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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
(Mark One) |X| ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
OR
|_| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
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COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4534
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 23-1274455
(State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18195-1501
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (610)481-4911
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SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
TITLE OF EACH CLASS WHICH REGISTERED
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Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share New York and Pacific
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York and Pacific
8 3/4% Debentures Due 2021 New York
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to
this Form 10-K. [X]
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The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant on November 2, 1998 was $8.96 billion. For purposes of the
foregoing calculation (i) all directors and/or executive officers have been
deemed to be affiliates, but the registrant disclaims that any such director
and/or executive officer is an affiliate and (ii) registrant's Flexible Employee
Benefit Trust, described under Item 12 of this Report, is deemed a
non-affiliate.
The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 30, 1998
was 229,304,441.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1998. With the exception of those portions which are incorporated by reference
into Parts I, II and IV of this Form 10-K, the Annual Report is not deemed to be
filed.
Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held January 28,
1999. . . Part III.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on current
expectations regarding important risk factors. Actual results may differ
materially from those expressed. In addition to important risk factors and
uncertainties referred to in the Management's Discussion and Analysis, which is
included under Item 7 herein, such as those relating to the Year 2000, other
important risk factors and uncertainties include the impact of worldwide
economic growth, pricing of both the Company's products and raw materials such
as electricity, and other factors resulting from fluctuations in interest rates
and foreign currencies, the impact of competitive products and pricing,
continued success of work process programs, and the impact of tax and other
legislation and other regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company and
its affiliates operate.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
ITEM 1. Business ........................................................................................... 1
Industrial Gases.................................................................................. 1
Chemicals......................................................................................... 2
Polymer Chemicals............................................................................. 2
Performance Chemicals......................................................................... 3
Chemical Intermediates........................................................................ 3
Equipment and Services............................................................................ 4
Equipment.................................................................................... 4
Power Generation............................................................................. 4
Pure Air..................................................................................... 4
General........................................................................................... 5
Foreign Operations........................................................................... 5
Technology Development....................................................................... 5
Raw Materials and Energy..................................................................... 6
Environmental Controls....................................................................... 6
Competition.................................................................................. 7
Insurance.................................................................................... 7
Employees.................................................................................... 8
Year 2000.................................................................................... 8
Executive Officers of the Company............................................................. 8
ITEM 2. Properties ......................................................................................... 9
Industrial Gases.................................................................................. 10
Chemicals......................................................................................... 10
Equipment and Services.............................................................................10
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings .................................................................................. 10
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ................................................ 10
PART II
ITEM 5. Market for the Company's Common Stock and Related Stockholders Matters ............................. 11
ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data ............................................................................ 11
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations .............................................................................. 11
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk ......................................... 11
ITEM 8. Financial Statements ............................................................................... 11
ITEM 9. Disagreements on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ............................................... 11
PART III
ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company .................................................... 12
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation ............................................................................. 12
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management ..................................... 12
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ..................................................... 12
PART IV
ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K .................................... 12
ii
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Through internal development and by acquisitions, Air Products and
Chemicals, Inc. has established an internationally recognized industrial gas and
related industrial process equipment business, and developed strong positions as
a producer of certain chemicals.
The industrial gases business segment recovers and distributes industrial
gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen and a variety of medical and
specialty gases. The chemicals business segment produces and markets polymer
chemicals, performance chemicals and chemical intermediates. The equipment and
services business segment supplies cryogenic and other process equipment and
related engineering services and includes the Company's power generation
business and flue gas treatment business.
Financial information concerning the Company's business segments appears
in Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8
herein, which information is incorporated herein by reference, as are all other
specific references herein to information appearing in such 1998 Financial
Review Section of the Annual Report.
As used in this Report, the term "Air Products" or "Company" includes
subsidiaries and predecessors of the registrant or its subsidiaries, unless the
context indicates otherwise.
INDUSTRIAL GASES
The principal industrial gases sold by the Company are oxygen, nitrogen,
argon (primarily recovered by the cryogenic distillation of air), hydrogen,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide (purchased, purified or recovered through the
processing of natural gas or the by-product streams from process plants),
synthesis gas (combined streams of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) and helium
(purchased or refined from crude helium). Medical and specialty gases are
manufactured or blended by the Company or purchased for resale.
The Company's industrial gas business involves two principal modes of
supply:
"Tonnage" or "On-site" Supply -- For large volume or "tonnage" users of
industrial gases, a plant is built adjacent to or near the customer's
facility--hence the term "on-site". Alternatively, the gases are delivered
through a pipeline from nearby locations. Supply is generally made under
contracts having terms in excess of three years. In at least nine areas--the
Houston (Texas) Ship Channel including the Port Arthur, Texas, area; "Silicon
Valley", California; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Decatur,
Alabama; Central Louisiana; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Singapore; and Bahia,
Brazil--Air Products' hydrogen, oxygen, carbon monoxide or nitrogen gas
pipelines serve multiple customers from one or more centrally located plants.
Industrial gas companies in which the Company has less than controlling
interests have pipelines in Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Africa.
Merchant Supply -- Smaller volumes of industrial gas products are
delivered to thousands of customers in liquid or gaseous form by tanker trucks
or tube trailers. These merchant customers use equipment designed and installed
by Air Products to store the product near the point of use, normally in liquid
state, and vaporize the product into gaseous state for their use as needed.
Increasingly, some customers are being supplied by small on-site generators
using noncryogenic technology based on adsorption and membrane technology, which
in certain circumstances, the Company sells to its customers. Merchant
customers' contract terms normally are from three to five years. Merchant gases
and various specialty gases are also delivered in cylinders, dewars and lecture
bottle sizes.
Oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen sold to merchant customers are
usually recovered at large "stand-alone" facilities located near industrial
areas or high-tech centers, or at small noncryogenic generators, or are taken
from tonnage plants used primarily to supply tonnage users. Tonnage plants are
frequently designed to have more capacity than is required by their principal
customer to recover additional product that is liquefied for sale to a merchant
market. Air Products also designs and builds systems for recovering oxygen,
hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide and low dew point gases using adsorption
technology.
1
Tonnage and merchant sales of atmospheric gases--oxygen, nitrogen and
argon--constituted approximately 25% of Air Products' consolidated sales in
fiscal 1998 and were approximately 24% and 28% in fiscal years 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Tonnage and merchant sales of industrial gases--principally
oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen--to the chemical process industry and the
electronics industry, the largest consuming industries, were approximately 14%
and 10%, respectively, of Air Products' consolidated sales in fiscal 1998.
Other important consumers of Air Products' industrial and specialty gases
are the basic steel industry, the oil industry (which uses inert nitrogen for
oil well stimulation and field pressurization and hydrogen and oxygen for
refining) and the food industry (which uses liquid nitrogen for food freezing).
Air Products believes that it is the largest liquefier of hydrogen, which it
supplies to many customers including the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration for its space shuttle program.
Helium is sold for use in magnetic resonance imaging equipment, controlled
atmospheres processes and welding. Medical gases are sold in the merchant market
to hospitals and clinics, primarily for inhalation therapy.
Specialty gases include fluorine products, rare gases such as xenon,
krypton and neon and more common gases of high-purity or gases which are
precisely blended as mixtures. Specialty chemicals for use by the electronics
industry include silane, nitrogen trifluoride, carbon tetrafluoride,
hexafluoromethane, and tungsten hexafluoride. These gases and chemicals are used
in numerous industries and in electronic and laboratory applications. In certain
circumstances, the Company sells equipment related to the use, handling and
storage of such specialty gases and specialty chemicals.
Sales of industrial gases to merchant customers and/or sales of specialty
products to the electronics industry are made principally through field sales
forces from 127 offices in 37 states in the United States and Puerto Rico, and
from 163 offices in 24 foreign countries. In addition, industrial gas companies
in which the Company has investments operate in 30 foreign countries. See
"Foreign Operations" on page 4 of this report.
Electricity and hydrocarbons, including natural gas as a feedstock for
producing certain gases, are important to Air Products' industrial gas business.
See "Raw Materials and Energy". The Company's large truck fleet, which delivers
products to merchant customers, requires a readily available supply of gasoline
or diesel fuel. Also, environmental and health laws and regulations will
continue to affect the Company's industrial gas businesses. See "Environmental
Controls".
CHEMICALS
The Company's chemicals businesses consist of polymer chemicals,
performance chemicals, and chemical intermediates where the Company is able to
differentiate itself by the performance of its products in the customer's
application, the technical service which the Company provides, and the scale of
production and the production technology employed by the Company.
POLYMER CHEMICALS
Air Products' polymer chemicals are water-based and water-soluble products
derived primarily from vinyl acetate monomer. The principal products of
these businesses are polymer emulsions, pressure sensitive adhesives, and
polyvinyl alcohol. Total sales from these businesses constituted approximately
12% of Air Products' consolidated sales in each of fiscal years 1998 and 1997,
and 13% in fiscal year 1996.
In October, 1998, the Company and Wacker-Chemie GmbH announced the
commencement of their emulsion and redispersible powders joint ventures. Air
Products owns 65% of a world-wide joint venture that produces polymer emulsions
and pressure sensitive adhesives, which has headquarters and several production
facilities in the United States and production facilities in Germany, Mexico,
and Korea, and 20% of a world-wide joint venture that produces redispersible
powders made from polymer emulsions, which has headquarters in Germany with
manufacturing facilities in Germany and the United States.
Polymer Emulsions - The Company's major emulsion products are vinyl
acetate homopolymer emulsions and Airflex(R) vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer
emulsions. The Company also produces emulsions which incorporate vinyl chloride
and various acrylates in the polymer. These products are used in adhesives,
nonwoven fabric binders, paper coatings, paints, inks and carpet backing binder
formulations.
2
Pressure Sensitive Adhesives - These products are water-based acrylic
emulsions which are used for both permanent and removable pressure sensitive
adhesives primarily for labels and tapes.
Polyvinyl Alcohol - These polymer products are water-soluble synthetic
resins which are used in textile warp sizes, surface sizes for paper, adhesives,
safety glass laminates and as emulsifying agents in polymerization. As a
coproduct of polyvinyl alcohol, acetic acid is a merchant product sold to a
variety of markets including textiles, pharmaceuticals and electronics.
PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS
Air Products' performance chemicals are differentiated from the competition
based on their performance when used in the customer's products and the
technical service which the Company provides. The principal products of these
businesses are specialty additives, polyurethane additives and epoxy
additives. Total sales from these businesses constituted approximately 8% of Air
Products' consolidated sales in each of fiscal years 1998 and 1997, and 10% in
fiscal year 1996.
Specialty Additives - These products are primarily acetylenic alcohols
and amines which are used as performance additives in coatings, lubricants,
electro-deposition processes, agricultural formulations and corrosion
inhibitors.
Polyurethane Additives - These products include catalysts and surfactants
which are used as performance control additives and processing aids in the
production of both flexible and rigid polyurethane foam around the world.
The principal end markets for polyurethane foams include furniture cushioning,
insulation, carpet underlay, bedding and automobile seating.
Epoxy Additives - These products include polyamides, aromatic amines,
cycloaliphatic amines, reactive diluents and specialty epoxy resins which are
used as performance additives in epoxy formulations by epoxy manufacturers
worldwide. The end markets for epoxies are coatings, flooring, adhesives,
reinforced composites and electrical laminates.
CHEMICAL INTERMEDIATES
The chemical intermediates businesses use the Company's proprietary
technology and scale of production to differentiate themselves from the
competition. The principal intermediates sold by the Company include amines and
polyurethane intermediates. The Company also produces certain industrial
chemicals (ammonia, methanol and nitric acid) as raw materials for its
differentiated products. Total third-party sales from the chemical intermediates
businesses constituted 11% of Air Products' consolidated sales in each of fiscal
years 1998, 1997 and 1996.
Amines - The Company produces a broad range of amines using ammonia and
methanol, which are both manufactured by Air Products, and other alcohol
feedstocks purchased from various suppliers. Other, more specialized amines are
produced by the hydrogenation of purchased intermediates. Substantial quantities
of these products are sold under long-term contracts to a small number of
customers. These products are used by the Company's customers as raw materials
in the manufacture of herbicides, pesticides, water treatment chemicals, animal
nutrients, polyurethane coatings, artificial sweeteners, rubber chemicals and
pharmaceuticals. Ammonia is a feedstock for its alkylamines and the excess over
this requirement is marketed as ammonium nitrate prills and solutions, which are
primarily used by customers as fertilizers or in other agricultural
applications. Methanol is principally used by Air Products as a feedstock in
methylamine production and the excess over this requirement is marketed to the
methanol market.
Polyurethane Intermediates - The Company produces dinitrotoluene ("DNT")
and toluene diamine ("TDA") for use as intermediates by the Company's customers
in the manufacture of a major precursor of flexible polyurethane foam. The
principal end markets for flexible polyurethane foams include furniture
cushioning, carpet underlay, bedding and seating in automobiles. Virtually all
of the Company's production of DNT and TDA is sold under long-term contracts to
a small number of customers.
* * *
3
Chemical sales are supported from various locations in the United
States, England, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, China,
Singapore and South Africa and through sales representatives or distributors in
most industrialized countries. Dry products are delivered in railcars, trucks,
drums, bags and cartons. Liquid products are delivered by barge, rail tank cars,
tank-trailers, drums and pails, and, at one location, by pipeline.
The chemicals business depends on adequate energy sources, including
natural gas as a feedstock for the production of certain products (see "Raw
Materials and Energy"), and will continue to be affected by various
environmental and health laws and regulations (see "Environmental Controls").
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
The equipment business of Air Products designs, manufactures and supplies
cryogenic and other process equipment, and includes the Company's power
generation business, and its flue gas treatment business.
EQUIPMENT
The Company designs and manufactures equipment for cryogenic air
separation, gas processing, natural gas liquefaction, and hydrogen purification.
Air Products also designs and builds systems for recovering hydrogen, nitrogen,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and low dew point gases using membrane
technology. Additionally, a broad range of plant design, engineering,
procurement, and construction management services is provided for the above
areas. Equipment is manufactured for use by the industrial gases segment and for
sale in industrial markets which include the Company's international industrial
gas affiliates.
The backlog of orders (including letters of intent) believed to be firm
from other companies and equity affiliates for equipment was approximately $302
million on September 30, 1998, approximately 60% of which relates to cryogenic
air separation, as compared with a total backlog of approximately $310 million
on September 30, 1997. It is expected that approximately $249 million of the
backlog on September 30, 1998, will be completed during fiscal 1999.
POWER GENERATION
Air Products constructed, operates and has a 50% interest in a 49-megawatt
fluidized-bed coal-fired power generation facility in Stockton, California; an
85-megawatt coal waste burning power generation facility in western
Pennsylvania; a 120-megawatt gas-fired combined cycle power generation facility
in Orlando, Florida; and a 24-megawatt gas-fired combined cycle power generation
facility near Rotterdam, the Netherlands. A 112-megawatt gas-fueled power
generation facility, in which the Company has a 48.9% interest, is expected to
begin commercial operation in the first half of 1999 in Thailand that will
supply electricity to a state-owned electricity generating authority and steam
and electricity to an Air Products industrial gases affiliate.
PURE AIR
Pure Air markets, develops, designs and builds flue gas treatment systems.
Air Products operates and owns a 50% interest in a facility utilizing Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries, Ltd. flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technology systems for
removing sulfur dioxide from the flue gas of a coal-fired power generation plant
in Indiana.
Additional information with respect to the Company's power generation and
flue gas treatment businesses is included in Notes 8 and 16 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included under Item 8 herein.
4
GENERAL
FOREIGN OPERATIONS
Air Products through subsidiaries and affiliates conducts business in
numerous countries outside the United States. The structure of the Air Products
industrial gas business in Europe mirrors the Company's United States operation.
Air Products' international business is subject to risks customarily encountered
in foreign operations, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates
and controls, import and export controls, and other economic, political and
regulatory policies of local governments.
Majority and wholly owned subsidiaries operate in Australia, Argentina,
Brazil, Canada and Mexico and in 14 countries in Europe and 7 countries in Asia.
The Company also has less than controlling interests in industrial gas companies
in Mexico and in 6 countries in Europe and 7 countries in Asia. Air Products
also has a 70% owned subsidiary engaged in the specialty gas and helium
business in the People's Republic of China, and 50% owned companies in France
and South Africa (industrial gases). The Company and a French industrial gas
company each have a 24.5% interest in an Algerian company that owns and
operates a helium purification and liquefaction plant which provides helium to
Air Products and the French industrial gas company.
Financial information about Air Products' foreign operations and
investments is included in Notes 8, 10 and 20 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included under Item 8 herein. Information about foreign currency
translation is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included under Item 8 herein, under "Foreign Currency" and information on
Company exposure to currency fluctuations is included in Note 5 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 herein, under "Foreign
Exchange Contracts". Export sales from operations in the United States to
unconsolidated customers amounted to $650 million, $571 million and $459 million
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Total export sales in fiscal 1998 include
$98 million in export sales to affiliated customers. The sales to affiliated
customers were primarily equipment sales.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
Air Products conducts research and development principally in its
laboratories located in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania, as well as in Manchester and
Basingstoke, England; Utrecht, the Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain. The
Company also funds and works closely on research and development programs with
a number of major universities and conducts a sizable amount of research work
funded by others, principally the United States Government.
The Company's market-oriented approach to technology development
encompasses research and development, and engineering as well as commercial
development.
The amount expended by the Company on research and development during
fiscal 1998 was $112 million, and was $114 million during each of fiscal 1997
and 1996.
In the industrial gases and equipment and services segments, technology
development is directed primarily to developing new and improved processes and
equipment for the production and delivery of industrial gases and cryogenic
fluids, developing new products, and developing new and improved applications
for industrial gases. It is through such applications and improvements that the
Company has become a major supplier to the electronics, polymer, petroleum,
rubber, plastics, food processing and paper industries. Through fundamental
research into sieve and polymer materials, advanced process engineering and
integrated manufacturing methods, the Company discovers, develops and improves
the economics of noncryogenic gas separation technologies. Additionally,
technology development for the equipment and services businesses is directed
primarily to reducing the capital and operating costs of its facilities and to
commercializing new technologies in gas production and separation and in power
production.
In the chemicals segment, technology development is primarily concerned
with new products and applications to strengthen and extend our present
positions in polymer and performance chemicals. In addition, a major continuing
effort supports the development of new and improved manufacturing technology for
chemical intermediates and various types of polymers.
5
A corporate research group supports the research efforts of the Company's
various businesses. This group includes the Company's Corporate Science and
Technology Center, which conducts exploratory research in areas important to the
long-term growth of the Company's core businesses, e.g., gas and fluid
separations, polymer science, organic synthesis, and fluorine chemicals.
As of November 1, 1998, Air Products owned 938 United States patents and
1630 foreign patents. The Company is also licensed to practice under patents
owned by others. While the patents and licenses are considered important, Air
Products does not consider its business as a whole to be materially dependent
upon any particular patent or patent license, or group of patents or licenses.
RAW MATERIALS AND ENERGY
The Company manufactures hydrogen, carbon monoxide, synthesis gas,
anhydrous ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methanol principally from natural gas.
Such products accounted for approximately 8% of the Company's consolidated sales
in fiscal 1998. The Company's principal raw material purchases are chemical
intermediates produced by others from basic petrochemical feedstocks such as
olefins and aromatic hydrocarbons. These feedstocks are generally derived from
various crude oil fractions or from liquids extracted from natural gas. The
Company purchases its chemical intermediates from many sources and generally is
not dependent on one supplier. However, with respect to vinyl acetate monomer,
which supports the polymer business, the Company is heavily dependent on a
single supplier, under a long-term contract, which produces vinyl acetate
monomer from several facilities. The Company characterizes the availability of
these chemical intermediates as generally being readily available. The Company
uses such raw materials in the production of emulsions, polyvinyl alcohol,
amines, polyurethane intermediates, specialty additives, polyurethane additives
and epoxy additives. Such products accounted for approximately 32% of the
Company's consolidated sales in fiscal 1998. Natural gas is an energy source at
a number of the Company's facilities.
The Company's industrial gas facilities use substantial amounts of
electrical power. Any shortage of electrical power or interruption of its supply
or increase in its price which cannot be passed through to customers for
competitive reasons will adversely affect the merchant industrial gas business
of the Company.
In addition, the Company purchases finished and semifinished materials and
chemical intermediates from many suppliers. During fiscal 1998, no significant
difficulties were encountered in obtaining adequate supplies of energy or raw
materials.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in
the United States and foreign countries where it has operations. Compliance with
these laws and regulations results in higher capital expenditures and costs.
Additionally, from time to time the Company is involved in proceedings under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the
federal Superfund law), similar state laws, and the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) relating to the designation of certain sites for
investigation and possible cleanup. Additional information with respect to these
proceedings is included under Item 3, Legal Proceedings, below. The Company's
accounting policies on environmental expenditures are discussed in Note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 herein.
The amounts charged to earnings on an after-tax basis related to
environmental protection totaled $24 million in 1998, $26 million in 1997 and
$27 million in 1996. These amounts represent an estimate of expenses for
compliance with environmental laws, as well as remedial activities, and costs
incurred to meet internal Company standards. Such costs are estimated to be
approximately $27 million in 1999 and $29 million in 2000.
Although precise amounts are difficult to define, the Company estimates
that in fiscal 1998 it spent approximately $10 million on capital projects to
control pollution (including expenditures associated with new plants) versus $8
million in 1997. Capital expenditures to control pollution in future years are
estimated at $11 million in 1999 and $7 million in 2000.
6
The exact amount to be expended by the Company and its power generation
business joint ventures on equipment to control pollution will depend upon the
timing of the capital projects and timing and content of regulations promulgated
by environmental regulatory bodies during the life of any capital investment.
Efforts are made to pass these costs through to customers. To the extent
long-term contracts have been entered into for supply of product such as for the
industrial gas on-site business and for certain chemical products, the cost of
any environmental compliance generally is contractually passed through to the
customer.
It is the Company's policy to accrue environmental investigatory and
noncapital remediation costs for identified sites when it is probable that a
liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
The potential exposure for such costs is estimated to range from $11 million to
a reasonably possible upper exposure of $29 million. The balance sheet at 30
September 1998 includes an accrual of $23 million. At September 30, 1997, the
balance sheet accrual was $33 million, and a receivable balance related to
third-party recoveries was $1 million.
In addition to the environmental exposures discussed in the preceding
paragraph, there will be spending at a Company-owned manufacturing site where
the Company is undertaking RCRA remediation action. The Company estimates
capital costs to implement the anticipated remedial program will range from
$22-$29 million. Spending was $6 million through fiscal 1998 and is estimated at
$12 million for fiscal 1999 and $2 million for 2000. Operating and maintenance
expenses associated with continuing the remedial program are estimated to be
approximately $1 million per year beginning in fiscal 1999 and continuing for an
estimated period of up to 30 years. A former owner and operator at the site has
agreed to reimburse the Company approximately 20% of the costs incurred in the
remediation. The cost estimates have not been reduced by the value of such
reimbursement, which the Company believes is probable of realization.
Actual costs to be incurred in future periods may vary from the estimates,
given inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental exposures and factors
beyond the Company's control such as: lack of knowledge or scarcity of reliable
data pertaining to identified sites; method and extent of remediation ultimately
required; years of remedial activity required; number of parties involved; final
determination of the Company's liability in proportion to that of other parties;
identification of new sites; evolving environmental laws and regulations and
their application; and advances in technology.
The Company's domestic competitors face similar requirements, which are
not shared by most foreign competitors.
COMPETITION
The Company's businesses face strong competition from others, some of
which are larger and have greater resources than Air Products.
Air Products' industrial gas business competes in the United States with
three major sellers and with several regional sellers. Competition in industrial
gas markets is based primarily on price, reliability of supply, and furnishing
or developing applications for use of such gases by customers and in some cases
the provisions of other services or products such as power and steam generation.
A similar competitive situation exists in European industrial gas markets in
which the Company competes against one or more larger entrenched competitors in
most countries.
The number of the Company's principal competitors in the chemicals
business varies from product to product, and it is not practical to identify
such competitors because of the broad range of the Company's chemical products
and the markets served, although the Company believes it has a leading or strong
market position in most of its chemical products. For amines, the competition is
principally from other large chemical companies that also have the ability to
provide competitive pricing, reliability of supply, technical service assistance
and quality products and services. The possibility of back integration by large
customers is the major competitive factor for the sale of polyurethane
intermediates. In its other chemical products, the Company competes with a large
number of chemical companies, some of which are larger, possess greater
financial resources, and are more vertically integrated than the Company.
Competition in these products is principally on the basis of price, quality,
product performance, reliability of product supply and technical service
assistance.
7
The Company's equipment and services businesses including power generation
compete in all aspects with a great number of firms, some of which have greater
financial resources than Air Products. Another important factor in certain
export sales is financing provided by governmental entities in the United States
and the United Kingdom as compared with financing offered by their counterparts
in other countries.
Competition is based primarily on technological performance, service,
technical know-how, price and performance guarantees. Air Products believes that
its comprehensive project development capability, operating experience,
engineering and financing capabilities and construction management experience
will enable it to compete effectively.
INSURANCE
The Company's policy is to obtain public liability and property insurance
coverage that is currently available at what management determines to be a fair
and reasonable price. The Company, for itself and its power generation and flue
gas treatment joint venture affiliates for which it assumes turnkey construction
or operating responsibility, maintains public liability and property insurance
coverage at amounts which management believes are sufficient, after retention,
to meet the Company's anticipated needs in light of historical experience to
cover future litigation and claims. There is no assurance, however, that the
Company will not incur losses beyond the limits of, or outside the coverage of,
its insurance.
EMPLOYEES
On September 30, 1998, the Company (including majority-owned subsidiaries)
had approximately 16,700 full-time employees of whom approximately 6,200 were
located outside the United States. The Company has collective bargaining
agreements with unions at numerous locations, which expire on various dates over
the next three years, including an agreement for a facility which manufactures
helium and hydrogen containers in Pennsylvania that expires in fiscal 1999.
The Company considers relations with its employees to be satisfactory. The
Company does not believe that any expiring collective bargaining agreements will
result in a material adverse impact on the Company.
YEAR 2000
Software failures due to processing efforts potentially arising from
calculations using the Year 2000 dates are a known risk. The Company is
currently evaluating and managing the financial and operating risks associated
with this problem. Additional information regarding the Company's Year 2000
efforts is included under Item 7 herein.
