Table of Contents

8Mag

Mag

 

 

 

 

 





UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549









FORM 10-Q













 

( Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017



or





 

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 1-584







FERRO CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)













 

 

 

 



Ohio

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

34-0217820

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 



 

 

 

 



6060 Parkland Boulevard

Suite 250

Mayfield Heights, OH

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

44124

(Zip Code)

 



 

 

 

 



216-875-5600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 











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 NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES NO

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated fi ler, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company . See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company , and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.





 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company



 

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES NO

At March 31, 2017 , there were 83,633 , 7 94 shares of Ferro Common Stock, par value $1.00, outstanding.





 

 

 

 





 


 

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS





 



Page

 PART I

 Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

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

22 

 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

32 

 Item 4. Controls and Procedures

33 

 PART II

 Item 1. Legal Proceedings

34 

 Item 1A. Risk Factors

34 

 Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

34 

 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

34 

 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

34 

 Item 5. Other Information

34 

 Item 6. Exhibits

34 



 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

Exhibit 32.2

 





 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.   Financial Statements (Unaudited)



Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net sales

 

$

320,555 

 

$

277,451 

Cost of sales

 

 

221,761 

 

 

193,222 

Gross profit

 

 

98,794 

 

 

84,229 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

58,958 

 

 

52,646 

Restructuring and impairment charges

 

 

3,018 

 

 

881 

Other expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

6,224 

 

 

4,847 

Interest earned

 

 

(180)

 

 

(85)

Foreign currency (gains) losses, net

 

 

(314)

 

 

1,611 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

3,905 

 

 

 —

Miscellaneous income, net

 

 

(2,076)

 

 

(3,453)

Income before income taxes

 

 

29,259 

 

 

27,782 

Income tax expense

 

 

7,138 

 

 

8,018 

Income from continuing operations

 

 

22,121 

 

 

19,764 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

 

 

 —

 

 

(29,494)

Net income (loss)

 

 

22,121 

 

 

(9,730)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

223 

 

 

236 

Net income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders

 

$

21,898 

 

$

(9,966)

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.26 

 

$

0.23 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 —

 

 

(0.35)



 

$

0.26 

 

$

(0.12)

Diluted earnings (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.26 

 

$

0.23 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 —

 

 

(0.35)



 

$

0.26 

 

$

(0.12)











See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



 

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Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)











 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Net income (loss)

 

$

22,121 

 

$

(9,730)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation income (loss)

 

 

7,211 

 

 

(1,678)

Postretirement benefit liabilities (loss) gain

 

 

(4)

 

 

268 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax

 

 

7,207 

 

 

(1,410)

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

29,328 

 

 

(11,140)

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

263 

 

 

268 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation

 

$

29,065 

 

$

(11,408)



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



 

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Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

ASSETS

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

92,829 

 

$

45,582 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

289,476 

 

 

259,687 

Inventories

 

 

250,590 

 

 

229,847 

Other receivables

 

 

38,280 

 

 

37,814 

Other current assets

 

 

10,183 

 

 

9,087 

Total current assets

 

 

681,358 

 

 

582,017 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

257,993 

 

 

262,026 

Goodwill

 

 

148,203 

 

 

148,296 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

136,030 

 

 

137,850 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

109,555 

 

 

106,454 

Other non-current assets

 

 

51,094 

 

 

47,126 

Total assets

 

$

1,384,233 

 

$

1,283,769 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt

 

$

16,632 

 

$

17,310 

Accounts payable

 

 

139,880 

 

 

127,655 

Accrued payrolls

 

 

29,858 

 

 

35,859 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

70,433 

 

 

65,203 

Total current liabilities

 

 

256,803 

 

 

246,027 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

618,335 

 

 

557,175 

Postretirement and pension liabilities

 

 

163,279 

 

 

162,941 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

59,489 

 

 

62,594 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,097,906 

 

 

1,028,737 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ferro Corporation shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $1 per share; 300.0 million shares authorized; 93.4 million shares issued ; 83.6 million and 83.4 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

93,436 

 

 

93,436 

Paid-in capital

 

 

303,304 

 

 

306,566 

Retained earnings

 

 

136,588 

 

 

114,690 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(99,476)

 

 

(106,643)

Common shares in treasury, at cost

 

 

(155,707)

 

 

(160,936)

Total Ferro Corporation shareholders’ equity

 

 

278,145 

 

 

247,113 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

8,182 

 

 

7,919 

Total equity

 

 

286,327 

 

 

255,032 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

1,384,233 

 

$

1,283,769 



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



 

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Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Ferro Corporation Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

in Treasury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Non-

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Paid-in

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

controlling

 

Total



 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Stock

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

(Loss)

 

Interests

 

Equity



 

(In thousands)

Balances at December 31, 2015

 

9,431 

 

$

(166,020)

 

$

93,436 

 

$

314,854 

 

$

135,507 

 

$

(61,318)

 

$

7,822 

 

$

324,281 

Net (loss) income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(9,966)

 

 

 —

 

 

236 

 

 

(9,730)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,442)

 

 

32 

 

 

(1,410)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

1,175 

 

 

(11,429)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(11,429)

Stock-based compensation transactions

 

(352)

 

 

9,858 

 

 

 —

 

 

(8,030)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,828 

Balances at March 31, 2016

 

10,254 

 

 

(167,591)

 

 

93,436 

 

 

306,824 

 

 

125,541 

 

 

(62,760)

 

 

8,090 

 

 

303,540 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2016

 

9,996 

 

 

(160,936)

 

 

93,436 

 

 

306,566 

 

 

114,690 

 

 

(106,643)

 

 

7,919 

 

 

255,032 

Net income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

21,898 

 

 

 —

 

 

223 

 

 

22,121 

Other comprehensive income

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

7,167 

 

 

40 

 

 

7,207 

Stock-based compensation transactions

 

(195)

 

 

5,229 

 

 

 —

 

 

(3,262)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

1,967 

Balances at March 31, 2017

 

9,801 

 

$

(155,707)

 

$

93,436 

 

$

303,304 

 

$

136,588 

 

$

(99,476)

 

$

8,182 

 

$

286,327 



See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



 

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Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

1,630 

 

$

(10,161)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment and other long lived assets

 

 

(6,766)

 

 

(7,365)

Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 

 

 

3,586 

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 —

 

 

(7,909)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(6,764)

 

 

(11,688)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (repayments) borrowings under loans payable

 

 

(3,985)

 

 

3,561 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility, maturing 2019

 

 

15,628 

 

 

117,834 

Principal payments on revolving credit facility, maturing 2019

 

 

(327,183)

 

 

(40,212)

Proceeds from term loan facility, maturing 2024

 

 

623,827 

 

 

 —

Principal payments on term loan facility, maturing 2021

 

 

(243,250)

 

 

(50,750)

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

(12,712)

 

 

(301)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 —

 

 

(11,429)

Other financing activities

 

 

(390)

 

 

497 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

51,935 

 

 

19,200 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

446 

 

 

134 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

47,247 

 

 

(2,515)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

45,582 

 

 

58,380 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

92,829 

 

$

55,865 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

6,535 

 

$

4,763 

Income taxes

 

$

4,097 

 

$

2,669 



 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



 

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Ferro Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



1.    Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Ferro Corporation (“Ferro,” “we,” “us” or “the Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q, and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. These statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .



As discussed in Note 3, in the third quarter of 2016,   w e completed the disposition of the Europe-based Polymer Additives business and have classified the related operating results, net of income tax, as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of oper ations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .



During the first quarter of 2017, the Company renamed the Pigment s, Powders and Oxides segment   C olor Solutions to align with our go-to-market strategy.



Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in subsequent quarters or for the full year ending December 31, 2017 .  





2.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: ( Topic 718 ) : Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.  ASU 2016-09 is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This new guidance requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. Cash flow related to excess tax benefits will no longer be classified as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows but will be presented with all other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The new guidance also provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  Finally, the updated standard also allows the Company to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and clarifies that all cash tax payments made on an employee’s behalf for withhe ld shares should be presented as financing activities on the statement of cash flows.



The Company adopted ASU 2016-09, in the first quarter of 2017.  As a result of the adoption, tax benefits of $ 0.3 million were r ecorded in income tax expense. The Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur .   In addition, the Company elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits prospectively.  The presentation requirements for cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares had no impact on the statements of cash flows since the Company has historically presented such payments as financing activities. 



New   Accounting Standards

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits: ( Topic 715 ) : Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs.  ASU 2017-07 requires that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit costs are to be presented in the income statement separately from the service costs component and outside a

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subtotal of income from operations.  Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement .   This pronouncement is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: ( Topic 350 ) : Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.  ASU 2017-04 is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This pr onouncement is effective for the annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: ( Topic 805 ) : Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 is intended to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or dispositions) of assets or businesses. This pr onouncement is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including inte rim periods within those fiscal years .  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes: ( Topic 740 ) : Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.  ASU 2016-16 is intended to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory and requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. This pr onouncement is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow: ( Topic 230 ) : Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.  ASU 2016-15 is intended to address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.



In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases: ( Topic 842 ) .  ASU 2016-02 requires companies to recognize a lease liability and asset on the balance sheet for operating leases with a term greater than one year.  This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is in the process of assessing the impact the adoption of this ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements.



In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: ( Topic 606 ) . This ASU replaces nearly all existing U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition. The standard prescribes a five-step model for recognizing revenue, the application of which will require significant judgment. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Our evaluation of ASU 2014-09 is ongoing.  While we anticipate some changes to revenue recognition for certain customer contracts, we do not currently believe ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.



No other new accounting pronouncements issued or with effective dates during fiscal 2017 had or are expected to have a material impact of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.



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3.    Discontinued Operations



During 2014, we commenced a process to market for sale our Europe-based Polymer Additives business.  We determined that the criteria to classify these assets as held-for-sal e under ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, were met. On August 22, 2016, we completed the disposition of the Europe-based Polymer Additives business to Plahoma Two AG, an affiliate of the LIVIA Group.  We have classified the Europe-based Polymer Additives   operating results, net of income tax, as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  



The table below summarizes results for the Europe-based Polymer Additives assets, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , which are reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as discontinued operations.  Interest expense has been allocated to the discontinued operations based on the ratio of net assets of each business to consolidated net assets excluding debt.















 

 



 

 



Three Months Ended



March 31, 2016



(Dollars in thousands)

Net sales

$

7,750 

Cost of sales

 

12,030 

Gross loss

 

(4,280)

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

1,003 

Restructuring and impairment charges

 

24,059 

Interest expense

 

237 

Miscellaneous income

 

(418)

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

(29,161)

Income tax expense

 

333 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

$

(29,494)

















4.     Acquisitions

Cappelle

On December 9, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Belgium-based Cappelle Pigments NV (“Cappelle”), a leader in specialty, high-performance inorganic and organic pigments used in coatings, inks and plastics, for €40.0 million (approximately $42.4 million).  The acquired business contributed net sales of $ 19 . 0 million and net income attributable to Ferro Corporation of $ 0 . 6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 .  

The information included herein has been prepared based on the   preliminary allocation of the purchase price using   estimates of the fair value and useful lives of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which were determined with the assistance of third parties who performed independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market approaches and estimates made by management.   As of March 31, 2017 , the purchase price allocation is subject to further adjustment until all information is fully evaluated by the Company. The Com pany preliminarily recorded $28.6 million of net working capital,   $24.1 million of pers onal and real property, $10.3 million of debt ,   $3.5 million of goodwill and   $3.5 milli on of a deferred tax liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

ESL

On October 31, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the membership interest of Electro-Science Laboratories, Inc. (“ESL”), a leader in electronic packaging materials , for $78. 5 million.  ESL is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.  The acquisition of ESL enhances the Company’s position in the electronic packaging materials space with co mplementary products, and provides a platform for growth in our Performance Colors and Glass segment.  ESL produces thick-film pastes and ceramics tape systems that enable important functionality in a wide variety of industrial and consumer applications.  The acquired business con tributed net sales of $10 . 8 million and net income attributable to Ferro Corporation of $0. 8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . The Company

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incurred acquisition costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , of $ 0 . 3 million, which is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.



The information included herein has been prepared based on the   preliminary allocation of the purchase price using   estimates of the fair value and useful lives of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which were determined with the assistance of third parties who performed independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market approaches and estimates made by management.   As of March 31, 2017 , the purchase price allocation is subject to further adjustment until all information is fully evaluated by the Company. The Company preliminarily recorded $39. 7 million of intangible assets, $19. 0 million of goodwill, $18 . 9 million of net working capital, $2.9 millio n of personal and real property and   $2.0 million of a deferred tax liability related to the am ortizable intangibles assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.



Delta Performance Products



On August 1 , 2016, the Company acquired certain assets of Delta Performance Products, LLC, for a cash purchase price of $4.4 million. The information included herein has been prepared based on the   preliminary allocation of the purchase price using   estimates of the fair value and useful lives of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which were determined with the assistance of third parties who performed independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market approaches and estimates made by management. As of March 31, 2017 , the purchase price allocation is subject to further adjustment until all information is fully evaluated by the Company. The Company preliminarily recorded $3.2 million of amortizable intangible assets,   $0.6 million of net working capital ,   $0 . 4 million of goodwill and   $0 .2 mil lion of a deferred tax asset on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.



Pinturas

On June 1, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the equity of privately held Pinturas Benicarló, S.L. (“Pinturas”) for €16. 5 million in cash (approximately $18. 4 million). The information included herein has been prepared based on the preliminary allocation of the purchase price using estimates of the fair value and useful lives of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which were determined with the assistance of third parties who performed independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market approaches and estimates made by management. As of March 31, 2017 , the purchase price allocation is subject to further adjustment until all information is fully evaluated by the Company. The Company preliminarily recorded $8. 8 million of amortizable intangible assets,   $7. 7 million of net working capital ,   $3. 9 million of goodwill,   $2. 7 million of a deferred tax liability related to the amortizable intangible assets , and   $0.7 million of personal and real property on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. 



Ferer



On January 5, 2016, the Company completed the purchase of 100% of the equity of privately held Istanbul-based Ferer Dis Ticaret Ve Kimyasallar Anonim Sirketi A.S. (“Ferer”) on a cash-free and debt-free basis for approximately $9. 4 million in cash. The information included herein has been p repared based on the allocation of the p urchase price using the fair value and useful lives of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which were determined with the assistance of third parties who performed independent valuations using discounted cash flow and comparative market approaches and estimates made by management. The Company recorded   $4. 5 million of goodwill ,   $3. 3 million of amortizable intangible assets, $1. 7 million of net working capital,   $0. 7 million of a deferred tax liability related to the amortizable intangible assets and $0. 6 millio n of personal and real property on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. 







5.    Inventories







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Raw materials

 

$

84,913 

 

$

72,943 

Work in process

 

 

43,267 

 

 

38,859 

Finished goods

 

 

122,410 

 

 

118,045 

Total inventories

 

$

250,590 

 

$

229,847 



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In the production of some of our products, we use precious metals, some of which we obtain from financial institutions under consignment agreements with terms of one year or less. The financial institutions retain ownership of the precious metals and charge us fees based on the amou nts we consign. These fees were $0.2 million for the three months ended   March 31, 2017 and 2016 . We had on- hand precious metals owned by participants in our precious metals consignment program of $31.9   million at March 31, 2017 , and $28.7 m illion at December 31, 2016 , measured at fair value based on market prices for identical assets and net of credits.



6.    Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is reported net of accumulated depreciation of $452.2  million at March 31, 2017 , and $439.4 million at December 31, 2016 . Unpaid capital expenditure liabilities, which are non-cash investing activities, were $2.5  million at March 31, 2017 , and $3.5 million at March 31, 2016

We recorded a $3.9 million gain on sale of a closed site in Australia which was recorded in Miscellaneous (income) , net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.



As discussed in Note 3, o ur Europe-based Polymer Additives assets had been classified as held-for-sale under ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment until the ultimate sale of the business in August 2016 . As such, at each historical reporting date, these assets were tested for impairment comparing the fair value of the assets , less costs to sell , to the carrying value.  The fair value was determined using both the m arket approach and income approach, utilizing Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy, which indicated the fair value , less costs to sell , was less than the carrying value during the first quarter of 2016, resulting in an impairment charge of $24.1 million, representing the remaining carrying value of long-lived assets at that reporting date The impairment charge of $24.1 million is included in Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .    





