Page 1 of 27



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q



QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF


THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For Quarter EndedJune

September 30, 2004

Commission File Number

1-5415



A. M. Castle & Co.

(

Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

charter


Maryland

36-0879160

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

incorporation of organization)

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

incorporation of organization)


3400 North Wolf Road, Franklin Park, Illinois

60131

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone, including area code847/455-7111

Registrant's telephone, including area code847/455-7111


None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last year)


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.


YesX

No

X
NO


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as deigned in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).


YesX

No

X
NO


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

Class

Class

Outstanding at JuneSeptember 30, 2004

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value

15,793,937

15,796,437 shares




  
   


Page 2 of 27

A. M. CASTLE & CO.


Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Part I. Finanical Information

Page

Number
   

Number

Part I. Item 1.

Financial Information

Statements (unaudited)
 
   
 

Item 1.

Comparative Balance Sheets

Financial Statements (unaudited):

3

   
 Comparative Statements of Operations

Comparative Balance Sheets

3

4

   
 

ComparativeCondensed Statements of Operations

Cash Flows

4

5
   
 
Notes to Comparative Financial Statements

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

5

6-12
   
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Notes to Comparative Financial Statements

6-12

12-20
   
Item 3

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial

Condition and Results of Operations

12-20

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

20

   
Item 4

Item 4.

Control and Procedures

21

   
   

Part II. Other Information

 
Item 1.Legal Proceedings22
   

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

22

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

22

   

Item 6.

Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

22





 
A.M. CASTLE & CO.
 
       
 
COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEETS
 
          
(Amounts in thousands)
          
Unaudited
  Sep. 30  Dec. 31,  Sep. 30 
   2004  2003  2003 
ASSETS          
Current assets          
    Cash and equivalents
 $5,435 $2,455 $831 
    Accounts receivable, net
  99,073  54,232  51,666 
    Inventories (principally on last-in first-out basis)
  121,297  117,270  119,730 
    Income tax receivable
  310  660  - 
    Assets held for sale
  995  1,067  - 
    Other current assets
  7,926  7,184  5,546 
        Total current assets
  235,036  182,868  177,773 
Investment in joint ventures  7,024  5,492  5,317 
Goodwill  31,959  31,643  31,619 
Pension assets  42,216  42,075  41,823 
Advances to joint ventures and other assets  7,517  8,688  8,875 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost          
    Land
  4,767  4,767  5,020 
    Building
  47,255  45,346  48,885 
    Machinery and equipment
  121,093  118,447  118,741 
   173,115  168,560  172,646 
    Less - accumulated depreciation
  (107,528) (100,386) (101,763)
   65,587  68,174  70,883 
Total assets $389,339 $338,940 $336,290 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY          
Current liabilities          
    Accounts payable
 $102,893 $67,601 $60,422 
    Accrued liabilities and deferred gains
  23,990  19,145  19,259 
    Current and deferred income taxes
  2,954  4,852  4,183 
    Current portion of long-term debt
  11,676  8,248  7,980 
        Total current liabilities
  141,513  99,846  91,844 
Long-term debt, less current portion  89,450  100,034  98,786 
Deferred income taxes  19,942  13,963  16,018 
Deferred gain on sale of assets  6,673  7,304  6,997 
Minority interest  1,268  1,456  1,441 
Post retirement benefits obligations  2,834  2,683  2,352 
Stockholders' equity          
    Preferred stock
  11,239  11,239  11,239 
    Common stock
  159  159  159 
    Additional paid in capital
  35,025  35,009  35,017 
    Earnings reinvested in the business
  80,147  66,480  72,002 
    Accumulated other comprehensive income
  1,350  1,042  727 
    Other - deferred compensation
  (16) (30) 62)
    Treasury stock, at cost
  (245) (245) (230)
        Total stockholders' equity
  127,659  113,654  118,852 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $389,339 $338,940 $336,290 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
          


  
   

 


 
A.M. CASTLE & CO.
   