8
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The Company's executive officers, their respective positions and their
respective ages on December 15, 1998 follow. Except where indicated, each of the
executive officers listed below has been employed by the Company in the position
indicated during the past five fiscal years. Information with respect to offices
held is stated in fiscal years.
NAME AGE OFFICE
---- --- ------
James H. Agger 62 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
(D)(E) Retiring effective as of February 1, 1999
(became Senior Vice President in 1997)
W. Douglas Brown 52 Vice President
(D)(F) General Counsel and Secretary effective as of February 1, 1999
(became Vice President - Administration, Gases and Equipment in
1997; Senior Vice President - Law and Secretary of
American Ref-Fuel Company prior thereto)
Leo J. Daley 52 Vice President - Finance
(D)(E) (became Vice President - Finance in 1998; Vice
President and Treasurer 1994-1998;
Vice President and Corporate Controller
prior thereto)
Robert E. Gadomski 51 Executive Vice President--Chemicals, Asia, and Latin America
(D)(E) (became Executive Vice President--Chemicals in 1996; Group Vice
President--Chemicals Group prior thereto)
John P. Jones III 48 President and Chief Operating Officer
(A)(D)(E) (became President and Chief Operating Officer in 1998; Executive
Vice President--Gases and Equipment 1996-1998; President --
Air Products Europe, Inc. 1993-1996)
Joseph J. Kaminski 59 Corporate Executive Vice President
(A)(D)(E) (became Corporate Executive Vice President in 1996;
Executive Vice President--Gases and Equipment 1993-1996)
Ronaldo Sullam 57 President - Air Products Europe, Inc.
(D)(E) (became President - Air Products Europe, Inc. in 1996; Senior Vice
President --Strategic Marketing, Development and Southern Europe
1995-1996; Vice President -- Marketing and Development Europe and
General Manager Southern Europe Division prior thereto)
Harold A. Wagner 63 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)
(A) Member, Board of Directors.
(B) Member, Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
(C) Member, Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.
(D) Member, Management Committee.
(E) Member, Corporate Executive Committee.
(F) Chosen to be a Member, Corporate Executive Committee, beginning February 1,
1999.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The principal executive offices of Air Products are located at its
headquarters in Trexlertown, near Allentown, Pennsylvania. Additional
administrative offices are located in owned facilities in Hersham, near London,
England, and Brampton, near Toronto, Canada, and in leased facilities in the
Allentown area, Pennsylvania; Tokyo, Japan; Hong Kong, The People's Republic of
China; Singapore and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The management considers the Company's
facilities, described in more detail below, to be adequate to support the
business efficiently. The following information with respect to properties is
as of October 1, 1998.
9
INDUSTRIAL GASES
The industrial gases segment has approximately 182 plant facilities in 38
states, the majority of which recover nitrogen, oxygen and argon. The Company
has seven facilities which produce specialty gases and 28 facilities which
recover hydrogen throughout the United States. Helium is recovered at two plants
in Kansas and Texas, and acetylene is manufactured at six plants in six states
in the United States. There are 140 sales offices and/or cylinder distribution
centers located in 39 states.
The property on which the above plants are located are owned by Air
Products at approximately one-fourth of the locations, and leased by Air
Products at the remaining locations. However, in virtually all cases, the plant
itself is owned and operated by Air Products. Air Products owns approximately
half of its sales offices and cylinder distribution centers, including related
real estate, and leases the other half.
Air Products' European plant facilities total 60, and include eight plants
which recover hydrogen, six plants which manufacture dissolved acetylene, and
one which recovers carbon monoxide. The majority of European plants recover
nitrogen, oxygen and argon. In addition, there are four specialty gas centers.
There is a combined total of 114 sales offices and/or cylinder distribution
centers in Europe, and several additional facilities located in Brazil, Canada,
Japan, the People's Republic of China, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan
and the Middle East. Representative offices are located in Taiwan and in Beijing
and Shanghai in the People's Republic of China.
CHEMICALS
The chemicals segment manufactures amines, nitric acid, methanol, anhydrous
ammonia and ammonia products at its Pace, Florida, facility; alkylamines at its
St. Gabriel, Louisiana, facility; polyvinyl acetate emulsions at its South
Brunswick, New Jersey, facility; styrene emulsions, styrene acrylics, polyvinyl
acetate acrylics, and polyvinyl acetate emulsions at its San Juan del Rio
facility in Mexico; nitric acid, dinitrotoluene, toluene diamine, polyvinyl
alcohol and acetic acid at its Pasadena, Texas, facility; polyvinyl acetate
emulsions, polyvinyl alcohol, acetic acid and acetylenic chemicals at its
Calvert City, Kentucky, facility; specialty amines at its Wichita, Kansas,
facility; methylamines, dimethyl formamide, choline chloride and dimethyl amino
ethanol at its Teeside, England facility; and epoxy additives at its facilities
in Manchester, England; Los Angeles, California and Cumberland, Rhode Island.
The chemicals segment manufactures polyurethane additives at its Paulsboro,
New Jersey, facility which is leased in part and owned in part. The chemicals
segment also manufactures polyvinyl acetate emulsions at five smaller locations.
The chemicals segment has 17 plant facilities, five sales offices and one
laboratory in the United States and operates three plants, nine
sales/representative offices and four laboratories in Europe, laboratories in
Brazil, and Korea, one plant in Mexico, two plants in Korea, and sales offices
in Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Singapore and representative offices
in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong in the People's Republic of China.
Substantially all of the chemicals segment's plants and real estate thereunder
are owned. Approximately 75% of the offices are leased by the Company and 25%
are owned.
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
The principal facilities utilized by the equipment and services segment
include five plants and two sales offices in the United States, two plants and
two offices in Europe, one office in Japan and one plant and one sales office in
the People's Republic of China. Air Products owns approximately 50% of the
facilities and real estate in this segment and leases the remaining 50%.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the normal course of business Air Products and its subsidiaries are
involved in legal proceedings including proceedings involving governmental
authorities. The Company does not expect that any sums it may have to pay in
connection with these matters would have a materially adverse effect on its
consolidated financial position nor is there any material additional exposure
expected in any one year in excess of the amounts the Company currently has
accrued. Included in these claims and actions are proceedings under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the
federal Superfund law), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and
similar state environmental laws relating to the designation of certain sites
for investigation or remediation. There are presently approximately 50 sites on
10
which a final settlement has not been reached where the Company, along with
others, has been designated a Potentially Responsible Party by the Environmental
Protection Agency or is otherwise engaged in investigation or remediation.
Additional information on the Company's environmental exposure is included under
Environmental Controls on page 6 of this report.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Company's Common Stock, ticker symbol "APD", is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange and Pacific Stock Exchange, respectively. Market and dividend
information for the Company's Common Stock appears under "Eleven-Year Summary of
Selected Financial Data" on pages 62 and 63 of the 1998 Financial Review Section
of the Annual Report to Shareholders which is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, the Company has authority to issue 25,000,000 shares of preferred
stock in series. The Board of Directors is authorized to designate the series
and to fix the relative voting, dividend, conversion, liquidation, redemption
and other rights, preferences and limitations as between series. When preferred
stock is issued, holders of Common Stock are subject to the dividend and
liquidation preferences and other prior rights of the preferred stock. There
currently is no preferred stock outstanding. The Company's Transfer Agent and
Registrar is First Chicago Trust Company of New York, P.O. Box 2506, Jersey
City, New Jersey 07303-2506, telephone (800) 519-3111, TDD (201) 222-4955,
internet website is www.fctc.com, and e-mail address is fctc@em.fcnbd.com.
As of November 30, 1998, there were 11,673 record holders of the Company's
Common Stock.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The tabular information appearing under "Eleven-Year Summary of Selected
Financial Data" on pages 62 and 63 of the 1998 Financial Review Section of the
Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The textual information appearing under "Management's Discussion and
Analysis" on pages 22 through 30 of the 1998 Financial Review Section of the
Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The textual information appearing under "Financial Instruments Sensitivity
Analysis" on pages 30 and 31 of the 1998 Financial Review Section of the Annual
Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
The consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto
together with the report thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP dated 30 October 1998,
appearing on pages 33 through 61 of the 1998 Financial Review Section of the
Annual Report to Shareholders, are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.
11
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY.
The biographical information relating to the Company's directors contained
on pages 2 through 6 of the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 1999
Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference. Biographical
information relating to the Company's executive officers is set forth in Item 1
of Part I of this Report.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information under "Other Relationships and Transactions",
"Remuneration of Directors", "Report of the Management Development and
Compensation Committee", "Compensation and Option Tables", "Stock Performance
Information", "Pension Plans", and "Certain Agreements with Executive Officers"
appearing on pages 7 through 18 of the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's
1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
The information required for this Item is set forth in the section headed
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" contained on
pages 18 through 20 of the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 1999 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders and such information is incorporated herein by
reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
The information under "Other Relationships and Transactions" appearing on
page 7 of the Proxy Statement relating to the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
1. The 1998 Financial Review Section of the Company's 1998 Annual
Report to Shareholders. Information contained therein is not deemed filed
except as it is incorporated by reference into this Report. The following
financial information is incorporated herein by reference:
(PAGE REFERENCES TO 1998 FINANCIAL REVIEW SECTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT)
Management's Discussion and Analysis............................................................ 22
Report of Independent Public Accountants........................................................ 33
Consolidated Income for the three years ended 30 September 1998................................. 34
Consolidated Balance Sheets at 30 September 1998 and 1997....................................... 35
Consolidated Cash Flows for the three years ended 30 September 1998............................. 36
Consolidated Shareholders' Equity for the three years ended 30 September 1998................... 37
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................................... 38
Business Segment and Geographic Information..................................................... 59
Eleven-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data.................................................. 62
2. The following additional information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements in the Company's
1998 Financial Review Section of the Annual Report to Shareholders:
(PAGE REFERENCES TO THIS REPORT)
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule............................................ 18
Consent of Independent Public Accountants....................................................... 18
12
Consolidated Schedule for the years ended 30 September 1998, 1997 and 1996 as follows:
SCHEDULE
NUMBER
--------
VIII Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................................................... 19
All other schedules are omitted because the required matter or conditions are
not present or because the information required by the Schedules is submitted as
part of the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
3. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
(3) Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.
3.1 By-Laws of the Company. (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the
Company's Form 8-K Report dated September 18, 1997.)*
3.2 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
(Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Form 10-K Report
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1987.)*
3.3 Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company dated January 25, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit 3.3
to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996.)*
(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders,
including indentures. Upon request of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Company hereby undertakes to
furnish copies of the instruments with respect to its
long-term debt.
4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of March 19, 1998, between the
Company and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (Filed
as Exhibit 1 to the Company's Form 8-A Registration
Statement dated March 19, 1998), as amended.*
(10) Material Contracts.
10.1 1990 Deferred Stock Plan of the Company, as amended and
restated effective October 1, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10.1
to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1989.)*
10.2(a) Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended. (Filed
as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-K Reports for each
of the fiscal years ended September 30, 1986, September 30,
1987 and September 30, 1988.)*
10.2(b) 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.2(b) to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1989.)*
10.2(b)(1) Amendment to 1990 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company,
effective July 16, 1992. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2(b)(1) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1993.)*
10.2(c) 1997 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company effective
October 1, 1996. (Filed as Exhibit 10.2(c) to the Company's
Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1996.)*
10.3 1990 Annual Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended and
restated effective October 1, 1989. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1989.)*
10.3(a) Amended and Restated 1997 Annual Incentive Plan of the
Company effective April 1, 1998.
10.4 Supplementary Pension Plan of the Company, as amended
effective October 1, 1988. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1989.)*
10.4(a) Amendment to Supplementary Pension Plan of the Company,
adopted September 20, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4(d) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995.)*
13
10.4(b) Amendment to Supplementary Pension Plan of the Company,
adopted September 20, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4(e) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995.)*
10.4(c) Amendment to Supplementary Pension Plan of the Company,
adopted November 2, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4(c) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996.)*
10.4(d) Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and between the
Company and Provident National Bank relating to the
Supplementary Pension Plan dated as of October 31, 1989.
(Filed as Exhibit 10.4(a) to the Company's Form 10-K Report
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1989.)*
10.4(e) Amendment to the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and
between the Company and PNC Bank, N.A.(previously Provident
National Bank) relating to the Supplementary Pension Plan
dated May 1, 1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4(g) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1995.)*
10.4(f) Amendment to the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement by and
between the Company and PNC Bank, N.A.(previously Provident
National Bank) relating to the Supplementary Pension Plan
dated May 1, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 10.4(f) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1997.)*
10.5 Supplementary Savings Plan of the Company as amended
October 1, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's
Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1989.)*
10.5(a) Amendment to Supplementary Savings Plan of the Company
effective April 1, 1998.
10.5(b) Trust Agreement by and between the Company and Provident
National Bank relating to the Supplementary Savings Plan
dated as of October 31, 1989. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(a) to
the Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1989.)*
10.5(c) Amendment to the Trust Agreement by and between the Company
and PNC Bank, N.A.(previously Provident National Bank)
relating to the Supplementary Pension Plan dated May 1,
1995. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(b) to the Company's Form 10-K
Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995.)*
10.5(d) Amendment to the Trust Agreement by and between the Company
and PNC Bank, N.A. (previously Provident National Bank)
relating to the Supplementary Pension Plan and Supplementary
Savings Plan dated May 1, 1997. (Filed as Exhibit 10.5(c) to
the Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1997.)*
10.6(a) Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for
Directors of the Company, effective May 19, 1998.
10.6(b) Amended and Restated Pension Plan for Directors of the
Company, effective January 1, 1983, as amended effective
January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1994. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.6(b) to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1993.)*
10.6(c) Stock Option Plan for Directors of the Company, effective
January 27, 1994. (Filed as Exhibit 10.6(c) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1997.)*
10.7 Agreements with executives.
10.7(a) Form of Employment Agreement dated July 30, 1987, which the
Company has with each of its executive officers. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.7(a) to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1987.)*
10.7(b) Letter dated July 1, 1997, concerning pension for an
executive officer.
14
10.7(c) Letter dated July 7, 1997, concerning pension for an
executive officer.
10.8 Employee Severance Plans.
10.8(a) Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Severance Plan effective
March 15, 1990. (Filed as Exhibit 10.8(a) to the
Company's Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1992.)*
10.8(b) Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Change of Control
Severance Plan effective March 15, 1990. (Filed as
Exhibit 10.8(b) to the Company's Form 10-K Report for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1992.)*
(11) Earnings per share.
(12) Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
(13) 1998 Financial Review Section of the Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998,
which is furnished to the Commission for information only,
and not filed except as expressly incorporated by reference
in this Report.
(21) Subsidiaries of the registrant.
(24) Power of Attorney.
(27) Financial Data Schedule, which is submitted electronically
to the Securities and Exchange Commission for information
only, and not filed.
(27)(b) Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended
September 30, 1998.
Current Reports on Form 8-K dated July 23, 1998,
September 21, 1998, October 1, 1998, October 22, 1998, and
October 28, 1998, were filed in which Item 5 of such Form
was reported.
- --------------
* Previously filed as indicated and incorporated herein by reference. Exhibits
incorporated by reference should be located in SEC File No. 1-4534.
15
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 16, 1998
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Leo J. Daley
--------------------------------------
Leo J. Daley, Vice President--Finance
Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Harold A. Wagner Director and Chairman of the Board December 16, 1998
- ----------------------------- (Principal Executive Officer)
(Harold A. Wagner)
/s/ Paul E. Huck Vice President and Corporate Controller December 16, 1998
---------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
(Paul E. Huck)
* Director and President December 16, 1998
- ------------------------------ (Principal Operating Officer)
(John P. Jones III)
* Director and Corporate Executive Vice President December 16, 1998
- -----------------------------
(Joseph J. Kaminski)
* Director December 16, 1998
- -----------------------------
(Tom H. Barrett)
* Director December 16, 1998
- -----------------------------
(L. Paul Bremer)
* Director December 16, 1998
- -----------------------------
(Robert Cizik)
* Director December 16, 1998
- ------------------------------
(Ruth M. Davis)
16
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
* Director December 16, 1998
- ------------------------------
(Ursula F. Fairbairn)
* Director December 16, 1998
- ------------------------------
(Edward E. Hagenlocker)
* Director December 16, 1998
- ------------------------------
(James F. Hardymon)
* Director December 16, 1998
- -------------------------------
(Terry R. Lautenbach)
* Director December 16, 1998
- --------------------------------
(Rudolphus F. M. Lubbers)
* Director December 16, 1998
- --------------------------------
(Takeo Shiina)
* Director December 16, 1998
- --------------------------------
(Lawrason D. Thomas)
* James H. Agger, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, by
signing his name hereto, does sign this document on behalf of the above noted
individuals, pursuant to a power of attorney duly executed by such individuals
which is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission herewith.
/s/ James H. Agger
--------------------------------------
James H. Agger
Attorney-in-Fact
17
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON SCHEDULE
To: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the consolidated financial statements included in Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc.'s Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated by reference in this Form
10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated 30 October 1998. Our audit was
made for the purpose of forming an opinion on those statements taken as a whole.
The schedule referred to in Item 14(a)(2) in this Form 10-K is the
responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for the purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to
the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated financial
statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the
financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
30 October 1998
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our reports included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 and Form S-3
(File Nos. 333-33851, 333-02461, 33-2068, 333-36231, 33-57023, 33-65117,
333-21145, 333-45239, 333-18955, 333-21147 and 333-60147).
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11 December 1998
18
SCHEDULE VIII
CONSOLIDATED
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VIII--VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 1998, 1997 AND 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER CHANGES
ADDITIONS INCREASE (DECREASE)
---------------------- -------------------
BALANCE AT CHARGED CUMULATIVE BALANCE
BEGINNING CHARGED TO TO OTHER TRANSLATION AT END OF
CLASSIFICATION OF PERIOD EXPENSE ACCOUNTS(1) ADJUSTMENTS OTHER(2) PERIOD
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
Amounts deducted in the consolidated
balance sheet from the asset to which
it applies:
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 1998
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 20 $ 6 $ 3 $ -- $ (12) $ 17
==== === === ===== ====== ====
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 1997
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 13 $ 6 $ 6 $ (1) $ (4) $ 20
==== === === ===== ===== ====
YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 1996
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 14 $ 5 $ 1 $ -- $ (7) $ 13
==== === === ===== ===== ====
NOTES:
(1) Includes collections on accounts previously written off and additions
applicable to businesses acquired.
(2) Primarily includes write-offs of uncollectible accounts.
19
Exhibit 10.3(a)
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
1997 Annual Incentive Plan
As Amended and Restated Effective April 1, 1998
1. PURPOSES OF THE PLAN
The purposes of this Plan are to attract, motivate and retain high
caliber people and to provide meaningful individual and group incentives within
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.(the "Company") and Participating Subsidiaries.
2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
The Plan shall be administered by the Management Development and
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Company's Board of Directors or
such other committee thereof consisting of such members (not less than three)
of the Board of Directors as are appointed from time to time by the Board and
who are not eligible and have not been eligible within a period of one year
prior to the date of such appointment to receive any award under this Plan.
The Committee shall have all necessary powers to administer and
interpret the Plan, such powers to include exclusive authority (within the
limitations described in the Plan) to select the employees to whom awards will
be granted under the Plan and determine the amount of any award to be made to
any employee. In order to assist it in selecting employees and determining the
amount of any award to be given to each employee selected, as aforesaid, the
Committee may take into consideration recommendations from the appropriate
officers of the Company and of each Participating Subsidiary with respect to
awards to be given to eligible employees of the Company and of each such
Participating Subsidiary, respectively.
The Committee shall have full power and authority to adopt such rules,
regulations and instruments for the administration of the Plan and for the
conduct of its business as the Committee deems necessary or advisable. The
Committee's interpretations of the Plan, and all action taken and determinations
made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder, shall be
conclusive and binding on all parties concerned, including the Company, its
shareholders and any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
3. ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
Participants in the Plan shall be selected by the Committee from among
key employees of the Company and Participating Subsidiaries. The term "employee"
shall mean any person employed full-time by the Company or a Participating
Subsidiary on a salaried basis and the term "employment" shall mean full-time
salaried employment by the Company or a Subsidiary. Employees who participate in
other incentive or benefit plans of the Company or of any Participating
Subsidiary may also participate in this Plan.
1
Awards under the Plan are for services rendered during a Fiscal Year,
based on the performance of the Company during that Fiscal Year. No employee
shall be eligible to receive an award under the Plan for a particular Fiscal
Year unless the employee is in the employment of the Company or a Participating
Subsidiary on the last day of that Fiscal Year, provided, however, that an
employee whose employment with the Company or a Participating Subsidiary
terminates during but before the end of a Fiscal Year on account of (i)
Retirement, Disability or death, (ii) in connection with a divestiture of
facilities, assets or businesses, elimination of positions, or a reorganization
or reduction in the work force of the Company or a Participating Subsidiary,
(iii) because of the commencement of part-time employment with or leave of
absence from the Company or a Subsidiary, or (iv) on or following a Change in
Control, and who at the time of such termination of employment was eligible to
participate in the Plan, shall be eligible to receive an award under the Plan
for such Fiscal Year.
4. AWARDS
(a) Prior to the end of each Fiscal Year, the Committee shall determine
whether awards shall be made under the Plan for that Fiscal Year and, if so,
fix the classes of employees eligible to receive awards based upon job grade
and salary levels, the proportions of the awards to be paid in cash and in
common stock of the Company ("Common Stock"). The Committee shall establish a
basis or schedule for determining the total amount of awards and for determining
a minimum aggregate dollar amount of awards for employees of the Company and of
each domestic Participating Subsidiary designated by the Committee who have
elected not to defer such awards that might be granted to them and such other
procedures for the making of the awards as the Committee may deem desirable.
(b) The basis (schedule) established under subparagraph (a) for
determining the amount of awards may be based on variable factors established by
the Committee from time to time, provided that the variables used to determine
an amount for a particular Fiscal Year must be capable of being fixed and
ascertainable as of the last day of such Fiscal Year. The minimum amount
established under subparagraph (a) shall become an accrued liability of the
Company on the last day of the Fiscal Year. The amounts of awards to be granted
to particular employees of the Company and of the designated domestic
Participating Subsidiaries within the eligible classes may be determined after
the close of the Fiscal Year under procedures established by the Committee.
(c) The Committee shall, in approving the grant of awards to
particular employees for any Fiscal Year, take into consideration (i) the
performance of the Company and of each Participating Subsidiary for the Fiscal
Year based upon such measure or measures of performance as the Committee shall
select and (ii) as between Participants, the contribution of the Participant
during the Calendar Year to the success of the Company or the Participating
Subsidiary by which such person is employed, including his or her position and
level of responsibility, the achievements of his or her division, group,
department or other subdivision, and the recommendations of his or her
superiors. No award or awards may be granted to any Participant for the same
Fiscal Year having an aggregate value in excess of 150% of such Participant's
annualized base salary rate at the end of, or at the time of any earlier
cessation of
2
eligible employment during, the Fiscal Year. The number of shares of Common
Stock to be delivered in payment of awards or portions of awards determined to
be payable in such form shall be determined by dividing the amount of the
award to be so paid by the value of a share of Common Stock determined as
provided in paragraph 8(f) as of the date the Committee approves the grant
of the award to the Participant.
(d) The Committee shall have complete discretion with respect to
the determination of the employees to whom awards shall be made.
(e) Upon final approval by the Committee of awards to particular
Participants, awards shall be payable in cash or Common Stock or both and in
such amounts and proportions with respect to any Participant as the Committee
shall, in its discretion, determine.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary,
following or in connection with a Change in Control the Committee may, in
its sole discretion, determine to pay awards for the portion of the current
Fiscal Year preceding the Change in Control; provided, however, that no such
award shall have an aggregate value which exceeds 150% of that Participant's
annualized base salary rate immediately prior to the Change in Control. The
Committee shall determine in that connection the classes of employees eligible
to receive awards based upon job grade and salary levels, the amounts of awards
to be made with respect to particular employees within the eligible classes for
said partial Fiscal Year, and the proportions of the awards to be paid in cash
and in Common Stock and shall undertake such other procedures for the making of
the awards as the Committee may deem desirable. Such awards shall be due and
payable to Participants within thirty days following the Committee's
determination to pay said awards under this paragraph 4(f) or at such earlier
date as the Committee shall determine, but in no event earlier than the
occurrence of a Change in Control.
5. FORM AND PAYMENT OF AWARDS
(a) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 5 relating to deferred
payment awards, awards for a particular Fiscal Year shall be distributed as
soon as feasible in cash or shares of Common Stock or both and, once announced
by or for the Committee to the Participant, shall not be subject to forfeiture
for any reason, whether or not payable immediately or as a deferred payment
award; provided, however, that any award will be paid to the Participant only
if the Participant is employed by the Company or a Participating Subsidiary on
the last day of the Fiscal Year, except as otherwise permitted by paragraph 3.
(b) At the discretion of the Committee or the election of the
Participant as permitted by paragraph 5(c), payment of all or a portion of an
award to any Participant may be deferred until termination of employment by the
Company or a Subsidiary, under such restrictions and terms as the Committee may
establish including those set forth in paragraph 5(d). The deferred payment
award may be payable in Common Stock or cash or both as determined by the
Committee in its sole discretion. Amounts payable in Common Stock shall be
entitled to Dividend Equivalents as provided in paragraph 6. Amounts payable in
cash shall accumulate interest at such rate and under such conditions as the
Committee shall determine.
3
(c) Any employee eligible to participate in the Plan may elect prior
to the end of the second quarter of any Fiscal Year as to which an award
may be granted to such employee, that all or a part of an amount to be awarded
to him or her for such Fiscal Year shall be in the form of a deferred payment
award. Once an employee elects a deferred payment award for the Fiscal Year,
this election will be binding on both the employee and the Company with respect
to any award the employee is granted for the Fiscal Year, except that if the
amount designated by the Committee under paragraph 4(a) that can be deferred is
not sufficient to fund all of the deferrals elected, a pro rata reduction shall
be made in each electing Participant's deferred award and any excess shall be
paid out currently.