7.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets  

Details and activity in the Company’s goodwill by segment follow:





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Performance

 

 



 

Performance

 

Color

 

Colors and

 

 



 

Coatings

 

Solutions

 

Glass

 

Total



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Goodwill, net at December 31, 2016

 

$

28,090 

 

$

40,421 

 

$

79,785 

 

$

148,296 

Acquisitions

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(854)

1

 

(854)

Foreign currency adjustments

 

 

279 

 

 

211 

 

 

271 

 

 

761 

Goodwill, net at March 31, 2017

 

$

28,369 

 

$

40,632 

 

$

79,202 

 

$

148,203 



(1)

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a purchase price adjustment within the measurement period for goodwill related to the ESL acquisition.

 

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the acquisition.







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Goodwill, gross

 

$

206,670 

 

$

206,763 

Accumulated impairment losses

 

 

(58,467)

 

 

(58,467)

Goodwill, net

 

$

148,203 

 

$

148,296 



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Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis in the fourth quarter and between annual tests if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. As of March 31, 2017, the Company is not aware of any events or circumstances that occurred which would require a goodwill impairment test.

Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following:





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Gross amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents

 

$

5,170 

 

$

5,147 

Land rights

 

 

4,770 

 

 

4,746 

Technology/know-how and other

 

 

86,028 

 

 

84,837 

Customer relationships

 

 

80,505 

 

 

80,153 

     Total gross amortizable intangible assets

 

 

176,473 

 

 

174,883 

Accumulated amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents

 

 

(5,023)

 

 

(4,981)

Land rights

 

 

(2,733)

 

 

(2,698)

Technology/know-how and other

 

 

(37,051)

 

 

(34,775)

Customer relationships

 

 

(6,479)

 

 

(5,311)

     Total accumulated amortization

 

 

(51,286)

 

 

(47,765)

            Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

$

125,187 

 

$

127,118 



Indefinite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following:





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Indefinite-lived intangibles assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade names and trademarks

 

$

10,843 

 

$

10,732 





































8.    Debt

Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt consisted of the following:





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Loans payable

 

$

8,029 

 

$

11,452 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

8,603 

 

 

5,858 

Loans payable and current portion of long-term debt

 

$

16,632 

 

$

17,310 



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Long-term debt consisted of the following:





 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)



 

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan facility, net of unamortized issuance costs, maturing 2021 (1)

 

$

 —

 

$

239,530 

Term loan facility, net of unamortized issuance costs, maturing 2024 (2)

 

 

615,594 

 

 

 —

Revolving credit facility, maturing 2019

 

 

 —

 

 

311,555 

Capital lease obligations

 

 

3,562 

 

 

3,720 

Other notes

 

 

7,782 

 

 

8,228 

Total long-term debt

 

 

626,938 

 

 

563,033 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

(8,603)

 

 

(5,858)

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

$

618,335 

 

$

557,175 



(1) T he carrying value of the term loan facility, maturing 2021, is net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3.7 million.

(2) T he carrying value of the term loan facility, maturing 2024, is net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $8.2 million.



2014 Credit Facility

In 2014, the Company entered into a credit facility that was amended on January 25, 2016 , and August 29, 2016 ,   resulting in a   $400 million secured revolving line of credit with a term of five years and a $300 million secured term loan facility with a term of seven years from the original issuance date (the “Previous Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders that was replaced on February 14, 2017 by the Credit Facility (as defined below).  For discussion of the Company’s Previous Credit Facility, refer to Note 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

In conjunction with the refinancing of the Previous Credit Facility, we recorded a charge of $3.9 million in connection with the write-off of unamortized issuance costs, which is recorded within Loss of extinguishment of debt in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

2017 Credit Facility

On February 14, 2017, the Company entered into a new credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders to refinance its then outstanding credit facility debt and to provide liquidity for ongoing working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

The Credit Facility consists of a $400 million secured revolving line of credit with a term of five years, a $357.5 million secured term loan facility with a term of seven years and a €250 million secured euro term loan facility with a term of seven years. The term loans are payable in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the term loans, with the remaining balance due on the maturity date thereof.  In addition, the Company is required, on an annual basis, to make a prepayment of term loans until they are fully paid and then to the revolving loans in an amount equal to a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow, as calculated pursuant to the Credit Facility.

Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Company can request additional commitments under the revolving line of credit or term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million to the extent that existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments and/or term loans and, certain additional debt subject to satisfaction of certain covenant levels.

Certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility and such obligations are secured by (a) substantially all of the personal property of the Company and the U.S. subsidiary guarantors and (b) a pledge of 100% of the stock of certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain of the Company’s direct foreign subsidiaries.

Interest Rate – Term Loans:  The interest rates applicable to the U.S. term loans will be, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR rate plus, in both cases, an applicable margin.  The interest rates applicable to the Euro term loans will be a Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) rate plus an applicable margin.

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·

The base rate for U.S. term loans will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (ii) syndication agent’s prime rate or (iii) the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00% .  The applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.50% .

·

The LIBOR rate for U.S. term loans shall not be less than 0.75% and the applicable margin for LIBOR rate U.S. term loans is 2.50% .

·

The EURIBOR rate for Euro term loans shall not be less than 0% and the applicable margin for EURIBOR rate loans is 2.75% .

·

For LIBOR rate term loans and EURIBOR rate term loans, the Company may choose to set the duration on individual borrowings for periods of one, two, three or six months, with the interest rate based on the applicable LIBOR rate or EURIBOR rate, as applicable, for the corresponding duration.

At March 31, 2017, the Company had borrowed $357.5 million under the secured t erm loan facility at an interest rate of 3.54% and €250 million under the secured euro term loan facility at an interest rate of 2.75% . At March 31, 2017, there were no additional borrowings available under the term loan facilities.

Interest Rate – Revolving Credit Line:  The interest rates applicable to loans under the revolving credit line will be, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR rate plus, in both cases, an applicable variable margin.  The variable margin will be based on the ratio of (a) the Company’s total consolidated net debt outstanding at such time to (b) the Company’s consolidated EBITDA computed for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

·

The base rate for revolving loans will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (ii) syndication agent’s prime rate or (iii) the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00% .  The applicable margin for base rate loans will vary between 0.75% and   1.75% .

·

The LIBOR rate for revolving loans shall not be less than 0% and the applicable margin for LIBOR rate revolving loans will vary between 1.75% and 2.75% .

·

For LIBOR rate revolving loans, the Company may choose to set the duration on individual borrowings for periods of one, two, three or six months, with the interest rate based on the applicable LIBOR rate for the corresponding duration.

At March 31, 2017, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit line. After reductions for outstanding letters of credit secured by these facilities, we had $395.6 million of additional borrowings available under the revolving credit facilities at March 31, 2017.

The Credit Facility contains customary restrictive covenants including, but not limited to, limitations on use of loan proceeds, limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock, limitations on acquisitions and dispositions, and limitations on certain types of investments. The Credit Facility also contains standard provisions relating to conditions of borrowing and customary events of default, including the non-payment of obligations by the Company and the bankruptcy of the Company.

Specific to the revolving credit facility, the Company is subject to a financial covenant regarding the Company’s maximum leverage ratio.  If an event of default occurs, all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable.  At March 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Facility.



Other Financing Arrangements

We maintain other lines of credit to provide global flexibility for our short-term liquidity requirements. These facilities are uncommitted lines for our international operations and totaled $33.1 million and $7.3 million at March 31, 2017 ,   and December 31, 2016 , respectively. The unused portions of these lines provided additional liquidity of $32.0 million at March 31, 2017 , and $6.7 million at December 31, 2016 .





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9.    Financial Instruments

The following financial instrument assets (liabilities) are presented at their respective carrying amount, fair value and classification within the fair value hierarchy:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31, 2017



 

Carrying

 

Fair Value



 

Amount

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

92,829 

 

$

92,829 

 

$

92,829 

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Loans payable

 

 

(8,029)

 

 

(8,029)

 

 

 —

 

 

(8,029)

 

 

 —

Term loan facility, maturing 2024 (1)

 

 

(615,594)

 

 

(618,318)

 

 

 —

 

 

(618,318)

 

 

 —

Other long-term notes payable

 

 

(7,782)

 

 

(6,918)

 

 

 —

 

 

(6,918)

 

 

 —

Foreign currency forward contracts, net

 

 

237 

 

 

237 

 

 

 —

 

 

237 

 

 

 —







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

December 31, 2016



 

Carrying

 

Fair Value



 

Amount

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

45,582 

 

$

45,582 

 

$

45,582 

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Loans payable

 

 

(11,452)

 

 

(11,452)

 

 

 —

 

 

(11,452)

 

 

 —

Term loan facility, maturing 2021 (1)

 

 

(239,530)

 

 

(252,052)

 

 

 —

 

 

(252,052)

 

 

 —

Revolving credit facility, maturing 2019

 

 

(311,555)

 

 

(318,389)

 

 

 —

 

 

(318,389)

 

 

 —

Other long-term notes payable

 

 

(8,228)

 

 

(7,315)

 

 

 —

 

 

(7,315)

 

 

 —

Foreign currency forward contracts, net

 

 

350 

 

 

350 

 

 

 —

 

 

350 

 

 

 —



(1) The carrying value of the term loan facility is net of unamortized debt issuance costs.



The fair values of cash and cash equivalents are based on the fair values of identical assets. The fair values of loans payable are based on the present value of expected future cash flows and approximate their carrying amounts due to t he short periods to maturity.  At March 31, 2017, the fair value of the term loan fac ility is based on market price information and is measure d using the last available bid price of the instrument on a secondary market and at December 31, 2016, is based on the present value of expected future cash flows and interest rates that would be currently available to the Company for issuance of similar types of debt instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities adjusted for the Company's non-performance risk .  T he revolving credit facility and other long-term notes payable are based on the present value of expected future cash flows and interest rates that would be currently available to the Company for issuance of similar types of debt instruments with similar terms and remaining maturities adjusted for the Company's non-performance risk. 

Derivative Instruments



Foreign currency forward contracts.   We manage foreign currency risks principally by entering into forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions. These forward contracts are not formally designated as hedges. Gains and losses on these foreign currency forward contracts are netted with gains and losses from currency fluctuations on transactions arising from international trade and reported as Foreign currency (gains) losses, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. We recognized net foreign currency gains of   $0.3 million in the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , and net foreign currency losses of $1.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 , which is primarily comprised of the foreign exchange impact on transactions in countries where it is not economically feasible for us to enter into hedging arrangements and hedging inefficiencies, such as timing of transactions. We   recognized net gains of $0.2 million in the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , and net losses of $10.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 ,   arising from the change in fair value of our financial instruments, which offset the related net gains and losses on international trade transactions. The fair values of these contracts are based on market prices for comparable contracts. The notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts was $188.2 million at March 31, 2017 , and $338.2 million at December 31, 2016 .

The following table presents the effect on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, of our foreign currency forward contracts:

16


 

Table of Contents





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Amount of Gain (Loss)

 

 



 

Recognized in Earnings

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

Location of Gain (Loss) in Earnings



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

243 

 

$

(10,569)

 

Foreign currency (gains) losses, net











The following table presents the fair values on our condensed consolidated balance sheets of foreign currency forward contracts:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

Balance Sheet Location



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

Asset derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

512 

 

$

1,854 

 

Other current assets

Liability derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

$

(275)

 

$

(1,504)

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

















10.    Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the three   months ended March 31, 2017 , was $7.1 million, or 24.4 % of p re-tax income, compared with $8.0 million, or 28.9 % of pre-tax income in the prior-year same period.  The tax expense in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, as a percentage of pre-tax income, is lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% primarily as a result of foreign statutory rate differences.





11.    Contingent Liabilities

We have recorded environmental liabilities of $7.3  m illion at March 31, 2017 , and $7.2 million at December 31, 2016 , for costs associated with the remediation of certain of our properties that hav e been contaminated. The liability at March 31, 2017 , and December 31, 2016 , was primarily related to a non-operating facility in Brazil, and for retained environmental obligations related to a site in the United States that was part of the sale of our North American and Asian metal powders product lines in 2013. The costs include legal and consulting fees, site studies, the design and implementation of remediation plans, post-remediation monitoring and related activities. The ultimate liability could be affected by numerous uncertainties, including the extent of contamination found, the required period of monitoring and the ultimate cost of required remediation.

In 2013, the Supreme Court in Argentina ruled unfavorably related to certain export taxes associated with a divested operation.  As a result of this ruling, we recorded a n   $8 . 7 million liability   December 31, 2016 .   During the first quarter of 2017, the Company participated in a   newly available tax regime , resulting in the reduction of interest on these outstanding tax liabilities of $4.5 million.  The liabi lity recorded at March 31, 2017, is $4.6 million , an d will be paid down over a five -y ear term .

There are various lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. We do not currently expect the resolution of these lawsuits and claims to materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.



12.    Retirement Benefits

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost of our U.S. pension plans (including our unfunded nonqualified plans), non-U.S. pension plans, and postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans for the three months ended   March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, follow:

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Table of Contents







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

U.S. Pension Plans

 

Non-U.S. Pension Plans

 

Other Benefit Plans



 

Three Months Ended March 31,



 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

$

404 

 

$

363 

 

$

 —

 

$

 —

Interest cost

 

 

3,666 

 

 

3,937 

 

 

573 

 

 

939 

 

 

211 

 

 

236 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(4,740)

 

 

(4,935)

 

 

(210)

 

 

(520)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 

 

 

11 

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost

 

$

(1,068)

 

$

(991)

 

$

777 

 

$

793 

 

$

211 

 

$

236 













13.    Stock-Based Compensation

On May 22, 2013, our shareholders approved the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was adopted by the Board of Directors on February 22, 2013, subject to shareholder approval. The Plan’s purpose is to promote the Company’s long-term financial interests and growth by attracting, retaining and motivating high quality key employees and directors, motivating such employees and directors to achieve the Company’s short- and long-range p erformance goals and objectives and thereby align  t heir interests with those of the Company’s shareholders. The Plan reserves 4,400,000 shares of common stock to be issued for grants of several different types of long-term incentives including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restric ted shares, performance shares, other common stock- based awards, and dividend equivalent rights.



In the first quarter of 2017 , our Board of Directors granted 0. 2  million stock options, 0.2  million performance share units and 0. 2  million restricted stock units under the Plan.    

We estimate the fair value of each stock option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table details the weighted-average grant-date fair values and the assumptions used for estimating the fair values of stock option grants made during the three months ended   March 31, 2017 :







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

Stock Options

Weighted-average grant-date fair value

 

$

7.26 

 

Expected life, in years

 

 

6.0 

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

2.3 

%

Expected volatility

 

 

51.5 

%



The weighted average grant date fair value of our performance share units granted in the three months ended March 31, 2017 , was $ 14 . 89 .  We measure the fair value of performance share units based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant. These shares are evaluated each reporting period for likelihood of achieving the performance criteria.

We me asure the fair value of restricted stock units based on the closing market price of our common stock on the date of the grant . The restricted stock units vest over three years . The weighted-average grant date fair value per unit for grants made during the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , was $ 14 . 27 .

We recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2.7  million for the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , and $1.6  million for the three months ended   March 31, 2016 . At March 31, 2017 , unearned compensation cost related to the unvested portion of all stock-based compensation awards was approximately $10.4 million and is expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting period of the respective grants , through the first quarter of 2020 .





18


 

Table of Contents

14.    Restructuring and Cost Reduction Programs

Total restructuring and impairment charges were   approximately $ 3 .0  million and $0 . 9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 ,   and March 31, 2016, respectively.



The activities and accruals summarized below are primarily related to costs associated with integration of our recent acquisitions :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Employee

 

Other

 

Asset

 

 

 



 

Severance

 

Costs

 

Impairment

 

Total



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Balances at December 31, 2016

 

$

239 

 

$

1,489 

 

$

 —

 

$

1,728 

Restructuring charges

 

 

980 

 

 

862 

 

 

1,176 

 

 

3,018 

Cash payments

 

 

(81)

 

 

(109)

 

 

 —

 

 

(190)

Non-cash items

 

 

 —

 

 

(522)

 

 

(1,176)

 

 

(1,698)

Balances at March 31, 2017

 

$

1,138 

 

$

1,720 

 

$

 —

 

$

2,858 



We expect to make cash payments to settle the remaining li ability for employee severance benefits and other costs primarily   over the next twelve months where applicable , except where legal or contractual obliga tions would require it to extend beyond that period .