 
COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
  For the Three
 
 
For the Nine
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 Months Ended Months Ended 
(Unaudited)
 Sept 30, Sept 30, 
  2004 2003 2004 2003 
              
Net sales $199,341 $134,917 $563,195 $410,510 
Cost of material sold  (142,033) (95,948) (398,378) (287,931)
Special charges  -  -  -  (1,524)
    Gross material margin
  57,308  38,969  164,817  21,055 
              
Plant and delivery expense  (23,665) (21,300) (70,667) (65,913)
Sales, general, and administrative expense  (20,345) (16,723) (59,117) (52,402)
Depreciation and amortization expense  (2,245) (2,083) (6,736) (6,700)
Impairment and other operating expenses  -  -  -  (5,924)
Total other operating expense  (46,255) (40,106) (136,520) (130,939)
              
Operating income (loss)  11,053  (1,137) 28,297  (9,884)
              
Equity in earnings (loss) of joint ventures  1,458  2  3,197  (79)
Impairment to joint venture investment and advances  -  -  -  (2,830)
Interest expense, net  (2,175) (2,452) (6,706) (7,347)
Discount on sale of accounts receivable  (167) (295) (684) (874)
              
Income (loss) before income tax  10,169  (3,882) 24,104  (21,014)
              
Income tax (provision) benefit             
    Federal
  (3,250) 1,284  (7,720) 6,808 
    State
  (832) 261  (1,994) 1,431 
   (4,082) 1,545  (9,714) 8,239 
Net income (loss)  6,087  (2,337) 14,390  (12,775)
              
Preferred Dividends  (240) (242) (720) (719)
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock $5,847 $(2,579)$13,670 $(13,494)
              
Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.37 $(0.16)$0.87 $(0.86)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.35  (0.16)$0.82  (0.86)
              
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
             

Page 3 of 27

 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

For the Three

For the Six

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

Months Ended

Months Ended

(Unaudited)

 

June 30,

June 30,

 

  

2004

  

2003

  

2004

  

2003

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net sales

 

$

188,221

 

$

133,947

 

$

363,854

 

$

275,593

 

Cost of material sold

  

(131,865

)

 

(93,539

)

 

(256,346

)

 

(191,983

)

Special charges

  

-

  

(1,524

)

 

-

  

(1,524

)

Gross material margin

  

56,356

  

38,884

  

107,508

  

82,086

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Plant and delivery expense

  

(23,405

)

 

(22,263

)

 

(47,001

)

 

(44,613

)

Sales, general, and administrative expense

  

(19,315

)

 

(17,643

)

 

(38,771

)

 

(35,679

)

Depreciation and amortization expense

  

(2,244

)

 

(2,313

)

 

(4,491

)

 

(4,617

)

Impairment and other operating expenses

  

-

  

(5,924

)

 

-

  

(5,924

)

Total other operating expense

  

(44,964

)

 

(48,143

)

 

(90,263

)

 

(90,833

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating income (loss)

  

11,392

  

(9,259

)

 

17,245

  

(8,747

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Equity earnings (loss) of joint ventures

  

1,104

  

(44

)

 

1,739

  

(81

)

Impairment to joint venture investment and advances

  

-

  

(2,830

)

 

-

  

(2,830

)

Interest expense, net

  

(2,218

)

 

(2,452

)

 

(4,532

)

 

(4,895

)

Discount on sale of accounts receivable

  

(234

)

 

(250

)

 

(517

)

 

(579

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax

  

10,044

  

(14,835

)

 

13,935

  

(17,132

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Income tax (provision) benefit

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Federal

  

(3,238

)

 

4,761

  

(4,470

)

 

5,524

 

State

  

(808

)

 

1,043

  

(1,162

)

 

1,170

 

 

  

(4,046

)

 

5,804

  

(5,632

)

 

6,694

 

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

  

5,998

  

(9,031

)

 

8,303

  

(10,438

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Preferred dividends

  

(240

)

 

(240

)

 

(480

)

 

(477

)

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

 

$

5,758

 

$

(9,271

)

$

7,823

 

$

(10,915

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.36

 

$

(0.59

)

$

0.50

 

$

(0.69

)

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 

$

0.35

  

(0.59

)

$

0.47

  

(0.69

)

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

EBITDA*

 

$

14,740

 

$

(9,820

)

$

23,475

 

$

(7,041

)

*Earnings before interest, discount on sale of accounts receivable, taxes, depreciation and amortization

 

 

 


  
   



 
A.M. CASTLE & CO.
   