(d) Distribution of a Participant's deferred payment award to the
Participant shall, at the election of the Participant, be paid in a single
lump sum or substantially equal annual installments commencing in such year
following the Participant's termination of employment as is elected by the
Participant; provided, however, that no payment shall be made more than ten (10)
calendar years after such termination of employment. Distribution will be made
or begin as soon as practicable following the end of the calendar year during
which the Participant's termination of employment occurs or in January of any
subsequent year, in accordance with the Participant's election as to form and
time of payout which is effective as of the date of termination or which becomes
effective under paragraph 5(e) below prior to the first scheduled payment under
the election effective at the time of termination. Deferred payment awards will
continue to accumulate Dividend Equivalents or Interest, as provided in
paragraph 5(b), until completely distributed.
(e) A Participant shall make an election with respect to form
and time of payout of all of his or her deferred payment awards at the time of
his or her initial election to defer payment as described in paragraph 5(c)
above which shall be effective immediately. While he or she is employed by the
Company or a Subsidiary, a Participant may change his or her election in regard
to the form and time of commencement of distributions of his or her deferred
payment awards, provided that such election is made in a form and manner
satisfactory to the appropriate officers of the Company. Such a change in
election will become effective on the one-year anniversary of the date it is
received by the Company, provided that, in the event of termination prior to the
date an election becomes effective, the election shall not become effective if
the first scheduled payment under the election in effect at the time of
termination is due prior to such one-year anniversary. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, the initial change in election made by a Participant during
fiscal year 1998 and on or after April 1, 1998, if any, shall be effective
immediately. A change in election, when effective, shall supersede all prior
elections and shall apply to all of the Participant's deferred payment awards,
including all prior and future awards until a later election becomes effective.
(f) Deferred payment awards shall be subject to the following
further conditions and restrictions:
(i) Awarded but undelivered shares of Common Stock
shall be reserved and retained by the Company as treasury stock.
4
(ii) If a Participant dies prior to receiving his or her entire
award, the undelivered portion of any such award shall be paid to his or
her Designated Beneficiary or, if none, to his or her legal representative at
such times and in such manner as if such Participant were still living (or on
such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine).
(iii) The Committee may authorize an acceleration of the
delivery date of a portion or all of an undelivered award, related Dividend
Equivalents and interest, in the case of a hardship arising from causes beyond
the Participant's control; provided that the accelerated payment in such a case
must be limited to an amount necessary to meet such hardship. Upon a Change in
Control, the delivery date of all deferred payment awards shall be automatically
accelerated and said deferred payment awards and related Dividend Equivalents
and interest shall be due and payable to Participants immediately.
6. DIVIDENDS
No cash dividends shall be paid on awarded but undelivered shares of
Common Stock. However, when such shares of Common Stock are delivered to the
Participant, the Company shall Pay to the Participant an amount in cash which
shall be equal to the cash dividends, if any, ("Dividend Equivalent") which
would have been paid if the shares of Common Stock had been issued and
outstanding since the grant of the award. No interest shall be paid on any such
Dividend Equivalent or any part thereof.
In the event of a declaration of a dividend payable in Common Stock,
the record date for which occurs after the date of the grant of an award but
prior to the date of delivery of shares of Common Stock to the Participant, the
award shall be increased by such additional number of shares, if any, which
would have been delivered if the shares of Common Stock had been issued and
outstanding since the grant of the award. For this purpose, shares payable at
the delivery date as a result of prior stock dividends shall be treated as
awarded stock in determining the increase in shares to be delivered as the
result of a current stock dividend.
7. DILUTION AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of any
change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company by reason of any
stock dividend, split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or
exchange of shares or other similar corporate change including without
limitation in connection with a Change in Control, an equitable adjustment shall
be made, as determined by the Committee (but subject to the provisions of the
first subparagraph of paragraph 9), in (a) the kind of shares subject to the
Plan or the maximum number of shares which may be awarded to any one employee,
(b) any other aspect or aspects of the plan or outstanding awards granted
thereunder as specified by the Committee or (c) any combination of the
foregoing. Such adjustment shall be made by the Committee and shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes of the Plan.
5
8. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
(a) No recipient of an award shall have any rights as a Company
shareholder with respect thereto unless and until the date as of which
certificates for shares of Common Stock are issued in payment of such award.
(b) A Participant's rights and interests under the Plan may not
be assigned or transferred except, in the case of the Participant's death, to
his or her Designated Beneficiary or, in the absence of such designation, by
will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(c) No shares of Common Stock shall be issued or distributed under the
Plan unless and until all legal requirements applicable to the issuance or
transfer of such shares have been complied with to the satisfaction of the
Committee and the Company.
(d) The Company shall have the right to deduct from awards hereunder
paid in whole or in part in cash any federal, state, local or foreign taxes
required by law to be withheld with respect to such cash awards. In the case
of awards to be paid by the distribution of Common Stock, the Company shall
have the right to require, as a condition of such distribution, that the
Participant or other person receiving such Common Stock either (i) pay to the
Company at the time of distribution thereof the amount of any such taxes which
the Company is required to withhold with respect to such Common Stock or (ii)
make such other arrangements as the Company may authorize from time to time to
provide for such withholding including without limitation having the number of
the shares of Common Stock to be distributed reduced by an amount equal in value
to the amount of such taxes required to be withheld. The obligation of the
Company to make delivery of awards in cash or in Common Stock shall be subject
to currency or other restrictions imposed by any government.
(e) No full- or part-time employee of the Company or a Subsidiary or
other person shall have any claim or right to be granted an award under this
Plan. Neither this Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as
giving any such employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Company
or a Subsidiary, it being understood that all Company and Subsidiary employees
who have or may receive awards under this Plan are employed at the will of the
Company or such Subsidiary and in accord with all statutory provisions.
(f) Distribution of shares of Common Stock in payment of awards under
this Plan may be made either from shares of authorized but unissued Common
Stock reserved for such purpose by the Board of Directors or from shares of
authorized and issued Common Stock reacquired by the Company and held in its
treasury, as from time to time determined by the Committee. Such shares shall be
valued on any date set forth herein (or, if such date is not expressly set forth
herein, on such date or dates as may be determined by the Committee, but not
earlier than five trading days prior to the date for which the determination is
being made) at the mean of the high and low sales prices on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported on the composite transaction tape, or on such other
exchange as the Committee may determine.
6
(g) The costs and expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne by
the Company and not charged to any award nor to any employee or Participant
receiving an award. However, the Company may charge the cost of any awards
made to employees of Participating Subsidiaries, including administrative
costs and expenses related thereto, to the respective Participating Subsidiaries
by which such persons are employed.
(h) In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following
terms as used in this Plan shall have the following meanings:
"Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as awmended
from time to time.
"Change in Control" shall mean the first to occur of any one of the
events described below:
(i) STOCK ACQUISITION. Any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Act), other than
the Company or a corporation, a majority of whose outstanding
stock entitled to vote is owned, directly or indirectly, by
the Company, or a trustee of an employee benefit plan
sponsored solely by the Company and/or such a corporation, is
or becomes, other than by purchase from the Company or such a
corporation, the "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined
in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting
securities. Such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have
occurred on the first to occur of the date securities are
first purchased by a tender or exchange offeror, the date on
which the Company first learns of acquisition of 20% of such
securities, or the later of the effective date of an agreement
for the merger, consolidation or other reorganization of the
Company or the date of approval thereof by a majority of the
Company's shareholders, as the case may be.
(ii) CHANGE IN BOARD. During any period of two consecutive
years, individuals who at the beginning of such period were
members of the Board of Directors cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors,
unless the election or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders of each new director was approved by a vote of at
least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who were
directors at the beginning of the period. Such a Change in
Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the date upon which
the requisite majority of directors fails to be elected by the
shareholders of the Company.
(iii) OTHER EVENTS. Any other event or series of events
which, not withstanding any other provision of this definition,
is determined, by a majority of the outside members of the
Board of Directors of the Company serving in office at the time
such event or events occur, to constitute a Change in Control
of the Company for
7
purposes of this Plan. Such a Change in Control shall be
deemed to have occurred on the date of such determination or
on such other date as such majority of outside members of the
Board shall specify.
"Designated Beneficiary" shall mean the person or persons last
designated as such by the Participant on a form filed by him or her with the
Committee in accordance with such procedures as the Committee shall approve,
provided, however, that in the absence of the filing of such a form with the
Company the Designated Beneficiary shall be the person or persons who are the
Participant's beneficiary or beneficiaries of the Company's basic life
insurance.
"Disability" shall mean permanent and total disability of an employee
participating in the Plan as determined by the Committee in accordance with
uniform principles consistently applied, upon the basis of such evidence as
the Committee deems necessary and desirable.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean the twelve-month period used as the annual
accounting period by the Company.
"Participant" shall mean, as to any award granted under this
Plan and for so long as such award is outstanding, the employee to whom such
award has been granted.
"Participating Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary designated
by the Committee to participate in this Plan which Subsidiary requests or
accepts, by action of its board of directors or other appropriate authority,
such designation.
"Retirement' shall mean separating from service with the Company
or a Subsidiary with the right to begin receiving immediate pension
benefits under the Company's Pension Plan for Salaried Employees or under
another defined benefit pension plan sponsored or otherwise maintained by a
Subsidiary for its employees, in either case as then in effect or, in the
absence of the Pension Plan or such other pension plan being applicable to any
Participant, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.
"Subsidiary" shall mean any domestic or foreign corporation,
partnership, association, joint stock company, trust or unincorporated
organization affiliated with the Company whether or not controlling,
controlled by or under common control with the Company.
9. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Committee may at any time terminate or from time to time amend or
suspend this Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no such amendment
shall, without the consent of the Participant to whom an award has already been
granted hereunder, operate to annul such award.
Unless approved by a vote of a majority of the shares present and
entitled to be voted at a meeting of shareholders, no amendment shall be
effective to increase the maximum amount
8
which may be awarded to any individual for the same Fiscal Year, except as
otherwise provided in paragraph 7.
10. EFFECTIVE DATE, PAST AMENDMENTS AND TERM OF THE PLAN
This Plan, previously denominated the "Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
1979 Incentive Compensation Plan", became effective for the Fiscal Year
commencing on October 1, 1978 for awards to be made for years to and including
Fiscal Year 1983, following approval by a majority of those present at the
January 19, 1978 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company and entitled to
vote thereon. The Plan was thereafter amended as permitted by its terms
effective October 1, 1982 by action of the Board of Directors.
The Plan, as amended effective October 1, 1983, was continued in effect
indefinitely until terminated, amended or suspended as permitted under
paragraph 9 following approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company at the January 26, 1984 annual meeting of
shareholders of the Company. The Plan was thereafter amended as permitted by its
terms effective March 1, 1986, October 1, 1986, July 15, 1987 and October 1,
1989 by action of the Committee. The Plan was renamed the 1990 Annual Incentive
Plan and restated effective as of October 1, 1989. The Plan, as set forth
herein, was renamed the 1997 Annual Incentive Plan, amended and restated
effective as of October 1, 1996.
9
Exhibit 10.5(a)
AMENDMENT TO SUPPLEMENTARY SAVINGS PLAN TEXT
EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 1998
"Distribution Event" shall mean an event other than death described under
Section 2.17 of the Savings Plan.
"Disability" shall mean permanent and total disability of a Participant as
determined by the Committee in accordance with uniform principles consistently
applied, upon the basis of such evidence as the Committee (or its designee)
deems necessary and desirable.
"Retirement" shall mean termination of employment with the Company or one of its
subsidiaries with the right to begin receiving immediate pension benefits under
the Company's Pension Plan for Salaried Employees or under another defined
benefit pension plan sponsored or otherwise maintained by the Company or a
subsidiary for its employees, or, in the absence of such Pension Plan or such
other pension plan being applicable to any Participant, as determined by the
Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion;
Section 5.3 Form of Payment and Commencement of Distribution to Participants.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) FORM OF PAYMENT TO PARTICIPANT. Distribution of a Participant's
Supplementary Savings Account to the Participant shall be in such of the
following forms of payment as the Participant shall elect:
(1) LUMP SUM. A single lump sum payment.
(2) INSTALLMENTS. Substantially equal annual installments not to exceed
ten (10), commencing in such year following the occurrence of a
Distribution Event with
respect to a Participant as is elected by the Participant;
provided, however, that no payment shall be made more
than ten (10) calendar years after such Distribution Event.
(b) DISTRIBUTION TO A PARTICIPANT. Distribution to a Participant will be made
or begin as soon as practicable following the end of the calendar year
during which a Distribution Event with respect to a Participant occurs or
in January of any subsequent Plan Year, in accordance with the
Participant's election as to form and time of payout which is effective as
of the date of the Distribution Event or which becomes effective prior to
the first scheduled payment under the election effective at the time of the
Distribution Event. A Participant's Supplementary Savings Account will
continue to be adjusted as provided in Article 4 until it is completely
distributed. The amount of any distribution shall be determined based on
the value of the Participant's Supplementary Savings Account as of the most
recent valuation date which precedes the month in which a distribution is
to be made hereunder.
(c) ELECTING AND CHANGING THE FORM OR TIME OF COMMENCEMENT. A Participant shall
make an election with respect to form and time of payout of his or her
Supplementary Savings Account as described in subsection (a) at the time of
his or her initial Deferral Election which shall be immediately effective.
While he or she is actively employed by the Company or one of its
subsidiaries, a Participant may change his or her election in regard to the
form and time of commencement of distributions from his or her
Supplementary Savings Account, provided that such election is made in a
form and manner satisfactory to the Committee. Such a change in election
will be effective on the one-year anniversary of the date it is received by
the Benefits Department of the Company's Human Resources division;
provided that, in the event a Distribution Event with respect to such
Participant occurs prior to the date an election becomes effective, the
election shall not become effective if the first scheduled payment under
the election in effect at the time of termination is due prior to such
one-year anniversary, Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the initial
change in election made by a Participant during fiscal year 1998 and on or
after April 1, 1998, if any, shall be effective immediately. A change in
election, when effective, shall supersede all prior elections and shall
apply to the Participant's entire Supplementary Savings Account, including
all prior and future amounts credited thereto, until a later election
becomes effective. In the event no effective or potentially effective
election exists as of the January following the occurrence of a
Distribution Event, the Participant's entire Supplementary Savings Plan
account shall be distributed in a lump sum.
Exhibit 10.6(a)
=======================================
Deferred Compensation Plan
for Directors*
=======================================
1. NAME AND PURPOSE
The name of this plan is the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan for Directors (the "Plan"), the purpose of which is
to provide
(a) A vehicle for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (the "Company") to
compensate persons serving as Directors in the form of Company
equity securities to align the interests of a Directors with those
of the Company's shareholders ("Mandatory Deferrals"); and
(b) The opportunity for Directors who so choose to defer compensation
earned as a Director or otherwise in connection with his or her
services in connection with the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries ("Elective Deferrals").
2. TERM
The Plan was adopted effective as of 1 January 1980. Section 9 was
revised effective as of 25 January 1990. Section 8 and Section 9 were
revised effective as of 15 October 1992. Sections 4, 6, 8, and 9 were
revised effective as of 19 October 1995. Sections 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9
were amended effective 21 November 1996. Sections 2, 7, 8, 9(a), 9(b),
17, the first paragraph of 9(c), and the Election Form (Exhibit A) were
amended effective 19 May 1998.
3. PARTICIPANTS
Any Director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or of a
subsidiary of the Company is eligible to participate in the Plan.
4. MANDATORY DEFERRALS
There shall be established for each Director who has never been employed
by the Company (a "Nonemployee Director"), an account under the Air
Products Stock Account described under section 5(b) below to which shall
be credited all
- -----------------------
* Adopted 1 January 1980; amended 25 January 1990, 15 October 1992,
19 October 1995, 21 November 1996, and 19 May 1998.
compensation which is to be paid by the Company in the form of deferred
stock units credited under the Air Products Stock Account in accordance
with the Compensation Program for Directors applicable for calendar year
1997 and later periods (the "Program"); and for each such Nonemployee
Director who had not served as a Director for at least six years as of
January 1, 1997, the actuarial present value of his or her prorated
accrued pension (the "Pension Amount") under the Pension Plan for Directors
(the "Pension Plan") in connection with the termination of said Pension
Plan.
Dollar amounts to be so credited shall be converted into deferred stock
units in the manner described under Section 5(b) below on the quarterly
or other specified crediting date for such 1997 and later compensation,
and on 21 November 1996, as to the Pension Amount; and using such date(s)
as the valuation date(s) for determining Fair Market Value.
5. ELECTIVE DEFERRALS
Directors may elect to defer receipt of all or a specified portion of the
compensation (exclusive of expense reimbursements) otherwise payable to
him or her in cash for serving on the Board of Directors of the Company,
attending meetings or committee meetings thereof or performing other
services in connection with the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries. Such compensation will be credited on the date the
compensation is otherwise payable, to one or both of the following
hypothetical investment accounts as directed by the Director:
(a) An account deemed to earn interest at rates established on the
first business day of each calendar quarter based upon the
published average long-term yields of corporate bonds of "A" rated
Industrial Companies appearing in Moody's Bond Survey or an
equivalent Bond Rating Service on such day (the "Interest
Account"); and
(b) An account (the "Air Products Stock Account") deemed to be invested
in Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. common stock, par value $1.00
("common stock"). The Company shall credit the Air Products Stock
Account with that number of units (including fractions) obtained by
dividing the amount of such deferred compensation by the Fair Market
Value of a share of common stock on the date credited to the
Air Products Stock Account (with the units thus calculated herein
referred to as "deferred stock units"). For purposes of the Plan,
Fair Market Value of a share of common stock on any date (the
"valuation date") shall be equal to the mean of the high and low
sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported on the
composite transaction tape, for such date, or, if no sales were quoted
on such date, on the most recent preceding date on which sales were
quoted.
Nonemployee Directors who had served for six years or more within the
meaning of the Pension Plan as of January 1, 1997, may elect to have the
actuarial present value of his or her accrued pension benefit under the
Pension Plan credited to the Air Products Stock Account on or before
December 31, 1996. Such Pension Amount shall be credited and converted to
deferred stock units in the manner described in Section 5(b) above, as of
the business day the Company's Corporate Secretary's Office receives an
Election Form therefor (by mail or fax); and using such date as the
valuation date for determining Fair Market Value.
6. EARNINGS ON PLAN ACCOUNTS
Each participant's Plan account will be credited with interest on
deferred compensation credited to the Interest Account, and with dividend
equivalents on deferred compensation credited to the Air Products Stock
Account, as provided below, until the date of payment to the Director
(which shall be deemed to be December 31 of the year preceding payment
unless payment is made because of death or a Change in Control, in which
event the date of payment shall be deemed the date of death or the date
of termination of service as a Director following the Change in Control,
respectively).
(a) EARNINGS ON INTEREST ACCOUNT. Interest shall be compounded
quarterly and earned from the date compensation is credited to the
account to the date of payment to the Director.
(b) EARNINGS ON AIR PRODUCTS STOCK ACCOUNT. Earnings shall be credited
quarterly in an amount equal to the dividends payable during the
quarter just ended with respect to that number of shares of Air
Products Stock equal to the number of deferred stock units
credited to the Air Products Stock Account during such quarter.
The amount so credited shall then be converted into deferred stock
units in the manner described under Section 4(b) above using the
quarterly crediting date as the valuation date for determining
Fair Market Value.
7. TIME AND MANNER OF MAKING ELECTIVE DEFERRALS
An election to defer compensation must be made by a Director prior to the
time such compensation is earned. An election shall continue in effect
until the end of the participant's service to the Company as a Director
and otherwise in connection with its business or until the Company is
notified in writing of the revocation or modification of the election,
whichever shall occur first.
A participant may elect, modify or revoke a prior election to defer
compensation by giving written notice to the Company in a form
substantially similar to the Election Form attached hereto as Exhibit A
(the "Election Form"). Such Election Form shall specify:
(a) The amount or percentage of compensation to be deferred beginning
on a future date specified in the notice until such notice is
revoked or modified as to future compensation (the "Elective
Deferred Compensation Amount");
(b) The percentage of the Elective Deferred Compensation Amount to be
credited to the Interest Account and the percentage to be credited
to the Air Products Stock Account; and
(c) The timing of payment, i.e., either a lump-sum payment or a
specified number of consecutive annual installment payments (not
to exceed ten) of all Elective Deferred Compensation Amounts, and
the year in which the lump-sum payment is to be received or the
first annual installment payment is to commence.
Any modification or revocation of a prior election described in
Section7(a) or 7(b) above shall relate only to future compensation, and
shall not apply to any amounts previously credited to the participant's
Plan account.
8. TIMING OF PAYMENT OF MANDATORY DEFERRALS
The amount of each Mandatory Deferral (the "Mandatory Deferred
Compensation Amount") will be paid as a lump sum in the first year after
the year in which service as a Director ends unless the Director has an
Elective Deferral in effect at the time of crediting the Mandatory
Deferral, in which case the Director's election as to time of payment of
the Elective Deferral will also govern the time of payment of the
Mandatory Deferral.
9. PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION
No payment may be made from the participant's Plan account in respect of
Elective Deferred Compensation Amounts or Mandatory Deferred Compensation
Amounts (together, "Deferred Compensation Amounts") except as provided
below.
(a) CHANGES IN ELECTION OF TIMING OF PAYMENT. A participant may change
his or her election in regard to the timing of payment of his or her
Deferred Compensation Amount as described in Section 7(c) above, by
so specifying in an Election Form. Such a change in election of
timing of payment will become effective one year from the date the
Election Form is received by
the Company unless payments under a prior election commence before
such effective date, in which case the new election will expire and
the prior election will control the timing of payment of all Deferred
Compensation Amounts. Such a change in election of timing of payment,
when effective, shall supersede all prior elections and shall apply
to all of the participant's prior and future Deferred Compensation
Amounts, until a later election becomes effective.
(b) PAYMENT FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF SERVICE. The value of each Deferred
Compensation Amount credited to the Interest Account of a
participant's Plan account is payable in cash, and the value of each
Deferred Compensation Amount credited to the Air Products Stock
Account is payable by delivery of a share of common stock for each
deferred stock unit credited to the participant's Plan account, in
either case in a lump sum or in annual installments, in accordance
with the participant's election.
All payments from Plan accounts must be completed by the tenth year
after the year in which service as a Director terminates. All payments
will be made in January of the applicable year or as soon thereafter
as reasonably possible. If annual installments are to be paid, the
amount of the first payment shall be a fraction of the value of the
participant's Plan account attributable to the particular Deferred
Compensation Amount as of the December 31 preceding payment, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the total
number of such installments elected. The amount of each subsequent
payment shall be a fraction of the value as of the December 31
preceding each subsequent payment, the numerator of which is one and
the denominator of which is the total number of installments elected
minus the number of installments previously paid as to such Deferred
Compensation Amount. The number of shares of common stock to be
delivered in payment from the Air Products Stock Account shall be
equal to the number of deferred stock units represented by the payment
owed, calculated as aforesaid, rounded up to the next whole share of
common stock.
(c) ACCELERATED PAYMENT. Notwithstanding the deferral period and
timing of payment determined in accordance with Sections 9(a) and
(b) above, the participant's Plan account shall be paid on an
accelerated basis as follows under the circumstances described
below (including, under the circumstances described in Section
9(c)(i) or (iii) below, any deferred stock units which may not yet
have vested as provided by the applicable Program).
(i) PAYMENT ON DEATH. In the event of a participant's death, the value of
his or her Plan account (including interest and dividend equivalents)
determined as of the date of death shall be paid in a single cash lump
sum to the participant's estate or designated beneficiary on the
earlier of the January 15 or July 15 following such date or as soon
thereafter as reasonably possible. The amount of any cash payment in
respect of deferred stock units in the Air Products Stock Account
shall be determined by multiplying the number of such units, including
fractional units, by the Fair Market Value of a share of common stock
as of the date of death.
(ii) CHANGE IN LEGAL CIRCUMSTANCES. In the event of a Change in Legal
Circumstance, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of
the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, authorize the
immediate distribution of the Plan account or appropriate modification
to the terms of deferral of a participant domiciled outside of the
United States. A Change in Legal Circumstances shall be deemed to
occur when, due to a change in the laws or regulations of the United
States or the country of domicile, the terms of deferral operate as a
disincentive to service on the Board or otherwise become inconsistent
with the purpose of the Plan.
(iii) CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a "Change in Control" of the
Company followed by a participant's termination of service as a
Director of the Company, the value of his or her Plan account
(including interest and dividend equivalents) determined as of the
date of termination of service as a Director following or in
connection with the Change in Control, shall be immediately due
and payable to the participant in a single cash lump sum. The amount
of any cash payment in respect of deferred stock units in the
Air Products Stock Account shall be determined by multiplying the
number of such units, including fractional units, by the Fair Market
Value of a share of common stock as of such date of termination of
service.
The term "Change in Control" shall mean the first to occur of any one
of the events described below:
(x) STOCK ACQUISITION. Any "person" (as such term is used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Act")), other than the Company or a corporation, a majority of
whose outstanding stock entitled to vote is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Company, or a trustee of an employee benefit plan
sponsored solely by the Company and/or
such a corporation, is or becomes, other than by purchase from the
Company or such a corporation, the "beneficial owner" (as such term
is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities.
Such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the
first to occur of the date securities are first purchased by a tender
or exchange offeror, the date on which the Company first learns of
acquisition of 20% of such securities, or the later of the effective
date of any agreement for the merger, consolidation or other
reorganization of the Company or the date of approval thereof by a
majority of the Company shareholders, as the case may be.
(y) CHANGE IN BOARD. During any period of two consecutive years,
individuals ho at the beginning of such period were members of the
Board of Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board of Directors, unless the election or nomination
for election by the Company's shareholders of each new director was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
in office who were directors at the beginning of the period. Such a
Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the date upon
which the requisite majority of directors fails to be elected by the
shareholders of the Company.
(z) OTHER EVENTS. Any other event or series of events which,
notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, is determined,
by a majority of the outside members of the Board of Directors of the
Company serving in office at the time such event or events occur, to
constitute a change in control of the Company for purposes of this
Plan. Such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the
date of such determination or on such other date as such majority of
outside members of the Board shall specify.
(d) MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(i) WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The rights of a participant to payments
under this Plan shall be subject to the Company's obligations at
any time to withhold income or other taxes from such payments
including, without limitation, by reducing the number of shares
of common stock to be distributed in payment of deferred stock
units by the number of shares equal in value to the amount of
such taxes required to be withheld, using the date prior to the
date of issuance
of the shares as the valuation date for determining Fair Market
Value.
