UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended April 1, 2007

or

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

Commission File Number 1-3295

--

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE

25-1190717    

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

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

405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174-0002
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(212) 878-1800
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES X  

NO _____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [ X ]

 

Accelerated filer [  ]

 

Non-accelerated filer [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YES     

NO

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
Common Stock, $0.10 par value

Outstanding at April 13, 2007
19,087,448


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

Page No.

PART I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
   

Item 1.

Financial Statements:

 
   
           Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three-month
periods ended April 1, 2007 and April 2, 2006 (Unaudited)

3

   
             Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 1, 2007 (Unaudited)
and December 31, 2006

4

   
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month
periods ended April 1, 2007 and April 2, 2006 (Unaudited)

5

   
              Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

6

   
          Review Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

13

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

14

   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

19

     
   
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

19

     
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings

20

   
Item 1A. Risk Factors

21

   
Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

21

   
Item 6. Exhibits

21

   
   
Signature

22

 

 

 


 

 

 

PART 1.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements

MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

(in thousands, except per share data)    

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

 
                 
Net sales  

$

273,541

   

$

264,702

 
Cost of goods sold    

218,626

     

210,973

 
     Production margin    

54,915

     

53,729

 
Marketing and administrative expenses    

27,343

     

27,668

 
Research and development expenses    

7,688

     

7,219

 
                 
  Income from operations    

19,884

     

18,842

 
Non-operating income (deductions), net    

(2,596

)    

711

 
Income before provision for taxes                
  on income and minority interests    

17,288

     

19,553

 
Provision for taxes on income    

5,619

     

5,921

 
Minority interests    

848

     

901

 
Income from continuing operations    

10,821

     

12,731

 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax    

--

     

81

 
     Net income  

$

10,821

   

$

12,812

 
                 
Earnings per share:                
Basic:                
    Income from continuing operations  

$

0.57

   

$

0.64

 
  Income from discontinued operations    

--

     

--

 
        Basic earnings per share  

$

0.57

   

$

0.64

 
Diluted:                
    Income from continuing operations  

$

0.56

   

$

0.64

 
  Income from discontinued operations    

--

     

--

 
      Diluted earnings per share  

$

0.56

   

$

0.64

 
                 
Cash dividends declared per common share  

$

0.05

   

$

0.05

 
                 
Shares used in computation of earnings per share:                
    Basic    

19,046

     

19,947

 
  Diluted    

19,241

     

20,083

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

3


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS

(thousands of dollars)  

April 1,
2007*

     

December 31,
2006**

 
               
Current assets:              
      Cash and cash equivalents

$

80,087

   

$

67,929

 
  Short-term investments, at cost which approximates market  

8,422

     

8,380

 
  Accounts receivable, net  

200,449

     

188,784

 
  Inventories  

128,883

     

129,894

 
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets  

15,706

     

16,775

 
         Total current assets  

433,547

     

411,762

 
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation and depletion - April 1, 2007 - $849,600; December 31, 2006 - $826,125  

649,236

     

652,797

 
Goodwill  

71,211

     

68,977

 
Prepaid pension costs  

35,587

     

25,717

 
Other assets and deferred charges  

39,979

     

33,871

 
         Total assets

$

1,229,560

   

$

1,193,124

 
               
               

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               
Current liabilities:              
     Short-term debt

$

78,817

   

$

87,644

 
  Current maturities of long-term debt  

2,758

     

2,063

 
  Accounts payable  

63,950

     

60,963

 
  Other current liabilities  

61,647

     

61,393

 
         Total current liabilities  

207,172

     

212,063

 
Long-term debt  

119,823

     

113,351

 
Other non-current liabilities  

130,274

     

115,153

 
         Total liabilities  

457,269

     

440,567

 
Shareholders' equity:              
     Common stock  

2,821

     

2,810

 
  Additional paid-in capital  

275,286

     

269,101

 
  Retained earnings  

879,325

     

867,512

 
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss  

(12,837

)    

(21,248

)
   

1,144,595

     

1,118,175

 
Less treasury stock  

(372,304

)    

(365,618

)
         Total shareholders' equity  

772,291

     

752,557

 
                 
  Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,229,560

   

$

1,193,124

 

*   Unaudited
** Condensed from audited financial statements

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

4


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

                 

Three Months Ended

(thousands of dollars)    

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

 
Operating Activities:                
Net income  

$

10,821

   

$

12,812

 
Income from discontinued operations    

--

     

81

 
Income from continuing operations    

10,821

     

12,731

 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash                
   provided by operating activities:                
    Depreciation, depletion and amortization    

22,027

     

20,103

 
  Tax benefits related to stock incentive programs    

585

     

332

 
  Other non-cash items    

1,987

     

(1,175

)
  Net changes in operating activities    

(6,169

)    

6,786

 
Net cash provided by continuing operations    

29,251

     

38,777

 
Net cash provided by discontinued operations    

--

     

364

 
Net cash provided by operating activities    

29,251

     

39,141

 
Investing Activities:                
Purchases of property, plant and equipment    

(13,925

)    

(26,151

)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments    

1,000

     

--

 
Purchases of short-term investments    

(1,000

)    

(660

)
Proceeds from settlement of insurance settlement    

--

     