 
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 For the Nine Months 
(Unaudited)
 Sept. 30, 
   2004  2003 
        
Cash flows from operating activities:       
   Net income (loss)
 $14,390 $(12,775)
   Depreciation
  6,736  6,700 
    Amortization of deferred gain
  (631) (150)
    Equity in (earnings) loss from joint ventures
  (3,197) 79 
    Deferred taxes and income tax receivable
  6,315  4,732 
    Non-cash pension income (loss) and post-retirement benefits
  315  (1,053)
    Other
  1,267  (3,257)
        Cash from operating activities before working capital changes
  25,195  (5,724)
    Asset impairment and special charges
  -  10,278 
    Net change in accounts receivable sold
  (8,000) (5,866)
    Other Increase in working capital
  (1,076) (61)
Net cash from operating activities  16,119  (1,373)
        
Cash flows from investing activities:       
    Investments and acquisitions
  (1,744) - 
    Advances to joint ventures
  -  (199)
    Capital expenditures
  (3,419) (2,183)
    Proceeds from sale of assets
     10,538 
Net cash from investing activities  (5,163) 8,156 
        
Cash flows from financing activities       
    Payments on long-term debt
  (7,337) (6,453)
    Preferred dividends paid
  (720) (719)
    Other
  (85) - 
Net cash from financing activities  (8,142) (7,172)
        
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  166  302 
        
Net (decrease) increase in cash  2,980  (87)
        
    Cash - beginning of year
 $2,455 $918 
    Cash - end of period
 $5,435 $831 
        
Supplemental cash disclosure - cash received (paid) during the period:       
Interest  ($6,815) ($7,464)
Income taxes  ($4,923)$12,771 
        
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
       

Page 4 of 27

 

COMPARATIVE BALANCE SHEETS

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

(Amounts in thousands except per share data)

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

UNAUDITED

  

Jun. 30

 

 

Dec. 31

 

 

Jun. 30

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

2003

 

 

2003

 

ASSETS

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Current assets

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

4,503

 

$

2,455

 

$

1,672

 

Accounts receivable, net

  

91,714

  

54,232

  

42,219

 

Inventories (principally on last-in first-out basis)

  

105,224

  

117,270

  

127,658

 

Income tax receivable

  

408

  

660

  

-

 

Assets held for sale

  

1,059

  

1,067

  

-

 

Other current assets

  

8,658

  

7,184

  

7,800

 

Total current assets

  

211,566

  

182,868

  

179,349

 

Investment in joint ventures

  

5,973

  

5,492

  

7,224

 

Goodwill

  

31,925

  

31,643

  

31,720

 

Pension assets

  

42,169

  

42,075

  

41,109

 

Advances to joint ventures and other assets

  

7,464

  

8,688

  

5,534

 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Land

  

4,767

  

4,767

  

6,031

 

Building

  

47,130

  

45,346

  

51,826

 

Machinery and equipment

  

119,883

  

118,447

  

119,302

 

 

  

171,780

  

168,560

  

177,159

 

Less - accumulated depreciation

  

(105,133

)

 

(100,386

)

 

(102,062

)

 

  

66,647

  

68,174

  

75,097

 

Total assets

 

$

365,744

 

$

338,940

 

$

340,033

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Current liabilities

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

87,299

 

$

67,601

 

$

61,722

 

Accrued liabilities and deferred gains

  

21,652

  

19,145

  

19,810

 

Current and deferred income taxes

  

2,377

  

4,852

  

4,037

 

Current portion of long-term debt

  

13,057

  

8,248

  

11,230

 

Total current liabilities

  