(ii) RIGHTS AS TO COMMON STOCK. No participant with deferred
compensation credited to the Air Products Stock Account shall
have rights as a Company shareholder with respect thereto
unless, and until the date as of which, certificates for shares
of common stock are issued upon payment of such deferred
compensation. No shares of common stock shall be issued and
delivered hereunder unless and until all legal requirements
applicable to the issuance, delivery or transfer of such shares
have been complied with including, without limitation, compliance
with the provisions of the Act and of the Securities Act of 1993,
as amended, and the applicable requirements of the exchanges on
which the Company's common stock may, at the time, be listed.
Distributions of shares of common stock in payment under this
Plan may be made either from shares of authorized but unissued
common stock reserved for such purpose by the Board of Directors
or from shares of authorized and issued common stock reacquired
by the Company and held in its treasury, as from time to time
determined by, or pursuant to delegations from, the Board of
Directors.
(iii) ADJUSTMENTS TO AVOID DILUTION. In the event of any change in the
common stock of the Company by reason of any stock dividend or
split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination or
exchange of shares, or a rights offering to purchase common stock
at a price substantially below fair market value, or other
similar corporate change, including without limitation in
connection with a Change in Control of the Company, the value and
attributes of each deferred stock unit shall be appropriately
adjusted consistent with such change to the same extent as if
such deferred stock units were issued and outstanding shares of
common stock of the Company, so as to preserve, without
increasing, the value of Plan deferred compensation credited to
the Air Products Stock Account. Such adjustments shall be made
by the Board of Directors and shall be conclusive and binding for
all purposes of the Plan.
10. PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS UNSECURED
The right of any participant to the payment of deferred compensation and
earnings thereon under the Plan shall be an unsecured and unfunded claim
against the general assets of the Company.
11. NONASSIGNABILITY
The right of a participant to the payment of deferred compensation and
earnings thereon under the Plan shall not be assigned, transferred,
pledged or encumbered or be subject in any manner to alienation or
anticipation.
12. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
Statements will be sent to participants during February as to the value
of their Plan accounts as of the end of December of the previous year.
13. ADMINISTRATION
The Administrator of this Plan shall be the Corporate Secretary of the
Company. The Administrator shall have authority to adopt rules and
regulations for carrying out the Plan and to interpret, construe and
implement the provisions thereof.
14. BUSINESS DAYS
If any date specified herein falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal
holiday, such date shall be deemed to refer to the next business day
thereafter.
15. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
This Plan may at any time be amended, modified or terminated by the Board
of Directors of the Company. No amendment, modification or termination
shall, without the consent of a participant, adversely affect such
participant's rights with respect to amounts theretofore accrued in his
or her deferred compensation account.
16. NOTICES
All notices to the Company under this Plan shall be in writing and shall
be given as follows:
Corporate Secretary
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
7201 Hamilton Boulevard
Allentown, PA 18195-1501
17. GOVERNING LAW
This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and shall be construed for all purposes in accordance with
the laws of said state without giving effect to principles of conflicts
of laws.
EXHIBIT A
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. (the "Company")
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS (the "Plan")
Election Form
To: Corporate Secretary
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
I. ELECTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION AMOUNT
In accordance with the provisions of the Plan, I hereby (check one):
o Elect (or modify my prior election) to defer receipt of
compensation otherwise payable to me in cash for services as a
Director of the Company in the manner described below (fill in
one):
$ (amount per quarter)
--------------------
or
(percentage per quarter)
--------------------
o Revoke my election to defer.
This election, modification, or revocation shall take effect beginning on
__________________________ to affect only compensation earned on and after such
date. (Must be a date after the date this Election Form is received by the
Company.)
II. INVESTMENT ACCOUNT FOR ELECTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION AMOUNT.
The Elective Deferred Compensation Amount is to be invested in the
following Plan account(s) (enter a whole percentage from 1% to 100% in
each blank, with the two percentages totaling 100%):
_____% in the Interest Account to be paid out in the form of cash.
_____% in the Air Products Stock Account to be distributed in the
form of Air Products and Chemicals Inc. Common Stock.
Notes concerning compliance with the Federal Securities Law:
(1) AN ELECTION TO INVEST OR TO CEASE INVESTING, OR TO CHANGE THE
LEVEL OF INVESTING, IN THE AIR PRODUCTS STOCK ACCOUNT WILL
ONLY BE EFFECTIVE IF RECEIVED BY THE COMPANY DURING A 30-DAY
WINDOW PERIOD DURING WHICH THERE IS NO MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC
INFORMATION. Such window periods generally occur during the
30-day period commencing one week after the annual report has
been mailed to the shareholders, which usually occurs during
the first or second week in December, and the 30-day periods
starting on the second trading day after the day when
quarterly or annual earnings releases have been issued with
commentary, which usually occur in the third or fourth weeks
of January, April, July, and October. The Corporate Secretary
can advise you as to the precise timing of window periods.
(2) Under current federal securities law, it is necessary to
report to the Securities and Exchange Commission the number of
units credited to the Air Products Stock Account at the end of
each fiscal year, on a Form 5 Report for the year.
EXHIBIT A
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS (the "Plan")
Election Form
(continued)
III. TIMING OF PAYMENT OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION AMOUNTS (ELECTIVE AND
MANDATORY)
COMPLETE A OR B, BUT NOT BOTH
A. Lump Sum Election
-----------------
Mandatory Deferred Compensation Amounts and the Elective Deferred
Compensation Amount (if any) are to be paid to me in a lump sum
(check one):
o In the year my service as a Director ends.
o In the ____ year after the year in which my service as a
Director ends (not to exceed tenth).
B. Installment Election
--------------------
Mandatory Deferred Compensation Amounts and the Elective Deferred
Compensation Amount (if any) are to be paid to me in _________
(up to 10) consecutive annual installments, the first of which is
to be paid in (check one):
o The year in which my service ends.
o _____ year after the year in which my service ends (the
last installment must be paid no later than 10 years after
the year in which service ends).
I understand that this payout election, when effective, will
apply to all my Deferred Compensation Amounts (Elective and
Mandatory) for this and any prior or future year, and will
supersede any prior payout election made by me with respect to my
Deferred Compensation Amounts.
I understand that this election will become effective one year
from the date received by the Company unless payouts under a
prior election commence before the effective date; in which case
this election will expire and the prior election will control.
Note: Since elections do not take effect for one year, a payment
scheduled on or before the first anniversary of the date your
service for Air Products ends may prevent a future election made
in your last year of service from becoming effective. You should
not elect a payment schedule beginning before the second year
following termination of your service if you want to preserve
maximum flexibility to make future changes in your payment
schedule during your last year of service.
This Election Form is received by the Company when received by
the Corporate Secretary's Office.
EXHIBIT A
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR DIRECTORS (the "Plan")
Election Form
(continued)
IV. BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
If I die before receiving all the deferred payments due me under the
Plan, I understand the value of my Mandatory and Elective Deferred
Compensation Amounts will be paid to my estate or designated
beneficiary, in a single lump sum cash payment on the earlier of the
January 15 or July 15 following the date of my death or as soon
thereafter as reasonably possible. (A beneficiary may be designated by
delivering written notice of designation to the Corporate Secretary of
the Company.)
===============================================================================
This Election is subject to the terms of Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors, as amended from time to time.
Received on the day of
on behalf of the Company.
-------------------------
Signature of Director
By Date:
-------------------------------- ------------------------
(Assistant) Corporate Secretary
Exhibit 10.7(b)
MEMORANDUM [AIR PRODUCTS STYLIZED "A" LOGO]
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: R. SULLAM Location: PRESIDENT
VP HR & PROCUREMENT
From: L V BROESE VAN GROENOU Extension/
Location: 9901/H3
Date: 01.07.97
Subject: THE MECHANICS OF YOUR PENSION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
cc:R. Blamey
Further to our most recent discussions, I am writing to clarify the
mechanics of your pension arrangements. As indicated in the correspondence
of 09/06/97 your entitlement is based on:
o 40 years service at the age of 60
o Using your final year's salary as the base
o Plus the benefits earned by a special contribution made on
your behalf in 1983
o Less the French points pension
o In addition you will receive a UK "old age" pension from age 65
As your entitlement is therefore defined and agreed, what remains is to
describe the events leading up to your anticipated retirement date:
1. Every year Richard Blamey will inform the insurance company AG what
the amount is they need to accrue. In his calculation he will need to
check your latest salary as well as the French pension offset. On the
basis of this information AG will inform Air Products what contribution
is required.
2. In the year leading up to retirement we will assist you in establishing
your exact entitlement to French Social Security. In our experience the
domicile of the recipient is not an issue.
3. On the retirement date, all the components will be available to
determine the sources of your pension. As the total entitlement is
"fixed" your only decision will be to determine whether a lump sum or
an annuity from the Belgian plan is the optimum solution for you.
If you have further detailed questions, I will make arrangements
with Richard Blamey to discuss these with you.
Regards
/S/ L V BROESE VAN GROENOU
L V BROESE VAN GROENOU
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. J. P. McAndrew [Air Products Stylized Logo]
7201 Hamilton Boulevard Vice President
Allentown, PA 18195-1501 Human Resources
Telephone (610) 481-7258
Exhibit 10.7(c)
7 July 1997
Mr. W. Douglas Brown
143 Haversham Drive
Houston, TX 77024
Dear Mr. Brown:
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., a Delaware Corporation having its head
office at 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18195-1501 (the "Company"),
considers a sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and
enhancing the best interests of the Company. To confirm the commitment made in
order to induce you to accept employment by the Company and to induce you to
continue in the employment of the Company, and in consideration of your
agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, this
letter agreement (this"Agreement") sets forth the agreement between you and the
Company pertaining to a supplemental retirement benefit to which you may be
entitled.
ARTICLE I
BENEFITS
SECTION 1.1 ELIGIBILITY. You have agreed, in consideration of the Company's
obligations contained herein, to direct the investment of the basic and rollover
portions of the American Ref-Fuel Retirement Savings Plan and the American
Ref-Fuel Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan as of 30 June 1997 into an
investment that mirrors the rate of return of the S&P 500 Index. Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, you (or, in the case of your death, your
surviving spouse) will be entitled to receive a supplemental retirement benefit
calculated in accordance with this Article I.
SECTION 1.2 AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT. The amount of your
supplemental retirement benefit hereunder, if any, will be computed as of the
beginning of the month immediately prior to or coincident with the Benefit
Payment Date, as defined in Section 1,3 hereof, and shall be equal to (if
positive):
(a) the "Assumed Pension", that is, the amount of the benefits you would
have received under the qualified defined benefit plan currently known as the
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Pension Plan for Salaried Employees, as amended
from time to time, and the nonqualified defined benefit plan currently known as
the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Supplementary Pension Plan, as amended from
time to time ("Company DB Plans") assuming you had received credited and vesting
service under and as defined in the Company DB Plans for your service with
American Ref-Fuel Company, with no offset for such service, MINUS
(b) The "Actual Pension", that is, the sum of (i) the actual value of the
investment of the basic and rollover portions provided from the American
Ref-Fuel plans as described in Section 1. I above, and (ii) the actual amount of
the benefits payable to you under the Company DB Plans based upon your actual
credited service and pensionable compensation under and as defined or provided
in such Plans.
In order to attain equivalency between the various forms and times of
receipt of benefits provided for hereunder, the value of the offset described in
Section 1.2 (b) (i) above will be annuitized using the provisions for
calculating a lump sum in the Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Pension Plan for
Salaried Employees.
SECTION 1.3 TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.
Your supplemental retirement benefit hereunder will be payable on the first day
of the month following the later of your age 55 and your separation from service
with the Company (your "Benefit Payment Date"). Such benefit will be paid in the
form of benefit payment you elect under the Company's Supplementary Pension
Plan.
SECTION 1.4 SUPPLEMENTAL PRE-RETIREMENT SPOUSAL BENEFIT. If you die before
your Benefit Payment Date, your surviving spouse may be entitled to receive a
supplemental pre-retirement survivor benefit calculated as provided in Section
1.2 hereof, substituting in the calculation of the Assumed Pension the amount of
the surviving spouse death benefit under the Company DB Plan for the amount of
the benefits you would have received under the Company DB Plan, and substituting
in the calculation of the Actual Pension the actual amount of the pre-retirement
spousal benefits payable under the Company DB Plans. Such benefit will be
payable within a reasonable period of time following your death.
ARTICLE II
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 2.1 ADMINISTRATION AND INTERPRETATION. This Agreement will be
administered by the Vice President, Human Resources of the Company. The Vice
President, Human Resources will have full power and authority to administer the
Agreement and interpret the provisions of the Agreement in a manner consistent
with the interpretation of similar provisions in the Company DB Plans as the
context reasonably permits. The powers of the Vice President, Human Resources
include, by way of illustration and not limitation, the discretionary authority
and power to construe and interpret the Agreement, decide all questions of
eligibility for benefits, calculate the amount and determine the time, and
manner of payment of any benefit and to authorize the payment of a benefit
hereunder. The Vice President Human Resources may appoint one or more
individuals or committees to assist him in carrying out his duties and
responsibilities under the Agreement and may adopt rules and regulations for the
administration of the Agreement and alter, amend, or revoke any rules or
regulations so adopted. The decisions of the Vice President, Human Resources or
his delegates shall be final and binding on the Company, you and your surviving
spouse.
SECTION 2.2 CLAIM AND APPEAL PROCEDURES.
(a) CLAIMS PROCEDURES. In the event of a claim for or in respect of any
payment under this Agreement or the method of payment thereof, the claimant
shall present the reason for his or her claim in writing to the Vice President
Human Resources. The Vice President, Human Resources shall, within 90 days after
the receipt of such written claim send written notification to the claimant as
to its disposition, unless special
2
circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If such an
extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension
shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial
90-day period. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of 90 days from
the end of such initial period. The extension notice shall indicate the special
circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Vice
President, Human Resources expects to render the final decision.
In the event the claim is wholly or partially denied, the written
notification from the Vice President, Human Resources shall state the specific
reason or reasons for the denial, include specific references to pertinent
provisions of the Agreement on which the denial is based, provide an explanation
of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect
the claim and a statement of why such material or information is necessary, and
set forth the procedure by which the claimant may appeal the denial of the
claim. If the claim has not been granted and notice is not furnished within the
time period specified in the preceding paragraph, the claim shall be deemed
denied for the purpose of proceeding to appeal in accordance with paragraph (b)
below.
(b) APPEAL PROCEDURES. In the event a claimant wishes to appeal the denial
of his or her claim, the claimant may request a review of such denial by making
written application to the Vice President, Human Resources within 60 days after
receipt of the written notice of denial (or the date on which such claim is
deemed denied if written notice is not received within the applicable time
period specified in paragraph (a) above). Such claimant (or his or her duly
authorized representative) may, upon written request to the Vice President,
Human Resources, review documents which are pertinent to such claim, and submit
in writing issues and comments in support of his or her position. Within 60 days
after receipt of the written appeal (unless an extension of time is necessary
due to special circumstances or is agreed to by the parties, but in no event
more than 120 days after such receipt), the Vice President, Human Resources
shall notify the claimant of his final decision. Such final decision shall be in
writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant and specific references to the
pertinent provisions of the Agreement on which the decision is based. If such an
extension of time for review is required because of special circumstances,
written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the
commencement of the extension.
SECTION 2.3 OBLIGATIONS UNFUNDED; ERISA; NONALIENATION OF BENEFITS. The
Company's obligations hereunder are unfunded, and the Company shall not be
required to segregate any assets in connection therewith, nor be deemed to be a
trustee of any amounts to be paid under this Agreement. Any liability to any
person with respect to income payable hereunder shall be only a claim against
the general assets of the Company at your Benefit Payment Date or the payment
date of the supplemental pre-retirement spousal benefit. No such liability shall
be deemed to be secured by any pledge or any other encumbrance on any specific
property of the Company.
This Agreement is intended to constitute an unfunded, nonqualified plan
maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a
select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company and
for the exclusions from Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended (ERISA) provided for in Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and
401(a)(1) of ERISA. In the event that any regulatory or other body or court
should determine that the Agreement does not qualify for any such exclusion,
then the Company may retroactively revise the Agreement so that it may qualify
for the exclusion or take such other action as it deems appropriate, and the
Company shall have no liability for benefits under the Agreement prior to such
revision or action.
3
Except as may be required by law, no benefit payable under this Agreement
is subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, garnishment, pledge, encumbrance or charge whether voluntary or
involuntary, including in respect of any liability of you or your surviving
spouse for alimony or other payments for the support of a spouse, former spouse,
child or other dependent, prior to actually being received by you or your
surviving spouse under the Agreement, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate,
sell, transfer, assign, garnish pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be
void. No such benefits will, in any manner, be liable for or subject to your or
any other person's debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts. If you
or any other person is adjudicated bankrupt, or attempts or purports to
anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, garnish, pledge, encumber or
charge any benefit or payment under the Agreement voluntarily or involuntarily,
the Vice President, Human Resources, in his sole discretion, will have the
authority to cause the same or any other part thereof then payable to be held or
applied to or for your or such other person's benefit in such manner and in such
proportion as the Vice President, Human Resources shall determine.
SECTION 2.4 PAYMENTS NET OF TAXES. Any payment provided for under this
Agreement shall be reduced by any applicable withholding taxes required under
federal, state or local law.
SECTION 2.5 NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. Nothing contained in this Agreement will
be construed as a contract of employment between you and the Company, or as a
right to be continued in the employment of the Company, or as a limitation on
the right of the Company to discharge you with or without cause. Specifically,
no rights are created hereunder with respect to continued employment.
SECTION 2.6 SUCCESSORS, BINDING AGREEMENT. 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, by written agreement, 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. As used in this
Agreement, "Company" means the Company as hereinabove defined and any successor
to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers the
agreement provided for in this Section 2.6 or which becomes bound by all the
terms and provision of this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.
This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by your
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devises and legatees, but neither this Agreement nor any of your
rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned or pledged by you or them.
SECTION 2.7 AMENDMENT. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to
in writing signed by you and such officer as may be specifically designated by
the Vice President, Human Resources of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Vice President, Human Resources will have full power and authority, but will
have no obligation, to amend this Agreement without your agreement or consent as
provided in Section 2.3 hereof or in order to cure any ambiguity or to conform
the provisions hereof and the benefits intended to be provided hereunder to any
change in the terms and provisions of any Company DB Plans, or to reflect any
change in law, rule or regulation affecting the Company DB Plans or the benefits
payable hereunder.
SECTION 2.8 EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT. No agreement or representations, oral or
otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have
been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.
4
SECTION 2.9 OTHER PLANS AND PROGRAMS. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit your continuing or future participation in any benefit,
incentive or other plan or program provided by the Company and for which you may
qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as you
may have under any such plan or program.
SECTION 2.10 GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY. The validity, interpretation,
construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the extent such laws are not preempted by
ERISA or other applicable Federal laws. The invalidity or unenforceability of
any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability
of any other provision or provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in
full force and effect.
SECTION 2.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.
If this letter correctly sets forth our agreement on the subject matter
hereof, kindly sign and return to the Company this letter which will then
constitute our agreement on this subject.
Sincerely,
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
By: /s/ J. P. McAndrew
----------------------------------
J. P. McAndrew
Vice President-Human Resources
AGREED THIS 16th DAY
-------
OF July 1997
------
/s/ W. Douglas Brown
- -----------------------------
W. Douglas Brown
5
Exhibit (a)(12)
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Unaudited)
Year Ended 30 September
------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
------------------------------------------------
(Millions of dollars)
EARNINGS:
Income before extraordinary
item and the cumulative
effect of accounting changes $233.5 $368.2 $416.4 $429.3 $546.8
Add (deduct):
Provision for income taxes 95.2 186.2 195.5 203.4 280.9
Fixed charges, excluding
capitalized interest 127.1 148.8 184.0 233.0 202.8
Capitalized interest
amortized during the
period 8.0 9.1 9.4 8.3 7.4
Undistributed earnings of
less-than-fifty-percent-
owned affiliates (2.8) (25.4) (40.6) (31.1) (25.3)
------ ------ ------ ------ -------
Earnings, as adjusted $461.0 $686.9 $764.7 $842.9 $1012.6
====== ====== ====== ====== =======
FIXED CHARGES:
Interest on indebtedness,
including capital lease
obligations $118.2 $139.4 $171.7 $217.8 $186.7
Capitalized interest 9.7 18.5 20.0 20.90 18.4
Amortization of debt discount
premium and expense .8 .2 1.5 1.8 1.9
Portion of rents under operating
leases representative of the
interest factor 8.1 9.2 10.8 13.4 14.2
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Fixed charges $136.8 $167.3 $204.0 $253.9 $221.2
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO
FIXED CHARGES: 3.4 4.1 3.7 3.3 4.6
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Major Factors Affecting Earnings*
Major factors affecting comparison of earnings per share between 1998 and 1997
were:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Higher volumes in most product lines
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broad-based productivity gains
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorable equipment segment performance
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss of income from divestiture of American Ref-Fuel
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income impacted by Asian economy
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gains on divestiture of American Ref-Fuel, a power
contract restructuring, and a project contract settlement
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN EARNINGS PER SHARE*
1998 1997 Increase
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share $2.54 $1.95 $.59
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share $2.48 $1.91 $.57
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: Special items .26 .00 .26
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2.22 $1.91 $.31
OPERATIONS
Industrial Gases and Chemicals
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Volume $1.28
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling price and mix (.31)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs excluding depreciation (.50)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation (.09)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment and Services .11
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate and Other(a) (.06)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income .43
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income(b) (.09)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency- and exchange-related (.10)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax items .02
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lower average shares outstanding .05
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $.31
(a) Includes 1997 gains on sale of landfill gas and shares in a cost basis
investment of $.05.
(b) Excludes currency- and exchange-related items.
* See Management's Discussion & Analysis for further information.
21
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED
(Millions of dollars, except per share) 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $4,919.0 $4,637.8 $4,007.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 845.0 725.4 591.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 38.0 66.3 80.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 546.8 429.3 416.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share 2.54 1.95 1.86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share 2.48 1.91 1.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The results of 1998 and 1996 include the effects of special items. These items
should be considered in the comparison of the annual results.
Fiscal 1998 results were increased by net after-tax income of $58.1 million, or
$.26 per share, for special items. The components of special items on a before-
and after-tax basis were: a gain of $62.6 million ($35.1 million after-tax, or
$.16 per share) on the sale of substantially all of the company's 50% interest
in the American Ref-Fuel Company; a gain of $28.3 million ($15.4 million
after-tax, or $.07 per share) from a power contract restructuring related to an
American Ref-Fuel project; and a gain of $12.6 million ($7.6 million after-tax,
or $.03 per share) from a cogeneration project contract settlement. Additional
details of the divestiture of the American Ref-Fuel Company are included in
Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.
TWO GRAPHS APPEAR HERE SIDE-BY-SIDE INDICATING SALES (IN BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS) AND OPERATING INCOME (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS), RESPECTIVELY
FOR FISCAL YEARS 94, 95, 96, 97 AND 98.
Fiscal 1996 results included a $66.8 million gain ($40.7 million after-tax, or
$.18 per share) from the settlement with Bankers Trust Company over losses
reported in fiscal 1994 associated with leveraged interest rate swap contracts.
The following table presents the results for 1998, 1997, and 1996 exclusive of
special items. The discussion of the consolidated and segment results is based
on income excluding special items. A description of the products and services
and markets for each of the three business segments is included in Note 20 to
the consolidated financial statements.
EXCLUSIVE OF SPECIAL ITEMS
(Millions of dollars, except per share) 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $4,919.0 $4,637.8 $4,007.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 845.0 725.4 591.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 38.0 66.3 80.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 488.7 429.3 375.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share 2.28 1.95 1.68
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share 2.22 1.91 1.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The company achieved record sales, net income and diluted earnings per share in
fiscal 1998. Sales of $4,919.0 million in fiscal 1998 were 6% above the
$4,637.8 million reported in fiscal 1997. Operating income of $845.0 million was
up $119.6 million, a 16% increase. Equity affiliates' income declined to $38.0
million from $66.3 million in 1997. The resulting diluted earnings per share
were $2.22, a $.31 increase, or 16%. The record diluted earnings per share were
obtained in spite of an unfavorable year-to-year currency and exchange impact
of $.10. The results also overcame a $.06 per share impact from the loss of
earnings of the divested American Ref-Fuel business.
Total sales increased 6%, net of a 1% unfavorable currency impact. Sales growth
in the industrial gases and chemicals segments was due to broad-based volume
growth that was tempered by pricing pressure. Sales in the equipment and
services segment declined slightly from fiscal 1997. Volume growth coupled with
continuing productivity gains and a favorable product mix in the equipment
business produced a 16% improvement in operating income. Equity affiliates'
income declined primarily due to the divestiture of the American Ref-Fuel
Company and the unfavorable business environment in Asia.
22
Fiscal 1997 sales of $4,637.8 million were 16% above the fiscal 1996 level of
$4,007.7 million. Year-to-year operating income grew $134.1 million, or 23%, to
$725.4 million. Equity affiliates' income declined $14.4 million to $66.3
million. Net income of $429.3 million rose $53.6 million, a 14% increase.
Diluted earnings per share of $1.91 were 16%, or $.26, better than fiscal 1996.
The diluted earnings per share growth was obtained in spite of an unfavorable
year-to-year currency and exchange impact of $.09.
In October 1996, the company increased ownership in Carburos Metalicos S.A.
(Carburos) from 47.6% to 96.7%. As a result of this increase in ownership,
Carburos was included in the consolidated results for all but the first seven
weeks of fiscal 1997. Previously, the company accounted for its investment using
the equity method. See Note 17 to the consolidated financial statements.
Sales and operating income increased primarily due to higher volumes in most
businesses and the inclusion of Carburos in the industrial gases segment for
most of fiscal 1997. Broad-based productivity gains also contributed to the
operating income growth. Equity affiliates' income demonstrated strong operating
results in power generation, which were offset by the movement of Carburos to
consolidated results and lower income from Asian affiliates.