2,398

 
Net cash used in investing activities    

(13,925

)    

(24,413

)
Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt    

7,741

     

--

 
Repayment of long-term debt    

(593

)    

(611

)
Net repayment of short-term debt    

(8,918

)    

(20,361

)
Purchase of common shares for treasury    

(6,686

)    

(8,117

)
Proceeds from issuance of stock under option plan    

4,371

     

1,663

 
Excess tax benefits related to stock incentive programs    

125

     

142

 
Cash dividends paid    

(951

)    

(996

)
Indemnification proceeds from former parent company    

--

     

4,500

 
Net cash used in financing activities    

(4,911

)    

(23,780

)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and                
   cash equivalents    

1,743

     

883

 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents    

12,158

     

(8,169

)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period    

67,929

     

51,100

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  

$

80,087

   

$

42,391

 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Interest paid  

$

1,412

   

$

2,586

 
Income taxes paid  

$

4,131

   

$

4,235

 
Non-cash financing activities:                
   Tax liability on indemnification proceeds                
    from former parent company  

$

--

   

$

1,782

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

5


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information for the periods indicated, have been included. The results for the three-month period ended April 1, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007.

 

Note 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     Use of Estimates

     The Company employs accounting policies that are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and require management to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reported period. Significant estimates include those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, pension plan assumptions, income tax, valuation allowances, and litigation and environmental liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

     Income Taxes

     The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ("SFAS 109"). The application of income tax law is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous. As such, we are required to make many subjective assumptions and judgements regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As such, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgements can materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income. See Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, "Income Taxes," for additional detail on our uncertain tax positions.

 

Note 3.  Earnings Per Share (EPS)

     Basic earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

   

Three Months Ended

Basic EPS
(in thousands, except per share data)
   

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
 2006

 

Income from continuing operations

 

$

10,821

   

$

12,731

 

Income from discontinued operations

   

--

     

81

 
 

Net income

 

$

10,821

   

$

12,812

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

   

19,046

     

19,947

 

Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

 

$

0.57

    $

0.64

 

Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations

   

--

     

--

 
 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

0.57

   

$

0.64

 

 

6


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

Diluted EPS
(in thousands, except per share data)
 

April 1,
 2007

     

April 2,
2006

 

Income from continuing operations

$

10,821

   

$

12,731

 

Income from discontinued operations

 

--

     

81

 
 

Net income

$

10,821

   

$

12,812

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

19,046

     

19,947

 

Dilutive effect of stock options and stock units

 

195

     

136

 
  Weighted average shares outstanding, adjusted  

19,241

     

20,083

 

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

$

0.56

   

$

0.64

 

Diluted earnings per share from discontinued operations

 

--

     

--

 
 

Diluted earnings per share

$

0.56

   

$

0.64

 

     The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended April 1, 2007 and April 2, 2006 excludes the dilutive effect of 265,900 options and 58,200 options, respectively, as such options had an exercise price in excess of the average market value of the Company's common stock during such period.

     The weighted average diluted common shares outstanding for the three months ended April 1, 2007 and April 2, 2006 include the dilutive effect of average unearned compensation as required under SFAS No. 123R.

 

Note 4.   Discontinued Operations

     In April 2006, the Company ceased operation at its one-unit satellite PCC facility in Hadera, Israel. In the fourth quarter, the Company liquidated its wholly-owned subsidiary and classified such business as a discontinued operation.

     The following table details selected financial information for the business included within discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income:

 

Three Months Ended

Thousands of Dollars  

April 1,
 2007

     

April 2,
2006

   
Net sales

$

--

   

$

1,338

   
Income from operations

$

--

   

$

122

   
Income from                
  discontinued operations, net of tax

$

--

   

$

81

   

 

Note 5.   Income Taxes

     Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes." FIN 48 specifies the way companies are to account for uncertainty in income tax reporting and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized a $1.9 million decrease in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits, resulting in an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings.

     The following is a reconciliation of opening retained earnings:

Ending retained earnings, December 31, 2006

$

867,512

Adoption of FIN 48

$

1,943

Opening retained earnings, January 1, 2007

$

869,455

 

7


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

     As of the date of adoption of FIN 48, the Company had approximately $11.3 million of total unrecognized income tax benefits. Included in this amount were a total of $5.2 million of unrecognized income tax benefits that if recognized would affect the Company's effective tax rate. While it is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months, we do not expect the change to have a significant impact on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.

     The Company's accounting policy prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and upon the adoption of FIN 48 is to recognize interest and penalties accrued, relating to unrecognized income tax benefits as part of its provision for income taxes. The Company had approximately $2.3 million of interest and penalties accrued as of January 1, 2007 and approximately $2.5 million accrued as of April 1, 2007.

     The Company operates in multiple taxing jurisdictions, both within and outside the U.S. In certain situations, a taxing authority may challenge positions that the Company has adopted in its income tax filings. The Company, with a few exceptions (none of which are material), is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, and European income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2003.

 

Note 6.   Inventories

     The following is a summary of inventories by major category:

(thousands of dollars)

   

April 1,
2007

     

December 31,
2006  

 

Raw materials

 

$

57,437

   

$

60,013

 

Work-in-process

   

9,706

     

8,321

 

Finished goods

   

38,615

     

38,911

 

Packaging and supplies

   

23,125

     

22,649

 

Total inventories

 

$

128,883

   

$

129,894

 

 

Note 7.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

     The Company accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142.