124,385

  

99,846

  

96,799

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

  

89,187

  

100,034

  

100,358

 

Deferred income taxes

  

20,147

  

13,963

  

17,753

 

Deferred gain on sale of assets

  

6,902

  

7,304

  

-

 

Minority interest

  

1,262

  

1,456

  

1,404

 

Post retirement benefits obligations

  

2,758

  

2,683

  

2,292

 

Stockholders' equity

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Preferred stock

  

11,239

  

11,239

  

11,239

 

Common stock

  

159

  

159

  

159

 

Additional paid in capital

  

35,009

  

35,009

  

35,017

 

Earnings reinvested in the business

  

74,300

  

66,480

  

74,581

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  

663

  

1,042

  

732

 

Other - deferred compensation

  

(22

)

 

(30

)

 

(71

)

Treasury stock, at cost

  

(245

)

 

(245

)

 

(230

)

Total stockholders' equity

  

121,103

  

113,654

  

121,427

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

365,744

 

$

338,940

 

$

340,033

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

  

 

 


  
   



Page 5 of 27

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

For the Six Months

(Unaudited)

 

June 30,

 

  

2004

  

2003

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

 

  

 

 

Net income/(loss)

 

$

8,303

 

$

(10,438

)

Depreciation and amortization

  

4,491

  

4,617

 

Amortization of deferred gain on sale of assets

  

(402

)

 

-

 

Equity loss (earnings) from joint ventures

  

(1,739

)

 

81

 

Deferred taxes and income tax receivable

  

6,454

  

6,466

 

Non-cash pension income and post-retirement benefits

  

105

  

(480

)

Other

  

1,010

  

(1,694

)

Cash from operating activities before working capital changes

  

18,222

  

(1,448

)

Asset impairment and special charges

  

-

  

10,278

 

Net change in accounts receivable sold

  

(5,000

)

 

1,800

 

Other; Increase in working capital

  

(688

)

 

(5,822

)

Net cash from operating activities

  

12,534

  

4,808

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

  

 

  

 

 

Investments and acquisitions

  

(1,744

)

 

-

 

Advances to joint ventures

  

-

  

(233

)

Capital expenditures

  

(2,372

)

 

(1,727

)

Net cash from investing activities

  

(4,116

)

 

(1,960

)

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

  

 

  

 

 

Long-term debt reductions

  

(5,826

)

 

(1,737

)

Preferred dividends paid

  

(480

)

 

(477

)

Other

  

(94

)

 

-

 

Net cash from financing activities

  

(6,400

)

 

(2,214

)

 

  

 

  

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

  

30

  

120

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net increase in cash

  

2,048

  

754

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash - beginning of year

 

$

2,455

 

$

918

 

Cash - end of period

 

$

4,503

 

$

1,672

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

Supplemental cash disclosure - cash (paid) received during the period:

  

 

  

 

 

Interest

 

(4,569

)

 $

(4,634

)

Income taxes

  $

(1,448

)

$

12,813

 

 

  

 

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

  

 

  

 

 



Pag 6 of 27

A. M. Castle & Co.


Notes to Comparative Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

  1. Comparative Financial Statements




1.  Comparative Financial Statements
The comparative financial statements included herein are unaudited. The balance sheet at December 31, 2003 is derived from the audited financial statements at that date. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. However, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the unaudited statements, included herein, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, the cash flows, and the results of operations for the periods then ended. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K. The 20 042004 interim results reported herein may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations for the full year.

  • New Accounting Standards


  • 2.  New Accounting Standards
    In compliance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS"(åSFASæ) No. 132 (revised 2003) "Employees’åEmployees’ Disclosures About Pensions and Other Post Retirement Benefits"Benefitsæ, the Company has disclosed the interim information required as Footnote 11 herein.

  • Earnings Per Share


  • 3.  Earnings Per Share
    Earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock (basic) plus common stock equivalents (diluted) outstanding during the year. Common stock equivalents consist of stock options, restricted stock awards and preferred stock shares and have been included in the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. In accordance with SFAS No. 128 "Earnings per Share", the following table is a reconciliation of the basic and fully diluted earnings per share calculations for the periods reported.