SEGMENT ANALYSIS
A description of the products and services and markets for each of the three
business segments is included in Note 20 to the consolidated financial
statements.
INDUSTRIAL GASES
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $2,907.5 $2,673.9 $2,310.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 573.1 515.2 406.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 17.3 28.5 44.0
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales of $2,907.5 million in fiscal 1998 increased 9%, or $233.6 million from
fiscal 1997 reported sales. Unfavorable currency impacts reduced year-to-year
growth by 2%.
Merchant gases volumes grew 7% in both the United States and Europe. The volume
growth impact on sales was tempered by lower pricing for merchant products in
the United States and Europe of 3% and 2%, respectively. Tonnage gases volume
increased 18% in Europe, driven by loading of new facilities serving the
chemicals process industry. Domestic tonnage gases were essentially flat
year-to-year. Asset management efforts and continuing productivity gains
combined with the favorable volume growth to increase both total operating
income and the operating margin. Operating income of $573.1 million was up $57.9
million, or 11%. The operating margin increased from 19.3% in fiscal 1997 to
19.7% in fiscal 1998.
Equity affiliates' income of $17.3 million is down $11.2 million, primarily due
to unfavorable business conditions in Asia. Total currency and exchange effects
reduced equity affiliates' income by approximately $10.5 million in fiscal 1998.
Sales during fiscal 1997 increased 16% to $2,673.9 million, while operating
income of $515.2 million was up $108.5 million, or 27%, over fiscal 1996.
Currency and exchange effects reduced sales and operating income growth by
approximately 2%.
The consolidation of Carburos, a leading supplier of industrial gases in Spain,
contributed approximately two-thirds of the sales growth and approximately half
of the operating income improvement for this segment in fiscal 1997. Previously,
the company accounted for its investment using the equity method.
Merchant gases volumes in both the domestic and European regions were 5% above
the prior year. Merchant gases pricing was flat in both regions year-on-year.
Worldwide tonnage gases grew 8% as a direct result of continued loading of
recent investments, particularly the HYCO facilities. Additionally, higher
operating income was driven by productivity gains in the domestic gases
business. Worldwide gases margins improved from 17.6% to 19.3% in fiscal 1997.
Equity affiliates' income for fiscal 1997 decreased $15.5 million from the prior
year to $28.5 million. This decline was due to the movement of Carburos into
consolidated results, higher infrastructure costs attributed to worldwide
expansion, and economic turmoil in Southeast Asia resulting in weak Asian
currencies and a customer bankruptcy.
23
CHEMICALS
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $1,539.2 $1,448.1 $1,362.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 253.7 204.2 197.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income .6 .4 .3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales in 1998 increased 6%, or $91.1 million, to $1,539.2 million. Operating
income increased 24%, or $49.5 million, to $253.7 million. The prior-year
results included a $9.3 million asset impairment loss in the release agents
business (sold in the second quarter of fiscal 1997). Excluding this loss,
operating income in fiscal 1998 increased $40.2 million, or 19%. The sales
increase is due primarily to volume gains in most businesses, with overall
volumes up 10%. Growth in amines led the overall volume growth due to strong
base customer demand and the impact of the Imperial Chemicals Industries (ICI)
methyl and higher amines acquisitions. The volume growth was tempered by lower
polyvinyl alcohol margins and lower methanol and ammonia product prices and
margins. Operating income was also favorably impacted by continuing productivity
gains. Currency and exchange effects reduced sales growth by 1% and operating
income growth by 3% in fiscal 1998. Operating margin in fiscal 1998 was 16.5%,
compared with 14.1% in fiscal 1997.
Sales in 1997 increased $85.8 million to $1,448.1 million, while operating
income increased $6.7 million to $204.2 million. Excluding a $9.3 million asset
impairment loss in the release agents business (sold in the second quarter of
fiscal 1997), operating income rose 8% to $213.5 million. Sales and operating
income increased on broad-based volume gains in most businesses, with overall
volumes up 5%. Productivity gains also favorably impacted the year's results.
Currency and exchange effects reduced sales growth by 1% and operating income
growth by 5% in fiscal 1997.
EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Sales $472.3 $514.6 $314.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 73.1 37.5 32.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 17.7 13.9 8.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------
Sales of $472.3 million decreased $42.3 million from the prior year, primarily
due to lower project activity in the company's gas separation business.
Operating income increased $35.6 million to $73.1 million. The increase in
operating income is a result of improved project cost performance and a more
profitable project mix, including higher natural gas liquefaction equipment
sales. Sales backlog for the equipment product line declined slightly to $302
million at 30 September 1998, compared with $310 million at 30 September 1997.
It is expected $249 million of the backlog will be completed during fiscal 1999.
The current-year backlog is more heavily weighted toward air separation
equipment.
Equity affiliates' income increased $3.8 million to $17.7 million in fiscal
1998, due to favorable performance and lower overheads in the power generation
business.
Fiscal 1997 sales of $514.6 million increased $200.0 million over the prior year
on higher activity in most product lines. Operating income increased $4.8
million to $37.5 million, due to higher sales.
Equity affiliates' income increased $5.4 million to $13.9 million in fiscal
1997, due to improved operations driven by lower development spending and higher
power rates in the power generation business.
CORPORATE AND OTHER
This segment includes several components: unallocated corporate income (expense)
and foreign exchange gains (losses), the American Ref-Fuel business sold in
December 1997, and the landfill gas business sold in November of 1996.
In December 1997, the company sold substantially all of its 50% interest in the
American Ref-Fuel Company, its former waste-to-energy joint venture with
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc., to a limited liability company formed by Duke
Energy Power Services and United American Energy Corporation. Duke Energy
Capital Corporation, the parent company of Duke Energy Power Services, assumed
the various parental support agreements.
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Sales $-- $1.2 $20.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Operating loss (54.9) (31.5) (45.6)
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 2.4 23.5 27.9
- ----------------------------------------------------------
24
Sales declined in the current year as a result of the sale of the landfill gas
recovery business in early fiscal 1997.
Net operating loss increased $23.4 million in the current year. The prior-year
results included a gain of $9.5 million on the sale of the landfill gas recovery
business and a gain of $7.3 million on the partial sale of the cost basis Daido
Hoxan investment. Excluding these nonrecurring items, operating expenses were up
$6.6 million, due primarily to higher foreign exchange losses in the current
year.
Equity affiliates' income of $2.4 million was down $21.1 million from the prior
fiscal year, primarily due to the sale of substantially all of the American
Ref-Fuel Company in December 1997.
Sales were down $19.1 million to $1.2 million in fiscal 1997, due to the sale of
the landfill gas recovery business in November 1996. The operating loss was down
$14.1 million from the prior year. Fiscal 1997 results included a gain of $9.5
million on the landfill gas business sale and a gain of $7.3 million on the
partial sale of the cost basis Daido Hoxan investment. Excluding these items,
the operating loss increased $2.7 million, due to foreign exchange losses offset
partially by lower operating losses from the divested landfill gas recovery
business.
Equity affiliates' income of $23.5 million was down $4.4 million from the prior
fiscal year. During fiscal 1997, American Ref-Fuel of Hempstead refinanced its
debt, which resulted in a $4.8 million reduction in equity affiliates' income.
Excluding the refinancing cost, equity affiliates' income for fiscal 1997 was
comparable to the prior year.
SETTLEMENT ON LEVERAGED
INTEREST RATE SWAPS
In January 1996, the company reached a settlement with Bankers Trust Company
over the $107.7 million of losses reported in 1994 associated with leveraged
interest rate swap contracts. The $66.8 million settlement gain ($40.7 million
after tax, or $.18 per share) was affected, in part, by the termination of
obligations stemming from two previously closed contracts. Prior to the
settlement, there was an outstanding liability of $61.7 million associated with
the closed contracts.
INTEREST EXPENSE
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Interest incurred $178.5 $180.4 $144.7
Less: Interest capitalized 15.7 19.1 15.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense $162.8 $161.3 $129.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1998 interest expense increased a nominal $1.5 million over the prior
year. A lower level of capitalized interest was partially offset by a slightly
lower interest rate. Average debt outstanding in fiscal 1998 was essentially the
same as the prior year. In fiscal 1997, interest expense rose $32.1 million, due
to higher average debt balances driven by the overall capital expenditure
program, the Carburos acquisition, and the share repurchase program.
INCOME TAXES
1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate 33.6% 31.9% 31.7%
============================================================
The effective tax rate increased from 31.9% in fiscal 1997 to 33.6% in fiscal
1998. Exclusive of the higher tax rate on the American Ref-Fuel Company sale and
the two power contract gains, the fiscal 1998 rate was 32.2%, or .3% over fiscal
1997.
The effective tax rate in fiscal 1997 was 31.9% versus 31.7% in fiscal 1996. The
fiscal 1996 rate was 30.8%, exclusive of the Bankers Trust settlement. The
higher rate in fiscal 1997 was due to lower after-tax equity affiliates' income.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations in the
United States and foreign countries where it has operations. Compliance with
these laws and regulations results in higher capital expenditures and costs.
Additionally, from time to time the company is involved in proceedings under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the
federal Superfund law), similar state laws, and the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) relating to the designation of certain sites for
investigation and possible cleanup. The company's accounting policies for
environmental expenditures are discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements.
25
The amounts charged to earnings on an after-tax basis related to environmental
protection totaled $23.5 million, $25.7 million, and $27.1 million for 1998,
1997, and 1996, respectively. These amounts represent an estimate of expenses
for compliance with environmental laws, as well as remedial activities, and
costs incurred to meet internal company standards. Such costs are estimated to
be approximately $27 million in 1999 and $29 million in 2000.
Although precise amounts are difficult to define, the company estimates that in
fiscal 1998 it spent approximately $10 million on capital projects to control
pollution (including expenditures associated with new plants) versus $8 million
in 1997. Capital expenditures to control pollution in future years are estimated
at $11 million in 1999 and $7 million in 2000.
It is the company's policy to accrue environmental investigatory and noncapital
remediation costs for identified sites when it is probable that a liability has
been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The potential
exposure for such costs is estimated to range from $11 million to a reasonably
possible upper exposure of $29 million. The balance sheet at 30 September 1998
included an accrual of $23.4 million. At 30 September 1997, the balance sheet
accrual was $33.3 million, and a receivable balance related to third-party
recoveries was $.5 million.
In addition to the environmental exposures discussed in the preceding paragraph,
there will be spending at a company-owned manufacturing site where the company
is undertaking RCRA corrective action remediation. The company estimates capital
costs to implement the anticipated remedial program will range from $22-$29
million. Spending was $5.5 million through fiscal 1998 and is estimated at $12
million for fiscal 1999 and $2 million for fiscal 2000. Operating and
maintenance expenses associated with continuing the remedial program were
minimal in fiscal 1998 and are estimated at $1 million a year beginning in
fiscal 1999 and will continue for an estimated period of up to 30 years. A
former owner and operator at the site has agreed to reimburse the company 20% of
the costs incurred in the remediation. Reimbursement of $.4 million was received
in fiscal 1998 and is estimated at $3 million for fiscal 1999 and $1 million for
fiscal 2000. The cost estimates have not been reduced by the value of such
reimbursement.
Actual costs to be incurred at identified sites in future periods may vary from
the estimates, given inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental
exposures. Subject to the imprecision in estimating future environmental costs,
the company does not expect that any sum it may have to pay in connection with
environmental matters in excess of the amounts recorded or disclosed above would
have a materially adverse effect on its financial condition or results of
operations in any one year.
LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES,
AND OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
Air Products maintained its sound financial condition throughout fiscal 1998.
Strong cash flow from operations and proceeds from asset sales, supplemented
with proceeds from debt financings, provided funding for the company's capital
spending and share repurchase programs. Cash flow from operations and financing
activities will meet liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. The company's
senior debt and commercial paper continue to be rated A/A2 and A-1/P-1,
respectively.
Cash Flow Graph
Total Capital Graph
26
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Capital expenditures in fiscal 1998 totaled $1,000.7 million, an 18% reduction
from the fiscal 1997 level. Additions to plant and equipment were largely in
support of worldwide expansion of the industrial gas business. Acquisitions in
fiscal 1998 included $108.4 million for the ICI methylamines and derivatives
businesses in the Chemicals Group. Acquisitions in fiscal 1997 included $288.4
million for the third stage of the acquisition of Carburos Metalicos.
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates in fiscal 1996 included an equity
investment of $120.0 million in Carburos, the second stage of the acquisition
process.
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to plant and equipment $ 770.9 $ 870.2 $ 951.3
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investments in and advances to
unconsolidated affiliates 31.9 47.2 197.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisitions 192.2 301.2 11.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital leases 5.7 3.0 4.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $1,000.7 $1,221.6 $1,164.8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $1.0 billion in fiscal
1999. It is anticipated these expenditures will be funded with cash from
operations supplemented with proceeds from financing activities.
FINANCING AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
Capital needs in fiscal 1998 were satisfied with cash from operations, proceeds
from asset sales, including $62.6 million from the sale of substantially all of
the company's 50% interest in the American Ref-Fuel Company, and additional
borrowings. At year end, total debt as a percentage of debt plus equity was 50%
as compared to 48% at the end of fiscal 1997.
Financing activities during fiscal 1998, principally in the United States,
included the public issuance of $50.0 million of notes with a twelve-year
maturity and coupon rate of 6.24%. Additionally, the company issued $50.0
million of notes due in 2016 with a one-time put option, exercisable by the
investor after three and one-half years. The coupon on these notes is indexed to
LIBOR to the put date.
At year end, $320.7 million of commercial paper was outstanding compared to
$135.0 million at the end of fiscal 1997.
Substantial credit facilities are maintained to provide backup funding for
commercial paper and to ensure availability of adequate resources for corporate
liquidity. At 30 September 1998, the company's revolving credit commitments
amounted to $600.0 million, with funding available in 13 currencies. No
borrowings were outstanding under these commitments at the end of fiscal 1998.
Additional commitments totaling $104.2 million are maintained by the company's
foreign subsidiaries, of which $19.5 million was utilized at year end.
At 30 September 1998, the company had unutilized shelf registrations for $325.0
million of debt securities.
During fiscal 1998, the company purchased 9.4 million shares (post-split basis)
of its outstanding shares at a cost of $365.0 million, completing the previously
announced $600.0 million program. Purchases during fiscal 1997 totaled 1.9
million shares at a cost of $135.0 million.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On 1 October 1998, the company and Wacker-Chemie GmbH (Munich, Germany) formed
two joint ventures to combine their emulsions and redispersible powder
businesses. Additional details on these transactions are included in Note 18 to
the consolidated financial statements.
In October 1998, the company's Board of Directors authorized an Air Products
stock repurchase plan of up to 25 million shares. The company expects to
purchase between $100 and $200 million of Air Products shares in fiscal 1999.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The company enters into contractual agreements in the ordinary course of
business to hedge its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency risks.
Counterparties to these agreements are major financial institutions. Management
believes the risk of incurring losses related to credit risk is remote and any
losses would be immaterial.
Interest rate swap agreements are used to reduce interest rate risks and costs
inherent in the company's debt portfolio. The company enters into these
agreements to change the fixed/variable interest rate mix of the debt portfolio
in order to maintain the percentage of fixed and variable debt within certain
parameters set by management. Accordingly, the company enters into agreements to
both effectively convert variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt and to
effectively convert its fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt which is
principally indexed to LIBOR rates. The company has also entered into interest
rate swap contracts to effectively convert the stated variable rates to interest
rates based on LIBOR.
27
The company is also party to interest rate and currency swap contracts. These
contracts entail both the exchange of fixed- and floating-rate interest payments
periodically over the life of the agreement and the exchange of one currency for
another at inception and a specified future date. These contracts effectively
convert the currency denomination of a debt instrument into another currency in
which the company has a net equity position while changing the interest rate
characteristics of the instrument. The contracts are used to hedge intercompany
lending activities and the value of investments in certain foreign subsidiaries
and affiliates.
The company, in management of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, has entered into a variety of foreign exchange contracts,
including forward, option combination, and purchased option contracts. These
agreements generally involve the exchange of one currency for a second currency
at some future date. The company enters into forward exchange and option
combination contracts to reduce the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations
associated with certain monetary assets and liabilities, as well as certain firm
commitments and highly anticipated cash flows. Forward exchange contracts are
also used to hedge the value of investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and
affiliates by creating a liability in a currency in which the company has a net
equity position. The company is also party to purchased option contracts which,
if exercised, involve the sale or purchase of foreign currency at a fixed
exchange rate for a specified period of time. These contracts are used to hedge
firm commitments and certain highly anticipated cash flows, including export
sales transactions.
Additional details on these and other financial instruments are set forth in
Notes 3, 5, and 6 to the consolidated financial statements and in the Financial
Instrument Sensitivity Analysis.
WORKING CAPITAL
Working capital (excluding cash and cash items, short-term borrowings, and
current portion of long-term debt) was $737.8 million, up $114.2 million over
the $623.6 million at the end of fiscal 1997. The increase is driven by a $70.9
million lower accounts payable and a $42.1 million increase in inventories that
includes the impact of small acquisitions.
Working capital at the end of fiscal 1997 was $623.6 million, up $134.8 million
over the $488.8 million at the end of fiscal 1996. Excluding the impact of the
Carburos consolidation, working capital increased $81.6 million, due mainly to
an increase in trade receivables on higher fiscal 1997 sales.
DIVIDENDS AND STOCK SPLIT
In May 1998, the Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split. The
additional shares were issued on 15 June 1998 to shareholders of record on 15
May 1998.
The Board of Directors in May 1998 also increased the quarterly cash dividend
13%, from 15.0 cents per share to 17.0 cents per share on a post-split basis.
Dividends are declared by the Board of Directors and, when declared, usually
will be paid during the sixth week after the close of the fiscal quarter.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
In March 1998, the company's Board of Directors approved a stockholder rights
plan to replace the previous plan, adopted in 1988, which expired in March 1998.
See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income." The standard establishes additional disclosure for the elements of
comprehensive income and a total comprehensive income calculation. The company
will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 1999.
Also in June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information." This standard defines the disclosure
requirements for operating segments. Operating segments are defined as
components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is
available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker.
The company will adopt the standard for the fiscal year ending 30 September
1999, with interim reporting beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." The Statement establishes accounting and
reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument (including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) be recorded in the
balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at its fair value. The
Statement requires that
28
changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings
unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for
qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related
results on the hedged item in the income statement and requires that a company
must formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions
that receive hedge accounting.
This Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 June 1999, and
it may be implemented as of the beginning of any fiscal quarter after 15 June
1998. The Statement must be applied to (a) derivative instruments and (b)
certain derivative instruments embedded in contracts that were issued, acquired,
or substantially modified after 31 December 1997 (and, at the company's
election, before 1 January 1998). The transition adjustments resulting from
adopting this statement shall be reported in net income or other comprehensive
income, as appropriate, as the effect of a change in accounting principle and
presented in a manner similar to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle.
The company has not yet quantified the impacts of adopting this Statement on the
financial statements or the risk management processes. Additionally, the company
expects to adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2000.
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued
Statement of Position No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use" (SOP 98-1). SOP 98-1 requires that
software developed or obtained for internal use and meeting certain specific
criteria be capitalized. The company will adopt this SOP for fiscal 1999 and
does not expect a material impact on results from the adoption of the SOP.
PENSION PLAN FUNDING
The funding policy for pension plans is to accumulate plan assets that, over the
long run, will approximate the present value of projected benefits payable. In
fiscal 1998, the company contributed $15.1 million compared to $10.7 million in
fiscal 1997. The company expects to make contributions of approximately $5 to $8
million in fiscal 1999.
EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS
Exchange rate fluctuations can be a significant variable for international
operations, especially fluctuations in local currencies where hedging
opportunities are unreasonably expensive or unavailable. Beginning in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1997, several Asian currencies deteriorated against the dollar
and continue to be an uncertainty.
INFLATION
The financial statements are presented on a historical cost basis and do not
fully reflect the impact of prior years' inflation. While the U.S. inflation
rate has been modest for several years, the company operates in many
international areas with both inflation and currency issues. The ability to pass
on inflation costs is an uncertainty due to general economic conditions and
competitive situations. It is estimated that the cost of replacing the company's
plant and equipment today is greater than its historical cost. Accordingly,
depreciation expense would be greater if the expense were stated on a current
cost basis.
YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE
YEAR 2000 PREPARATION
Software failures due to calculations using Year 2000 dates are a known risk.
The company is currently evaluating and managing the financial and operating
risks associated with this problem. The company's Year 2000 efforts are
addressed in the following sections: Information Technology, Process Control and
Embedded Chip Systems, Third Parties, and Expenditures.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
In 1996, the company's infrastructure and business applications computing
portfolio (together, its Information Technology or I.T.) was assessed, and
specific actions were initiated to achieve Year 2000 readiness on
mission-critical systems. As of November 1998, more than 90% of the more than
3,500 I.T. systems currently maintained by the company have been prepared for
the Year 2000. The company has targeted December 1998 for completion of its I.T.
systems remediation efforts and expects that all mission-critical I.T. systems
will be Year 2000-ready before December 1999. The company is also currently
developing appropriate contingency plans to address potential I.T. interruptions
associated with Year 2000 events that are missed or are outside the company's
control. As a result of the company's inventory, risk assessment, remediation,
and contingency planning with respect to the I.T. systems, the company believes
that Year 2000 events caused by the company's I.T. systems would not have
material adverse impacts on the company's operations or financial condition.
29
PROCESS CONTROL AND EMBEDDED CHIP SYSTEMS
In 1997, the company began preparing for the Year 2000 with respect to systems
containing process control or embedded chip computer programs (non-I.T.). As of
November 1998, inventories and risk assessments for company-owned or operated
non-I.T. systems are more than 90% complete. Over 1,400 process control or
embedded chip suppliers have been contacted regarding product information,
testing, remediation protocols, and the availability of replacement components,
if required. Specific remediation and testing plans have been initiated towards
achieving Year 2000 readiness of the company's mission-critical non-I.T. systems
before December 1999. The company is currently developing appropriate
contingency plans to address potential process interruptions caused by Year 2000
events. The company recognizes that the effectiveness of testing, remediation,
and contingency planning depends on the availability and reliability of vendor
information and replacement software components or other equipment from third
parties and the interrelationship and dependency of company processes on the
Year 2000 readiness of third-party equipment and infrastructure. The company
cannot reasonably assess the impact of that dependency at this time, and whether
there could be a material adverse impact on the company's operations and
financial condition as a result of that dependency. The contingency plans will
be designed to address this uncertainty and to minimize the impact.
THIRD PARTIES
In support of the company's Year 2000 activities, approximately 1,000 suppliers
that are key to the company's operations were identified and contacted regarding
their plans for Year 2000 readiness. In the company's initial contacts with
these key suppliers on the Year 2000 issue, the majority have indicated that
they have active Year 2000 compliance programs intended to provide uninterrupted
service. To the extent practicable, the company is currently developing
appropriate contingency plans to address interruptions of supply associated with
Year 2000 events affecting the company's key suppliers. In certain instances,
such as electric supply, water, and certain chemical feedstocks, supply is not
easily substitutable and contingency planning is difficult. If there is an
extended material failure by several third parties or supporting infrastructures
resulting from Year 2000 events (utilities, transportation, government, etc.)
there could be material adverse impacts on the company's operations and
financial condition.
YEAR 2000 EXPENDITURES
The company currently estimates spending approximately $40 million to complete
its Year 2000 readiness program for the company and its proportionate share of
its joint ventures, including approximately $17 million allocable to assessing,
preparing, remediating, or replacing I.T. systems for the Year 2000. The balance
of $23 million is the amount estimated to be spent in assessing, preparing,
remediating, or replacing the company's process control and embedded chip
systems for the Year 2000. Through fiscal 1998, approximately $11 million has
been expended. During fiscal years 1999 and 2000, the company expects Year 2000
spending to be approximately $23 million and $6 million, respectively.
Resources required to complete the I.T. remediation work are primarily provided
by prioritization of ongoing I.T. efforts. Most of the effort to accomplish the
embedded chip remediation is provided from the existing I.T., engineering and
operations organizations.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on current
expectations regarding important risk factors. Actual results may differ
materially from those expressed. In addition to important risk factors and
uncertainties specifically referred to elsewhere in the Management's Discussion
& Analysis, such as those relating to the Year 2000, other risk factors and
uncertainties include the impact of worldwide economic growth, pricing of both
the company's products and raw materials such as electricity and other factors
resulting from fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currencies, the impact
of competitive products and pricing, continued success of work process programs,
and the impact of tax and other legislation and other regulations in the
jurisdictions in which the company and its affiliates operate.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
The analysis below presents the sensitivity of the market value of the company's
financial instruments to selected changes in market rates and prices. The range
of changes chosen reflects the company's view of changes which are reasonably
possible over a one-year period. Market values are the present value of
projected future cash flows based on the market rates and prices chosen. The
market values for interest rate risk and foreign currency risk are calculated by
the company utilizing a third-party software model, which utilizes standard
pricing models to determine the present value of the instruments
30
based on the market conditions (interest rates, spot and forward exchange rates,
and implied volatilities) as of the valuation date. All instruments are entered
into for other than trading purposes. The utilization of these instruments is
described more fully in the financial instruments section of the Management's
Discussion and Analysis and Notes 3, 5, and 6 to the consolidated financial
statements. The major accounting policies for these instruments are described in
Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
The company's derivative and other financial instruments consist of long-term
debt (including current portion), interest rate swaps, interest rate and
currency swaps, foreign exchange-forward contracts, and foreign exchange-option
contracts. The net market value of these financial instruments combined is
referred to below as the net financial instrument position. The net financial
instrument position does not include other investments of $18.4 million at 30
September 1998 and $21.1 million at 30 September 1997 as disclosed in Note 3 to
the consolidated financial statements. This amount principally represents an
investment in a publicly traded foreign company accounted for by the cost
method. The company assessed the materiality of the market risk exposure on
these financial instruments and determined this exposure to be immaterial. At 30
September 1998 and 1997, the net financial instrument position was a liability
of $2,713.6 million and $2,436.9 million, respectively. The increase in the net
financial instrument position from fiscal 1997 is due mainly to the decline in
market interest rates in the current year.
INTEREST RATE RISK
The company's debt portfolio, including interest rate swap agreements, as of 30
September 1998 is composed primarily of debt denominated in U.S. dollars (56%).