15.    Earnings Per Share

Details of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Basic earnings per share computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders

 

$

21,898 

 

$

(9,966)

Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 —

 

 

29,494 

Total

 

$

21,898 

 

$

19,528 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

83,530 

 

 

83,311 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders

 

$

0.26 

 

$

0.23 

Diluted earnings per share computation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders

 

$

21,898 

 

$

(9,966)

Adjustment for loss from discontinued operations

 

 

 —

 

 

29,494 

Total

 

$

21,898 

 

$

19,528 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

83,530 

 

 

83,311 

Assumed exercise of stock options

 

 

516 

 

 

370 

Assumed satisfaction of restricted stock unit conditions

 

 

574 

 

 

385 

Assumed satisfaction of performance stock unit conditions

 

 

268 

 

 

224 

Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding

 

 

84,888 

 

 

84,290 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Ferro Corporation common shareholders

 

$

0.26 

 

$

0.23 



The number of anti-dilutive or unearned shares was 2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 ,   and 2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  These shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to their anti-dilutive impact.



16.    Share Repurchase Program  

The Company’s Board of Directors approved share repurchase programs, under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $100 million of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock on the open market, including through a Rule 10b5-1 plan, or in privately negotiated transactions. 

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The timing and amount of shares to be repurchased will be determined by the Company, based on evaluation of market and business conditions, share price, and other factors.  The share repurchase programs do not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of common shares, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.



For the three months ended March 31 , 2016, the Company repurchased 1,175, 437 shares of common stock at an average price of $9. 72 per share for a total cost of $11.4 million.  As of March 31, 2017 ,   $50.0 million may still be purchased under the programs.



17.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Three Months Ended March 31,



 

Postretirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Benefit Liability

 

Translation

 

Other

 

 

 



 

Adjustments

 

Adjustments

 

Adjustments

 

Total



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

$

811 

 

$

(62,059)

 

$

(70)

 

$

(61,318)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,710)

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,710)

Reclassification to earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefit liabilities income

 

 

268 

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

268 

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

268 

 

 

(1,710)

 

 

 —

 

 

(1,442)

Balance at March 31, 2016

 

$

1,079 

 

$

(63,769)

 

$

(70)

 

$

(62,760)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

 

1,141 

 

 

(107,714)

 

 

(70)

 

 

(106,643)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

 

 —

 

 

7,171 

 

 

 —

 

 

7,171 

Reclassification to earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement benefit liabilities (loss)

 

 

(4)

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

(4)

Other 

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

 

 —

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(4)

 

 

7,171 

 

 

 —

 

 

7,167 

Balance at March 31, 2017

 

$

1,137 

 

$

(100,543)

 

$

(70)

 

$

(99,476)





























18.    Reporting for Segments  

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company’s Pigment s, P owders and Oxides segment was renamed Color Solutions.



Net sales to external customers by segment are presented in the table below. Sales between segments were not material.







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Performance Coatings

 

$

126,565 

 

$

128,124 

Performance Colors and Glass

 

 

103,518 

 

 

88,170 

Color Solutions

 

 

90,472 

 

 

61,157 

Total net sales

 

$

320,555 

 

$

277,451 



Each segment’s gross profit and reconciliations to income before income taxes are presented in the table below:

20


 

Table of Contents







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended



 

March 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Performance Coatings

 

$

33,489 

 

$

32,115 

Performance Colors and Glass

 

 

37,418 

 

 

31,838 

Color Solutions

 

 

28,182 

 

 

20,286 

Other cost of sales

 

 

(295)

 

 

(10)

Total gross profit

 

 

98,794 

 

 

84,229 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

58,958 

 

 

52,646 

Restructuring and impairment charges

 

 

3,018 

 

 

881 

Other expense, net

 

 

7,559 

 

 

2,920 

Income before income taxes

 

$

29,259 

 

$

27,782 







19 .     Subsequent Event  

On April 24, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests of S.P.C. Group s.r.l., a company duly organized under the laws of Italy, and 100% of the equity interests of Smalti per Ceramiche, s.r.l. (“SPC”), a company duly organized under the laws of Italy , for 19.8 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. SPC is a high-end tile coatings manufacturer based in Italy that focuses on fast-growing specialty products . SPC products, strong technology, design capabilities, and customer-centric business model are complementary to our Performance Coatings segment, and position us for continued growth in the high-end tile markets .

The operating results will be included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements commencing April 24, 2017, the date of the acquisition.

Due to the timing of the acquisition, the Company’s initial purchase price accounting was incomplete at the time these financial statements were issued.  As such, the Company cannot disclose the allocation of the acquisition price to acquired assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at this time.



































21


 

Table of Contents

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

Overview

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , increased by   $43.1 million, or 15.5 %, compared with the prior-year same peri od.     The increase in net sales was   driven by higher sales in   Color Solutions (formerly Pigments, Powders and Oxides)   and Pe rformance Colors and Glass of $29.3 millio n and $1 5.3 million , respectively, partially offset by lower sales in Performance Coatings of $1.6 million During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , gross profit increased $14.6 million, or 17.3% , compared with the prior-year same period; as a percentage of net sales, it increased approximately 40 basis points to 30.8% The increase   in gross profit was attributable to   increases across all of our segment s, with increase s in Color Solutions , Performance Colors and Glass and Performance Coatings of $7.9 million, $5.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.    

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased $ 6.3 million, or 12.0 %, compared with the prior-year same period.  The increase was primarily driven by $ 4.8 million of expenses related to acquisitions completed within the last year .

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , net income was $ 22.1 million, compared with net loss of $ 9.7 million for the prior-year same period , and net income attributable to common shareholders was $21.9 million, compared with net loss attributable to common shareholders of $10.0 million for the prior-year same period. Income from continuing operations was $22.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 , compared with income from continuing operations of $19.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  Our t otal gross profit for the first quarter of 2017 was $98.8 million, compared with $84.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .



Outlook  

For 2017, we expect that gross margin will continue to grow at a measured pace based on strategic actions taken to improve growth in our core businesses and contriubtions from recent acquisitions. Raw material costs are expected to increase in 2017, however we expect to offset these cost increases through pricing actions, product reformulations and optimization actions. In addition, foreign currency exchange rates continue to be volatile, and we anticipate that changes in rates will adversely impact reported results.

We remain focused on the integration of our recent acquisitions and continue to work toward achieving the identified synergies.  We will continue to focus on opportunities to optimize our cost structure and make our business processes and systems more efficient, and to leverage tax planning opportunities.  We continue to expect cash flow from operating activities to be positive for the year, providing additional liquidity.

Factors that could adversely affect our future performance include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

22


 

Table of Contents

Results of Operations - Consolidated

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016  

For the three months ended   March 31, 2017 ,   income from continuing operations was   $22.1  m illion, compared with $19.8 million income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  Net income was $22.1 million, compared with net loss of $9.7 million for the three months ended   March 31, 2016 . For the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , net income attributable to common shareholders was $21.9 million, or   earnings per share of $0.26 , compared with net loss attributable to common shareholders of $10.0 millio n, or loss per share of $0.12 , for the three months ended   March 31, 2016 .



Net Sales







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

320,555 

 

 

 

277,451 

 

 

 

43,104 

 

15.5 

%

Cost of sales

 

 

221,761 

 

 

 

193,222 

 

 

 

28,539 

 

14.8 

%

Gross profit

 

$

98,794 

 

 

$

84,229 

 

 

$

14,565 

 

17.3 

%

Gross profit as a % of net sales

 

 

30.8 

%

 

 

30.4 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 



Net sales increased b y   $43.1 million, or 15.5% , in the three months ended   March 31, 2017 ,   compared with the prior-year same period , driven by higher sales in   Color Solutions and Pe rformance Colors and Glass of $29.3 millio n and $1 5.3 million , respectively, partially offset by lower sales in Performance Coatings of $1 .6 million .   The increase in net sales was driven by the sales from Cappelle of $19.0 million, ESL of $10.8 million, and Pinturas of $2.0 million , all acquisitions completed after the first quarter of 2016 , as well as strong growth in pigment products and surface technology products of $5.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively.



Gross Profit



Gross profit increased   $14.6 million, or 17.3% , in the three months ended   March 31, 2017 , compared with the prior-year same period , and as a percentage of net sales , it in creased 40 basis points t o   30.8% .  The increase   in gross profit was attributable to increases across all of our segment s, with increase s in Color Solutions , Performance Colors and Glass and Performance Coatings of $7.9 million, $5.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively.  The increase in g ross profit was primarily due to lower manufacturing costs of $9.0 million , increased gross profit from acquisitions of $7.5 million   and higher sales volumes and mix of $5.7 million , partially offset by higher raw material costs of $2.8 million,  u nfavorable product pricing of $2.4 million and unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $2.2 million.    

Geographic Revenues



The following table presents our sales on the basis of where sales originated.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Geographic Revenues on a sales origination basis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

$

148,923 

 

$

128,700 

 

$

20,223 

 

15.7 

%

United States

 

 

88,380 

 

 

70,171 

 

 

18,209 

 

25.9 

%

Asia Pacific

 

 

44,208 

 

 

42,939 

 

 

1,269 

 

3.0 

%

Latin America

 

 

39,044 

 

 

35,641 

 

 

3,403 

 

9.5 

%

     Net sales

 

$

320,555 

 

$

277,451 

 

$

43,104 

 

15.5 

%



The increase in net sales of $43.1 million , compared with the prior-year same period, was driven by an inc rease in sales from all regions .   The increase in sales from Europe was primarily attributable to higher sales in Color Solutions and Performance Colors and Glass of $17.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in sales in Performance Coatings of $2.9 million .  

23


 

Table of Contents

The increase in sales from the United States was attributable to higher sales in Color Solutions and Performance Colors and Glass of $10.1 million and $8.6  m illion.  The increase in sales from Latin America was attributable to higher sales across all segments .   The increase in sal es from Asia Pacific was primarily attributable to increased sales in Color Solutions .   



The following table presents our sales on the basis of where sold products were shipped.  









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Geographic Revenues on a shipped-to basis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

$

140,539 

 

$

128,336 

 

$

12,203 

 

9.5 

%

United States

 

 

66,918 

 

 

59,628 

 

 

7,290 

 

12.2 

%

Asia Pacific

 

 

70,121 

 

 

54,528 

 

 

15,593 

 

28.6 

%

Latin America

 

 

42,977 

 

 

34,959 

 

 

8,018 

 

22.9 

%

     Net sales

 

$

320,555 

 

$

277,451 

 

$

43,104 

 

15.5 

%





Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

The following table includes SG&A components with significant   changes between 2017 and 2016







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Personnel expenses

 

$

32,904 

 

$

30,829 

 

$

2,075 

 

6.7 

%

Incentive compensation

 

 

1,830 

 

 

1,985 

 

 

(155)

 

(7.8)

%

Stock-based compensation

 

 

2,723 

 

 

1,626 

 

 

1,097 

 

67.5 

%

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

(80)

 

 

38 

 

 

(118)

 

(310.5)

%

Bad debt

 

 

(241)

 

 

(122)

 

 

(119)

 

97.5 

%

Business development

 

 

2,361 

 

 

1,100 

 

 

1,261 

 

114.6 

%

Intangible asset amortization

 

 

2,051 

 

 

1,500 

 

 

551 

 

36.7 

%

All other expenses

 

 

17,410 

 

 

15,690 

 

 

1,720 

 

11.0 

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

58,958 

 

$

52,646 

 

$

6,312 

 

12.0 

%



SG&A expen ses were $6.3 million higher in the three months ended   March 31, 2017 ,   compared with the prior-year same period.  Included in SG&A expenses were $ 4.8 million of expenses related to acquisitions acquired within the last year.  The increase in stock- based compensation expense of $1 .1 million is a result of the Company’s performance relative to targets for certain awards compared with the prior-year same period. The increase in business development expenses is a result of   higher professional fees.



The following table presents SG&A expenses attributable to sales, research and development and operations costs as strategic services and other SG&A costs as functional services.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Strategic services

 

$

31,693 

 

$

28,404 

 

$

3,289 

 

11.6 

%

Functional services

 

 

22,712 

 

 

20,631 

 

 

2,081 

 

10.1 

%

Incentive compensation

 

 

1,830 

 

 

1,985 

 

 

(155)

 

(7.8)

%

Stock-based compensation

 

 

2,723 

 

 

1,626 

 

 

1,097 

 

67.5 

%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

$

58,958 

 

$

52,646 

 

$

6,312 

 

12.0 

%



24


 

Table of Contents



Restructuring and Impairment Charges







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Employee severance

 

$

980 

 

$

532 

 

$

448 

 

84.2 

%

Asset impairment

 

 

1,176 

 

 

 —

 

 

1,176 

 

NM

 

Other restructuring costs

 

 

862 

 

 

349 

 

 

513 

 

147.0 

%

Restructuring and impairment charges

 

$

3,018 

 

$

881 

 

$

2,137 

 

242.6 

%



Restructuring and impairment charges   increased   in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the prior-year same period.   The increase was primarily due to costs associated with a restructuring pl an in Italy, which includes $1.2 million of asset impairment associated with assets that have been taken out of service, as well as action s taken at our recent acquisitions associated with achieving our targeted synergies .  



Interest Expense



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

5,748 

 

$

4,544 

 

$

1,204 

 

26.5 

%

Amortization of bank fees

 

 

479 

 

 

315 

 

 

164 

 

52.1 

%

Interest capitalization

 

 

(3)

 

 

(12)

 

 

 

(75.0)

%

Interest expense

 

$

6,224 

 

$

4,847 

 

$

1,377 

 

28.4 

%



Inte rest expense increased in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the prior-year same period .   As discussed in Note 8, the Company refinanced its debt in the first quarter of 2017 , which resulted in a lower interest rate. The increase in interest expense was due to an increase in the average long-term debt balance during the three months ended March   31, 2017 , compared with the prior-year same period.



Income Tax Expense



During the first quarter of 2017 , income tax expense was $7.1 million, or 24.4 %   of pre-tax income.  In the first quarter of 2016, we recorded tax expense of $8.0 million, or 28.9% of pre-tax income. The tax expense in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, as a percentage of pre-tax income, is lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% , primarily as a result of foreign statutory rate differences. 



Results of Operations - Segment Information

Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016  

Performance Coatings







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change due to



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume /

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Price

 

Mix

 

Currency

 

Other



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment net sales

 

$

126,565 

 

 

$

128,124 

 

 

$

(1,559)

 

(1.2)

%

 

$

(3,591)

 

$

7,420 

 

$

(5,388)

 

$

 —

Segment gross profit

 

 

33,489 

 

 

 

32,115 

 

 

 

1,374 

 

4.3 

%

 

 

(3,591)

 

 

2,623 

 

 

(1,467)

 

 

3,809 

Gross profit as a % of segment net sales

 

 

26.5 

%

 

 

25.1 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





25


 

Table of Contents

       Net sales decreased in Performance Coatings compared with the prior-year same period, primarily driven by a decrease in sales of $1.6 million of   c olor products .     The decrease in n et sales was driven by unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $5.4 million and lower product pricing of $3.6 million , partially mitigated by increased sales volume and favorable mix of $7.4 million. Gross profit increas ed $1.4 million from the prior-year same period, primari ly driven by lower manufacturing costs of $5.0 million and high er sales volumes and favorable mix of $2.6 million, partially offset by unfavorable product pricing impac ts of $3.6 million, unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $1.5 million and higher raw material costs of $1.2 million .







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Segment net sales by Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

$

69,160 

 

$

72,026 

 

$

(2,866)

 

(4.0)

%

Latin America

 

 

25,330 

 

 

23,245 

 

 

2,085 

 

9.0 

%

Asia Pacific

 

 

21,317 

 

 

21,568 

 

 

(251)

 

(1.2)

%

United States

 

 

10,758 

 

 

11,285 

 

 

(527)

 

(4.7)

%

Total

 

$

126,565 

 

$

128,124 

 

$

(1,559)

 

(1.2)

%





The net sales decrease of $1.6 mi llion was driven by decreases in sales from Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific , partially mitigated  b y a n increase from Latin A merica. The decrease in sales from Europe was primarily attributable to a   decr ease in sales of   digital inks and colors of $1.6 million and $1.3 million, respective ly.  The decrease in sales from the United States was full y attributable to lower sales of porcelain enamel and the decrease from  A sia Pacific was driven by lower sales of frits and glazes . The sales increase from Latin Ameri ca was primarily driven by higher sales of   digital inks of $1.1 million and higher sales of frits and glazes of $0 .8 million .    