      
       


      
    For The Three Months Ended
    Sept 30,
     
    For The Nine
    Months Ended
    Sept 30,
     
      2004 2003 2004 2003 
     (in thousands)             
    Net income (loss) $6,087 $(2,337)$14,390 $(12,775)
    Preferred dividends  (240) (242) (720) (719)
    Net income (loss) applicable to common stock $5,847 $(2,579)$13,670 $(13,494)
     
    Weighted average common shares outstanding
      
    15,797
      
    15,788
      
    15,794
      
    15,777
     
    Dilutive effect of outstanding employee and             
        Directors’ common stock options and preferred stock
      953    802   
    Diluted common shares outstanding  16,750  15,788  16,596  15,777 
                  
    Basic income (loss) per common share $0.37 $(0.16)$0.87 $(0.86)
    Diluted income (loss) per common share $0.36 $(0.16)$0.87 $(0.86)
                  
    Outstanding employee and directors' common stock options and restricted and preferred stock shares having no dilutive effect  845  3,575  850  3,575 
     

    Page 7 of 27
    4.  Accounts Receivable Securitization

      

    For The Three Months Ended

    June 30,

    For The Six

    Months Ended

    June 30,

     

     

    2004

    2003

    2004

    2003

    (in thousands)

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Net income (loss)

     

    $

    5,998

     

    $

    (9,031

    )

    $

    8,303

     

    $

    (10,438

    )

    Preferred dividends

      

    (240

    )

     

    (240

    )

     

    (480

    )

     

    (477

    )

    Net income (loss) applicable to common stock

     

    $

    5,758

     

    $

    (9,271

    )

    $

    7,823

     

    $

    (10,915

    )

    Weighted average common shares outstanding

      

    15,793

      

    15,780

      

    15,792

      

    15,771

     

    Dilutive effect of outstanding employee and

                 

    Directors’ common stock options and preferred stock

      

    871

      

      

    716

      

     

    Diluted common shares outstanding

      

    16,664

      

    15,780

      

    16,508

      

    15,771

     
                  

    Basic income (loss) per common share

     

    $

    0.36

     

    $

    (0.59

    )

    $

    0.50

     

    $

    (0.69

    )

    Diluted income (loss) per common share

     

    $

    0.35

     

    $

    (0.59

    )

    $

    0.47

     

    $

    (0.69

    )

      

     

      

     

      

     

      

     

     

    Outstanding employee and directors' common stock options and restricted and preferred stock shares having no dilutive effect

      

    977

      

    3,662

      

    977

      

    3,662

     

    305 thousand shares of Preferred Stock Common Stock equivalents are anti-dilutive to "Net income (loss)" before preferred dividends.

    4. Accounts Receivable Securitization

    The Company is utilizing a special purpose, fully consolidated, bankruptcy remote company (Castle SPFD, LLC) for the sole purpose of buying receivables from the parent Company and selected subsidiaries and selling an undivided interest in a base of receivables to a finance company. Castle SPFD, LLC retains an undivided interest in the pool of accounts receivable and bad debt losses are allocated first to this retained interest. The facility, which expires in December 2005, requires early amortization if the special purpose company does not maintain a required minimum equity balance or if certain ratios related to the collectibility of the receivables are not maintained. Funding under the facility is limited to the lesser of a calculated funding base or $60 million. As of JuneSeptember 30, 2004, $8.0$5.0 million of accounts receivablerec eivable were sold to the finance company and an additional $41.5$ 43.1 million could have been sold under the agreement. The amount sold to the financing company at December 31, 2003 a nd Juneand September 30, 2003 was $13.0 million and $27.7$20.0 million, respectively.