The primary currencies of non-U.S. dollar debt are British Pounds, Netherland
Guilders, Spanish Pesetas, and Canadian Dollars. The company has both fixed- and
variable-rate debt. Changes in interest rates have different impacts on the
fixed- and variable-rate portions of the company's debt portfolio. A change in
interest rates on the fixed portion of the debt portfolio impacts the net
financial instrument position but has no impact on interest incurred or cash
flows. A change in interest rates on the variable portion of the debt portfolio
impacts the interest incurred and cash flows but does not impact the net
financial instrument position.
The sensitivity analysis related to the fixed portion of the company's debt
portfolio assumes an instantaneous 100 basis point move in interest rates from
their levels of 30 September 1998 and 1997, with all other variables (including
foreign exchange rates) held constant. A 100 basis point increase in market
interest rates would result in a decrease in the net financial instrument
position of $119 million and $104 million at 30 September 1998 and 1997,
respectively. A 100 basis point decrease in market interest rates would result
in an increase in the net financial instrument position of $141 million and $114
million at 30 September 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Based on the variable-rate debt included in the company's debt portfolio,
including interest rate swap agreements, as of 30 September 1998 and 1997, a 100
basis point increase in interest rates would result in an additional $12 million
and $9 million in interest incurred per year at 30 September 1998 and 1997,
respectively. A 100 basis point decline would lower interest incurred by $12
million and $9 million per year at 30 September 1998 and 1997, respectively.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE RISK
The sensitivity analysis assumes an instantaneous 10% change in the foreign
currency exchange rates from their levels of 30 September 1998 and 1997, with
all other variables (including interest rates) held constant. A 10%
strengthening of the functional currency of an entity versus all other
currencies would result in a decrease in the net financial instrument position
of $113 million and $95 million at 30 September 1998 and 1997, respectively. A
10% weakening of the functional currency of an entity versus all other
currencies would result in an increase in the net financial instrument position
of $109 million and $88 million at 30 September 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The primary currencies for which the company has foreign currency exchange rate
exposure are the U.S. dollar versus the British Pound, Netherland Guilder,
Spanish Peseta, Canadian Dollar, and German Mark. Foreign currency debt,
interest rate and currency swaps, and foreign exchange forward contracts are
used in countries where it does business, thereby reducing the company's net
asset exposure. Foreign exchange forward contracts are also used to hedge the
company's firm and highly anticipated foreign currency cash flows, along with
foreign exchange option contracts. Thus, there is either an asset or cash flow
exposure related to all the financial instruments in the above sensitivity
analysis for which the impact of a movement in exchange rates would be in the
opposite direction and materially equal to the impact on the instruments in the
analysis.
31
COMPANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the
company. They conform with generally accepted accounting principles and reflect
judgments and estimates as to the expected effects of incomplete transactions
and events being accounted for currently. The company believes that the
accounting systems and related controls that it maintains are sufficient to
provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are
appropriately authorized and recorded, and the financial records are reliable
for preparing such financial statements. The concept of reasonable assurance is
based on the recognition that the cost of a system of internal accounting
controls must be related to the benefits derived. The company maintains an
internal audit function which is responsible for evaluating the adequacy and
application of financial and operating controls and for testing compliance with
company policies and procedures.
The independent public accountants are engaged to perform an audit of the
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Their report follows.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised entirely of
individuals who are not employees of the company. This Committee meets
periodically with the independent public accountants, the internal auditors, and
management to consider audit results and to discuss significant internal
accounting control, auditing, and financial reporting matters. The Audit
Committee recommends the selection of the independent public accountants who are
then appointed by the Board of Directors subject to ratification by the
shareholders.
/s/ Harold A. Wagner
Harold A. Wagner
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
30 October 1998
/s/ Leo J. Daley
Leo J. Daley
Vice President-Finance
and Chief Financial Officer
30 October 1998
32
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Air Products and
Chemicals, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of 30 September
1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows,
and shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended 30
September 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc. and subsidiaries as of 30 September 1998 and 1997, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
30 September 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Arthur Andersen LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
30 October 1998
33
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED INCOME {Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Subsidiaries}
Year Ended 30 September o Millions of dollars, except per share 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales and Other Income Sales o note 1 $4,919.0 $4,637.8 $4,007.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income, net o note 19 14.8 24.2 25.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4,933.8 4,662.0 4,033.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Costs and Expenses Cost of sales 2,856.5 2,771.6 2,408.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, distribution, and administrative 1,120.3 1,051.3 919.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and development 112.0 113.7 114.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income 845.0 725.4 591.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from equity affiliates, net of related expenses o note 8 38.0 66.3 80.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Settlement gain on leveraged interest rate transactions o note 6 -- -- 66.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on American Ref-Fuel sale and contract settlements o note 19 103.5 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense o note 1 162.8 161.3 129.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Taxes 823.7 630.4 609.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes o notes 1 and 10 276.9 201.1 193.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income $ 546.8 $ 429.3 $ 416.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Average of Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)(a) o note 13 215.5 220.1 223.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly Average of Common and Common Equivalent Shares
Outstanding (in millions)(a) o note 13 220.1 224.9 227.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per Common Share(a) o note 13 $2.54 $1.95 $1.86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per Common Share(a) o note 13 $2.48 $1.91 $1.83
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
(a) Adjusted for two-for-one stock split in 1998 (Note 9).
34
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS {Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Subsidiaries}
30 September o Millions of dollars, exept per share 1998 1997
Assets
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash items o note 1 $ 61.5 $ 52.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts
of $17.2 in 1998 and $19.8 in 1997 881.1 879.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories o notes 1 and 7 428.6 386.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contracts in progress, less progress billings 94.1 121.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other current assets 176.4 184.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets 1,641.7 1,624.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENTS Investment in net assets of and advances to equity affiliates 362.0 555.7
o notes 1, 3, and 8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other investments and advances 18.4 21.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Investments 380.4 576.8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLANT AND EQUIPMENT Plant and equipment, at cost o notes 1, 4, 11, and 15 9,489.5 8,727.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less--Accumulated depreciation 4,703.4 4,286.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plant and Equipment, net 4,786.1 4,441.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOODWILL o note 1 324.9 248.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 356.5 353.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $7,489.6 $7,244.1
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables, trade and other o note 19 $ 478.7 $ 616.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued liabilities o note 19 332.8 315.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued income taxes 30.9 15.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Short-term borrowings o note 19 270.1 100.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current portion of long-term debt o note 4 153.1 75.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities 1,265.6 1,124.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT o notes 4 and 15 2,274.3 2,291.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED INCOME AND OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 579.4 449.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES o notes 1 and 10 703.0 730.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,822.3 4,596.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Common Stock (par value $1 per share; issued 1998 -
o notes 1, 9, and 12 249,455,584 shares; 1997 - 124,727,792 shares) 249.4 124.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital in excess of par value 329.2 453.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained earnings 3,400.0 2,990.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrealized gain on investments 5.0 6.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum pension liability adjustments (14.3) --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cumulative translation adjustments (222.2) (186.1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treasury Stock, at cost (1998 - 19,531,143 shares; 1997 - (657.0) (297.3)
5,188,676 shares)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares in trust (1998 - 18,454,673 shares; 1997 - (422.8) (443.3)
9,687,560 shares)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shareholders' Equity 2,667.3 2,648.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $7,489.6 $7,244.1
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
35
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS {Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Subsidiaries}
Year Ended 30 September o Millions of dollars 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $546.8 $ 429.3 $ 416.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by
operating activities:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation o note 1 489.4 459.1 412.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impairment loss of long-lived assets -- 9.3 --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination of liabilities for leveraged interest rate -- -- (61.7)
swaps o note 6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income taxes o note 10 62.3 94.1 87.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
American Ref-Fuel divestiture deferred income taxes (80.3) -- --
o note 17
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 42.0 (.4) (50.4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital changes that provided (used) cash, net
of effects of acquisitions:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trade receivables 11.2 (151.8) (53.0)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories and contracts in progress (2.7) (13.3) (28.6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payables, trade and other (144.4) 84.2 3.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued liabilities (23.3) 43.6 20.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 72.7 79.2 9.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Provided by Operating Activities 973.7 1,033.3 755.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES Additions to plant and equipment(a) (770.9) (870.2) (951.3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisitions, less cash acquired(b) (182.2) (300.1) (6.4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates (31.9) (47.2) (197.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments 328.3 97.6 63.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other (27.6) 17.0 11.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Used for Investing Activities (684.3) (1,102.9) (1,079.9)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES Long-term debt proceeds(a) 102.2 667.5 626.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payments on long-term debt (70.7) (168.3) (168.0)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper 185.7 (235.0) 42.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in other short-term borrowings (11.3) 6.7 11.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends paid to shareholders (134.0) (123.8) (116.7)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase of Treasury Stock o note 9 (365.0) (135.0) (100.3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 13.2 31.4 20.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities (279.9) 43.5 316.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash (0.5) (0.1) (0.9)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Items 9.0 (26.2) (8.8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Items--Beginning of Year 52.5 78.7 87.5
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Items--End of Year o note 1 $ 61.5 $ 52.5 $ 78.7
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
(a) Excludes capital leases of $5.7 million, $3.0 million, and $4.7 million in
1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
(b) Excludes debt of $10.0 million, $1.1 million and $5.2 million to former
shareholders of companies acquired in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
36
CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY {Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Subsidiaries}
Year Ended 30 September o Millions of dollars,
except per share 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK Balance, Beginning of Year $ 124.7 $ 124.7 $ 124.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-for-one stock split 124.7 -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year 249.4 124.7 124.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL IN EXCESS
OF PAR VALUE Balance, Beginning of Year 453.0 461.2 465.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of Treasury Shares and Shares in Trust for
benefit and stock option and award plans,
677,844 shares in 1998, 1,254,990 shares in 1997, and
625,308 shares in 1996 (11.2) (26.8) (13.0)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax benefit of stock option and award plans 12.1 18.6 8.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-for-one stock split (124.7) -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year 329.2 453.0 461.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS Balance, Beginning of Year 2,990.2 2,687.2 2,387.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 546.8 429.3 416.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends--Common Stock, $.64 per share in 1998,
$.58 per share in 1997, restated, and $.53 per share in (137.0) (126.3) (116.8)
1996, restated
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year 3,400.0 2,990.2 2,687.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNREALIZED GAIN ON
INVESTMENTS Balance, Beginning of Year 6.9 40.4 41.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in unrealized gain, net of income taxes of
$1.0 in 1998, $18.4 in 1997, and $.3 in 1996 (1.9) (33.5) (.6)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year 5.0 6.9 40.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM PENSION
LIABILITY ADJUSTMENTS Balance, Beginning of Year -- -- --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjustments during year, net of income tax benefits of (14.3) -- --
$8.6 in 1998
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year (14.3) -- --
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUMULATIVE TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENTS Balance, Beginning of Year (186.1) (70.2) (24.0)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation adjustments, net of income tax benefits of
$13.8 in 1998, $8.7 in 1997, and $1.7 in 1996 (36.1) (115.9) (46.2)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year (222.2) (186.1) (70.2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TREASURY STOCK Balance, Beginning of Year (297.3) (211.2) (139.1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of Treasury Shares for benefit and stock option
and award plans, 108,975 shares in 1998, 942,550 shares
in 1997, and 625,308 shares in 1996 5.3 48.9 28.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purchase of Treasury Shares, 9,371,741 in 1998,
1,918,465 in 1997, and 1,793,600 in 1996 o note 9 (365.0) (135.0) (100.3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year (657.0) (297.3) (211.2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES IN TRUST
o note 1 Balance, Beginning of Year (443.3) (457.5) (457.5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of Shares in Trust for benefit and stock option
and award plans, 568,869 shares in 1998, and 312,440
shares in 1997 20.5 14.2 --
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, End of Year (422.8) (443.3) (457.5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,667.3 $2,648.1 $2,574.6
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
37
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) MAJOR ACCOUNTING POLICIES
CONSOLIDATION PRINCIPLES
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Air Products and
Chemicals, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiary companies (the company). The
equity method of accounting is used when the company has a 20% to 50% interest
in other companies. Under the equity method, original investments are recorded
at cost and adjusted by the company's share of undistributed earnings or losses
of these companies.
LONG-TERM EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION REVENUE
Revenues from equipment sale contracts are recorded primarily using the
percentage-of-completion method. Under this method, revenues for sale of major
equipment, such as Liquid Natural Gas and Air Separation units, are recognized
primarily based on labor hours incurred to date compared with total estimated
labor hours. The equipment sold for the company's power generation and Pure Air
flue gas treatment facilities recognizes revenues based primarily on contract
costs incurred to date compared with total estimated contract costs. Changes to
total estimated labor or contract costs and anticipated losses, if any, are
recognized in the period determined.
DEPRECIATION
In the financial statements, the straight-line method of depreciation is used
which deducts equal amounts of the cost of each asset from earnings every year
over its expected useful life. The following table shows the estimated useful
lives of different types of assets:
Classification Expected Useful Lives
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings and components 5 to 45 years
(principally 30 years)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gas generating and chemical 3 to 25 years
facilities, machinery and equipment (principally 14 to 20 years)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPITALIZED INTEREST
As the company builds new plant and equipment or invests in unconsolidated
affiliates in the development stage, it includes in the cost of these assets a
portion of the interest payments it makes during the year. In 1998, the amount
of capitalized interest was $15.7 million. In 1997, it was $19.1 million, and in
1996, $15.5 million.
INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
The company enters into interest rate swap agreements to reduce interest rate
risks and to modify the interest rate characteristics of its outstanding debt.
These agreements involve the exchange of fixed- and floating-rate interest
payments periodically over the life of the agreement without the exchange of the
underlying principal amounts. The net amount to be paid or received is accrued
as interest rates change and recognized over the life of the agreements as an
adjustment to interest expense. The fair value of these swap agreements is not
recognized in the financial statements. The notional amount of these agreements
is equal to or less than the designated debt instrument being hedged. The
variable rate bases of the swap instruments and the debt to which they are
designated are the same. The company will not enter into any future interest
rate swap contracts which lever a move in interest rates on a greater than
one-to-one basis.
The company is also party to interest rate and currency swap contracts. These
contracts entail both the exchange of fixed- and floating-rate interest payments
periodically over the life of the agreement and the exchange of one currency for
another currency at inception and a specified future date. The contracts are
used to hedge intercompany lending transactions and the value of investments in
certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. Gains and losses on the currency
component of these contracts, which hedge intercompany lending transactions, are
recognized in income and offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the
related transaction. Gains and losses on the currency component of these
contracts which hedge investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and foreign
equity affiliates are not included in the income statement but are shown in the
cumulative translation adjustments account. The interest component of these
contracts is accounted for similarly to other interest rate swap agreements.
38
Gains and losses on terminated interest rate swap agreements are amortized into
income over the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation or the
remaining life of the original swap, if shorter.
FOREIGN CURRENCY
The value of the U.S. dollar rises and falls day to day on foreign currency
exchanges. Since the company does business in many foreign countries, these
fluctuations affect the company's financial position and results of operations.
Generally, foreign subsidiaries translate their assets and liabilities into U.S.
dollars at current exchange rates--that is, the rates in effect at the end of
the fiscal period. The gains or losses that result from this process are shown
in the cumulative translation adjustments account in the shareholders' equity
section of the balance sheet. Certain forward exchange contracts are used to
hedge the value of investments in certain subsidiaries and equity affiliates.
Gains and losses on the currency component of these contracts are not included
in the income statement but are shown in the cumulative translation adjustment
account.
The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into
U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period.
Therefore, the U.S. dollar value of these items on the income statement
fluctuates from period to period depending on the value of the dollar against
foreign currencies.
Some transactions of the company and its subsidiaries are made in currencies
different from their own. Gains and losses from these foreign currency
transactions are generally included in income as they occur. The company enters
into forward exchange and option combination contracts to manage the exposure to
foreign currency fluctuations associated with certain monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in a foreign currency as well as certain highly
anticipated cash flows. Gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in
income and offset the foreign exchange gains and losses of the related
transaction.
Forward exchange and option combination contracts are sometimes used to hedge
firm commitments, such as the purchase of plant and equipment. Additionally,
purchased foreign currency options are sometimes used to hedge firm commitments
and certain highly anticipated cash flows, including export sales transactions.
The contracts are designated as, and effective as, hedges. The significant
characteristics and expected terms of the highly anticipated cash flows are
identified. Gains and losses resulting from these agreements are deferred and
reflected as adjustments of the related foreign currency transactions. Gains and
losses on terminated contracts, for which hedge criteria are met, are deferred
and recognized as an adjustment of the related foreign currency transaction.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPENDITURES
Accruals for investigatory and noncapital remediation costs are recorded when it
is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be
reasonably estimated. Remediation costs are capitalized if the costs improve the
company's property as compared with the condition of the property when
originally constructed or acquired or if the costs prevent environmental
contamination from future operations. Costs to operate and maintain the
capitalized facilities are expensed as incurred.
The measurement of environmental liabilities is based on an evaluation of
currently available facts with respect to each individual site and considers
factors such as existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, and
prior experience in remediation of contaminated sites. While the current law
potentially imposes joint and several liability upon each party at any Superfund
site, the company's contribution to clean up these sites is expected to be
limited, given the number of other companies which have also been named as
potentially responsible parties and the volumes of waste involved. A reasonable
basis for apportionment of costs among responsible parties is determined and the
likelihood of contribution by other parties is established. If it is considered
probable that the company will only have to pay its expected share of the total
site cleanup, the liability reflects the company's expected share. In
determining the probability of contribution, the company considers the solvency
of the parties, whether responsibility is being disputed, the terms of any
existing agreements, and experience to date regarding similar matters. These
liabilities do not take into account any claims for recoveries from insurance or
third parties and are not discounted. As assessments and remediation progress at
individual sites, these liabilities are reviewed periodically and adjusted to
reflect additional technical and legal information which becomes available.
Actual costs to be incurred at identified sites in future periods may vary from
the estimates, given inherent uncertainties in evaluating environmental
exposures. The accruals for environmental liabilities are reflected in the
balance sheet primarily as part of other noncurrent liabilities.
39
INCOME TAXES
The company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Under this
method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the tax effects
of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets
and liabilities using enacted tax rates. A principal temporary difference
results from the excess of tax depreciation over book depreciation because
accelerated methods of depreciation and shorter useful lives are used for income
tax purposes. The cumulative impact of a change in tax rates or regulations is
included in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date.
CASH AND CASH ITEMS
Cash and cash items include cash, time deposits, and certificates of deposit
acquired with an original maturity of three months or less.
INVENTORIES
To determine the cost of chemical inventories and some gas and equipment
inventories in the United States, the company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO)
method. This method assumes the most recent cost is closer to the cost of
replacing an item that has been sold. During periods of rising prices, LIFO
maximizes the cost of goods sold and minimizes the profit reported on the
company's income statement.
All other inventory values are determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO)
method. Cost of an item sold is based on the first item produced or on the
current market value, whichever is lower.
GOODWILL
When a company is acquired, the difference between the fair value of its net
assets and the purchase price is goodwill. Goodwill is recorded as an asset on
the balance sheet and is amortized into income over periods not exceeding 40
years. The company assesses the impairment of goodwill related to consolidated
subsidiaries in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 121. This statement requires the recognition of an impairment loss
for an asset held for use when the estimate of undiscounted future cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset is less than its carrying amount.
Measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset,
which is determined using valuation techniques such as the present value of
expected future cash flows. The measurement of an impairment loss of goodwill
related to equity affiliates, however, is based on expected undiscounted future
cash flows and is excluded from the scope of SFAS No. 121.
SHARES IN TRUST
The company has established a trust, funded with Treasury Stock, to provide for
a portion of future payments to employees under the company's existing
compensation and benefit programs. Shares issued to the trust are valued at
market price on the date of contribution and reflected as a reduction of
shareholders' equity in the balance sheet. As shares are transferred from the
trust to fund compensation and benefit obligations, this equity account is
reduced based on the original cost of shares to the trust; the satisfaction of
liabilities is based on the fair value of shares transferred; and the difference
between the fair value of shares transferred and the original cost of shares to
the trust is charged or credited to capital in excess of par value.
ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
40
2) ACCOUNTING AND DISCLOSURE CHANGES
Effective fiscal 1998, the company implemented SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share." This statement establishes new standards for computing and presenting
earnings per share and requires the disclosure of basic and diluted amounts.
Earnings per share amounts for all prior periods have been restated. Basic
earnings per share, which is consistent with the company's previously reported
amounts, is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is
computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number
of common shares outstanding and the dilutive common stock equivalents.
See Note 13.
In fiscal 1998, the company implemented SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
about Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits." This statement provides new
disclosure requirements related to pension and other postretirement benefits in
Note 14.
Beginning in fiscal 1998, the company adopted Statement of Position 98-5:
"Reporting on the Costs of Start-up Activities." This statement requires
start-up activities and organizational costs to be expensed as incurred.
Implementation of this standard had no material impact on the financial
statements.
Effective fiscal 1997, the company adopted SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation." This statement establishes financial and reporting
standards for stock-based employee compensation plans using a fair value-based
method. As permitted under SFAS No. 123, the company has elected to continue to
account for compensation cost using the intrinsic value-based method of
accounting as prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." The company has included disclosures
of the pro forma impact on net income of the application of the fair value-based
method of accounting in Note 12.
3) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Summarized below are the carrying values and fair values of the company's
financial instruments as of 30 September 1998 and 1997.
The fair value of the company's debt, interest rate swap agreements, forward
exchange contracts, option combination contracts, and purchased foreign currency
options is based on estimates using standard pricing models that take into
account the present value of future cash flows as of the balance sheet date. The
computation of fair values of these instruments is generally performed by the
company. The fair value of other investments is based principally on quoted
market prices. The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and
cash items, accrued liabilities, accrued income taxes, and short-term borrowings
approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
Accordingly, these items have been excluded from the table below.
1998 1998 1997 1997
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
30 September (Millions of dollars) Value Value Value Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS Other investments $18.4 $18.4 $21.1 $21.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency option contracts o note 5 1.2 1.2 1.5 2.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest rate swap agreements o note 6 77.4 125.8 69.5 85.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIABILITIES Long-term debt, including
current portion o note 4 $2,427.4 $2,822.2 $2,367.2 $2,535.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward exchange contracts o note 5 25.8 18.4 (2.8) (10.2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41
4) LONG-TERM DEBT
The following table shows the company's outstanding debt at the end of fiscal
1998 and 1997, excluding any portion of the debt required to be repaid within a
year:
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
PAYABLE IN U.S. DOLLARS:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 7/8% notes, due 2001 $ 100.0 $ 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium-term notes, Series C, due through 2001, weighted 101.0 126.0
average interest rate 13.0%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.35% debentures, due 2002, effective interest rate 8.4% 100.0 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 1/4% notes, due 2003 100.0 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium-term notes, Series B, due through 2003, weighted 16.0 16.0
average interest rate 6.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial paper, due 2001 to 2003, weighted 80.5 80.5
average interest rate 5.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 3/8% notes, due 2005, effective interest rate 7.5% 150.0 150.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 1/2% debentures, due 2006, callable by company in 2004,
effective interest rate 8.6% 100.0 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.578% notes, due 2006 72.5 72.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium-term notes, Series F, due through 2016, weighted
average interest rate 5.4% 475.0 375.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium-term notes, Series D, due through 2016, weighted
average interest rate 6.8% 400.0 400.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 3/4% debentures, due 2021, effective interest rate 9.0% 100.0 100.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medium-term notes, Series E, due through 2026, weighted
average interest rate 7.3% 300.0 300.0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California Pollution Control bonds, weighted average -- 57.0
interest rate of 5.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, due through 2016, weighted average interest 28.1 47.1
rate 7.1%
PAYABLE IN FOREIGN CURRENCY:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8.27% British Pound loan, due 1999 37.3 35.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.2% Deutsche Mark loan, due through 2002 6.4 7.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.97% Dutch Guilder loan, due through 2006 55.6 60.3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Belgian Franc loans, due through 2006, weighted average 22.3 26.6
interest rate 6.8%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other, due through 2003, weighted average interest rate 8.7 15.7
2.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less: Unamortized discount (4.5) (4.9)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,248.9 2,265.0
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States, due through 2003, weighted average 5.1 5.3
interest rate 7.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign, due through 2004, weighted average interest rate 20.3 21.4
7.6%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25.4 26.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$2,274.3 $2,291.7
42
Various debt agreements to which the company is a party include certain
financial covenants and restrictions pertaining to the ability to create
property liens and enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions.
The company has obtained the commitment of a number of commercial banks to lend
money at market rates whenever needed by the company. These committed lines of
credit also are used to support the issuance of commercial paper. In January
1996, the company entered into a $600.0 million committed, multi-currency,
syndicated credit facility which matures in January 2003. No borrowings were
outstanding under this facility at 30 September 1998. At 30 September 1998,
foreign subsidiaries had additional committed credit lines of $104.2 million,
$19.5 million of which was borrowed and outstanding.
Maturities of long-term debt in each of the next five years are as follows:
$153.1 million in 1999; $226.1 million in 2000; $173.1 million in 2001; $166.5
million in 2002; and $175.2 million in 2003.
Included in the medium-term notes, Series E, is a $100.0 million note, due in
2026, with a one-time put option exercisable by the investor in 2008. Included
in the medium-term notes, Series F, is a $100.0 million note, due in 2009, with
a one-time put option exercisable by the investor in 1999, a $100.0 million
note, due in 2014, with a one-time put option exercisable by the investor in
1999, and a $50.0 million note, due in 2016, with a one-time put option
exercisable by the investor in 2002.
The two Series F medium-term notes with put options in 1999 and the 8.27%
British Pound loan have been classified as long-term debt because of the
company's intent and ability to refinance this debt on a long-term basis.
5) FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The company, in management of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, has entered into a variety of foreign exchange contracts,
including forward, option combination, and purchased option contracts. These
agreements generally involve the exchange of one currency for a second currency
at some future date. Counterparties to these agreements are major international
financial institutions. The company's counterparty credit guidelines and
management's position regarding possible exposure to losses related to credit
risk is comparable to that for interest rate swap agreements as discussed in
Note 6.