     The carrying amount of goodwill was $71.2 million and $69.0 million as of April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The net change in goodwill since January 1, 2007 was primarily due to additional charges relating to the effect of foreign exchange and our acquisition of ASMAS, for which the purchase accounting has not yet been finalized.

     Acquired intangible assets subject to amortization as of April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

   

April 1, 2007

 

December 31, 2006

(millions of dollars)

   

Gross Carrying Amount

     

Accumulated Amortization

     

Gross Carrying Amount

     

Accumulated Amortization

 

Patents and trademarks

 

$

7.4

   

$

2.0

   

$

7.2

   

$

1.8

 

Customer lists

   

11.2

     

1.0

     

10.0

     

0.8

 

Other

   

0.5

     

--

     

0.1

     

--

 
   

$

19.1

   

$

3.0

   

$

17.3

   

$

2.6

 

     The weighted average amortization period for acquired intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately 15 years. Estimated amortization expense is $1.2 million for each of the next five years through 2011.

8


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

     Included in other assets and deferred charges is an intangible asset of approximately $6.8 million which represents the non-current unamortized amount paid to a customer in connection with contract extensions at eight PCC satellite facilities. In addition, a current portion of $1.8 million is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Such amounts will be amortized as a reduction of sales over the remaining lives of the customer contracts. Approximately $0.5 million was amortized in the first quarter of 2007. Estimated amortization as a reduction of sales is as follows: remainder of 2007 - $1.3 million; 2008 - $1.8 million; 2009 - $1.5 million; 2010 - $1.2 million; 2011 - $0.9 million; with smaller reductions thereafter over the remaining lives of the contracts.

 

Note 8.   Long-Term Debt and Commitments

     The following is a summary of long-term debt:

(thousands of dollars)                                             

April 1,
2007

  

Dec. 31,
2006  

5.53% Series 2006A Senior Notes      
  Due October 5, 2013

$  50,000

 

$  50,000

Floating Rate Series 2006A Senior Notes      
  Due October 5, 2013

25,000

 

25,000

Yen-denominated Guaranteed Credit Agreement      
  Due March 31, 2007

--

 

605

Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial      
  Development Revenue Bonds Due 2009

4,000

 

4,000

Economic Development Authority Refunding      
  Revenue Bonds Series 1999 Due 2010

4,600

 

4,600

Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial      
  Development Revenue Bonds Due August 1, 2012

8,000

 

8,000

Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial      
  Development Revenue Bonds Series 1999 Due November 1, 2014

8,200

 

8,200

Variable/Fixed Rate Industrial      
  Development Revenue Bonds Due March 31, 2020

5,000

 

5,000

Variable Rate Renminbi Denominated      
  Loan Agreement Due 2009

7,755

 

--

Installment obligations

8,812

 

8,812

Other borrowings

1,214

 

1,197

  Total

122,581

 

115,414

Less: Current maturities

2,758

 

2,063

Long-term debt

$119,823

 

$113,351

     As of April 1, 2007, the Company had $188 million of uncommitted short-term bank credit lines, of which approximately $79 million was in use.

     During the first quarter of 2007, the Company entered into a series of Renminbi ("RMB") denominated loan agreements through two of its consolidated joint ventures in China with Communication Bank of China, totaling RMB 60,000,000. The assets of the PCC facilities operated by these consolidated joint ventures were pledged as collateral for RMB 43,000,000 of the loans. The loan agreements bear a variable interest rate based on the People's Bank of China base rate, and mature between January 29, 2009 and March 26, 2009. The interest rate on these loans during the first quarter was approximately 6.52%.

9


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 9.  Pension Plans

     The Company and its subsidiaries have pension plans covering substantially all eligible employees on a contributory or non-contributory basis.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

(millions of dollars)  

Pension Benefits

   

Other Benefits

     

Three Months Ended

     

Three Months Ended

 
     

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

     

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

 
Service cost  

$

2.4

   

$

2.1

   

$

0.7

   

$

0.5

 
Interest cost    

3.2

     

2.6

     

0.6

     

0.5

 
Expected return on plan assets    

(5.0

)    

(4.1

)    

--

     

--

 
Amortization*:                                
    Prior service cost    

0.4

     

0.1

     

0.1

     

--

 
  Recognized net actuarial loss    

0.9

     

0.9

     

0.3

     

0.2

 
         Net periodic benefit cost  

$

1.9

   

$

1.6

   

$

1.7

   

$

1.2

 

*    Current year amortization amounts are recorded as increases to accumulated other comprehensive income, totaling $1.0 million, net of tax, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 158.

Employer Contributions

     The Company expects to contribute $15 million to its pension plan and $2 million to its other post retirement benefit plans in 2007. As of April 1, 2007, $10.5 million has been contributed to the pension fund and approximately $0.4 million has been contributed to the post retirement benefit plans.