    The sale of accounts receivable is reflected as a reduction of "accounts receivable, net" in the Comparative Balance Sheets and the proceeds received are included in "net cash from operating activities" in the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows. Sales proceeds from the receivables are less than the face amount of the accounts receivable sold by an amount equal to a discount on sales as determined by the financing company. These costs are charged to "discount on sale of accounts receivable" in the Comparative Statements of Operations. The discount rate as of JuneSeptember 30, 2004 was 4.04%4.75%.


      
       



    5.  Goodwill
    Page 8 of 27

      5. Goodwill

      During the first quarter of 2004 the Company’s MetalsMetal Segment purchased the remaining 50% interest in its Mexican joint venture and the PlasticsPlastic Segment purchased the remaining 40% interest in its Paramont Machine Company subsidiary (both of these entities are now wholly owned). Based on the purchase price of these entities and the valuations required by SFAS 141 "Business Combinations"åBusiness Combinationsæ, additional net goodwill of $0.3 million was reported.

      The Company performs an annual impairment test on Goodwill and other intangible assets during the first quarter of each fiscal year. Based on the test made during the first quarter of 2004, the Company has determined that there is no impairment to the remaining goodwill balance of $31.9 million.

      The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows(in thousands):

        
       

      MetalsSegment 

       

       

      PlasticsSegment

        

      Total

       

      Balance As of December 31, 2003

       

      $

      18,670

       

      $

      12,973

       

      $

      31,643

       

      Purchases

        

      510

        

      (210

      )

       

      300

       

      Currency Valuation

        

      (18

      )

       

      ¾

        

      (18

      )

      Balance As of June 30, 2004

       

      $

      19,162

       

      $

      12,763

       

      $

      31,925

       
                 

      6. Acquisitions

        Metal Segment Plastic Segment Total 
       Balance As of December 31, 2003 18,670   $12,973   $31,643  
      Purchases  510  (210) 300 
      Currency Valuation  16    16 
      Balance As of September 30, 2004 $19,196 $12,763 $31,959 
                 


      6.  Acquisitions
      Effective January 1, 2004 the Company purchased the remaining joint venture partner's interest in Castle de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. for $1.6 million. Castle de Mexico is a distribution company, which targets a wide range of businesses within the durable goods sector throughout Mexico. The results of this entity, now a wholly owned subsidiary, have been consolidated in the Company's financial statements as of the effective date of the acquisition.

      On March 31, 2004 Total Plastics Inc. (TPI) purchased the remaining 40% interest in its Paramont Machine Company subsidiary for $0.4 million. Paramont is a manufacturer of plastic parts and components which sells to a variety of businesses basically in the Midwest. Beginning on March 31, 2004 the results of the entity were reported as a wholly owned subsidiary (the minority interest was previously eliminated from reported results). The acquisition has been reported based on a preliminaryan allocation of the purchase price.

      7. LIFO


      7.  LIFO
      Inventory determination under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of each fiscal year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO determinations, including those at JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and 2003, must necessarily be based on management’s estimates of inventory levels and costs. Since future estimates of inventory levels and costs are subject to certain forces beyond the control of management, interim financial results are subject to fiscal year-end LIFO inventory valuations.

      Current replacement cost of inventories exceeds book value by $65.1$79.6 million and $39.0$42.9 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and June 30,December 31, 2003 respectively. Taxes on income would become payable on any realization of this excess from reductions in the level of inventories.

      8. Stock Options


      8.  Stock Options
      Valuation Assumptions - As required, the Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure", for the periods ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and 2003. The following table summaries on a pro-forma basis the effects on the Company's net loss had compensation been recognized. The fair value of the options granted had been estimated using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the


        
         


      Page 9 of 27

      following assumptions: risk free interest rate of 3.1% to 4.5%, expected dividend yield of zero, option life of 10 years, and expected volatility from 30.0% to 50.0%. There were no employee options granted in the first halfthree quarters of 2004.