The company enters into forward exchange and option combination contracts to
reduce the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations associated with certain
monetary assets and liabilities, as well as certain firm commitments and highly
anticipated cash flows. Forward exchange contracts are also used to hedge the
value of investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates by creating
a liability in a currency in which the company has a net equity position. The
company is also party to purchased option contracts which, if exercised, involve
the sale or purchase of foreign currency at a fixed exchange rate for a
specified period of time. These contracts are used to hedge firm commitments and
certain highly anticipated cash flows, including export sales transactions,
through fiscal 1999.
The following table illustrates the U.S. dollar equivalent, including offsetting
positions, of foreign exchange contracts at 30 September 1998 and 1997 along
with maturity dates, net unrealized gain (loss), and net unrealized gain (loss)
deferred. At the end of fiscal 1998, more than 90% of all exposures to foreign
currency fluctuations resulting from cash flows identified as being denominated
in a currency other than an entity's functional currency anticipated over the
next year are hedged by forward exchange, option combination, or purchased
option contracts.
43
Net
Latest Unrealized Unrealized Net Unrealized
Contract Amount Maturity Gross Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)
(Millions of dollars) ($U.S. Equivalent) Date Gain (Loss) Gain (Loss) Deferred
30 September 1998
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward exchange contracts:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./Spanish Peseta $ 332.2 2003 $-- $(19.4) $(19.4) $--
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./U.K. Pound Sterling 285.5 1999 5.2 (2.0) 3.2 4.5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spanish Peseta/U.K. Pound Sterling 71.5 1999 1.1 -- 1.1 1.1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./Netherland DG 65.8 1999 .4 (3.2) (2.8) .4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 236.6 2000 2.2 (2.7) (.5) 1.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
991.6 8.9 (27.3) (18.4) 7.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option contracts:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./German DM 50.5 1999 -- (.4) (.4) (.4)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./U.K. Pound Sterling 22.5 1999 -- -- -- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./Japanese Yen 15.6 1999 .4 -- .4 .4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 19.7 1999 -- -- -- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
108.3 .4 (.4) -- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1,099.9 $9.3 $(27.7) $(18.4) $7.4
30 September 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forward exchange contracts:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./Netherland DG $164.9 1998 $ 3.8 $ (.5) $ 3.3 $--
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./U.K. Pound Sterling 78.9 1998 .2 (.3) (.1) (.1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./$ Canadian 63.5 1999 1.1 (.7) .4 .5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Netherland DG/U.K. Pound Sterling 48.3 1998 4.2 -- 4.2 4.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 77.8 1998 3.5 (1.1) 2.4 2.8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
533.4 12.8 (2.6) 10.2 7.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option contracts:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./German DM 78.3 1998 .5 -- .5 .5
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./U.K. Pound Sterling 25.8 1998 -- -- -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$U.S./Japanese Yen 19.2 1998 .4 -- .4 .4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 35.7 1998 .2 -- .2 .2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
159.0 1.1 -- 1.1 1.1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$692.4 $13.9 $(2.6) $11.3 $8.5
The company's net equity position in its principal foreign subsidiaries at
30 September 1998 was $1,449.0 million. These subsidiaries have operations in
the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Japan,
Singapore, Indonesia, and Canada.
In addition to its foreign subsidiaries, the company has an equity position in
foreign equity affiliates as disclosed in Note 8.
44
6) INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
The company enters into interest rate swap agreements to change the fixed/
variable interest rate mix of the debt portfolio in order to maintain the
percentage of fixed- and variable-rate debt within certain parameters set by
management. In accordance with these parameters, the agreements are used to
reduce interest rate risks and costs inherent in the company's debt portfolio.
Accordingly, the company enters into agreements to both effectively convert
variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt and to effectively convert fixed-rate debt
to variable-rate debt, which is principally indexed to LIBOR rates. The company
has also entered into variable to variable interest rate swap contracts to
effectively convert the stated variable interest rates on $60.0 million of the
medium-term notes, Series C, to an average interest rate slightly above the
three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rate. The fair value gain (loss) on the variable
to variable swaps is equally offset by a fair value loss (gain) on the related
debt agreements.
The company is also party to interest rate and currency swap contracts. These
contracts effectively convert the currency denomination of a debt instrument
into another currency in which the company has a net equity position while
changing the interest rate characteristics of the instrument.
Counterparties to interest rate swap agreements are major financial
institutions. The company has established counterparty credit guidelines and
only enters into transactions with financial institutions of investment grade or
better. Minimum credit standards become more stringent as the duration of the
swap agreement increases. The company has provisions to require collateral in
certain instances. The market value of such collateral posted in the company's
favor as of 30 September 1998 is $75.5 million and is a result of the fair value
exposure to an investment grade counterparty exceeding the company's policy
maximum. Management believes the risk of incurring losses related to credit risk
is remote.
The table below illustrates the contract or notional (face) amounts outstanding,
maturity dates, weighted average receive and pay rates as of the end of the
fiscal year, and the net unrealized gain of interest rate swap agreements by
type at 30 September 1998 and 1997. The notional amounts are used to calculate
contractual payments to be exchanged and are not generally actually paid or
received, except for the currency swap component of the contracts. The net
unrealized gain on these agreements, which equals their fair value, is based on
the relevant yield curve at the end of the fiscal year.
Weighted Weighted
Average Average Unrealized Unrealized Net
Notional Rate Rate Gross Gross Unrealized
(Millions of dollars) Amount Maturities Receive Pay Gain (Loss) Gain
30 September 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed to Variable $461.0 1999-2007 7.0% 5.7% $ 37.6 $-- $ 37.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable to Variable 60.0 2000-2001 16.4% 5.8% 86.4 -- 86.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate/Currency 419.3 1998-2005 6.0% 8.4% 18.4 (16.6) 1.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$940.3 $142.4 $(16.6) $125.8
30 September 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed to Variable $461.0 1998-2007 6.7% 5.6% $ 10.2 $ (.6) $ 9.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable to Variable 60.0 2000-2001 14.5% 5.9% 68.9 -- 68.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest Rate/Currency 354.1 1998-2005 6.2% 8.9% 11.2 (4.0) 7.2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$875.1 $ 90.3 $(4.6) $85.7
45
Of the net unrealized gain as of 30 September 1998 and 1997, a net gain of $48.4
million and $16.2 million, respectively, has not been recognized in the
financial statements. At the end of fiscal 1998 and 1997, a deferred loss of
$7.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, resulted from terminated contracts.
Subsequent to 30 September 1998, two fixed to variable interest rate swap
agreements with a total notional amount of $100 million were terminated,
resulting in a deferred gain of $7.5 million.
After the effects of interest rate swap agreements, the company's total debt,
including current portion, is composed of 57% fixed-rate debt and 43%
variable-rate debt as of 30 September 1998.
During the second quarter of fiscal 1996, the company reached a $66.8 million
settlement with Bankers Trust Company over $107.7 million in losses in fiscal
1994 associated with the termination and closure of leveraged interest rate swap
contracts. The settlement included the termination of two previously closed
contracts with Bankers Trust. Prior to the settlement, there was an outstanding
liability of $61.7 million associated with these closed contracts. The after-tax
gain related to this settlement was $40.7 million.
7) INVENTORIES
The components of inventories are as follows:
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
Inventories at FIFO cost:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Finished goods $286.3 $264.3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Work in process 38.4 30.0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials and supplies 136.6 131.7
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
461.3 426.0
Less excess of FIFO cost over LIFO (32.7) (39.5)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
$428.6 $386.5
Inventories valued using the LIFO method comprised 49.3% and 51.5% of
consolidated inventories before LIFO adjustment at 30 September 1998 and 1997,
respectively. Liquidation of prior years' LIFO inventory layers in 1998, 1997,
and 1996 did not materially affect cost of sales in any of these years.
8) SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF EQUITY AFFILIATES
The following table presents summarized financial information on a combined 100%
basis of the principal companies accounted for by the equity method. Amounts
presented include the accounts of the following equity affiliates: Cambria CoGen
Company (50%); Stockton CoGen Company (50%); Orlando CoGen Limited, L.P. (50%);
Pure Air (50%); Pure Air on the Lake, L.P. (50%); Bangkok Cogeneration Company
Limited (48.9%); Sankyo Air Products Co., Ltd. (50%); San-Apro Ltd. (50%); Sapio
Produzione Idrogeno Ossigeno S.r.L. (49%); INFRA Group (40%); San Fu Chemicals
(48.1%); ProCal (50%); Korea Industrial Gases (48.90%); Air Products South
Africa (50%); Bangkok Industrial Gases Company Ltd. (49%); Sitt Tatt Industrial
Gases (30%); and principally other industrial gas producers. In fiscal 1997, the
company had a joint venture interest in American Ref-Fuel Company's waste-to-
energy business. The company sold substantially all of this interest in
fiscal 1998. See Note 17.
46
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets $ 458.8 $ 624.9
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Noncurrent assets 1,416.8 2,644.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Current liabilities 372.4 519.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Noncurrent liabilities 979.4 1,998.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales 1,168.1 1,361.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Sales less cost of sales 416.7 575.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 110.0 268.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------
The company's share of income of all equity affiliates for 1998, 1997, and 1996
was $48.4 million, $84.3 million, and $101.4 million, respectively. These
amounts exclude $10.4 million, $18.0 million, and $20.7 million of related net
expenses incurred by the company. Dividends received from equity affiliates were
$44.6 million, $61.5 million, and $63.7 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996,
respectively.
The investment in net assets of and advances to equity affiliates at 30
September 1998 and 1997 included investment in foreign affiliates of $304.3
million and $299.3 million, respectively.
As of 30 September 1998 and 1997, the amount of investment in companies
accounted for by the equity method included goodwill in the amount of $45.7
million and $46.9 million, respectively. The goodwill is being amortized into
income over periods not exceeding 40 years.
9) CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock consists of 25 million preferred shares with a par
value of $1 per share, none of which was outstanding at 30 September 1998, and
300 million shares of Common Stock with a par value of $1 per share. In May
1998, the Board of Directors authorized a two-for-one stock split. On June 15,
1998, each shareholder was issued one additional share of Common Stock for each
share owned as of 15 May 1998. The consolidated financial statements have been
adjusted, where appropriate, to reflect the effects of the stock split for all
periods presented. At 30 September 1998, the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding was 211,469,768.
In April 1996, the company announced its plan to commence a share repurchase
program with the intent to spend $600 million to acquire approximately 10% of
the 112 million common shares then outstanding. During fiscal 1998 and 1997,
the company spent $365.0 million and $135.0 million to purchase 9.4 million
(post-split basis) and 1.9 million treasury shares, respectively.
The company established a trust to fund a portion of future payments to
employees under existing compensation and benefit programs in fiscal 1994. The
trust, which is administered by an independent trustee, was funded with 20
million shares of Treasury Stock. It will not increase or alter the amount of
benefits or compensation which will be paid under existing plans. The
establishment of the trust will not have an effect on earnings per share or
return on average shareholders' equity. In fiscal 1998, shares have been
distributed from the trust. As of 30 September 1998, the balance of Treasury
Stock remaining in the trust is 18.5 million shares.
On March 19, 1998, the Board of Directors unanimously approved a shareholder
rights plan to replace the company's previous rights plan, which expired March
16, 1998. Under the plan, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of one
Right for each share of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on
March 19, 1998 and with respect to Common Shares issued thereafter until the
Distribution Date (as defined below). Each Right, when it becomes exercisable as
described below, will entitle its holder to purchase one one-thousandth
(1/1,000) of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, par
value $1 per share, of the company (the "Preferred Shares") at a price of
$345.00 (the "Purchase Price").
Until the earlier of (i) such time as the company learns that a person or group
has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of more
than 15% of the outstanding Common Shares (such person or group being called an
"Acquiring Person"), and (ii) such date, if any, as may be designated by the
Board of Directors following the commencement of, or first public disclosure of
an intention to commence, a tender or exchange offer for outstanding Common
Shares which could result in such person or group becoming the beneficial owner
of more than 15% of the outstanding Common Shares, (the earlier of such dates
being called the "Distribution Date"), the Rights will be evidenced by
certificates for Common Shares and not by separate Right certificates.
Therefore, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferred with and
only with the Common Shares. The Rights are not exercisable until the
Distribution Date and will expire on March 19, 2008 (the "Expiration
47
Date"), unless earlier redeemed by the company as described below.
Subject to the right of the Board of Directors to redeem the Rights, at such
time as there is an Acquiring Person, each Right (other than Rights held by an
Acquiring Person) will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise
thereof, for the Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandth of a
Preferred Share equal to the number of Common Shares which at the time of such
transaction would have a market value of twice the Purchase Price. If the
company is acquired in a merger or other business combination by an Acquiring
Person or 50% or more of the company's assets or assets representing 50% or more
of the company's earning power are sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise
transferred (in one or more transactions) to an Acquiring Person, each Right
(other than Rights held by an Acquiring Person) will entitle its holder to
purchase, for the Purchase Price, that number of common shares of such
corporation (or, if such corporation is not publicly traded, common shares of
any publicly traded affiliate of such corporation) which at the time of the
transaction would have a market value (or, if the Acquiring Person is not a
publicly traded corporation, having a book value) of twice the Purchase Price.
The Rights are redeemable by the Board of Directors at a redemption price of
$.01 per Right any time prior to the earlier of such time as there is an
Acquiring Person and Expiration Date.
10) INCOME TAXES
The following table shows the components of the provision for income taxes:
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
Federal:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Current $238.7 $ 61.3 $ 75.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred (32.5) 90.6 69.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------
206.2 151.9 145.1
State:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Current 22.7 3.6 7.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred (10.8) 6.5 11.9
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of law/rate change -- -- (1.4)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
11.9 10.1 18.4
Foreign:
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Current 33.5 42.1 22.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred 24.7 4.2 7.5
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of law/rate change .6 (7.2) --
- ------------------------------------------------------------
58.8 39.1 29.7
- ------------------------------------------------------------
$276.9 $201.1 $193.2
The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as
follows:
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax assets:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension and other compensation accruals $118.5 $ 95.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative minimum tax -- 46.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Tax loss and investment tax credit
carryforwards 26.7 33.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Reserves and accruals 26.0 23.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Postretirement benefits 29.5 29.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventory 18.2 20.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 46.0 48.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Valuation allowance (14.6) (22.6)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets 250.3 274.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross deferred tax liabilities:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Plant and equipment 706.4 622.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in partnerships 81.7 198.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee benefit plans 50.1 43.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency gains 27.7 24.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign currency translation adjustment -- 7.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Other 54.9 73.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities 920.8 971.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax liability $670.5 $696.9
48
Net current deferred tax assets of $32.5 million and $33.1 million are included
in other current assets at 30 September 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In fiscal years 1997 and 1996, the company's domestic operations were subject to
taxes under the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for income tax purposes. The AMT
limited the utilization of tax benefits in those years. The unused tax benefits
were carried forward for use in future years. In fiscal 1998, the company's
domestic operations were not subject to AMT, and all unused tax benefits were
utilized.
Foreign and state operating loss carryforwards on 30 September 1998 were $50.3
million and $57.3 million, respectively. Foreign losses of $7.5 million are
available to offset future foreign income through 2008. The balance of these
losses has an unlimited carryover period. State operating loss carryforwards are
available through 2012. Foreign capital loss carryforwards were $2.2 million on
30 September 1998 and have an unlimited carryover period.
The valuation allowance as of 30 September 1998 primarily relates to the tax
loss carryforwards referenced above. If events warrant the reversal of the $14.6
million valuation allowance, it would reduce intangible assets by $6.8 million
and reduce tax expense by $7.8 million.
Major differences between the federal statutory rate and the effective tax rate
are:
(Percent of income before taxes) 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
United States federal statutory rate 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit 1.9 2.2 2.2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity in earnings of foreign
affiliates (1.9) (2.5) (4.1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign tax credits and refunds
on dividends received from
foreign affiliates (1.0) .1 .1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonconventional fuel credits -- (.8) (1.1)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Export tax benefits (.9) (.6) (.7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment tax credits (.3) (1.1) (.5)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact of state law/rate change -- -- (.2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sale of American Ref-Fuel Company .8 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power contract restructuring .4 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cogeneration project contract
settlement .2 -- --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Derivative settlement -- -- .9
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other (.6) (.4) .1
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate 33.6% 31.9% 31.7%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following table summarizes the income of U.S. and foreign operations,
before taxes:
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from consolidated
operations:
United States $640.3 $426.6 $416.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign 148.4 119.5 91.8
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from equity affiliates 35.0 84.3 101.4
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
$823.7 $630.4 $609.6
Income before taxes presented above is distributed geographically according to
where the income is taxed. This differs from the geographic segment operating
income presented in Note 20 in which items of income and expense are allocated
to the region where revenues are generated.
The company does not pay or record U.S. income taxes on the undistributed
earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and its 20% to 50% owned corporate joint
ventures as long as those earnings are permanently reinvested in the companies
that produced them. These cumulative undistributed earnings are included in
consolidated retained earnings on the balance sheet and amounted to $693.6
million at the end of fiscal 1998. An estimated $151.0 million in U.S. income
and foreign withholding taxes would be due if these earnings were remitted as
dividends, after payment of all deferred taxes.
11) PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The major classes of plant and equipment, at cost, are as follows:
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Land $ 127.3 $ 102.8
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings 599.9 580.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Gas generating and chemical facilities,
machinery and equipment 8,208.7 7,512.6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Construction in progress 553.6 531.7
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
$9,489.5 $8,727.3
49
12) STOCK OPTION AND AWARD PLANS
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
The Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") provides for four principal types of
awards to executives and key employees: stock options, stock appreciation
rights, performance units, and deferred stock units. The award type most
frequently used is the nonqualified stock option with an exercise price fixed at
100% of the fair market value of a share of Air Products common stock ("stock")
on the date of grant. Nonqualified stock options standardly become exercisable
in cumulative installments of 33 1/3% one year after the date of grant and
annually thereafter, and must be exercised no later than ten years and one day
from the date of grant.
On 1 October 1996, 639,800 premium priced stock options were granted in addition
to the fair market value stock options. These stock options have an exercise
price at 24% above market on the date of grant (or $36). The awards are 100%
vested after two years and are exercisable over an additional three-year period.
As of 30 September 1998, a total of 11,813,142 options including both fair
market value and premium priced stock options were outstanding.
In fiscal 1997, the company also granted deferred stock units identified as
performance shares to executive officers and other key employees. These awards
provide for the issuance of common stock based on certain management objectives
achieved by the performance period ending 30 September 1998. The number of
shares to be paid out are 557,750 share units. Compensation expense is
recognized over a period ranging from two to ten years.
Prior to the issuance of performance shares, the company granted deferred stock
units as career share awards in fiscal years 1992 through 1997 to certain
executive officers and other key employees. Career shares are deferred stock
units payable in shares of stock after retirement. Career share awards
equivalent to 862,874 and 899,568 shares of stock were outstanding at the end of
fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively. Compensation expense was computed by
multiplying the number of units granted by the market price of the stock on the
date of grant. The cost is recognized over a ten-year period.
The following table summarizes stock option transactions (fair market value
stock options and premium priced stock options) as follows:
Number of Average
Shares(a) Price(a)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 30 September 1995 10,265,068 $15.71
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Granted 1,589,980 26.03
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Exercised (1,145,906) 11.04
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Forfeited (31,598) 23.24
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 30 September 1996 10,677,544 17.72
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Granted 2,437,300 31.00
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Exercised (2,243,956) 12.62
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Forfeited (11,002) 25.94
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 30 September 1997 10,859,886 21.73
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Granted 2,014,500 41.31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Exercised (1,021,169) 13.56
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Forfeited (40,075) 32.32
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at 30 September 1998 11,813,142 25.73
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Exercisable at end of year 7,413,707
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Participants at end of year 509
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Available for future grant at end of year 6,723,610
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(a) All amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split (see
Note 9).
50
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at
30 September 1998:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Weighted-
Average Weighted- Weighted-
Remaining Average Average
Number Contractual Exercise Number Exercise
Range of Exercise Prices(a) Outstanding(a) Life (Years) Price(a) Exercisable(a) Price(a)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$10.41-$13.64 1,511,000 2.59 $11.53 1,511,000 $11.53
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.47- 19.56 2,158,573 5.01 18.26 2,158,573 18.26
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.19- 26.03 3,745,063 6.91 24.07 3,165,560 23.71
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29.06- 41.69 4,398,506 9.46 35.70 578,574 29.21
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) All amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split (see
Note 9).
OTHER STOCK-BASED INCENTIVES
In addition to the Long-Term Incentive Plan, there is a Directors' Stock Option
Plan. Options awarded to non-employee directors are exercisable six months after
grant date and must be exercised no later than ten years and one day from the
date of grant. Under this plan, there were 84,000 and 64,000 options outstanding
and exercisable at the end of fiscal years 1998 and 1997, respectively. Option
prices were $39.37 and $34.60 per share for options issued in fiscal 1998 and
1997, respectively.
The company grants deferred stock unit awards to certain key employees below the
executive level. Deferred stock units equivalent to 798,160 and 800,270 shares
of stock were outstanding at the end of fiscal years 1998 and 1997,
respectively. Compensation expense is computed by multiplying the number of
units granted by the market value of the stock on the date of grant. The cost is
recognized over the four-year deferral period applicable to the awards.
In October 1995 and 1997, the company awarded 200 stock options with exercise
prices of $26.03 and $41.31, respectively, to virtually all employees. These
options vest three years after date of grant and are exercisable over an
additional seven-year period. At 30 September 1998, 2,492,800 options for the
1995 grant were outstanding and 3,176,800 options for the 1997 grant were
outstanding.
PRO FORMA INFORMATION
SFAS No. 123 requires the company to disclose pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share amounts as if compensation expense were recognized for
options granted after fiscal year 1995. Using this approach, net income and
earnings per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated in
the table:
(Millions of dollars, except per share) 1998 1997 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As reported $546.8 $429.3 $416.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma 522.0 415.5 407.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share(a)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As reported $ 2.54 $ 1.95 $ 1.86
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma 2.42 1.89 1.82
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share(a)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As reported $ 2.48 $ 1.91 $ 1.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pro forma 2.36 1.84 1.79
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Adjusted for two-for-one stock split in 1998.
This pro forma impact may not be representative of the effects for future years
and is likely to increase as additional options are granted and amortized over
the vesting period.
51
For disclosure purposes, the fair value of each stock option granted is
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with
the following weighted average of assumptions:
1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividend yield 2.0% 2.3% 2.3%
Expected volatility 20.1% 25.3% 23.5%
Risk-free interest rate 6.0% 6.6% 6.1%
Expected life (years) 6.2 7.2 6.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option-pricing models require the input of subjective
assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because the
company's options have characteristics different from those of traded options,
in the opinion of management, the existing models do not necessarily provide a
reliable single measure of the fair value of its options.
13) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Effective first quarter of fiscal 1998, the company adopted SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share." This standard establishes new accounting and disclosure
for earnings per share (EPS). The following table sets forth the computation of
basic and diluted EPS:
30 September (Millions of dollars, except per share) 1998 1997 1996
Numerator:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income available to common shareholders used in
basic and diluted earnings per share $546.8 $429.3 $416.4
Denominator:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-average number of common shares used in
basic earnings per share 215.5 220.1 223.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of dilutive securities:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee stock options 3.6 3.8 2.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other award plans 1.0 1.0 .8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.6 4.8 3.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive
potential common shares used in diluted earnings per 220.1 224.9 227.1
share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per share $2.54 $1.95 $1.86
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per share $2.48 $1.91 $1.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In October 1998, the company's Board of Directors authorized an Air Products
stock repurchase plan of up to 25 million shares. The company expects to
purchase between $100 million and $200 million of Air Products shares in fiscal
1999.
52
14) PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The following table shows reconciliations of the domestic pension plan and other
postretirement plan benefits as of 30 September 1998 and 1997. The foreign
pension plan information is as of 30 June 1998 and 1997:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1998 1997
CHANGE IN BENEFIT OBLIGATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation on 1 October $ 979.4 $836.7 $56.4 $52.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost 38.1 32.8 4.1 3.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest cost 74.6 68.2 4.3 4.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amendments 8.0 1.7 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial loss (gain) 230.2 80.3 4.5 1.1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan participant contributions 3.0 2.4 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits paid (38.5) (40.6) (4.7) (4.5)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency translation 12.4 (2.1) -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefit obligation on 30 September $1,307.2 $979.4 $64.6 $56.4
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets on 1 October $ 943.4 $787.0 $-- $--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actual return on plan assets 80.8 178.2 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Company contributions 15.1 10.7 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plan participant contributions 3.0 2.4 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefits paid (34.7) (35.7) -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisition 18.7 -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currency translation/Other 18.4 .8 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets on 1 October $1,044.7 $943.4 $-- $--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded status of the plan $(262.5) $(36.0) $(64.6) $(56.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized actuarial loss (gain) 214.9 (6.3) (3.1) (7.7)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized prior service cost 16.5 14.0 (1.2) (1.3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unrecognized net transition obligation
(asset) (19.1) (21.8) -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized $ (50.2) $(50.1) $(68.9) $(65.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total recognized amounts in the balance
sheet consist of:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid benefit cost $109.8 $88.6 $-- $--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit liability (196.4) (154.2) (68.9) (65.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intangible asset 13.5 15.5 -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity 22.9 -- -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net amount recognized $(50.2) $(50.1) $(68.9) $(65.4)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE ASSUMPTIONS AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate 6.6% 7.6% 6.5% 7.5%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected return on plan assets 9.5% 10.0% -- --
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate of compensation increase 4.7% 4.8% 5.0% 5.0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53
For measurement purposes, a 9% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of
covered health care benefits was assumed for fiscal 1999. The rate was assumed
to decrease gradually to 5.5% for fiscal 2006 and thereafter.