 

Note 10.  Comprehensive Income

     The following are the components of comprehensive income:

                                                                                       

Three Months Ended

(thousands of dollars)

 

April 1,
2007

   

April 2,
2006

Net income

$

10,821

   

$

12,812

 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:              
   Foreign currency translation adjustments  

7,224

     

5,014

 
  Pension and postretirement plan adjustments  

1,052

     

--

 
  Cash flow hedges:              
      Net derivative gains arising during the period  

13

     

94

 
  Reclassification adjustment  

31

     

(125

)
Comprehensive income

$

19,141

   

$

17,795

 

     The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related tax, are as follows:

(millions of dollars)

 

April 1,
2007

     

December 31,
2006

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

$

40.4

   

$

33.2

 

Unrecognized pension costs

 

(53.3

)    

(54.3

)

Net loss on cash flow hedges

 

--

     

(0.1

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

$

(12.9

)  

$

(21.2

)

10


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 11.  Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

     SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" establishes the financial accounting and reporting obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The Company records asset retirement obligations in which the Company will be required to retire tangible long-lived assets. These are primarily related to its PCC satellite facilities and mining operations. The Company has also adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations," related to conditional asset retirement obligations at its facilities. The Company has recorded asset retirement obligations at all of its facilities except where there are no legal or contractual obligations. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset.

     The following is a reconciliation of asset retirement obligations as of April 1, 2007:

(thousands of dollars)

     

Asset retirement liability, December 31, 2006

$

11,650

 

Accretion expense

 

139

 

Foreign currency translation

 

57

 

Asset retirement liability, April 1, 2007

$

11,846

 

     Approximately $0.1 million is included in other current liabilities and $11.7 million is included in other non-current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2007.

 

Note 12.  Transaction with Former Parent Company

     Under the terms of certain agreements entered into in connection with the Company's initial public offering in 1992, Pfizer Inc ("Pfizer") agreed to indemnify the Company against any liability arising from claims for remediation, as defined in the agreements, of on-site environmental conditions relating to activities prior to the closing of the initial public offering. The Company had asserted to Pfizer a number of indemnification claims pursuant to those agreements during the ten-year period following the closing of the initial public offering. Since the initial public offering, the Company has incurred and expensed approximately $6 million of environmental claims under these agreements. On January 20, 2006, Pfizer and the Company agreed to settle those claims, along with certain other potential environmental liabilities of Pfizer, in consideration of a payment by Pfizer of $4.5 million. Such payment was recorded as additional paid-in-capital, net of its related tax effect.

 

Note 13.  Non-Operating Income and Deductions

                                                                       

April 1,
2007

 

April 2,
2006

 
    Interest income

$

484

   

$

514

 
  Interest expense  

(2,554

)    

(1,564

)
  Gain on insurance settlement  

--

     

1,822

 
  Foreign exchange gains (losses)  

(329

)    

142

 
  Other deductions  

(197

)    

(203

)
Non-operating income (deductions), net

$

(2,596

)  

$

711

 

     During the first quarter of 2006, the Company recognized an insurance settlement gain of $1.8 million, net of related deductible, for property damage sustained at one of its facilities in 2004 as a result of a storm. Claims submitted to the insurance carrier for damages related to a combination of replacement costs for fixed assets and reimbursement of expenses associated with the clean up and repairs at the facility. The insurance settlement gain related to the reimbursement of replacement costs for fixed assets in excess of the net book value of such assets.

 

 

11


MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 14.  Segment and Related Information

     Segment information for the three months ended April 1, 2007 was as follows:

 

Net Sales

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended

   

April 1,
2007  

     

April 2,
2006

 
Specialty Minerals

$

184,020

   

$

181,115

 
Refractories  

89,521

     

83,587

 
  Total

$

273,541

   

$

264,702

 

 

 

Income from Operations

(thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended

   

April 1,
2007  

     

April 2,
2006

 
Specialty Minerals

$

13,182

   

$

12,122

 
Refractories  

6,702

     

6,720

 

Total

$

19,884

   

$

18,842

 

 

     The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment as of April 1, 2007 and December 31, 2006 was as follows:

(thousands of dollars)

Goodwill

   

April 1,
 2007  

     

December 31,
2006

 
Specialty Minerals

$

16,597

   

$

16,560

 
Refractories  

54,614

     

52,417

 
   Total

$

71,211

   

$

68,977

 

     A reconciliation of the totals reported for the operating segments to the applicable line items in the condensed consolidated financial statements is as follows:

                                                               

Three Months Ended

Income before provision for taxes on
     income and minority interests:
 

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

 
Income from operations for reportable segments

$

19,884

   

$

18,842

 
Non-operating income (deductions), net  

(2,596

)    

711

 
Income before provision for taxes on income              
   and minority interests

$

17,288

   

$

19,553

 

     The Company's sales by product category are as follows:

                                               

Three Months Ended

(millions of dollars)  

April 1,
2007

     

April 2,
2006

 
Paper PCC

$

133.6

   

$

126.9

 
Specialty PCC  

15.0

     

15.0

 
Talc  

14.8

     

14.8

 
Ground Calcium Carbonate  

19.2

     

22.1

 
SYNSIL®  

1.4

     

2.3

 
Refractory Products  

71.5

     

61.1

 
Metallurgical Products  

18.0

     

22.5

 
   Net Sales

$

273.5

   

$

264.7

 

12


 

REVIEW REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Minerals Technologies Inc.:

     We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Minerals Technologies Inc. and subsidiary companies as of April 1, 2007 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the three-month periods ended April 1, 2007 and April 2, 2006. These condensed consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management.