Performance Colors and Glass







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change due to



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Price

 

Mix

 

Currency

 

Acquisitions

 

Other



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment net sales

 

$

103,518 

 

 

$

88,170 

 

 

$

15,348 

 

17.4 

%

 

$

621 

 

$

3,514 

 

$

(1,595)

 

$

12,808 

 

$

 —

Segment gross profit

 

 

37,418 

 

 

 

31,838 

 

 

 

5,580 

 

17.5 

%

 

 

621 

 

 

1,214 

 

 

(550)

 

 

3,820 

 

 

475 

Gross profit as a % of segment net sales

 

 

36.1 

%

 

 

36.1 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



       Net sales increased compared with the prior-year sam e period, primarily driven by $10.8 million o f sales attributable to ESL , $2.0 millio n of sales attributable to Pinturas , both acquisitions completed in 2016 after the first quarter, and $2.4 million from higher sales of electron ics products (excluding ESL) .  Net sales were impacted by f avorable volume and mix of $3.5   million , an increase in sales from acquisitions of $12.8 million and higher product pr icing of $0.6 million, partially offset by unfavorabl e foreign currency impacts of $1 .6 million. Gross profit increased from the prior-year same period, primarily due to gros s profit from acquisitions of $3.8 million ,   favor able manufacturing costs of $1.1 million ,   hi gher sales volumes and mix of $1.2 million an d higher product pricing of $0.6 million, partially offset by unfavorable raw material costs of $0.6 million and unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $0.6 million.

26


 

Table of Contents







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Segment net sales by Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

$

44,586 

 

$

39,096 

 

$

5,490 

 

14.0 

%

United States

 

 

39,104 

 

 

30,489 

 

 

8,615 

 

28.3 

%

Asia Pacific

 

 

14,633 

 

 

14,241 

 

 

392 

 

2.8 

%

Latin America

 

 

5,195 

 

 

4,344 

 

 

851 

 

19.6 

%

Total

 

$

103,518 

 

$

88,170 

 

$

15,348 

 

17.4 

%



The net sales increase of $15.3 million was driven by higher sales from all regions .   The increase in sales from the United States was attribu table to an increase in sales of electronic s products of $8.9 million. The increase in sales from Europe was primarily attributable to $3.8 million and $2.0 million in sales from ESL and Pinturas , respectively . The increase from Asia Pacific was primarily d ue to higher sales of electronic s products of $0.6 million an d the increase from Latin America was attributable to an increase in sales o f decoration products of $0.9  m illion.

Color Solutions







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change due to



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Price

 

Mix

 

Currency

 

Acquisitions

 

Other



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment net sales

 

$

90,472 

 

 

$

61,157 

 

 

$

29,315 

 

47.9 

%

 

$

603 

 

$

9,423 

 

$

(629)

 

$

19,918 

 

$

 —

Segment gross profit

 

 

28,182 

 

 

 

20,286 

 

 

 

7,896 

 

38.9 

%

 

 

603 

 

 

1,906 

 

 

(215)

 

 

3,714 

 

 

1,888 

Gross profit as a % of segment net sales

 

 

31.1 

%

 

 

33.2 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



       Net sales increased compared with the prior-year same pe riod, primarily due to sales from Cappelle ,   and higher sales of surface techn ology and pigment products of $19 .0 million, $3.7 million, and $5.6 million, respectively .  Net sales were positively impacted by higher sales from acquisitions of $19.9 million, higher volumes and mix of $9.4 million an d higher product pricing of $0.6 million, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $0.6 million.  Gross profit increased from the prior-year same period, primarily due to gros s profit from acquisitions of $3.7 million,  l ower manufacturing costs of $2.9 million ,   favorab le sales volumes and mix of $1.9 million and higher product pricing of $0.6 million , partially offset by   un favo rable raw material costs of $1.0 million and unfavorable foreign currency impacts of $0.2 million .  





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change

 

% Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

Segment net sales by Region

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

38,518 

 

$

28,397 

 

$

10,121 

 

35.6 

%

Europe

 

 

35,177 

 

 

17,578 

 

 

17,599 

 

100.1 

%

Asia Pacific

 

 

8,258 

 

 

7,130 

 

 

1,128 

 

15.8 

%

Latin America

 

 

8,519 

 

 

8,052 

 

 

467 

 

5.8 

%

Total

 

$

90,472 

 

$

61,157 

 

$

29,315 

 

47.9 

%



The net sales increase of $29.3 million was driven by increased sales from all regions .  The increase d sales from Europe was primarily driven by sales from Cappelle of $15.9 million .     The increase in sales from the United States was driven by sales from Cappelle of $3.1 million, surface technology products of $3.7 million a nd pigments of $2.4 million.  The increase in sales from Asia Pacific was attributable to higher sales for all products. 

27


 

Table of Contents



Summary of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 2017 and 2016  







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

1,630 

 

$

(10,161)

 

$

11,791 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(6,764)

 

 

(11,688)

 

 

4,924 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

51,935 

 

 

19,200 

 

 

32,735 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

446 

 

 

134 

 

 

312 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

47,247 

 

$

(2,515)

 

$

49,762 



The following table includes d etails of net cash provided by ope rating activities .







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

 

 



 

2017

 

2016

 

$ Change



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

22,121 

 

$

(9,730)

 

$

31,851 

Loss (gain) on sale of assets and business

 

 

419 

 

 

(4,083)

 

 

4,502 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

11,375 

 

 

10,672 

 

 

703 

Interest amortization

 

 

479 

 

 

315 

 

 

164 

Restructuring and impairment

 

 

2,828 

 

 

24,164 

 

 

(21,336)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

3,905 

 

 

 —

 

 

3,905 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(26,619)

 

 

(23,582)

 

 

(3,037)

Inventories

 

 

(17,114)

 

 

(7,706)

 

 

(9,408)

Accounts payable

 

 

8,188 

 

 

5,555 

 

 

2,633 

Other current assets and liabilities, net

 

 

(3,265)

 

 

1,876 

 

 

(5,141)

Other adjustments, net

 

 

(687)

 

 

(7,642)

 

 

6,955 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

1,630 

 

$

(10,161)

 

$

11,791 



Cash flows from operating activities. Cash fl ows provided by operating activities in creased $11 .8 million in the first three months of 2017 compared with the prior-year same period .   The increase was due to higher earnings after consideration of non-cash items, partially offset by higher cash outflows for net working capital of $ 9.8 million .



Cash flows from investing activities. Cash flows used in i nvesting activities decreased $4.9 million in the first three months of 2017 compared with the prior-year same period. The decrease was primarily due to lower cash outflows for business acquisitions of $7.9 million, partially offset by lower sales proceeds of   $3.6 million ,  w hich primarily consisted of the proceeds from a closed site in Australia during the three months ended March 31, 2016 .  



Cash flows from financing activities.   Cash flows provided by fin ancing activities in creased $32.7 million in the first three months of 2017 compared with the prior-year same period .  As further discussed in Note 8, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, we paid off our Previous Credit Facility and entered into our Credit Facility, consisting of a $400 million secured revolving line of credit, a $357.5 million secured term loan facility and a €250 million secured euro term loan facility.  This transaction resulted in additional borrowings in the first quarter of $42.1 million compared to the prior-year same period. Further, compared to the prior-year same period, net repayme nts under loans payable was $7.5 million higher .  Additionally, during the first quarter of 2017, we paid $12.7 million in debt issuance costs related to the Credit Facility entered into during the period, partially offset by lower purchase s of treasury stock during the first quarter of 2017.    





28


 

Table of Contents

Capital Resources and Liquidity

2017 Credit Facility

On February 14, 2017, the Company entered into a new credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a group of lenders to refinance its then outstanding credit facility debt and to provide liquidity for ongoing working capital requirements and general corporate purposes.

The Credit Facility consists of a $400 million secured revolving line of credit with a term of five years, a $357.5 million secured term loan facility with a term of seven years and a €250 million secured euro term loan facility with a term of seven years. The term loans are payable in equal quarterly installments in an amount equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the term loans, with the remaining balance due on the maturity date thereof.  In addition, the Company is required, on an annual basis, to make a prepayment of term loans until they are fully paid and then to the revolving loans in an amount equal to a portion of the Company’s excess cash flow, as calculated pursuant to the Credit Facility.

Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Company can request additional commitments under the revolving line of credit or term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $250 million to the extent that existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments and/or term loans and , certain additional debt subject to satisfaction of certain covenant levels.

Certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries have guaranteed the Company’s obligations under the Credit Facility and such obligations are secured by (a) substantially all of the personal property of the Company and the U.S. subsidiary guarantors and (b) a pledge of 100% of the stock of certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries and 65% of the stock of certain of the Company’s direct foreign subsidiaries.

Interest Rate – Term Loans:  The interest rates applicable to the U.S. term loans will be, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR rate plus, in both cases, an applicable margin.  The interest rates applicable to the Euro term loans will be a Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) rate plus an applicable margin.

·

The base rate for U.S. term loans will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (ii) syndication agent’s prime rate or (iii) the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00% .  The applicable margin for base rate loans is 1.50% .

·

The LIBOR rate for U.S. term loans shall not be less than 0.75% and the applicable margin for LIBOR rate U.S. term loans is 2.50% .

·

The EURIBOR rate for Euro term loans shall not be less than 0% and the applicable margin for EURIBOR rate loans is 2.75% .

·

For LIBOR rate term loans and EURIBOR rate term loans, the Company may choose to set the duration on individual borrowings for periods of one, two, three or six months, with the interest rate based on the applicable LIBOR rate or EURIBOR rate, as applicable, for the corresponding duration.

At March 31, 2017, the Company had borrowed $357.5 million under the secure d term loan facility at an interest rate of 3.54% and €250 million under the secured euro term loan facility a t an interest rate of 2.75%. At March 31, 2017,   there were no additional borrowings available under the term loan facilities.

Interest Rate – Revolving Credit Line:  The interest rates applicable to loans under the revolving credit line will be, at the Company’s option, equal to either a base rate or a LIBOR rate plus, in both cases, an applicable variable margin.  The variable margin will be based on the ratio of (a) the Company’s total consolidated net debt outstanding at such time to (b) the Company’s consolidated EBITDA computed for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended.

·

The base rate for revolving loans will be the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% , (ii) syndication agent’s prime rate or (iii) the daily LIBOR rate plus 1.00% .  The applicable margin for base rate loans will vary between 0.75% and   1.75% .

·

The LIBOR rate for revolving loans shall not be less than 0% and the applicable margin for LIBOR rate revolving loans will vary between 1.75% and 2.75% .

·

For LIBOR rate revolving loans, the Company may choose to set the duration on individual borrowings for periods of one, two, three or six months, with the interest rate based on the applicable LIBOR rate for the corresponding duration.

29


 

Table of Contents

At March 31, 2017, there were no borrowings under the revolving credit line. After reductions for outstanding letters of credit secured by these facilities, we had $395.6 million of additional borrowings available under the revolving credit facilities at March 31, 2017.

The Credit Facility contains customary restrictive covenants including, but not limited to, limitations on use of loan proceeds, limitations on the Company’s ability to pay dividends and repurchase stock, limitations on acquisitions and dispositions, and limitations on certain types of investments. The Credit Facility also contains standard provisions relating to conditions of borrowing and customary events of default, including the non-payment of obligations by the Company and the bankruptcy of the Company.

Specific to the revolving credit facility, the Company is subject to a financial covenant regarding the Co mpany’s maximum leverage ratio. If an event of default occurs, all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated and become immediately due and payable.  At March 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Facility.



Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

Consignment and Customer Arrangements for Precious Metals.   We use precious metals, primarily silver, in the production of some of our products. We obtain most precious metals from financial institutio ns under consignment agreements. The financial institutions retain ownership of the precious metals and charge us fees based on the amounts we consign and the period of consignment. These fees were $0.2 million for the three months ended   March 31, 2017 and 2016 .   We had on hand precious metals owned by participants in our precious metals program of $31.9  million at March 31, 2017 , and $28.7  million at December 31, 2016 , measured at fair value based on market prices for identical assets and net of credits.

The consignment agreements under our precious metals program involve short-term commitments that typically mature within 30 to 90 days of each transaction and are typically renewed on an ongoing basis. As a result, the Company relies on the continued willingness of financial institutions to participate in these arrangements to maintain this source of liquidity. On occasion, we have been required to deliver cash collateral. While no deposits were outstanding at March 31, 2017 , or December 31, 2016 ,   we may be required to furnish cash collateral in the future based on the quantity and market value of the precious metals under consignment and the amount of collateral-free lines provided by the financial institutions. The amount of cash collateral required is subject to review by the financial institutions and can be changed at any time at their discretion, based in part on their assessment of our creditworthiness.

Bank Guarantees and Standby Letters of Credit.  

At March 31, 2017 , the Company and its subsidiaries had bank guarantees and standby letters of credit issued by financial institutions that totaled $6.6 million. These agreements primarily relate to Ferro’s insurance programs, foreign energy purchase contracts and foreign tax payments.

Other Financing Arrangements

We maintain other lines of credit to provide global flexibility for Ferro’s short-term liquidity requirements. These facilities are uncommitted lines for our international operations and totaled $33.1 million and $7.3 million at March 31, 2017 ,   and December 31, 2016 , respectively. We had $32.0 million and $6.7 million of additional borrowings available under these lines at March 31, 2017 ,   and December 31, 2016 , respectively.

Liquidity Requirements

Our primary sources of liquidity are available cash and cash equivalents, available lines of credit under the revolving credit facility, and cash flows from operating activities. As of March 31, 2017 ,   we had $92.8 million of cash and cash equivalents. Cash generated in the U.S. is generally used to pay down amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions.  If needed, we could repatriate the majority of cash held by foreign subsidiaries without the need to accrue and pay U.S. income taxes. We do not anticipate a liquidity need requiring such repatriation of these funds to the U.S.

Our liquidity requirements and uses primarily include debt service, purchase commitments, labor costs, working capital requirements, restructuring expenditures, acquisition costs, capital investments, precious metals cash collateral requirements, and postretirement obligations. We expect to meet these requirements in the long term through cash provided by operating activities and availability under existing credit facilities or other financing arrangements. Cash flows from operating activities are primarily driven

30


 

Table of Contents

by earnings before non-cash charges and changes in working capital needs. We had additional borrowing capacity of $427.6 million at March 31, 2017 , and $112.0 million at December 31, 2016 , available under our various credit facilities, primarily our revolving credit facility.  

Our revolving credit facility subjects us to  a customary financial covenant regarding the Company’s maximum leverage ratio. This covenant under our credit facility restrict s the amount of our borrowings, reducing our flexibility to fund ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.

As of March 31, 2017 , we were in compliance with our maximum leverage ratio covenant of 4.25 x as our actual ratio was 2.5 5x, providing $86.4 million of EBITDA cushion on the leverage ratio, as defined within the Credit Facility. To the extent that economic conditions in key markets deteriorate or we are unable to meet our business projections and EBITDA falls below approximately $130  million for rolling four quarters, based on reasonably consistent net debt levels with those as of March 31, 201 7 , we could become unable to maintain compliance with our leverage ratio covenant. In such case, our lenders could demand immediate payment of outstanding amounts and we would need to seek alternate financing sources to pay off such debts and to fund our ongoing operations. Such financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all.    

Difficulties experienced in global capital markets could affect the ability or willingness of counterparties to perform under our various lines of credit, forward contracts, and precious metals program. These counterparties are major, reputable, multinational institutions, all having investment-grade credit ratings. Accordingly, we do not anticipate counterparty default. However, an interruption in access to external financing could adversely affect our business prospects and financial condition.