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service cost $38.1 $32.8 $33.0 $4.1 $3.5 $3.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest cost 74.6 68.2 63.4 4.3 4.2 4.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected return on plan assets (80.8) (73.0) (64.4) -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prior service cost amortization 1.9 1.8 1.6 (.1) (.1) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial (gain)/loss amortization 2.8 .5 4.6 (.1) (.2) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transition amount amortization (3.8) (3.7) (3.6) -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic benefit cost $32.8 $26.6 $34.6 $8.2 $7.4 $8.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value
of plan assets for the pension plan with accumulated benefit obligations in
excess of plan assets were $983.0 million, $763.1 million, and $626.5 million,
respectively, as of 30 September 1998, and $133.6 million, $112.9 million, and
$60.3 million, respectively, as of 30 September 1997.
The company has two nonpension postretirement benefit plans. Health care
benefits are contributory with contributions adjusted periodically; the life
insurance plan is noncontributory. The effect of a change in the health care
trend rate is slightly tempered by a cap on average retiree medical cost. A one
percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have
the following effects:
1 Percentage Point 1 Percentage Point
(Millions of dollars) Increase Decrease
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect on total of service
and interest cost $ .4 $ (.5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect on the postretirement
benefit obligation $3.0 $(3.5)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In addition to the above plans, U.S. employees are eligible to contribute to a
401(k) plan. The company matches a portion of these contributions. Contributions
charged to income for this plan for 1998, 1997, and 1996 were $12.9 million,
$12.1 million, and $11.6 million, respectively.
15) LEASES
Capital leases, primarily for machinery and equipment, are included with owned
plant and equipment on the balance sheet in the amount of $46.5 million and
$46.0 million at the end of fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively. Related amounts
of accumulated depreciation are $11.6 million and $23.6 million, respectively.
Operating leases, including month-to-month agreements, cost the company $66.8
million in 1998, $60.6 million in 1997, and $50.0 million in 1996.
At 30 September 1998, minimum payments due under leases are as follows:
Capital Operating
(Millions of dollars) Leases Leases
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 $ 9.5 $ 27.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 7.7 21.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2001 6.7 15.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 6.1 10.3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2003 5.2 7.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2004 and thereafter 5.3 78.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
$40.5 $160.1
The present value of the above future capital lease payments is included in the
liability section of the balance sheet. At the end of fiscal 1998, $6.7 million
was classified as current and $25.4 million as long-term.
54
16) OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
General partnerships, in which subsidiaries of Air Products have a 50% interest,
own facilities in Stockton, California and Cambria County, Pennsylvania that
burn coal and coal waste, respectively, and produce electricity and steam. Air
Products is also operator of these projects. Specific performance guarantees
obligate Air Products to pay damages up to the following amounts under certain
circumstances and if the general partnership is unable to service its debt:
Stockton: Periodic debt service on the outstanding project debt ($8 million as
of 30 September 1998). Average annual debt service over the next five years is
$2 million.
Cambria: Under certain circumstances, if the facility fails to operate as a
result of not having fuel available, the outstanding uncollateralized project
debt ($117 million as of 30 September 1998). Otherwise, $1 million (escalates
from October 1989) annually up to a cumulative total of $17 million.
Additionally, Air Products and a subsidiary have a 50% interest in a limited
partnership that owns a natural gas-fired cogeneration facility in Orlando,
Florida. Under agreements with the partnership, Air Products provides financial
support relating to the facility's natural gas supply. In the event the
partnership's municipal utility district customer (one of the project's two
power purchasers) terminates its contract due to a partnership default, Air
Products will make available up to $15 million (escalates from February 1992) to
compensate the utility district for the higher cost of power procured from other
sources over a period of up to 5 years.
In connection with financing of the cogeneration projects, Air Products has
contracted to provide financial support in the event of a title problem at the
plant site.
Air Products and an equity affiliate effectively own 48.9% of Bangkok
Cogeneration Company. Bangkok Cogeneration Company is constructing a
cogeneration facility in Thailand and has entered into restructured agreements
providing for financings aggregating approximately $83 million, subject to
borrowing caps denominated in Thai baht. Such restructured agreements and the
achievement by Bangkok Cogeneration Company of certain milestones have reduced
the lenders' recourse against the company to a maximum of $16 million.
Commercial operation is expected to occur in the first half of fiscal 1999.
In addition, the company has guaranteed repayment of borrowings of certain
domestic and foreign equity affiliates. At year end, these guarantees totaled
approximately $64 million.
The company has accrued for certain environmental investigatory and noncapital
remediation costs consistent with the policy set forth in Note 1. The potential
exposure for such costs is estimated to range from $11 million to a reasonably
possible upper exposure of $29 million. The balance sheet at 30 September 1998
includes an accrual of $23 million. The company does not expect that any sums it
may have to pay in connection with these environmental matters would have a
materially adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of
operations in any one year.
The company in the normal course of business has commitments, lawsuits,
contingent liabilities, and claims. However, the company does not expect that
any sum it may have to pay in connection with these matters will have a
materially adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
At the end of fiscal 1998, the company had purchase commitments to spend
approximately $232 million for additional plant and equipment.
55
17) ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
In December 1997, the company sold substantially all of its 50% interest in the
American Ref-Fuel Company, its former waste-to-energy joint venture with
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. (BFI), to a limited liability company formed by
Duke Energy Power Services and United American Energy Corporation. This
transaction provided for the sale of Air Products' interest in American
Ref-Fuel's five waste-to-energy facilities for $237 million, and Duke Energy
Capital Corporation, the parent company of Duke Energy Power Services, assumed
various parental support agreements. The income statement for the year ended 30
September 1998 includes a gain of $62.6 million from this sale ($35.1 million
after-tax or $.16 per share).
In November 1994, the company published a tender offer to acquire 74.2% of the
outstanding shares (9.7 million) of Carburos Metalicos S.A. (Carburos),
representing all of the shares in Carburos not owned by the company. The company
made a second tender offer in September 1995 and a third tender offer in
September 1996. The company acquired less than 1% of the outstanding shares in
the initial tender offer while the second tender offer resulted in the
acquisition of an additional 21.5% (2.8 million) of the outstanding shares at a
cost of $120.0 million.
On 22 October 1996, the company obtained control of Carburos through the
acquisition of an additional 49.1% (6.4 million) of the outstanding shares at a
cost of $288.4 million. The acquisition was funded through the issuance of U.S.
dollar debt effectively converted to Spanish Peseta liabilities through the use
of interest rate and currency swap contracts and foreign exchange contracts.
Carburos is a leading supplier of industrial gases in Spain. This transaction
was accounted for as a step acquisition purchase, and the results for the year
ended 30 September 1997 contained approximately forty-five weeks of consolidated
operating results for Carburos. Previously, the company accounted for its
investment using the equity method. The company has recorded a total of $212.2
million as cumulative goodwill related to the shares acquired in the three
tender offers. The goodwill will be amortized on a straight-line basis over
forty years.
In fiscal 1998, the company purchased most of the remaining minority interest in
Carburos. The company now owns 99.4% of the outstanding shares of Carburos.
18) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On 1 October 1998, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. and Wacker-Chemie GmbH
formed two joint ventures to consolidate their respective positions in polymer
emulsions and redispersible powder polymers businesses. The combined annual
sales of the ventures are expected to be approximately $800 million in fiscal
1999. The ventures extend the company's strategy to continue globalization of
the chemicals segment by establishing manufacturing and support facilities in
key regions.
The polymer emulsions joint venture, Air Products Polymers, L.P. (APP), is
headquartered in the United States and has facilities in Germany, Mexico, Korea,
and several locations in the United States. Air Products has a 65% interest in
the venture, and Wacker-Chemie has a 35% interest. This venture will be fully
consolidated into Air Products' financial statements and the Wacker-Chemie
interest accounted for as a minority interest. The accounting for this
transaction as a business combination requires the Wacker-Chemie assets be
written up to estimated fair value, resulting in a gain on the transfer and the
addition of goodwill.
The redispersible powders venture, Wacker Polymer Systems (WPS), is
headquartered in Germany, with manufacturing facilities in Germany and the
United States. Air Products has a 20% interest in this venture and will report
the results by the equity accounting method.
Air Products' fiscal 1999 sales are expected to be approximately $110 million
higher than would be reported without the ventures. After the Wacker-Chemie
minority eliminations, net income in the initial year of operation is expected
to be approximately the same as without the ventures.
In October 1998, the company's Board of Directors authorized an Air Products
stock repurchase plan of up to 25 million shares. The company expects to
purchase between $100 million and $200 million of Air Products shares in fiscal
1999.
56
19) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Payables, Trade and Other
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable, trade $398.0 $468.9
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding checks payable in excess
of certain cash balances 23.3 40.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Customer advances 57.4 107.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
$478.7 $616.6
Accrued Liabilities
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued payroll and employee benefits $109.0 $ 98.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued interest expense 45.8 44.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other accrued liabilities 178.0 172.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
$332.8 $315.7
Short-Term Borrowings
30 September (Millions of dollars) 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank obligations $ 28.4 $ 20.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Commercial paper 240.2 54.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes payable--other 1.5 25.6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
$270.1 $100.9
The weighted average interest rate of short-term commercial paper outstanding as
of 30 September 1998 and 1997 was 5.5% and 5.7%, respectively.
Other Income (Expense), Net
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest income $5.3 $ 6.7 $ 7.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign exchange (8.3) (5.8) .3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gain on sale of assets
and investments 18.6 25.1 --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Impairment loss of
long-lived assets (2.2) (9.9) --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Royalty and technology income 2.6 2.7 1.5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of intangibles (16.4) (14.6) (10.7)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technical aid fees 11.4 12.8 13.0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous 3.8 7.2 14.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
$14.8 $24.2 $25.7
Additional Income Statement Information
Fiscal 1998 results were increased by net after-tax income of $58.1 million, or
$.26 per share, for special items. The components of special items on a before-
and after-tax basis were: a gain of $62.6 million ($35.1 million after-tax, or
$.16 per share) on the sale of substantially all of the company's 50% interest
in the American Ref-Fuel Company; a gain of $28.3 million ($15.4 million
after-tax, or $.07 per share) from a power contract restructuring related to an
American Ref-Fuel project; and a gain of $12.6 million ($7.6 million after-tax,
or $.03 per share) from a cogeneration project contract settlement. Additional
details of the divestiture of the American Ref-Fuel Company are included in Note
17.
Fiscal 1996 results include a $66.8 million ($40.7 million after-tax, or $.18
per share) settlement with Bankers Trust Company over losses reported in fiscal
1994 associated with leveraged interest rate swap contracts.
Additional Cash Flow Information
Cash paid for interest and taxes is as follows:
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest
(net of amounts capitalized) $163.1 $161.5 $116.6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Taxes
(net of refunds) 246.2 89.1 98.9
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Significant noncash transactions are as follows:
(Millions of dollars) 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital lease additions $5.7 $3.0 $4.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt associated with acquisition 10.0 1.1 5.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
57
Summary by Quarter
This table summarizes the unaudited results of operations for each quarter of
1998 and 1997:
(Millions of dollars, except per share) First Second Third Fourth
1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $1,234.8 $1,208.6 $1,225.3 $1,250.3
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 212.6 206.1 211.3 215.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 160.5 120.5 138.1 127.7
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per common share(a) .74 .56 .64 .60
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per common share(a) .72 .54 .63 .59
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends per common share(a) .15 .15 .17 .17
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price per common share:(a) high 41 21/32 43 7/8 45 11/32 40 1/8
low 36 3/32 37 27/32 38 9/16 29 3/4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $1,120.9 $1,153.1 $1,150.3 $1,213.5
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 169.4 184.0 192.9 179.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 99.9 106.0 116.0 107.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per common share(a) .45 .48 .53 .49
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per common share(a) .44 .47 .52 .48
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends per common share(a) .1375 .1375 .15 .15
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Price per common share:(a) high 35 5/16 38 13/16 42 13/16 44 13/16
low 29 33 1/4 33 3/16 39 13/16
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Adjusted for two-for-one stock split in 1998 (Note 9).
Dividends Graph
Market Price Range per Share Graph
58
20) BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The company has three business segments that manufacture products or provide
services to many different markets.
The company is a leading international supplier of industrial and specialty gas
products. Principal products of the industrial gases segment are oxygen,
nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, synthesis gas, and
helium. The largest market segments are chemical processing, refining, metal
production, electronics, food processing, and medical gases. The company has its
strongest market positions in the United States and Europe.
The chemical businesses consist of polymer chemicals, performance chemicals, and
chemical intermediates. Polymer chemicals include polymer emulsions,
pressure-sensitive adhesives, and polyvinyl alcohol. Principal products of
performance chemicals are specialty additives, polyurethane additives, and epoxy
additives. Principal chemical intermediates are amines and polyurethane
intermediates. The company also produces certain industrial chemicals. The end
markets for the company's chemical products are extensive, including adhesive,
textile, paper, building products, agriculture, and furniture. Principal
geographic markets for the company's chemical products are North America,
Europe, Asia, Brazil, and Mexico.
The equipment and services segment designs and manufactures cryogenic and gas
processing equipment for air separation, gas processing, natural gas
liquefaction, and hydrogen purification. The segment also designs and builds
systems for recovering gases using membrane technology. The equipment is sold
along with a broad range of plant design, engineering, and operating services
for the company's power generation and Pure AirTM flue gas treatment facilities.
Equipment is sold worldwide to companies involved in chemical and petrochemical
manufacturing, oil and gas recovery and processing, power generation, and steel
and primary metal production. Equipment is also manufactured for the company's
industrial gas business. Another important market, particularly for air
separation equipment, is the company's international industrial gas joint
ventures.
1998 Sales by Business Segment Graph
1998 Sales by Geography Graph
59
Business segment information is shown below:
Industrial Equipment Corporate
(Millions of dollars) Gases Chemicals and Services and Other Total
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $2,907.5 $1,539.2 $472.3 $-- $4,919.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 573.1 253.7 73.1 (54.9) 845.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 17.3 .6 17.7 2.4 38.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 5,117.5 1,530.3 260.9 218.9 7,127.6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 322.3 2.4 37.3 -- 362.0
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation 375.3 105.2 7.5 1.4 489.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to plant and equipment 554.9 195.2 5.2 15.6 770.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $2,673.9 $1,448.1 $514.6 $1.2 $4,637.8
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 515.2 204.2 37.5 (31.5) 725.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 28.5 .4 13.9 23.5 66.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 4,721.6 1,271.5 440.1 255.2 6,688.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 314.6 2.4 26.0 212.7 555.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation 347.0 102.7 7.2 2.2 459.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to plant and equipment 696.0 152.6 1.7 19.9 870.2
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $2,310.5 $1,362.3 $314.6 $20.3 $4,007.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 406.7 197.5 32.7 (45.6) 591.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 44.0 .3 8.5 27.9 80.7
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 3,923.3 1,225.5 345.6 268.6 5,763.0
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 524.3 2.6 19.5 213.0 759.4
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation 298.1 97.5 6.7 9.8 412.1
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to plant and equipment 745.9 171.7 14.1 19.6 951.3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:Corporate and other operating income includes unallocated corporate
expenses and income and foreign exchange gains and losses. Corporate and
other identifiable assets include cash and cash items, unallocated
administrative facilities, and certain deferred items.
Identifiable assets exclude the investment in and advances to equity
affiliates.
Sales are to unconsolidated customers. Sales between segments, excluding
transfers of products at cost, are not material. Products transferred at
cost consist primarily of air separation plants and distribution equipment
manufactured by the equipment and services segment for use by the
industrial gases segment. These transfers amounted to $387.0 million,
$559.0 million, and $636.8 million in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.
60
Geographic information is presented below:
United Canada and
(Millions of dollars) States Europe Latin America Other Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales: Industrial Gases $1,674.8 $1,065.1 $153.5 $14.1 $2,907.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemicals 1,383.7 78.9 63.1 13.5 1,539.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment and Services 323.0 149.3 -- -- 472.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate and Other -- -- -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 3,381.5 1,293.3 216.6 27.6 4,919.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 635.4 192.8 19.9 (3.1) 845.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 19.0 15.0 11.2 (7.2) 38.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 4,265.6 2,302.2 329.7 230.1 7,127.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 57.7 117.0 77.4 109.9 362.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales: Industrial Gases $1,589.9 $ 939.1 $138.1 $ 6.8 $2,673.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemicals 1,357.7 45.5 33.6 11.3 1,448.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment and Services 320.9 193.7 -- -- 514.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate and Other 1.2 -- -- -- 1.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 3,269.7 1,178.3 171.7 18.1 4,637.8
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 554.3 150.8 20.9 (0.6) 725.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 36.5 13.9 11.2 4.7 66.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 4,164.6 2,033.1 300.4 190.3 6,688.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 256.3 95.7 73.9 129.8 555.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales: Industrial Gases $1,477.8 $ 697.7 $133.3 $ 1.7 $2,310.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chemicals 1,282.5 56.3 9.4 14.1 1,362.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equipment and Services 236.5 78.1 -- -- 314.6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate and Other 20.3 -- -- -- 20.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 3,017.1 832.1 142.7 15.8 4,007.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 460.8 115.5 14.5 0.5 591.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income 35.5 24.0 7.9 13.3 80.7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets 3,992.7 1,411.8 224.4 134.1 5,763.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in and advances to equity affiliates 249.9 324.3 71.0 114.2 759.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Included in United States sales are export sales to unconsolidated
customers of $649.6 million in 1998, $570.7 million in 1997, and $459.0
million in 1996. The Europe segment operates principally in the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, and Belgium. Equity
affiliates' income and investment in and advances to equity affiliates
included under Other relates to the company's equity affiliates in Asia
and South Africa.
61
ELEVEN-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(Millions of dollars, except per share) 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Results
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales $4,919 $4,638 $4,008
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales 2,857 2,772 2,408
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, distribution, and administrative 1,120 1,051 920
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and development 112 114 114
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Workforce reduction and asset write-downs -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income 845 725 591
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity affiliates' income(a) 38 66 80
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Settlement)/Loss on leveraged interest rate swaps -- -- (67)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense 163 161 129
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income taxes 277 201 193
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations 547 429 416(b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 547 429 416(b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic Earnings per common share:(g) Continuing operations 2.54 1.95 1.86(b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 2.54 1.95 1.86(b)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted Earnings per common share:(g) Continuing operations 2.48 1.91 1.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income 2.48 1.91 1.83
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-End Financial Position
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plant and equipment, at cost $9,490 $8,727 $8,103
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets 7,490 7,244 6,522
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital 376 500 111
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 2,274 2,292 1,739
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders' equity 2,667 2,648 2,574
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Ratios
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on sales(h) 11.1% 9.3% 10.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Return on average shareholders' equity(h) 20.8% 16.6% 16.6%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt to sum of total debt and shareholders' equity(i) 50.3% 48.2% 46.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operations to average total debt(i) 38.6% 40.9% 38.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest coverage ratio 5.5 4.4 5.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Data
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year: Depreciation $489 $459 $412
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures(k) 1,001 1,222 1,164
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash dividends per common share(g) .64 .58 .53
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market price range per common share(g) 45-29 44-29 30-24
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares outstanding (millions) 216 220 223
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average common shares and common stock equivalent
shares outstanding (millions) 220 225 227
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At year end: Book value per common share(g) 12.61 12.05 11.65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders 11,500 11,200 11,700
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employees 16,700 16,400 15,200
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Includes related expenses and gain on sale of investment in equity
affiliates. Excludes the gain on the sale of the American Ref-Fuel Company
in 1998.
(b) Includes an after-tax gain of $41 million, or $.18 per share, from a
settlement associated with leveraged interest rate swap contracts.
(c) Includes a charge of $75 million, or $.33 per share, for a loss on certain
derivative contracts.
(d) Includes a charge of $76 million, or $.34 per share, for workforce
reduction and asset write-downs.
(e) Includes a charge of $75 million, or $.33 per share, for a loss on certain
derivative contracts and a net gain of $14 million, or $.06 per share, for
the cumulative effect of accounting changes.
(f) Net income for fiscal 1992 includes an extraordinary charge of $6 million,
or $.03 per share, for the early retirement of debt.
62
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3,865 $3,485 $3,328 $3,217 $2,931 $2,895 $2,642 $2,432
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,317 2,112 2,030 1,937 1,755 1,775 1,601 1,452
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
869 789 744 724 686 659 610 545
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
103 97 92 85 80 72 71 72
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- -- 120 -- -- -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
602 486 369 481 435 399 382 374
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
51 28 13 16 13 17 9 (8)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 107 -- -- -- -- -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100 81 81 90 86 83 73 65
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
185 92 100 130 113 103 96 87
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
368 234(c) 201(d) 277 249 230 222 214
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
368 248(e) 201(d) 271(f) 249 230 222 214
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.64 1.03(c) .88(d) 1.23 1.11 1.04 1.01 .97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.64 1.09(e) .88(d) 1.20(f) 1.11 1.04 1.01 .97
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.62 1.01 .87 1.20 1.09 1.02 .99 .95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.62 1.07 .87 1.17 1.09 1.02 .99 .95
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$7,350 $6,520 $5,953 $5,785 $5,332 $5,010 $4,442 $4,085
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5,816 5,036 4,761 4,492 4,228 3,900 3,366 3,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 101 322 279 117 214 262 110
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,194 923 1,016 956 945 954 854 668
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,398 2,206 2,102 2,098 1,841 1,688 1,445 1,272
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9.5% 6.7% 6.0% 8.6% 8.5% 7.9% 8.4% 8.8%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16.1% 10.9% 9.6% 14.0% 14.1% 14.7% 16.4% 17.6%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41.2% 36.0% 37.3% 33.9% 38.1% 38.5% 38.4% 37.6%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48.6% 59.5% 50.3% 52.7% 57.7% 52.7% 53.7% 65.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.5 4.5 4.4 5.4 4.2 4.2 4.6 4.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$382 $353 $346(j) $340 $319 $303 $281 $258
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
969 655 666 485 657 621 562 556
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.51 .47 .45 .41 .38 .35 .32 .28
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29-21 25-19 25-18 25-15 18-10 15-11 12-9 13-7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
224 227 228 226 224 222 220 219
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
228 231 232 231 228 226 224 225
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10.74 9.73 9.21 9.25 8.20 7.58 6.56 5.80
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11,800 11,900 11,800 11,100 10,900 11,100 11,400 11,900
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14,800 14,100 15,300 14,500 14,600 14,000 14,100 13,300
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(g) Data per common share are based on the average number of shares outstanding
during each year retroactively restated to reflect a two-for-one stock
split in 1998 and 1992, except for book value per common share, which is
based on the number of shares outstanding at the end of each year
retroactively restated.
(h) Financial ratios were calculated using income from continuing operations.
(i) Total debt includes long-term debt, current portion of long-term debt, and
short-term borrowings as of the end of the year.
(j) Depreciation expense in 1993 excludes $56 million associated with asset
write-downs.
(k) Capital expenditures include additions to plant and equipment, investment
in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates, acquisitions, and capital
lease additions.
63
Exhibit 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
The following is a list of the Company's subsidiaries, all of which are wholly
owned as of 30 September 1998, except for certain subsidiaries of the Registrant
which do not in the aggregate constitute a significant subsidiary as that term
is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
UNITED STATES
All companies are incorporated in the State of Delaware with the exception of
Air Products World Trade, Inc. which is incorporated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Registrant -- Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
Air Products Helium, Inc.
Air Products Hydrogen Company, Inc.
Air Products, Incorporated
Air Products International Corporation
Air Products Manufacturing Corporation
Air Products Ref-fuel of Hempstead, Inc.
Air Products Ref-Fuel of Niagara, Inc.
Air Products World Trade, Inc.
APCI (U.K.), Inc.
Middletown Oxygen Company, Inc.
Permea, Inc.
Prodair Corporation
Solkatronic Chemicals, Inc.
BELGIUM
Air Products S.A.
Air Products Management S.A.
BRAZIL
Air Products Gases Industriais Ltda. (The organization of this affiliate more
closely resembles a partnership with limited liability than a corporation.)
CANADA
Air Products Canada Ltd.
CHINA
Northern Air Products (Tianjin) Limited
Southern Air Products (Guangzhou) Limited
FRANCE
Air Products Industrie
Air Products S.A.
Prodair et Cie S.C.S.
Prodair S.A.
GERMANY
Air Products GmbH
THE NETHERLANDS
Air Products Holdings B.V. (formerly Air Products Nederland B.V.)
Air Products Leasing B.V.
Air Products (Pernis) B.V.
Air Products (Rozenburg), Inc.
SPAIN
Air Products Iberica, S.A.
S.E. de Carburos Metalicos S.A.
SINGAPORE
Air Products Singapore Pte. Ltd.
UNITED KINGDOM
Air Products PLC
Air Products Group Limited
Air Products (BR) Limited
Air Products (Chemicals) PLC
Air Products (Chemicals) Teeside Limited
Exhibit 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Harold A. Wagner or Leo J. Daley or James H.
Agger, acting severally, his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Form 10-K Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1998 and all amendments thereto
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each
and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
this Power of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
/s/ Harold A. Wagner Director and Chairman of the November 19, 1998
---------------------- Board (Principal Executive
Harold A. Wagner Officer)
/s/ John P. Jones III Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
John P. Jones III
/s/ Joseph J. Kaminski Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Joseph J. Kaminski
/s/ Tom H. Barrett Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Tom H. Barrett
/s/ L. Paul Bremer, III Director November 19, 1998
-------------------------
L. Paul Bremer, III
/s/ Robert Cizik Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Robert Cizik
/s/ Ruth M. Davis Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Ruth M. Davis
/s/ Ursula F. Fairbairn Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Ursula F. Fairbairn
/s/ Edward E. Hagenlocker Director November 19, 1998
---------------------------
Edward E. Hagenlocker
/s/ James F. Hardymon Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
James F. Hardymon
/s/ Terry R. Lautenbach Director November 19, 1998
-------------------------
Terry R. Lautenbach
/s/ Rudolphus F. M. Lubbers Director November 19, 1998
-----------------------------
Rudolphus F. M. Lubbers
/s/ Takeo Shiina Director November 19, 1998
-------------------
Takeo Shiina
/s/ Lawrason D. Thomas Director November 19, 1998
------------------------
Lawrason D. Thomas
5
1,000,000
US DOLLARS
YEAR
SEP-30-1998
OCT-01-1997
SEP-30-1998
1
62
0
898
17
429
1642
9489
4703
7490
1266
2274
0
0
249
2418
7490
4919
4919
2856
2856
112
6
163
824
277
547
0
0
0
547
2.54
2.48