     We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

     Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

     We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Minerals Technologies Inc. and subsidiary companies as of December 31, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 27, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

     As discussed in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes."

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

 

New York, New York
May 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

13


ITEM 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

                                                         

Income and Expense
Items as a Percentage of Net
Sales

 

Three Months Ended

 

April 1,
2007

 

April 2,
2006

Net sales

100.0

%  

100.0

%

Cost of goods sold

79.9

79.7

Marketing and administrative expenses

10.0

   

10.5

 

Research and development expenses

2.8

   

2.7

 

Income from operations

7.3

7.1

Net income

4.0

%  

4.8

%

Executive Summary

     Consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2007 increased 3% over the prior year to $273.5 million from $264.7 million. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales growth of approximately $5.4 million or 2 percentage points of growth. Operating income increased 6% to $19.9 million from $18.8 million in the prior year. However, net income decreased 16% to $10.8 million from $12.8 million in the prior year. The prior year's net income was positively affected by a gain on the settlement of an insurance claim.

      We face some significant risks and challenges in the future:

 • Our success depends in part on the performance of the industries we serve, particularly papermaking and steel making. Some of our customers may continue to experience consolidations and shutdowns;
 • Consolidations in the paper and steel industries concentrate purchasing power in the hands of fewer customers, increasing pricing pressure on suppliers such as Minerals Technologies Inc.;
 • Most of our Paper PCC sales are subject to long-term contracts that may be terminated pursuant to their terms, or may be renewed on terms less favorable to us;
 • We are subject to cost fluctuations on raw materials, including shipping costs, particularly on magnesia and talc imported from China;
 • Although the SYNSIL® Products family has received favorable reactions from current and potential customers, this product line is not yet profitable. To date, the introduction of SYNSIL® technology to customers has progressed more slowly than anticipated, resulting in overcapacity at our facilities. The manufacturing facilities are strategically located in major market areas for glass making, and we believe our products provide a suitable value equation for glass manufacturers. However, the commercial viability of this product line cannot be assured;
 • The cost of employee benefits, particularly health coverage, has risen significantly in recent years and continues to do so; and
 • As we expand our operations abroad we face the inherent risks of doing business in many foreign countries, including foreign exchange risk, import and export restrictions, and security concerns.

     Despite these risks and challenges, we believe there are opportunities for continued growth that are open to us, including:

 • Increasing our sales of PCC for paper by further penetration of the markets for paper filling at both freesheet and groundwood mills;
 • Increasing our sales of PCC for paper coating, particularly from our merchant coating PCC facilities in Walsum, Germany and Hermalle, Belgium;
 • Achieving commercialization of a filler-fiber composite technology for the paper industry through our continued research and development activities;
 • Developing new satellite PCC opportunities;
 • Achieving continued market acceptance of the SYNSIL® Products family of composite minerals for the glass industry;
 • Continuing our penetration in emerging markets, including our new manufacturing facility in China and our recent acquisition in Turkey, both within the Refractories segment; and

14


 •

Increasing market penetration in the Refractories segment through development of high-performance products and equipment systems.

     However, there can be no assurance that we will achieve success in implementing any one or more of these opportunities.

Results of Operations

Sales

(millions of dollars)     First
Quarter
2007
% of
Total
Sales
Growth First
Quarter
2006
% of
Total
Sales
Net Sales
U.S  

$

152.8

 

55.9

%  

(6)

%  

$

161.8

   

61.1

%
International    

120.7

 

44.1

%  

17 

%    

102.9

   

38.9

%
     Net sales  

$

273.5

 

100.0

%  

%  

$

264.7

   

100.0

%
                                 
Paper PCC  

$

133.6

 

48.9

%  

%  

$

126.9

   

47.9

%
Specialty PCC    

15.0

 

5.5

%  

-- 

%    

15.0

   

5.7

%
       PCC Products  

$

148.6

 

54.4

%  

%  

$

141.9

   

53.6

%
Talc  

$

14.8

 

5.4

%  

-- 

%  

$

14.8

   

5.6

%
Ground Calcium Carbonate    

19.2

 

7.0

%  

(13)

%    

22.1

   

8.3

%
SYNSIL®    

1.4

 

0.5

%  

(39)

%    

2.3

   

0.9

%
      Processed Minerals Products  

$

35.4

 

12.9

%  

(10)

%  

$

39.2

   

14.8

%
  Specialty Minerals Segment  

$

184.0

 

67.3

%  

%  

$

181.1

   

68.4

%
Refractory Products  

$

71.5

 

26.1

%  

17 

%  

$

61.1

   

23.1

%
Metallurgical Products    

18.0

 

6.6

%  

(20)

%    

22.5

   

8.5

%
      Refractories Segment  

$

89.5

 

32.7

%  

%  

$

83.6

   

31.6

%
                                 
  Net sales  

$

273.5

 

100.0

%  

%  

$

264.7

   

100.0

%

     Worldwide net sales in the first quarter of 2007 increased 3% from the previous year to $273.5 million. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately $5.4 million or 2 percentage points of growth. Sales in the Specialty Minerals segment, which includes the PCC and Processed Minerals product lines, increased 2% to $184.0 million compared with $181.1 million for the same period in 2006. Sales in the Refractories segment grew 7% over the previous year to $89.5 million.