We assess on an ongoing basis our portfolio of businesses, as well as our financial and capital structure, to ensure that we have sufficient capital and liquidity to meet our strategic objectives. As part of this process, from time to time we evaluate the possible divestiture of businesses that are not critical to our core strategic objectives and, where appropriate, pursue the sale o f such businesses and assets . We also evaluate and pursue acquisition opportunities that we believe will enhance our strategic position. Generally, we publicly announce divestiture and acquisition transactions only when we have closed on those transactions.



Critical Accounting Policies and Their Application

There were no material changes to our critical accounting policies described in “Critical Accounting Policies” within Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .

Impact of Newly Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of accounting standards we recently adopte d or will be required to adopt.

Risk Factors

Certain statements contained here and in future filings with the SEC reflect the Company’s expectations with respect to future performance and constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to a variety of uncertainties, unknown risks and other factors concerning the Company’s operations and business environment, which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of the Company. Factors that could adversely affect our future financial performance include those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 .





 

31


 

Table of Contents

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk



The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our exposure to instruments that are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and costs of raw materials and energy.

Our exposure to interest rate risk arises from our debt portfolio. We manage this risk by controlling the mix of fixed versus variable-rate debt after considering the interest rate environment and expected future cash flows. Our objective is to limit variability in earnings, cash flows and overall borrowing costs caused by changes in interest rates, while preserving operating flexibility.

We operate internationally and enter into transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These transactions expose us to gains and losses arising from exchange rate movements between the dates foreign currencies are recorded and the dates they are settled. We manage this risk by entering into forward currency contracts that substantially offset these gains and losses.

The notional amounts, carrying amounts of assets (liabilities), and fair values associated with our exposure to these market risks and sensitivity analysis about potential gains (losses) resulting from hypothetical changes in market rates are presented in the table below.







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31,

 

December 31,



 

2017

 

2016



 

(Dollars in thousands)

Variable-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

$

615,594 

 

$

551,085 

Fair value

 

 

618,318 

 

 

570,441 

Change in annual interest expense from 1% change in interest rates

 

 

6,318 

 

 

5,611 

Fixed-rate debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

 

7,782 

 

 

8,228 

Fair value

 

 

6,918 

 

 

7,315 

Change in fair value from 1% increase in interest rates

 

 

NM

 

 

NM

Change in fair value from 1% decrease in interest rates

 

 

NM

 

 

NM

Foreign currency forward contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notional amount

 

 

188,234 

 

 

338,186 

Carrying amount and fair value

 

 

237 

 

 

350 

Change in fair value from 10% appreciation of U.S. dollar

 

 

2,469 

 

 

15,589 

Change in fair value from 10% depreciation of U.S. dollar

 

 

(3,018)

 

 

(19,054)





















































 

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Table of Contents

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Ferro is committed to maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, Ferro has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures. The evaluation examined those disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2017 , the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017 .

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the first quarter of 2017 , there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





 

33


 

Table of Contents

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

There are various lawsuits and claims pending against the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. We do not currently expect the resolution of such matters to materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

There were no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2 016 .

Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Our ability to pay common stock dividends is limited by certain co venants in our Credit Facility other than dividends payable solely in Capital Securities, as defined in the agreement.

The following table summarizes purchases of our common stock by the Company and affiliated purchasers during the three months ended March 31, 2017 :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Number of

 

Maximum Dollar



 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

Amount that May



 

Total Number

 

 

 

 

as Part of Publicly

 

Yet Be Purchased



 

of Shares

 

Average Price

 

Announced Plans

 

Under the Plans



 

Purchased

 

Paid per Share

 

or Programs

 

or Programs



 

(Dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2017

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 —

$

50,000,000 

February 1, 2017 to February 28, 2017

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 —

$

50,000,000 

March 1, 2017 to March 31, 2017

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 —

$

50,000,000 

Total

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 —

 

 

__________________________





Item 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.   Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.   Exhibits

The exhibits listed in the attached Exhibit Index are the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

34


 

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.







 

 

 

 



 

FERRO CORPORATION

(Registrant)



 

 

Date:

Apr il 25 , 2017

 



 

/s/ Peter T. Thomas



 

Peter T. Thomas



 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)



 

 

Date:

April 25 , 2017

 



 

/s/ Benjamin J. Schlater



 

Benjamin J. Schlater



 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)







 

35


 

Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX



The following exhibits are filed with this report or are incorporated here by reference to a prior filing in accordance with Rule 12b-32 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.



Exhibit:



 

2

Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession

2.1

Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 29, 2015, by and among Ferro Corporation, the sellers party thereto, Corporación Química Vhem, S.L. and Dibon USA, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 9, 2015)**

3

Articles of incorporation and by-laws:

3.1

Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S 3, filed March 5, 2008).

3.2

Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed December 29, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S 3, filed March 5, 2008).

3.3

Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed on June 23, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S 3, filed March 5, 2008).

3.4

Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed on October 14, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed October 17, 2011).

3.5

Certificate of Amendment to the Eleventh Amended Articles of Incorporation of Ferro Corporation filed on April 25, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Ferro’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the quarter ended June 30, 2014) .

3.6

Ferro Corporation Amended and Restated Code of Regulations (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Ferro Corporation's current Report on Form 8-K filed December 12, 2016.)

4

Instruments defining rights of security holders, including indentures:

4.1

Senior Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2008, by and between Ferro Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S 3, filed March 5, 2008).

4.2

First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 19, 2008, by and between Ferro Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (with Form of 6.50% Convertible Senior Note due 2013) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8 K, filed August 19, 2008).

4.3

Form of Indenture, by and between Ferro Corporation and Wilmington Trust FSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S 3ASR, filed July 27, 2010).

4.4

First Supplemental Indenture, dated August 24, 2010, by and between Ferro Corporation and Wilmington Trust FSB (with Form of 7.875% Senior Notes due 2018) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Ferro Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8 K, filed August 24, 2010).

4.5

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated July 31, 2014, by and between Ferro Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 5, 2014).



The Company agrees, upon request, to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a copy of any instrument authorizing long-term debt that does not authorize debt in excess of 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

10.1

Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2017, among Ferro Corporation, the lenders party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent, collateral agent and a letter of credit issuer, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as the syndication agent and as a letter of credit issuer, and the various financial institutions and other persons from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Ferro Corporation’s current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 17, 2017).

10.2

Second Incremental Assumption Agreement, dated August 29, 2016, by and among Ferro Corporation, PNC Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent, the collateral agent and as an issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as an issuer, and various financial institutions as lenders. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Ferro Corporation’s current Report on Form 8K, filed August 30, 2016).

10.3

Retention Agreement, dated September 1, 2016, by and between Jeffrey L. Rutherford and Ferro Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Ferro Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016).*

10.4

Separation Agreement and Release, dated January 3, 2017, by and between Jeffrey L. Rutherford and Ferro Corporation.*

10.5

Change in Control Agreement, dated September 1, 2016, by and between Benjamin Schlater and Ferro Corporation.*



36


 

Table of Contents

Exhibit:



 

31

Certifications:

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

32.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350.

101

XBRL Documents:

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

__________________________

* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which one or more Directors and/or executives of Ferro Corporation may be participants.

**   Certain exhibits and schedules have been omitted and the registrant agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission





37


 





EXHIBIT A

SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

This document is a SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (this “Release Agreement”) and is between FERRO CORPORATION (“Ferro”) and Jeffrey L. Rutherford (“Mr. Rutherford”).



For good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally bound, Ferro and Mr. Rutherford hereby agree as follows:



1. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

A. Ferro has employed Mr. Rutherford since April 2, 2012.

B. Mr. Rutherford and Ferro signed a confidentiality agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) dated April 2, 2012.

C. Ferro and Mr. Rutherford signed a Change in Control Agreement effective as of May 2, 2012 (the “Change in Control Agreement”).

D. Mr. Rutherford has served as Chief Financial Officer for Ferro.

E. Mr. Rutherford’s employment relationship with Ferro has ended as of December 31, 2016 (the “Termination Date”) and Mr. Rutherford has no other service relationships with Ferro as of that date, so the Termination Date is also the date of “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

2. NORMAL PACKAGE AND OTHER MATTERS

A. Regardless of whether Mr. Rutherford signs this Release Agreement, Mr. Rutherford will be paid for time worked through the Termination Date and will be entitled to receive a payment equal to the value of current year accrued but unused vacation.

B. Regardless of whether Mr. Rutherford signs this Release Agreement, Mr. Rutherford will be permitted to extend existing medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage, if any, at his own expense, consistent with Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“COBRA”) and any applicable state laws.

C. Regardless of whether Mr. Rutherford signs this Release Agreement, in accordance with the terms of Nonstatutory Stock Option Grants under the Ferro Corporation 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) or the Ferro Corporation 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), Mr. Rutherford will be entitled to exercise any stock  

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

options awarded to him by Ferro (that have vested as of the Termination Date) at any time up to and including March 31, 2017.  After March 31, 2017, Mr. Rutherford will not be entitled to exercise any further Ferro stock options.  Any stock options that did not vest as of the Termination Date will be forfeited as of the Termination Date.

D. Regardless of whether Mr. Rutherford signs this Release Agreement, in accordance with the terms of Performance Share Awards and Restricted Share Unit Awards under the 2010 Plan or the 2013 Plan, any Performance Shares or Restricted Share Units awarded to Mr. Rutherford that have not yet vested will be forfeited as of the Termination Date.  Restricted Share Units that are vested as of the Termination Date shall continue to be subject to the applicable holding period under the applicable award agreement, and after the expiration of such holding period, Mr. Rutherford will receive the shares of Ferro common stock underlying the applicable Restricted Share Unit Award pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement.

E. Regardless of whether Mr. Rutherford signs this Release Agreement, Mr. Rutherford’s rights with respect to any benefits payable under the Ferro Corporation Savings and Stock Ownership Plan and the Ferro Corporation Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan for Executive Employees shall be governed by the terms and conditions of such plans.

3. ENHANCED PACKAGE

In consideration of the agreements and promises made by Mr. Rutherford in this Release Agreement, Ferro is prepared to provide Mr. Rutherford with, and Mr. Rutherford hereby elects to receive, the following enhanced separation pay and benefits (the “Enhanced Package”) in addition to the benefits described in paragraph 2 above and subject to the terms and conditions of this Release Agreement:

A. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS

Ferro will pay Mr. Rutherford the following:



(1) A severance payment totaling Seven Hundred Thirty-Three Thousand Three Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($733,350), which is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of Mr. Rutherford’s current base salary;

(2) A payment of Four Hundred Seventy-Six Thousand Six Hundred and Seventy-Eight Dollars ($476,678), which is equivalent to one and one-half (1.5) times the annual incentive that Mr. Rutherford would have earned under Ferro’s annual incentive plan for 2016, assuming that performance had been attained at the “target” level as based on a percentage of Mr. Rutherford’s current base salary;

(3) A payment equal to the annual incentive (if any) that Mr. Rutherford would have earned under Ferro’s annual incentive plan for 2016 if he was employed by Ferro as the Chief Financial Officer of Ferro on the last day of 2016, based on the actual level of performance attained for 2016.

 

2

 


 

 

 

B. CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS

To the extent that Mr. Rutherford is enrolled in Ferro’s medical, dental and/or vision plan as of the Termination Date, Mr. Rutherford and his spouse and dependents (if likewise so-enrolled as of the Termination Date) will continue to participate in those plans (whichever applicable) in accordance with the terms of such plans as they may be amended from time to time, at the same cost to Mr. Rutherford as would be incurred by similarly situated active employees (which may change from time-to-time) until (1) the date Mr. Rutherford becomes eligible for any medical, dental, or vision coverage provided by another employer or, if earlier, (2) eighteen (18) months following the Termination Date (the parties agree that the COBRA continuation period shall not begin until after the expiration of the periods set forth herein).  Mr. Rutherford’s portion of monthly premiums covering the first quarter of 2017 will be deducted from the lump sum Severance Payment.  Mr. Rutherford’s portion of premiums for subsequent months will be billed to him quarterly, and he agrees to pay such invoices within 30 days of receipt if he wishes to (and remains eligible to) continue coverage.  Any portion of the premium paid by Ferro shall be treated as taxable income to Mr. Rutherford.



C. OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES

Ferro shall make available to Mr. Rutherford reasonable outplacement services by a firm selected by Ferro and acceptable to Mr. Rutherford, at Ferro’s expense, in an amount not to exceed $10,000, for a period lasting not longer than one (1) year after the Termination Date.

D. FORM AND TIMING OF PAYMENTS

The timing of all payments to Mr. Rutherford under this Release Agreement shall be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, as amended, and shall be made as follows:

(1) The Severance Payments under paragraphs 3(A)(1) and 3(A)(2) shall be paid on the first day of the seventh month following the Termination Date.

(2) The payment described in paragraph 3(A)(3) shall be payable to Mr. Rutherford on the date that currently employed executives of Ferro receive their annual incentive payment for 2016.

(3) No payment of any kind that would be considered deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is required to be delayed pursuant to Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code shall be payable to Mr. Rutherford before the first day of the seventh month after the Termination Date.  If any portion of this Release Agreement is deemed to be inconsistent with this paragraph 3(D)(3), then this paragraph 3(D)(3) shall prevail.



 

3

 


 

 

 

4. CONFIDENTIALITY, NONDISPARAGEMENT, NONCOMPETITION, AND NONSOLICITATION

In consideration of the Enhanced Package, Mr. Rutherford promises that:

A. For the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending eighteen (18) months later, Mr. Rutherford will not use or disclose to any persons any proprietary or confidential business information or trade secrets concerning Ferro or any of its affiliated companies (including all subsidiaries), obtained or which came to Mr. Rutherford’s attention during the course of his employment with Ferro.

B. For the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending eighteen (18) months later, Mr. Rutherford will not make any statements or disclose any information concerning Ferro, its directors, officers, management, staff, employees, representatives, or agents (collectively, “Ferro or its management”), which are likely to disparage Ferro or its management, which are likely to damage the reputation or business prospects of Ferro or its management, or which are likely to interfere in any way with the business relations Ferro has with its customers (including potential customers), suppliers, alliance partners, employees, investors, or shareholders.

C. For the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending eighteen (18) months later, Mr. Rutherford will not, directly or indirectly, engage in, or assist or have an ownership interest in, or act as an employee, agent, advisor or consultant of, for, or to any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity that is engaged in, the manufacture or sale of products that compete with Ferro’s products or any products which are logical extensions, on a manufacturing or technological basis, of Ferro’s products.

D. For the period beginning on the Termination Date and ending eighteen (18) months later, Mr. Rutherford will not, directly or indirectly, attempt in any way to induce any employee of Ferro or any customer of Ferro to cease employment or cease doing business with Ferro or to commence employment or commence business relations with any competitor of Ferro; and, during the same period, Mr. Rutherford shall not hire or in any way support or encourage or authorize the hire of any then-current Ferro employee at any place of employment other than Ferro.

E. Mr. Rutherford represents and warrants that, from the Termination Date through the date he signed this Release Agreement, he has not engaged in any activity inconsistent with the requirements of paragraph 4.

In addition, Mr. Rutherford hereby reaffirms the commitments made to Ferro in the Confidentiality Agreement, which are in no way diminished or overridden by the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 4.  This paragraph 4 is not intended to reduce any of the obligations that the law may impose on former employees, such as any legal obligation not to disclose trade secrets or other types of confidential information.

5. WAIVER

 

4

 


 

 

 

Mr. Rutherford acknowledges that Ferro is providing the Enhanced Package in lieu of all other benefits to which he is or may be entitled arising out of his termination of employment.  Mr. Rutherford hereby waives any and all rights to any other severance benefits offered to Ferro employees and any other right or benefit under any agreement, understanding, or promise, whether written or oral, between Mr. Rutherford and Ferro (or any of the Released Parties, as defined below).  This waiver does not affect Mr. Rutherford’s right to continuation of coverage under Ferro’s health insurance plans at his own expense pursuant to any rights Mr. Rutherford may have under federal COBRA law or any applicable state law.

6. RELEASE

In consideration of the Enhanced Package, Mr. Rutherford hereby releases Ferro Corporation and all of Ferro Corporation’s predecessors, successors, assigns, acquirers, parents, direct and indirect subsidiaries, affiliates, and all such entities’ officers, directors, agents, representatives, partners, shareholders, fiduciaries, insurers, attorneys, and employees (both current and former) (all released entities are collectively referred to as the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, suits, damages, losses, costs, interest, attorneys’ fees, and expenses, known or unknown, which Mr. Rutherford has or may claim to have against any of the foregoing arising from or relating to his employment or termination of employment with Ferro.

