)
    $    
 
293.0
    $    
 
432.7
    $    
 
513.8
    $    
 
470.6
    $        
 
367.8
 
Depreciation and amortization
         
185.1
         
171.1
         
163.1
         
145.8
             
126.6
 
Capital expenditures
         
305.7
         
240.2
         
229.1
         
207.7
             
375.5
 
Buyouts of sale-leasebacks
         
         
         
3.0
         
45.2
             
 
 

 
     
(a)
 
Includes a one-time charge of $15.9 million, net of tax related to debt refinancing and redemption costs in the first quarter of 2004.
     (b)
 
Includes a $5.5 million gain, net of tax and other related costs, due to an insurance settlement related to a fire that occurred at our forge operations in Detroit, Michigan.
(c)
 
 
 
 
We believe that earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is a meaningful measure of performance as it is commonly utilized by management and investors to analyze operating performance and entity valuation. Our management, the investment community and the banking institutions routinely use EBITDA, together with other measures, to measure our operating performance relative to other Tier I automotive suppliers. EBITDA should not be construed as income from operations, net income or cash flow from operating activities as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently.
 

 
                                           
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
2001
 
                                           
Net income
 
$
   
 
56.0
    $    
 
159.5
    $    
 
197.1
    $    
 
176.1
    $    
 
114.9
 
Interest expense
         
27.9
         
25.8
         
47.5
         
51.0
         
60.3
 
Income taxes
         
24.0
         
76.3
         
106.1
         
97.7
         
66.0
 
Depreciation and amortization
         
185.1
         
171.1
         
163.1
         
145.8
         
126.6
 
EBITDA
    $    
 
293.0
    $    
 
432.7
    $    
 
513.8
 
$  
   
 
470.6
 
$
   
 
367.8
 
                                                               
 
 

 

EXHIBIT 21 – SUBSIDIARIES OF OUR COMPANY
AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING HOLDINGS, INC.
                   
                   
           
Organized
 
% Owned by
 
           
Under
 
Immediate
 
Subsidiary
 
Laws of
 
Parent (1)
 
                   
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
Delaware
 
 
 
 
American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
   
Colfor Manufacturing Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
   
MSP Industries Corporation
 
Michigan
 
100%
 
     
MSP Team, LLC
 
Michigan
 
99%
(2)
   
American Axle & Manufacturing de Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V.
 
Mexico
 
99.99%
(2)
     
Guanajuato Gear & Axle de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
 
Mexico
 
99.99%
(2)
     
American Axle & Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
 
99.99%
(2)
   
AAM International Holdings, Inc.
 
Delaware
 
100%
 
     
Albion Automotive (Holdings) Limited
 
Scotland
 
100%
 
       
Albion Automotive Limited
 
Scotland
 
100%
 
       
AAM Comércio e Participações Ltda.
 
Brazil
 
99.99%
(2)
       
AAM do Brasil Ltda.
 
Brazil
 
99.2%
 
     
AAM Services India Private Limited 
 
India
 
99%
(2)
     
American Axle & Manufacturing Korea, Inc.
 
Korea
 
100%
 
     
AAM Europe GmbH
 
Germany
  100%  
     
AAM Poland sp z.o.o.  
 
Poland  
  100%  
                   
                 
         
(1)
All subsidiaries set forth herein are reported in our financial statements through consolidations; there are no subsidiaries omitted from this list.
                   
(2)
Remaining shares owned by the Company or its subsidiaries.
 
27


EXHIBIT 23 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 333-41976 and 333-70466 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-115317 on Form S-3 of our reports dated February 3, 2006 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Detroit, Michigan
March 1, 2006
 
 
 
28

 

EXHIBIT 31.1 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

I, Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. for the year-ended December 31, 2005;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 1, 2006

By: /s/ Richard E. Dauch
Richard E. Dauch
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
29


EXHIBIT 31.2 - CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

I, Michael K. Simonte, Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. for the year-ended December 31, 2005;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: March 1, 2006

By: /s/ Michael K. Simonte
Michael K. Simonte
Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
30


EXHIBIT 32 - CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Annual Report of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Issuer) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (Report), I, Richard E. Dauch, Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer, and I, Michael K. Simonte, Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer of the Issuer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
 
        (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
        (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer.
 
       
By:  /s/ Richard E. Dauch     By:  /s/ Michael K. Simonte
Richard E. Dauch
Co-Founder, Chairman of the Board &
Chief Executive Officer
March 1, 2006
   
Michael K. Simonte
Vice President - Finance &
Chief Financial Officer
March 1, 2006

31