     Worldwide net sales of PCC, which is primarily used in the manufacturing process of the paper industry, increased 5% in the first quarter to $148.6 million from $141.9 million in the prior year. Foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of approximately 2 percentage points of growth. Paper PCC sales grew 5% to $133.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 from $126.9 million in the prior year. However, total paper PCC volumes declined 1 percent. Weakness in the North American market was partially offset by volume growth in all other regions of the world, increased selling prices and foreign currency. Sales of Specialty PCC were $15.0 million, the same as the prior year.

     Net sales of Processed Minerals products decreased 10% in the first quarter to $35.4 million from $39.2 million in the first quarter of 2006. This decrease was attributable primarily to the continued weakness in the residential and commercial construction markets. In addition, SYNSIL® Products sales decreased 39% to $1.4 million from $2.3 million in the prior year. This decline was primarily attributable to a reduction of commercial product from the Company's customer sampling facility in Ohio. Additionally, sales from our two commercial facilities remain below expectations.

15


     Net sales in the Refractories segment in the first quarter of 2007 increased 7% to $89.5 million from $83.6 million in the prior year. This increase was attributable to incremental sales from the recent acquisition in Turkey. Strong demand in Europe and Asia offset the lower demand in North America. In addition, foreign exchange had a favorable impact on sales of $1.9 million or approximately 2 percentage points of growth. Sales of refractory products and systems to steel and other industrial applications increased 17 percent to $71.5 million from $61.1 million. Sales of metallurgical products within the Refractories segment decreased 20 percent to $18.0 million as compared with $22.5 million in the same period last year. This decrease was primarily attributable to lower volumes in North America and Latin America and lower prices resulting from the reduction in the cost of raw materials for this product line that is traditionally passed through to the customers.

     Net sales in the United States decreased 6% to $152.8 million in the first quarter of 2007. International sales in the first quarter of 2007 increased 17% to $120.7 million.

Operating Costs and Expenses
(millions of dollars)

First
Quarter
2007

First
Quarter
2006

Growth

Cost of goods sold

$

218.6

 

$

211.0

 

4  

%
Marketing and administrative

$

27.3

 

$

27.7

 

(1)

%
Research and development

$

7.7

 

$

7.2

 

%

     Cost of goods sold was 79.9% of sales compared with 79.7% of sales in the prior year. In the Specialty Minerals segment, production margin was flat as compared with 2% sales growth. This segment has been affected by weakness in the Processed Minerals product line, severance costs, paper machine and paper mill shutdowns, and production losses in our SYNSIL® Product lines, partially offset by the recovery of raw material costs. In the Refractories segment, production margin increased 6% as compared with the 7% sales growth.

     Marketing and administrative costs decreased 1% in the first quarter to $27.3 million and represented 10.0% of net sales. This was primarily due to decreased bad debt expense of approximately $1.0 million in the current year. In the prior year, additional provisions for bad debts were established in connection with a customer bankruptcy.

     Research and development expenses increased 7% to $7.7 million and represented 2.8% of net sales as compared with 2.7% of net sales in the prior year.

Income from Operations
(millions of dollars)
 

First
 Quarter
 2007

   

First
Quarter
2006

 

Growth

 
                 
Income from operations

$

19.9

 

$

18.8

 

6

%

     Income from operations in the first quarter of 2007 increased 6% to $19.9 million from $18.8 million in the prior year. Income from operations represented 7.3% of net sales in the first quarter of 2007 compared with 7.1% in the first quarter of 2006.

     Income from operations for the Specialty Minerals segment increased 9% to $13.2 million and was 7.2% of its net sales. Operating income for this segment was impacted by the aforementioned factors affecting production margin but were offset by lower expense levels than in the prior year. Operating income for the Refractories segment was the same as the prior year and was 7.5% of its net sales as compared with 8.0% of its net sales in 2006. The decline in the operating income ratio was due to a less favorable product mix, weakness in the North American steel market and additional costs related to new business development activities.

Non-Operating Deductions  

First
Quarter

     

First
Quarter

       
(millions of dollars)  

2007

     

2006

   

Growth

 
                     
Non-operating income (deductions), net

$

(2.6)

   

$

0.7

   

*

%

   * Percentage not meaningful

16


     During the first quarter of 2006, the Company recognized net non-operating income of $0.7 million as a result of an insurance settlement gain of approximately $1.8 million for property damage sustained at one of its facilities, offsetting interest expense and other deductions.

     In the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded net non-operating deductions of $2.6 million. This is primarily composed of net interest expense of $2.1 million as compared with $1.1 million in the prior year as a result of increased borrowings.

Provision for Taxes on Income  

First
Quarter

     

First
Quarter

       
(millions of dollars)  

2007

     

2006

   

Growth

 
                                                     
Provision for taxes on income

$

5.6

   

$

5.9

   

(5)

%

     The effective tax rate increased to 32.5% in the first quarter of 2007 from 30.3% in the prior year due to a change in the mix of earnings and an increase in projected foreign dividends.