Mr. Rutherford acknowledges that the foregoing release includes (but is not limited to) all claims arising under federal, state, or local law in the United States prohibiting employment discrimination or retaliation, including, without limitation, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Equal Pay Act, 42 U.S.C. §1981, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Chapters 4112 and 4113 of the Ohio Revised Code, including all amendments to all such laws, and all claims under any other federal or state laws, local ordinances or common law and other laws restricting an employer’s right to terminate the employment relationship.  Mr. Rutherford further acknowledges that such release includes (but is not limited to) any claims he may have under any internal grievance procedure at Ferro.

Mr. Rutherford agrees not to assert any such claims, demands, actions, or causes of action in any court of law or other judicial or arbitral forum.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit Mr. Rutherford from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other governmental or administrative agency or participating in investigations by that entity or any other governmental or administrative entity.

The foregoing release does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Release Agreement is executed.  Mr. Rutherford agrees that he will neither seek nor accept, from any source whatsoever, any further benefit, payment, or other consideration relating to any rights or claims that have been released in this Release Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mr. Rutherford will not give up his right to any benefits to which he is entitled

 

5

 


 

 

 

under any Ferro retirement plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, his rights, if any, under COBRA, or any monetary award offered by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

7. VOLUNTARY ELECTION

Mr. Rutherford acknowledges that:

A. The only consideration being given for signing this Release Agreement is set forth herein. In exchange for signing this Release Agreement, Mr. Rutherford is being provided consideration to which he would not otherwise be entitled.

B. No other promises or agreements have been made to or with Mr. Rutherford by any person or entity to induce Mr. Rutherford to sign this Release Agreement.

C. Mr. Rutherford has been given twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider the effect of this Release Agreement, including the release contained above, before signing this Release Agreement.  By signing below, Mr. Rutherford expressly acknowledges that he has been afforded the opportunity to take twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider this Release Agreement and that his execution of this document is with full knowledge of the consequences thereof and is of his own free will.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may Mr. Rutherford execute this Release Agreement prior to the Termination Date.

D. Mr. Rutherford is encouraged to discuss this Release Agreement and any matters related to the termination of his employment with an attorney of his own choosing.  Mr. Rutherford acknowledges that, before signing, he has had sufficient opportunity to do so.

E. Mr. Rutherford may revoke this Release Agreement during the seven-day period beginning immediately after he signs this Release Agreement.  Such revocation must be made in writing delivered to Ferro at the address listed below before the end of the seven-day period:

Ferro Corporation
6060 Parkland Boulevard
Suite 250
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124
Attention:  General Counsel

The “Effective Date” of this Release Agreement will be the day after the seven-day revocation period has expired.  This Release Agreement will be neither effective nor enforceable before the Effective Date.  If timely revoked, all portions of this Release Agreement will be void.

 

6

 


 

 

 

8. RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY

Mr. Rutherford represents that he has (A) returned to Ferro all company property in his possession, custody, or control, including but not limited to all paper documents, electronic documents, physical property, or other materials; and (B) deleted all copies he has of any electronic records or documents of Ferro and agrees that he will not, at any time in the future, seek to recover or permit recovery of any such deleted files unless required by law.  Mr. Rutherford certifies that he has not disclosed any Ferro proprietary, confidential, or trade secret information to anyone outside of Ferro and that he will not do so.  If Mr. Rutherford has any questions about the scope or applicability of this paragraph, he agrees to contact the General Counsel’s office at Ferro. 

9. WITHHOLDING

All payments and all dollar amounts referenced in this Release Agreement are described in gross, but shall be subject to withholding, deductions and contributions as required by law.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Release Agreement, Ferro shall not be obligated to guarantee any particular tax result for Mr. Rutherford with respect to any payment provided to Mr. Rutherford hereunder, and Mr. Rutherford shall be responsible for any taxes imposed on Mr. Rutherford with respect to any such payment.

10. EXECUTIVE AVAILABILITY

After the Termination Date, Mr. Rutherford shall provide reasonable assistance and cooperation to Ferro (or its affiliates or subsidiaries) concerning business or legal related matters about which Mr. Rutherford possesses relevant knowledge or information.  Such cooperation will be provided only at Ferro’s specific request and will include, but not be limited to, assisting or advising Ferro (or its subsidiaries or affiliates) with respect to any business-related matters or any actual or threatened legal action (including testifying in depositions, hearings, and/or trials).  Mr. Rutherford will be reimbursed for the reasonable costs of providing assistance and cooperation, including, without limitation, reasonable travel and lodging expenses.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in this Release Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Release Agreement is intended to require Mr. Rutherford to notify Ferro or any of its affiliate companies in advance of any communication with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

11. TERMINATION OF CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

In accordance with the provisions of the Change in Control Agreement, the “Term” of the Change in Control Agreement (as defined therein) expires immediately upon the Termination Date.

12. GOVERNING LAW

This Release Agreement will be governed by the internal substantive laws of the State of Ohio.

 

7

 


 

 

 

13. BREACH

Ferro’s obligation to provide separation pay and benefits under this Release Agreement will cease immediately if Ferro determines that Mr. Rutherford failed to comply with any of his obligations under this Release Agreement, and Mr. Rutherford will be required to return to Ferro (with ten (10) days after request by Ferro) any amounts that Ferro has paid to Mr. Rutherford under this Release Agreement other than the payments described in paragraph 2.

Unless there is a risk of imminent harm to Ferro, Ferro will provide Mr. Rutherford with at least three (3) days written notice of any alleged violation or breach of the agreement, so that he may respond to the allegations prior to Ferro ceasing any payments or benefits, returning any payments, or taking any legal action under this Release Agreement.

Each party will bear its own costs to resolve any dispute arising under this Release Agreement.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Release Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto and replaces any prior agreements, contracts and/or promises, whether written or oral, with respect to the subject matters included herein.  This Release Agreement may not be changed orally, but only in writing, signed by each of the parties hereto.  This Release Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, and assigns.

15. INVALIDITY

The parties to this Release Agreement agree that the invalidity or unenforceability of any one provision or part of this Release Agreement will not render any other provision(s) or part(s) hereof invalid or unenforceable and that the other provision(s) or part(s) will remain in full force and effect.



By signing this Release Agreement, Mr. Rutherford affirms that he has read this Release Agreement carefully, that he knows and understands its contents, that he is signing this Release Agreement voluntarily, and that signing this Release Agreement is his own free act and deed.





[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]





 

8

 


 

 

 

To evidence their agreement and intention to be bound legally by this document, Jeffrey L. Rutherford and FERRO CORPORATION have signed and dated this SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE.



 

 

 



 

 

FERRO CORPORATION

/ s/ Jeffrey L. Rutherford

 

 

/s/ Peter T. Thomas

Jeffrey L. Rutherford

 

By:

Peter T. Thomas
Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date:

01.03.2017

Date:

01.05.2017









 

9

 


 





Change in Control Agreement

This document is a Change in Control Agreement (this “Agreement”), is dated as of September 1, 2016, and is by and between Benjamin Schlater (“Mr. Schlater”) and Ferro Corporation (the “Company”), an Ohio corporation.



Background

A. T he Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company recog nizes that, as is the case with many publicly-held corporations, the possibility of a change in control exists;

B. The Board also recognizes any such change in control could engender uncertainty among members of the Company’s management team that could result in distraction or departure of key management personnel at a time when the services of such management team members are particularly critical to the Company and its shareholders;

C. The Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to foster the continued employment of key management personnel during such periods of possible uncertainty;

D. Mr. Schlater is a key member of the Company’s management team and is party to that certain Change in Control Agreement, dated as of September 1, 2015 (the “Prior Agreement”), with the Company;

E. On September 1, 2016, Mr. Schlater assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Schlater and the Company agreed that certain changes would be made to the Prior Agreement; and

F. The Company and Mr. Schlater desire to enter into this Agreement to accomplish the objective of fostering continued employment of key management personnel during such periods of possible uncertainty in connection with a change in control.

Agreement

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the matters stated above and other good and valuable consideration, and intending to be legally bound by this Agreement, Mr. Schlater and the Company hereby agree as follows:



Article 1 – General Provisions

1.1 Overview of the Agreement .  The purpose of this Agreement is to reinforce and encourage Mr. Schlater’s continued attention and dedication to his assigned duties in the face of potential distractions arising from a Potential Change in Control (as defined in Section 2.1 below) and/or a Change in Control (as defined in Section 3.1 below).  In order to achieve

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

this purpose, in this Agreement the Company undertakes to make or provide Mr. Schlater certain payments and benefits, and to take certain actions in connection with, a Potential Change in Control and/or Change in Control.  By this Agreement, however, the parties do not intend to create, and have not created, a contract of employment, express or implied, between Mr. Schlater and the Company and Mr. Schlater’s employment remains “at will.”

1.2 Definitions .  Appendix A sets forth the definitions of certain terms used in this Agreement.  Those terms shall have the meanings set forth on Appendix A where used in this Agreement and identified with initial capital letters.

1.3 Construction .  For purposes of this Agreement:

A. The term “parties” means Mr. Schlater and Ferro.

B. The term “today” means the date written in the Preamble to this Agreement.

C. All currency amounts stated in this Agreement are in United States Dollars.

D. All references to sections of statutes, such as the Exchange Act or the Internal Revenue Code, also refer to any successor provisions to such sections.

1.4 Term .  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) is the period beginning today and ending on December 31, 2017; provided, however, that, beginning December 31, 2016, and on each anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof being called the “Renewal Date” below), the Term will automatically be extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date, unless, at least 90 days before a Renewal Date, the Company has given Mr. Schlater written notice that the Term will not be so extended; and provided further that, if a Change in Control occurs during the Term, then the Term will automatically be extended and will not terminate earlier than the last day of the 24th month after the month in which such Change in Control occurred.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2 below, the Term will expire immediately if Mr. Schlater’s employment terminates for any reason before a Change in Control occurs.

Article 2 – Potential Change in Control

2.1 Meaning of “Potential Change in Control.” For purposes of this Agreement, a “Potential Change in Control” shall have occurred if and when any of the following occurs:

A. Accumulation of Ownership .  Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; or

B. Proxy Solicitation .  Any Person commences a solicitation (as defined in Rule 14a-1 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) of proxies or consents which has the purpose of effecting or would (if successful) result in a Change in Control; or

 

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C. Tender or Exchange Offer .  A tender or exchange offer for voting securities of the Company, made by a Person, is first published or sent or given (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act); or

D. Change in Control Agreement .  The Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control; or

E. Public Announcement .  The Company or any Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control; or

F. Board Determination .  The Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

2.2 Termination After a Potential Change in Control But Before a Change in Control .  In order to protect Mr. Schlater if his employment with the Company is terminated after a Potential Change in Control occurs but before a Change in Control occurs, the following provisions will apply:

A. If the Company terminates Mr. Schlater’s employment Without Cause (as defined in Section 3.2.B below) after a Potential Change in Control occurs but before a Change in Control occurs (whether or not such Change in Control ever actually occurs), and such termination was at the request or direction of a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control, then such termination will be deemed to be, and will be treated as if it were, a termination by the Company Without Cause after a Change in Control and will be governed by Article 3 below.

B. If Mr. Schlater terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in Section 3.2.C below) after a Potential Change in Control occurs but before a Change in Control occurs (whether or not such Change in Control ever actually occurs) and the circumstance or event which constitutes Good Reason occurs at the request or direction of a Person who has entered into an agreement with the Company the consummation of which would constitute a Change in Control, then such termination will be deemed to be, and will be treated as if it were, a termination by Mr. Schlater for Good Reason after a Change in Control and will be governed by Article 3 below.

Article 3 – Change in Control

3.1 Meaning of “Change in Control.”  For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change in Control” will be deemed to have occurred if and when any of the following occurs:

A. Accumulation of Ownership .  Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of either

 

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(1) The then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”), or

(2) The combined voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”);

provided, however, that, for purposes of this Section 3.1.A, the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any affiliated company or (iv) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that satisfies the conditions set forth in Sections 3.1.C(1), 3.1.C(2), and 3.1.C(3) below; or

B. Certain Changes in Board Membership .  The following individuals (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of Directors then serving:

(1) Individuals who are Directors today, and

(2) New Directors (other than a Director whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors as of today or whose appointment, election, or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or

C. Merger or Consolidation; Sale of Assets .  Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination,

(1) All or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the Beneficial Owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately before such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination

 

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(including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately before such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,

(2) No Person (other than a corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and

(3) At least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a non- corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

D. Liquidation; Dissolution .  Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

3.2 The Company’s Obligations Generally .  If Mr. Schlater’s employment terminates after a Change in Control occurs, then the Company will pay or provide Mr. Schlater payments and benefits described in this Article 3, depending upon the circumstances under which his employment terminates as follows:

A. Termination With Cause .  Within two years following a Change in Control, the Company will have the right to terminate Mr. Schlater’s employment with or without Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean any of the following reasons:

(1) Mr. Schlater has been convicted of a felony or Mr. Schlater has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony);

(2) Mr. Schlater is guilty of dishonesty resulting or intended to result directly or indirectly in significant gain or personal enrichment to Mr. Schlater that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company; or

(3) Mr. Schlater fails willfully and on a continuing basis substantially to perform his duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to mental or physical illness) after the Applicable Board demands in writing that Mr. Schlater perform such duties, which demand must specifically identify the manner in which the Applicable Board

 

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believes that Mr. Schlater has not substantially performed his duties, and such failure results in demonstrably material injury to the Company.

B. Termination Without Cause .  The Company will have the right to terminate Mr. Schlater’s employment at any time after a Change in Control but, unless such termination meets the requirements of Section 3.2.A above, such termination will constitute a termination “Without Cause.”

C. Termination for Good Reason .  At any time within two years after a Change in Control, Mr. Schlater will have the right to terminate his employment with the Company for any of the following reasons (such reasons constituting “Good Reason” under this Agreement) to which Mr. Schlater has not given his prior written consent:

(1) The assignment to Mr. Schlater of any duties inconsistent with Mr. Schlater’s status as a senior executive officer of the Company, a change in Mr. Schlater’s title or a substantial adverse alteration in the nature or status of Mr. Schlater’s responsibilities or reporting relationship (whether or not occurring solely as a result of the Company’s ceasing to be a publicly traded entity), in each case from those in effect immediately before the Change in Control;

(2) The removal of Mr. Schlater from or failure to re-elect Mr. Schlater to any positions held by Mr. Schlater immediately before the Change in Control (except in connection with termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment for Cause, Disability or Retirement or as a result of Mr. Schlater’s death or voluntary termination without Good Reason);

(3) A reduction by the Company in Mr. Schlater’s annual base salary and/or annual incentive target as in effect immediately before the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time;

(4) The relocation of Mr. Schlater’s principal place of employment to a location which increases Mr. Schlater’s one-way commuting distance by more than 25 miles over Mr. Schlater’s one-way commuting distance immediately before the Change in Control, except for required travel on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with Mr. Schlater’s business travel obligations immediately before the Change in Control;

(5) The failure by the Company to pay to Mr. Schlater any portion of Mr. Schlater’s current compensation, or to pay to Mr. Schlater any portion of an installment of deferred compensation under any deferred compensation program of the Company, within five business days of the date such compensation is due;

(6) The failure by the Company to continue in effect any Benefit Plan in which Mr. Schlater participates immediately before the Change in Control unless

 

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an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such Benefit Plan, or the failure by the Company to continue Mr. Schlater’s participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative plan) on a basis not materially less favorable, both, in terms of the amount or timing of payment of benefits provided and the level of Mr. Schlater’s participation relative to other participants, as existed immediately before the Change in Control; provided, however, that the Company may make modifications in such Benefit Plans so long as such modifications are required by law or are generally applicable to all salaried employees of the Company who participate in such plans and to all salaried employees of any Person in control of the Company who participate in such plans and do not discriminate against highly-paid employees of the Company;

(7) The failure by the Company to provide Mr. Schlater with the number of paid vacation days to which Mr. Schlater is entitled in accordance with the Company’s normal vacation policy in effect immediately before the Change in Control (or pursuant to a special vacation agreement or arrangement then in effect with respect to Mr. Schlater);

(8) Any purported termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment which is not effected pursuant to a Termination Notice satisfying the requirements of Section 8.1 below (and for purposes of this Agreement, no such purported termination shall be effective); or

(9) Any failure of the Company to obtain assumption of this Agreement, as set forth in Section 10.1 below.