Net Income  

First
Quarter

     

First
Quarter

       
(millions of dollars)  

2007

     

2006

   

Growth

 
Net income

$

10.8

   

$

12.8

   

(16)

%

     Net income decreased 16% in the first quarter of 2007 to $10.8 million. Diluted earnings per common share decreased 13% to $0.56 per share in the first quarter of 2007 as compared with $0.64 per share in the prior year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Cash flows in the first three months of 2007 provided from operations were applied principally to fund capital expenditures, repay debt and repurchase common shares for treasury. Cash provided from operating activities amounted to $29.3 million in the first three months of 2007 as compared with $39.1 million for the same period last year. The decrease in cash provided from operations was due to an increase in working capital when compared with the prior year. The working capital increase was primarily due to a 6% increase in accounts receivable as compared with a 4% increase in sales over the fourth quarter of 2006.

We expect to utilize our cash to support the aforementioned growth strategies.

     On October 25, 2005, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company's Management Committee, at its discretion, to repurchase up to $75 million in additional shares over the next three-year period. As of April 1, 2007, the Company repurchased 915,172 shares under this program at an average price of approximately $53.43 per share.

     On April 25, 2007, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend on our common stock of $0.05 per share. No dividends will be payable unless declared by the Board and unless funds are legally available for payment thereof.

     We have $188 million in uncommitted short-term bank credit lines, of which $79 million was in use at April 1, 2007. We anticipate that capital expenditures for 2007 should approximate $75 million, principally related to the construction of PCC plants and other opportunities that meet our strategic growth objectives. We expect to meet our other long-term financing requirements from internally generated funds, uncommitted bank credit lines and, where appropriate, project financing of certain satellite plants. The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows: remainder of 2007 - $2.6 million; 2008 - $8.4 million; 2009 - $5.3 million; 2010 - $5.9 million; 2011 - $1.3 million; thereafter - $99.1 million.

17


Prospective Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results

     The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand companies' future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This report may contain forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on management's plans and assumptions. Words such as "believes," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates" and words and terms of similar substance, used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify these forward-looking statements.

     Although we believe we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions, we cannot guarantee that the outcomes suggested in any forward-looking statement will be realized. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements and should refer to the discussion of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions entitled "Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results" in Exhibit 99 to this Quarterly Report.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

     In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements." This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement will apply to all other accounting pronouncements that require fair value measurements. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently completing an analysis of the ultimate impact the new pronouncement will have on its financial statements.

     In November 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF issue 06-10, "Accounting for Deferred Compensation and Postretirement Benefit Aspects of Collateral Assignment Split-Dollar Life Insurance Arrangements." Employers will be required to measure the asset associated with collateral-assignment split-dollar life insurance based on the arrangement's terms and to record postretirement benefit liabilities only if the employer will maintain the life insurance policy during the employee's retirement or provide the employee with a death benefit. This consensus is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this consensus on its financial statements.

     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This Statement allows entities to choose to measure financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. This Statement is effective for fiscal periods beginning after November 15, 2006. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 159 on its financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

     Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.

     On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventories, valuation of long-lived assets, pension plan assumptions, stock-based compensation assumptions, income taxes, income tax valuation allowances and litigation and environmental liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that can not readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

18


Income Taxes

     The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes" ("FIN 48"), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 ("SFAS 109"). The application of income tax law is inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and are often ambiguous. As such, we are required to make many subjective assumptions and judgements regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations change over time. As such, changes in our subjective assumptions and judgements can materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of income. See Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, "Income Taxes," for additional detail on our uncertain tax positions.

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to adverse changes in market prices and foreign currency and interest rates. We are exposed to market risk because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar. We do not anticipate that near-term changes in exchange rates will have a material impact on our future earnings or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that a sudden and significant decline in the value of foreign currencies would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Approximately 40% of our bank debt bear interest at variable rates; therefore our results of operations would only be affected by interest rate changes to such outstanding bank debt. An immediate 10 percent change in interest rates would not have a material effect on our results of operations over the next fiscal year.     

     We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. When appropriate, we enter into derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps, to mitigate the impact of foreign exchange rate movements and interest rate movements on our operating results. The counterparties are major financial institutions. Such forward exchange contracts and interest rate swaps would not subject us to additional risk from exchange rate or interest rate movements because gains and losses on these contracts would offset losses and gains on the assets, liabilities, and transactions being hedged. We have open forward exchange contracts to purchase approximately $2.8 million of foreign currencies as of April 1, 2007. These contracts mature between October and December of 2007. The fair value of these instruments at April 1, 2007 was an asset of $0.1 million.

 

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     As of the end of the period covered by this report, and under the supervision and with participation of the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

     The Company is in the process of implementing a global enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system to manage its business operations. As of April 1, 2007, all of our domestic locations were using the new system. The worldwide implementation is expected to be completed over the next few years and involves changes in systems that include internal controls. Although the transition has proceeded to date without material adverse effects, the possibility exists that our migration to the new ERP system could adversely affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting and procedures. We are reviewing each system as it is being implemented and the controls affected by the implementation of the new systems, and are making appropriate changes to affected internal controls as we implement the new systems. We believe that the controls as modified are appropriate and functioning effectively.    

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     There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (other than the ongoing implementation of the ERP system discussed above) during the quarter ended April 1, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings

     As previously reported, certain of the Company's subsidiaries are among numerous defendants in a number of cases seeking damages for exposure to silica or to asbestos containing materials. The Company currently has 806 pending silica cases and 26 pending asbestos cases. The Company was not named in any new silica or asbestos cases in the first quarter of 2007. To date, 658 silica cases have been dismissed, of which 8 were dismissed in the first quarter of 2007. Most of these claims do not provide adequate information to assess their merits, the likelihood that the Company will be found liable, or the magnitude of such liability, if any. Additional claims of this nature may be made against the Company or its subsidiaries. At this time management anticipates that the amount of the Company's liability, if any, and the cost of defending such claims, will not have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

The Company has not settled any silica or asbestos lawsuits to date. We are unable to state an amount or range of amounts claimed in any of the lawsuits because state court pleading practices do not require identifying the amount of the claimed damage. The aggregate cost to the Company for the legal defense of these cases through the first quarter of 2007 was approximately $0.1 million. To date, the Company has not been liable to plaintiffs in any of these lawsuits and we do not expect to pay settlements or jury verdicts in these lawsuits.

Environmental Matters

     As previously reported, on April 9, 2003, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") issued an administrative consent order relating to our Canaan, Connecticut, plant where both our Refractories segment and Specialty Minerals segment have operations. We agreed to the order, which includes provisions requiring investigation and remediation of contamination associated with historic use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at a portion of the site. The following is the present status of the remediation efforts:

 • Building Decontamination. We have completed the investigation of building contamination and submitted a report characterizing the contamination. We are awaiting review and approval of this report by the regulators. Based on the results of this investigation, we believe that the contamination may be adequately addressed by means of encapsulation through painting of exposed surfaces, pursuant to the Environmental Protection Agency's ("EPA") regulations and have accrued such liabilities as discussed below. However, this conclusion remains uncertain pending completion of the phased remediation decision process required by the regulations.
 • Groundwater. We are still conducting investigations of potential groundwater contamination. To date, the results of investigation indicate that there is some oil contamination of the groundwater. We are conducting further investigations of the groundwater.
 • Soil. We have completed the investigation of soil contamination and submitted a report characterizing contamination to the regulators. Based on the results of this investigation, we believe that the contamination may be left in place and monitored, pursuant to a site-specific risk assessment, which is underway. However, this conclusion is subject to completion of a phased remediation decision process required by applicable regulations.

     We believe that the most likely form of remediation will be to leave existing contamination in place, encapsulate it, and monitor the effectiveness of the encapsulation.

     We estimate that the cost of the likely remediation above would approximate $200,000, and that amount has been recorded as a liability on our books and records.

     The Company is evaluating options for upgrading the wastewater treatment facilities at its Adams, Massachusetts, plant. This work is being undertaken pursuant to an administrative consent order issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on June 18, 2002. The order required payment of a civil fine in the amount of $18,500, the investigation of options for ensuring that the facility's wastewater treatment ponds will

 

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 not result in discharge to groundwater, and closure of a historic lime solids disposal area. The Company is committed to identifying appropriate improvements to the wastewater treatment system by July 1, 2007, and to implementing the improvements by June 1, 2012. Preliminary engineering reviews indicate that the estimated cost of these upgrades to operate this facility beyond 2012 may be between $6 million and $8 million. The Company estimates that remediation costs would approximate $350,000, which has been accrued as of December 31, 2006.

     The Company and its subsidiaries are not party to any other material pending legal proceedings, other than routine litigation incidental to their businesses.

 

ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors

     There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a description of Risk Factors, see Exhibit 99 attached to this report.

 

ITEM 2.  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

     Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 Period

 

Total Number
 of Shares Purchased

 

Average Price Paid Per Share

 

Total Number
of Shares Purchased as Part of the Publicly Announced Program

 

Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Program

January 1 -   January 28

 

8,800

 

$

56.93

 

807,472

 

$

32,284,029

January 29 - February 25

 

107,700

 

$

57.43

 

915,172

 

$

26,099,241

February 26 - April 1

 

--

 

$

--

 

915,172

 

$

26,099,241

            Total

 

116,500

 

$

57.39

         

     On October 25, 2005, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company's Management Committee, at its discretion, to repurchase up to $75 million in additional shares over the next three-year period. As of April 1, 2007, the company repurchased 915,172 shares under this program at an average price of approximately $53.43 per share.

 

ITEM 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit No.

   

Exhibit Title

 

        

15

  Letter Regarding Unaudited Interim Financial Information.

31.1

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification executed by the Company's principal executive officer.

31.2

  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification executed by the Company's principal financial officer.

32

  Section 1350 Certifications.

99

  Statement of Cautionary Factors That May Affect Future Results.

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SIGNATURE

 

 

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

        Minerals Technologies Inc.

 
 
 

By:

/s/John A. Sorel
      John A. Sorel
  Senior Vice President-Finance and
  Chief Financial Officer
  (principal financial officer)

May 1, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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