For purposes of determining whether Good Reason exists, the following will apply:

(i) Any claim by Mr. Schlater that Good Reason exists shall be presumed to be correct unless the Company establishes to the Board by clear and convincing evidence that Good Reason does not exist.

(ii) Mr. Schlater’s right to terminate his employment for Good Reason will not be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

(iii) Mr. Schlater’s death following delivery of a notice of termination for Good Reason will not affect Mr. Schlater’s estate’s entitlement to severance payments benefits provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for Good Reason.

(iv) Mr. Schlater’s continued employment will not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any act or failure to act constituting Good Reason.

 

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3.3 Salary and Benefit Continuation on Termination After a Change in Control .  If Mr. Schlater’s employment is terminated for any reason within two years following a Change in Control and during the Term, then the Company will –

A. Pay Mr. Schlater through the Termination Date his full unreduced salary (i.e., his salary immediately before the Termination Date) or, if higher, Mr. Schlater’s highest base salary rate in effect at any time during the calendar year immediately preceding the Change in Control, and

B. Provide Mr. Schlater through the Termination Date with all compensation and benefits to which he would otherwise have been entitled under the terms of the applicable compensation and benefit plans, programs, or arrangements of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company as in effect immediately before the Termination Date or, if more favorable to Mr. Schlater, as in effect immediately before the Change in Control.

3.4 Severance Payments .  In addition to any payments or benefits Mr. Schlater may be entitled to receive under Section 3.3 above and Article 4 below, if a Change in Control occurs and Mr. Schlater’s employment is terminated during the Term (i) by the Company Without Cause (other than by reason of Mr. Schlater’s death), (ii) by the Company by reason of Mr. Schlater’s Disability or (iii) by Mr. Schlater for Good Reason, then the Company will pay Mr. Schlater the following amounts, and provide Mr. Schlater the following benefits (collectively, the “Severance Payments”):

A. Annual Incentive Plan.  Subject to Section 10.7, within five business days after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Mr. Schlater a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to –

(1) the pro rata portion of Mr. Schlater’s annual incentive compensation under the Annual Incentive Plan for the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs, such amount to be determined by multiplying Mr. Schlater’s targeted annual incentive compensation amount by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such calendar year which had elapsed as of the Termination Date and the denominator of which is 365; plus

(2) if Mr. Schlater has not then been paid his annual incentive compensation under the Annual Incentive Plan for the calendar year immediately preceding his Termination Date, Mr. Schlater’s targeted annual incentive compensation amount for that preceding year.

B. Termination Payment.  Subject to Section 10.7, within five business days after the Termination Date, the Company will pay Mr. Schlater a lump sum termination payment, in cash, equal to the product of –

(1) The sum of –

 

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(a) Mr. Schlater’s annual base salary (including the annual amount of any periodic cash allowances to which Mr. Schlater is entitled) as in effect immediately before the Termination Date (without giving effect to any reduction in base salary, which reduction constitutes an event of Good Reason) or, if higher, the highest base salary rate in effect with respect to Mr. Schlater at any time during the calendar year immediately preceding the Change in Control (the applicable amount being referred to herein as the “Base Salary”), and

(b) Mr. Schlater’s target annual incentive compensation amount under the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan for the fiscal year in which occurs the Termination Date (without giving effect to any reduction in targeted annual incentive compensation caused by an adverse change in Mr. Schlater’s Annual Incentive Plan participation) or, if higher, for the fiscal year in which occurs the Change in Control (or, if no such target annual incentive compensation amount was determined for the fiscal year(s) in which occurs the Termination Date or the Change in Control, the target annual incentive compensation amount for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year(s) in which occurs the Termination Date or the Change in Control, respectively), times

(2) Two.

C. Welfare Plan Benefit Continuation .  The Company will provide Mr. Schlater (and, if applicable, his dependents) with welfare benefits substantially similar to, and at the same after-tax cost to Mr. Schlater (and, if applicable, his dependents), those provided to Mr. Schlater (and, if applicable, his dependents) under the Welfare Plans in which Mr. Schlater is participating or to which he is entitled immediately before the Termination Date or, if more favorable to Mr. Schlater, those provided to Mr. Schlater (and, if applicable, his dependents) under the Welfare Plans immediately before the Change in Control.  The Company will provide such benefits for 24 months after the Termination Date in such a manner that such benefits (and the costs and premiums thereof) are excluded from the Mr. Schlater’s income for federal income tax purposes and, if the Company reasonably determines that providing continued coverage under one or more of its Welfare Plans contemplated herein could be taxable to Mr. Schlater, the Company shall provide such benefits at the level required hereby through the purchase of individual insurance coverage at no greater cost to Mr. Schlater than the cost to Mr. Schlater immediately before such date.  Such welfare benefits shall immediately cease if Mr. Schlater becomes re-employed with another employer and is eligible to receive such welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan as of the commencement of such applicable period of eligibility.

D. Defined Benefit Retirement Plans .  Within five business days after the Termination Date or, if later, the earliest time or times permitted under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related federal regulations, if Mr. Schlater is a

 

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participant in the Ferro Corporation Retirement Plan and/or the Ferro Corporation Supplemental Defined Benefit Plan for Executive Employees, then the Company will pay Mr. Schlater an amount equal to the present value of the excess of –

(1) the benefits Mr. Schlater that would have been paid or payable under such plans if Mr. Schlater had continued his employment for 24 months after the Termination Date and such later date were the date of employment termination under such plans, assuming for this purpose that –

(a) Mr. Schlater’s age is increased by 24 months, and

(b) Mr. Schlater’s “Credited Basic Compensation” (as defined in such plan) for purposes of such plans is Mr. Schlater's Credited Basic Compensation determined as of March 31, 2006, over

(2) the benefits paid or payable to Mr. Schlater under such plans as of the Termination Date (if any).

For purposes of calculating such amount, the provisions of such plans and the assumptions, including, without limitation, interest rate and mortality assumptions used for calculating lump sum distributions, in effect as of Termination Date will apply or, if more favorable to Mr. Schlater, the provisions and assumptions existing immediately before the Change in Control, will apply.

E. Defined Contribution Retirement Plans .  Within five business days after the Termination Date or, if later, the earliest time or times permitted under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related federal regulations, the Company will pay Mr. Schlater an amount equal to the amount of the Company’s contributions (and specifically not including any pre-tax or other contributions commonly considered to made by an employee) that would have been added to Mr. Schlater’s accounts under the Company’s qualified defined contribution plans and any excess or supplemental defined contribution plans in which Mr. Schlater participates at the Termination Date (or if more favorable to Mr. Schlater, the plans as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control) if Mr. Schlater had continued his employment for 24 months after the Termination Date and such later date were the date of employment termination under such plans, assuming for this purpose that –

(1) Mr. Schlater’s compensation in each of the two years is that required by Sections 3.4.B payable in equal monthly installments over such two-year period;

(2) Mr. Schlater’s benefits under such plans are vested to the extent that they would have been vested had his employment terminated at such later date;

(3) The rate of any such employer contribution is equal to the maximum rate provided under the terms of the applicable plans for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or, if more favorable to Mr. Schlater, or in the

 

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event that as of the Termination Date the rate of any such contribution for such year is not determinable, the rate of contribution under the plans for the plan year ending immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control); and

(4) To the extent that the Company’s contributions are determined based on the contributions or deferrals of Mr. Schlater, that Mr. Schlater’s contribution or deferral elections, as appropriate, are those in effect immediately prior to the Termination Date.

For purposes of calculating such amount, the provisions of the applicable plans in effect as of the date of the Change in Control will apply.

F. Outplacement .  The Company will provide Mr. Schlater, at the Company’s sole cost and expense as incurred, with the reasonable services of an outplacement firm mutually agreed upon between the Company and Mr. Schlater and suitable to Mr. Schlater’s position until the first acceptance by Mr. Schlater of an offer of employment; provided, however, that the cost of such outplacement shall not exceed $50,000; provided, further, that the Company will not be required to provide such services to Mr. Schlater beyond December 31st of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which the Termination Date occurs.

G. Indemnification Insurance .  The Company will continue to maintain officers’ indemnification insurance for Mr. Schlater for a period of not less than four years after the Termination Date, the terms and conditions of which shall be no less favorable than the terms and conditions of the officers’ indemnification insurance maintained by the Company for Mr. Schlater immediately before the date on which the Change in Control occurs.

3.5 Payment in Respect of Performance Shares .  If a Change in Control occurs during the Term, and whether or not Mr. Schlater’s employment thereafter terminates, within five business days after the Change in Control the Company will pay Mr. Schlater an amount in cash with respect to each grant of Performance Shares (as defined in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) previously awarded to Mr. Schlater under the Long-Term Incentive Plan (or any predecessor or successor plan) in respect of, and in full satisfaction of, as-yet-uncompleted performance periods (the “Outstanding Performance Shares”) equal to (but not less than zero):

Payment = (A) ‒ (B)

where:

(A)  =  The product of

(1) The number of Outstanding Performance Shares awarded to Mr. Schlater in respect of the applicable Performance Period, times

(2) The “fair market value of the Common Stock” (as defined in the Performance Share Plan), times

 

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(3) A fraction (not to exceed one)

(a) The numerator of which is the sum of

(i) the number of days which had elapsed in the applicable Performance Period as of the date of such Change in Control plus

(ii) 730, and

(b) The denominator of which is the number of days in such applicable Performance Period,

a nd where

(B) = the value that is actually paid to Mr. Schlater under the Long-Term Incentive Plan in respect of such Outstanding Performance Shares in connection with the Change in Control.

For purposes of this Section 3.5, if Mr. Schlater’s employment terminates after a Potential Change in Control but before a Change in Control under the circumstances described in Section 2.2 above, then the determination of the number of Outstanding Performance Shares which had not expired immediately before the Change in Control will, instead, be determined as of the date which is immediately before the date of occurrence of the Potential Change in Control.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary, if such Performance Shares constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, if and to the extent that the Change in Control is not a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, the Company cash payment pursuant to this Section 3.5 shall be made at the time that the Outstanding Performance Shares would be settled in accordance with the terms thereof as set forth in the applicable award agreements and shall be in full satisfaction of the Company’s obligations under, and Mr. Schlater’s rights in respect of, such Outstanding Performance Shares.

3.6 Death .  If a Change in Control occurs during the Term and Mr. Schlater’s employment is thereafter terminated by reason of his death, then the Company will pay to Mr. Schlater’s legal representatives or estate, or as may be directed by the legal representatives of his estate, as the case may be, a cash lump sum equal to the amounts determined under Sections 3.4.A and 3.4.B above.  Such payment will be in addition to any payments and benefits to which Mr. Schlater is entitled under Article 4 below.

Article 4 – Additional Tax Provisions

4.1 Modified Cutback Due to Additional Taxes .  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, if any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code) to or for the benefit of Mr. Schlater, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), would be subject to the Additional Tax, then the Payment will

 

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be reduced to one dollar ($1.00) less than the amount above which the Payment would be subject to the Additional Tax, but only to the extent that such reduction provides Mr. Schlater with a greater after-tax economic value, taking into account all federal, state and local taxes, including any Additional Tax, than the Payment without such reduction.  Any reduction pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be applied against the Payment in the manner that minimizes the economic loss to Mr. Schlater as a result of such reduction and shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

4.2 Accounting Firm .  All determinations required to be made under this Article 4 and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Deloitte & Touche, or such other nationally recognized certified public accounting firm as may be designated by Mr. Schlater (the “Accounting Firm”).  The Company will direct the Accounting Firm to provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Mr. Schlater within 15 business days after receipt of notice from Mr. Schlater that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  If the Accounting Firm is then serving as accountant, auditor, or consultant for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, then Mr. Schlater will have the right to appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).

4.3 Access to Records .  Mr. Schlater and the Company will each provide the Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the possession of the Company or Mr. Schlater, as the case may be, reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the determination contemplated by this Article 4.

4.4 Accounting Firm’s Fees and Expenses .  The Company will pay the fees and expense of the Accounting Firm for its services in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by this Article 4.

4.5 Adjustments .  If the Payment is reduced as described in Section 4.1 and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) subsequently and finally determines that the Payment, even after the reduction applied by Section 4.1, will result in a loss of deduction to the Company under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and the Company could avoid such loss of deduction by causing Mr. Schlater to return an additional amount of the Payment to the Company, the Company may request that Mr. Schlater remit an additional amount to the Company equal to the difference between the amount previously paid and the minimum amount necessary to avoid such loss of deduction, which amount shall be remitted by Mr. Schlater within five business days after notification by the Company.

4.6 IRS Claims .  Mr. Schlater will notify the Company in writing of any claim by the IRS that, if successful, would result in the imposition of Additional Tax after the reduction (if any) applied by Section 4.1.  Mr. Schlater will give the Company such notice as promptly as practicable but no later than ten business days after Mr. Schlater actually receives notice of such claim.  Mr. Schlater will further apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid (in each case, to the extent known by Mr. Schlater).  Mr. Schlater agrees not to pay such claim before the earlier of (a) the

 

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expiration of the 30-calendar-day period following the date on which Mr. Schlater gives such notice to the Company and (b) the date that any payment with respect to such claim is due.  If the Company notifies Mr. Schlater in writing at least five business days before the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, then Mr. Schlater will –

(A) Provide the Company with any written records or documents in Mr. Schlater’s possession relating to such claim reasonably requested by the Company;

(B) Take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company reasonably requests in writing from time to time, including without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney competent in respect of the subject matter and reasonably selected by the Company;

(C) Cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim; and

(D) Permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

provided, however, that the Company will bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and defend Mr. Schlater and hold Mr. Schlater harmless, on an after-tax basis, from and against any Additional Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.6, the Company will control all proceedings taken in connection with the contest of any claim contemplated by this Section 4.6 and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim; provided, however, that Mr. Schlater may participate therein at Mr. Schlater’s own cost and expense.  The Company may, at its option, either direct Mr. Schlater to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Mr. Schlater will prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall direct; provided, however, that if the Company directs Mr. Schlater to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Company will indemnify and defend Mr. Schlater and hold Mr. Schlater harmless, on an after-tax basis, from such Additional Tax or income tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such payment; and provided further that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for Mr. Schlater’s taxable year with respect to which the contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.  Furthermore, the Company’s control of any such contested claim will be limited to issues with respect to which the Additional Tax would be payable hereunder and Mr. Schlater will be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

 

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Article 5 – Mr. Schlater’s Commitments

5.1 Continuation of Employment .  Mr. Schlater affirms that, if a Potential Change in Control occurs during the Term, Mr. Schlater intends to remain in the employ of the Company at least until a Change in Control occurs or such Change in Control is abandoned.

5.2 Noncompetition Covenant .  Whether or not a Change in Control occurs during the Term, Mr. Schlater will not, at any time during the Restricted Period (as defined below), accept employment with, own an interest in, form a partnership or joint venture with, consult with or otherwise assist any person or enterprise that manufactures or sells products (“Competitive Products”) similar to, or competitive with, the products manufactured or sold by the Company on the Termination Date.  For purposes of this Section 5.2, the term “Restricted Period” means

A. 24 months after the Termination Date; and

B. An additional 12 months thereafter (the “Additional Noncompetition Period”) if:

(1) The Company has not terminated Mr. Schlater’s employment because of Disability;

(2) The Company elects to impose the Additional Noncompetition Period by providing to Mr. Schlater written notice of such election not later than two months after the termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment; and

(3) The Company pays Mr. Schlater, in 12 monthly installments during the Additional Noncompetition Period, an aggregate amount equal to Mr. Schlater’s Base Salary.

The restrictions of this Section 5.2 will, however, cease to apply and have no further force or effect from and after the occurrence of a Change in Control and will not apply if the relevant person or enterprise acquires a business or product line that manufactures or sells Competitive Products after the commencement of Mr. Schlater’s employment or other relationship with such person or enterprise (and the relevant person or enterprise has not manufactured or sold such Competitive Products previously) and Mr. Schlater does not participate in any way in the business of the Competitive Products for 24 months after the termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment and, at the request of the Company, Mr. Schlater and the relevant person or enterprise certify to the Company in writing that Mr. Schlater has and will comply with the restrictions of this Section 5.2.

5.3 Non-Disparagement .  Mr. Schlater agrees that during his employment and at all times thereafter, Mr. Schlater will not, unless compelled by a court or governmental agency, make, or cause to be made, any statement, observation or opinion, or communicate any information (whether oral or written) regarding the Company, or its Affiliates, together with their respective directors, partners, officers or employees (such entities, collectively, the “Ferro Related Persons”), which disparages the reputation or business of the Company or the Ferro Related Persons; provided, however, that such restriction shall not apply to statements, observations, opinions or communications made in good faith in the fulfillment of Mr. Schlater’s duties with the Company and provided further that such restriction shall

 

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cease to apply and shall be of no further force and effect from and after the occurrence of a Change in Control.

5.4 Qualification .  Nothing in this Article 5 eliminates or affects any right to payments or benefits that Mr. Schlater otherwise has under other provisions of this Agreement and nothing in this Article 5 gives Mr. Schlater the right to any payment or benefit under other provisions of this Agreement that he does not otherwise have.

Article 6 – Employment at Will

6.1 Employment at Will .  The parties acknowledge and confirm that Mr. Schlater’s employment by the Company is employment-at-will, and is subject to termination by Mr. Schlater or by the Company at any time with Cause or Without Cause.  Mr. Schlater acknowledges that such employment-at-will status cannot be modified except in a specific writing that has been authorized or ratified by the Board.

6.2 Employment Actions .  This Agreement is not intended to create, and will not be construed as creating, an express or implied contract of employment.  Nothing contained in this Agreement will prevent the Company at any time from terminating Mr. Schlater’s right and obligation to perform service for the Company or prevent the Company from removing Mr. Schlater from any position which Mr. Schlater holds in the Company, provided, however, that no such action shall affect the obligation of the Company to make payments and provide benefits if and to the extent required under this Agreement.  The payments and benefits provided in this Agreement will be full and complete liquidated damages for any such employment action taken by the Company.

Article 7 – Mitigation

7.1 No Obligation to Seek Other Employment .  If Mr. Schlater’s employment with the Company terminates during the Term, Mr. Schlater will not be required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to Mr. Schlater by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

7.2 No Reduction in Payments or Benefits .  The Company’s obligation to make payments and provide benefits under this Agreement will not be reduced or offset by any compensation earned by Mr. Schlater as the result of employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by Mr. Schlater to the Company, or otherwise.

Article 8 – Termination Procedures

8.1 Termination Notice .  If either party desires that Mr. Schlater’s employment be terminated after a Change in Control and during the Term, then such party will deliver to the other party a written notice (a “Termination Notice”) in the manner provided in Section 10.3 below.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Termination Notice must indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and must set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision

 

16

 


 

 

 

so indicated.  Further, if the Company proposes to deliver to Mr. Schlater a Termination Notice for Cause, then the Company must first convene a meeting of the Board to consider that action, provide Mr. Schlater with reasonable notice of such meeting and the specific conduct of Mr. Schlater that the Company believes gives rise to Cause, and afford Mr. Schlater with opportunity, together with his counsel, to be heard by the Board.  If, after having complied with the requirements of the preceding sentence, the Company nonetheless desires to provide Mr. Schlater with a Termination Notice for Cause, then such Termination Notice must include a certified copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths (3/4) of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board after the Board has made a finding, in the good faith opinion of the Board, that Mr. Schlater was guilty of conduct constituting Cause and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

8.2 Termination Date .  The “Termination Date,” with respect to any purported termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment after a Change in Control and during the Term, will be determined as follows:

A. Termination for Disability .  If Mr. Schlater’s employment is terminated for Disability, then the Termination Date will be 30 days after Termination Notice is given (provided that Mr. Schlater shall not have returned to the full-time performance of Mr. Schlater’s duties during such 30-day period), and

B. Termination for Any Other Reason .  If Mr. Schlater’s employment is terminated for any other reason, then the Termination Date will be the date specified in the Termination Notice (which, in the case of a termination by the Company, shall not be less than 30 days (except in the case of a termination for Cause) and, in the case of a termination by Mr. Schlater, shall not be less than 15 days nor more than 120 days, respectively, from the date such Termination Notice is given).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the Termination Date occur until the Mr. Schlater experiences a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be deemed to be the “Termination Date.”

8.3 Dispute Concerning Termination .  If within 15 days after any Termination Notice is given, or, if later, before the Termination Date (as determined without regard to this Section 8.3), the party receiving such Termination Notice notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, then the Company’s obligation to make payments or provide benefits pursuant to Section 3.4 shall be extended until the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided, however, that such obligations shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by Mr. Schlater only if such notice is given in good faith and Mr. Schlater pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence; provided, further, that the Company’s obligation to make payments or provide benefits shall be satisfied, to the extent

 

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required, no later than the end of the first calendar year in which such mutual written agreement is executed or such final judgment is rendered.

Article 9 – Disputes

9.1 Agreement to Arbitrate .  The parties will resolve any further dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement exclusively by arbitration in Cleveland, Ohio, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.  The evidentiary standards set forth in this Agreement shall apply to such arbitration.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator’s award in any court having jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Mr. Schlater will be entitled to seek specific performance of Mr. Schlater’s right to be paid until the Termination Date during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement.  The Company will be solely responsible for paying the costs and expenses incurred by both parties in connection with such arbitration.

9.2 Injunctive Relief .  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1 above, the Company will be entitled, in addition to any other remedy or remedies available to the Company at law or in equity, to injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving the inadequacy of monetary damages or the posting of any bond or security, enjoining or restraining Mr. Schlater from any violation of threatened violation of the covenants contained in Section 5.2.

9.3 Legal Expenses .  The Company will pay or reimburse Mr. Schlater all legal fees and expenses incurred by Mr. Schlater in disputing in good faith any issue (regardless of the outcome thereof) under this Agreement relating to the termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment at any time from the date of a Change in Control through the Mr. Schlater’s remaining lifetime (or, if longer, through the 20th anniversary of the date of a Change in Control) to the full extent permitted by law, in seeking in good faith to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this Agreement or in connection with any tax audit or proceeding to the extent attributable to the application of §409A(a)(1)(B) or §4999 of the Internal Revenue Code to any payment or benefit provided under this Agreement.  The Company will pay or reimburse such amounts within five business days after Mr. Schlater’s delivers a written request for payment accompanied by such evidence of fees and expenses incurred as the Company reasonably may require, provided that Mr. Schlater submits an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred.  The amount of such legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any given calendar year shall not affect the legal fees and expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any other calendar year, and Mr. Schlater’s right to have the Company pay such legal fees and expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.

9.4 No Waiver .  The provisions of the Article 9 do not constitute a waiver by the Company of any rights to damages or other remedies which it may have pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise.  Mr. Schlater acknowledges that, due to the uniqueness of Mr. Schlater’s services and confidential nature of the information Mr. Schlater will possess the covenant

 

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set forth in Section 5.2 is reasonable and necessary for the protection of the business and goodwill of the Company.

Article 10 – Miscellaneous

10.1 Binding Agreement .  In addition to any obligations imposed by law upon any successor to the Company, the Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.  Failure of the Company to obtain such assumption and agreement before the effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and will entitle Mr. Schlater to compensation from the Company in the same amount and on the same terms as Mr. Schlater would be entitled to under this Agreement if Mr. Schlater were to terminate Mr. Schlater’s employment for Good Reason after a Change in Control, provided, however, that in such case the date on which any such succession becomes effective shall be deemed to be the Termination Date.

10.2 Successors .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Mr. Schlater’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.  If Mr. Schlater dies while any amount would still be payable to Mr. Schlater under this Agreement (other than amounts which, by their terms, terminate upon the death of Mr. Schlater) if Mr. Schlater had continued to live, then all such amounts, unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, will be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or administrators of Mr. Schlater’s estate.  Whether or not any Change in Control of the Company has occurred, any successor to the Company’s business and/or assets by operation of law or otherwise will automatically succeed to the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

10.3 Notices .  For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed, if to Mr. Schlater, to the last home address Mr. Schlater has provided the Company’s human resources department and, if to the Company, to the address set forth below, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon actual receipt:

To the Company: Ferro Corporation
6060 Parkland Boulevard
Suite 250
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124
Attention: Chief Executive Officer

10.4 Waivers .  No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Mr. Schlater

 

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and such officer as may be specifically designated by the Board.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or of any lack of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.

10.5 Withholding .  Any payments provided for hereunder shall be reduced to the extent necessary so that the Company may satisfy any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local law and any additional withholding to which Mr. Schlater has agreed.

10.6 Survival .  The obligations of the Company and Mr. Schlater under this Agreement which by their nature may require either partial or total performance after the expiration of the Term (including, without limitation, those under Articles 3, 4 and 5 above) will survive such expiration.

10.7 Compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code .  This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and shall in all respects be administered so as to be in compliance with such Section 409A.  Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  In no event may Mr. Schlater, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement.  All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement that constitute deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, including, without limitation, that (i) in no event shall reimbursements by the Company under this Agreement be made later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the applicable fees and expenses were incurred, provided, that Mr. Schlater shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred; (ii) the amount of in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide in any given calendar year shall not affect the in-kind benefits that the Company is obligated to pay or provide in any other calendar year; (iii) Mr. Schlater’s right to have the Company pay or provide such reimbursements and in-kind benefits may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit; and (iv) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefits apply later than the Mr. Schlater’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the 20th anniversary of the date of a Change in Control).  Within the time period permitted by the applicable Treasury Regulations, the Company may, in consultation with Mr. Schlater, modify this Agreement, in the least restrictive manner necessary and without any diminution in the value of the payments to Mr. Schlater, in order to cause the provisions of the Agreement to comply with the requirements of such Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, so as to avoid the imposition of taxes and penalties on Mr. Schlater pursuant to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any amount or benefit that would constitute non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code would otherwise be payable or distributable under this Agreement by reason of Mr. Schlater’s separation from service during a period

 

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in which Mr. Schlater is a Specified Employee, then subject to any permissible acceleration of payment by the Company under Treas. Reg. §1.409A 3(j)(4)(ii) (domestic relations order), (j)(4)(iii) (conflicts of interest) or (j)(4)(vi) (payment of employment taxes):

(1) If the payment or distribution is payable in a lump sum, then Mr. Schlater’s right to receive payment or distribution of such non-exempt deferred compensation will be delayed until the earlier of Mr. Schlater’s death or the first day of the seventh month following Mr. Schlater’s separation from service; and

(2) If the payment or distribution is payable over time, then the amount of such non- exempt deferred compensation that would otherwise be payable during the six- month period immediately following Mr. Schlater’s separation from service will be accumulated and Mr. Schlater’s right to receive payment or distribution of such accumulated amount will be delayed until the earlier of Mr. Schlater’s death or the first day of the seventh month following Mr. Schlater’s separation from service, whereupon the accumulated amount will be paid or distributed to Mr. Schlater and the normal payment or distribution schedule for any remaining payments or distributions will resume.

Whether and when Mr. Schlater is deemed to be a “Specified Employees” and the application of the six-month delay rule of §409A(a)(2)(B)(i) to payments to Mr. Schlater will be determined in accordance with methodology adopted by the Board or a Committee thereof and such methodology will be applied consistently with respect to all nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements of the Company, including this Agreement.

10.8 Validity .  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

10.9 Governing Law .  This Agreement will be governed by the internal substantive laws of the State of Ohio and will be enforced in courts sitting in the State of Ohio.

10.10 Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

10.11 Complete Agreement .  This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior letters of intent, agreements, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations, or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee, or representative of the Company relating thereto, including, but not limited to, the Prior Agreement.

To evidence their agreement as stated above, Mr. Schlater has executed and delivered, and Ferro Corporation has caused its duly authorized officer to execute and deliver, this Change in Control Agreement as of September 1, 2016.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]



 

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FERRO CORPORATION

/s/ Benjamin Schlater

/s/ Peter T. Thomas

Benjamin Schlater

Peter T. Thomas



Chairman, President & CEO





 

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APPENDIX A
Definitions

The following terms identified with initial capital letters are defined in the following Sections of the Change in Control Agreement:



 

Term

Cross Reference

Accounting Firm.

Section 4.2

Additional Noncompetition Period.

Section 5.2.B

Agreement.

Preamble

Base Salary.

Section 3.4.B(l)(a)

Business Combination.

Section 3.1.C

Board.

Recital A

Cause.

Section 3.2.A

Change in Control.

Section 3.1

Company.

Preamble

Competitive Products.

Section 5.2

Ferro Related Persons.

Section 5.3

Good Reason.

Section 3.2.C

Incumbent Board.

Section 3.1.B

IRS.

Section 4.5

Mr. Schlater.

Preamble

Outstanding Company Common Stock.

Section 3.1.A(1)

Outstanding Voting Securities.

Section 3.1.A(2)

Outstanding Performance Shares.

Section 3.5

Payment.

Section 4.1

Potential Change in Control.

Section 2.1

Prior Agreement.

Recital D

Renewal Date.

Section 1.4

Restricted Period.

Section 5.2

Severance Payments.

Section 3.4

Term.

Section 1.4

Termination Date.

Section 8.2

Termination Notice.

Section 8.1

Without Cause.

Section 3.2.B



In addition, the following terms have the meanings set forth below where used in the Change in Control Agreement and identified with initial capital letters:



 



 

Term

Meaning

Additional Tax

Any excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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Affiliate

As defined forth in Rule 12b-2 under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

Annual Incentive Plan

The Company’s annual incentive plan, as amended, and any successor plan thereto.

Applicable Board

The Board, or if the Company is not the ultimate parent corporation of the Affiliated Companies and is not publicly-traded, the board of directors of the ultimate parent of the Company.

Beneficial Owner

As defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

Benefit Plan

Any perquisite, benefit, or compensation plan established or maintained by the Company, including, without limitation, the plans described in Section 3.4.A-3.4.D and any plans that are successors to such plans, but excluding awards under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Directors

Individuals serving on the Board.

Disability

Mr. Schlater’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness resulting in Mr. Schlater’s absence from the full-time performance of his duties with the Company for a period of six consecutive months.

Exchange Act

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

Internal Revenue Code

The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Company’s long-term incentive plan, including, without limitation, the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan as the same had been and may hereafter be amended and any successor plan thereto.

Person

As defined in Section 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

Retirement

Termination of Mr. Schlater’s employment by retirement under a Company retirement plan or policy (including early retirement).

 

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Specified Employee

Within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the final regulations thereunder, as determined in accordance with the methodology adopted by the Board or a Committee thereof.

Welfare Plan

Each welfare benefit plan or program sponsored by the Company in existence immediately before the Termination Date or Change in Control, as the case may be, including, without limitation, medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, accidental death and dismemberment, life insurance and long-term disability plans and programs, which is then provided to Mr. Schlater or in which Mr. Schlater then participates.











 

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EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)



I, Peter T. Thomas, certify that:



1.

I have r eviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Ferro Corporation;



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 reporting 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 most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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.





 



/s/   Peter T. Thomas                                                



Peter T. Thomas



Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer



(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: April  2 5, 2017

 


EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)



I, Benjamin J. Schlater , certify that:



1.

I have r eviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Ferro Corporation;



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 reporting 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 most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) 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.





 



/s/   Benjamin J. Schlater                                       



Benjamin J. Schlater



Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



(Pr incipal Financial Officer)

Date: April  2 5 , 2017  

 


 

EXHIBIT 32.1



CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350



In connection with the Form 10- Q (the “Report”) of Ferro Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ending March 31, 2017 , I, Peter T. Thomas, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify 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 Company.





 



/s/   Peter T. Thomas                                                



 



Peter T. Thomas



Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)



Date: April  2 5, 2017  

 

 


 

EXHIBIT 32.2



CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. 1350



In connection with the Form 10-Q (the “Report”) of Ferro Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ending March 31, 2017 , I, Benjamin J. Schlater , Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify 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 Company.





 



/s/   Benjamin J. Schlater                                          



 



Benjamin J. Schlater



Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



Date: April  2 5, 2017