      Pro-Forma Income (Loss) Information

        
      For The Three
      Months Ended
      September 30
       
      For The Nine Months
      Ended
      September 30,
       
        2004 2003 2004 2003 
      Net income (loss) applicable to common stock, as reported $5,847 $(2,579)$13,670 $(13,494)
      Pro-forma effect of stock option compensation             
      under fair value based method for all awards  (474) (236) (940) (709)
      Pro-forma net income (loss) applicable to common stock $5,373 $(2,815)$12,730 $(14,203)
                    
      Basic income (loss) per share, as reported $0.37 $(0.16)$0.87 $(0.86)
                    
      Diluted income (loss) per share, as reported $0.36 $(0.16)$0.87 $(0.86)
      Pro-forma income (loss) per share:             
      Basic $0.34 $(0.18)$0.81 $(0.90)
       
      Diluted
       
      $
      0.33
       
      $
      (0.18
      )
      $
      0.81
       
      $
      (0.90
      )
          
        

      For The Three Months Ended

      June 30,

      For The Six Months Ended

      June 30,

         

      2004

       

       

      2003

       

       

      2004

       

       

      2003

       

      Net income (loss) applicable to common stock, as reported

       

      $

      5,758

       

      $

      (9,271

      )

      $

      7,823

       

      $

      10,915

      )

      Pro-forma effect of stock option compensation

         under fair value based method for all awards

        

      (233

      )

       

      (237

      )

       

      (466

      )

       

      (473

      )

      Pro-forma net income (loss) applicable to common stock

       

      $

      5,525

       

      $

      9,508

       

      $

      7,357

       

      $

      (11,388

      )

                    

      Total basic diluted income (loss) per share, as reported

       

      $

      0.36

       

      $

      (0.59

      )

      $

      0.50

       

      $

      (0.69

      )

                    

      Total diluted income (loss) per share, as reported

       

      $

      0.35

       

      $

      (0.59

      )

      $

      0.47

       

      $

      (0.69

      )

      Pro-forma income (loss) per share:

                   

      Basic

       

      $

      0.35

       

      $

      (0.60

      )

      $

      0.47

       

      $

      (0.72

      )

      Diluted

       

      $

      0.34

       

      $

      (0.60

      )

      $

      0.44

       

      $

      (0.72

      )

       

       

       

       


      9. Segment Reporting

      9.  Segment Reporting

      The Company distributes and performs first stage processing on both metalsmetal and plastics.plastic materials. Although the distribution process isprocesses are similar, different products are offered and different customers are served by each of these businesses and, therefore, they are considered segments according to SFAS No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information".

      The accounting policies of all segments are as described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Management evaluates performance of its business segments based on operating income. The Company does not maintain separate standalone financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for each of its operating segments.

      The following is the segment information for the quarters ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and 2003:

       

       

      (in millions)

        

       

      Net Sales

        

      Gross Mat’lMargin

        

      OtherOper Exp

        

      Operating Income(Loss)

       

      2004

        

       

        

       

        

       

        

       

       

      Metals Segment

       

      $

      166.1

       

      $

      49.0

       

      $

      (38.0

      )

      $

      11.0

       

      Plastics Segment

        

      22.1

        

      7.3

        

      (5.7

      )

       

      1.6

       

      Other

        

        

        

      (1.2

      )

       

      (1.2

      )

      Consolidated

       

      $

      188.2

       

      $

      56.3

       

      $

      (44.9

      )

      $

      11.4

       
                    

      2003

                   

      Metals Segment

       

      $

      117.6

       

      $

      33.1

       

      $

      (42.5

      )

      $

      (9.4

      )

      Plastics Segment

        

      16.3

        

      5.8

        

      (5.0

      )

       

      0.8

       

      Other

        

        

        

      (0.6

      )

       

      (0.6

      )

      Consolidated

       

      $

      133.9

       

      $

      38.9

       

      $

      (48.1

      )

      $

      (9.2

      )

       

        

       

        

       

        

       

        

       

       

       
       
      (in millions)
       Net Sales Gross Mat’l Margin Other Oper Exp Operating Income (Loss) 
      2004             
      Metal Segment $174.5 $49.1 $(38.9)$10.2 
      Plastic Segment  24.8  8.2  (6.0) 2.2 
      Other      (1.3) (1.3)
      Consolidated $199.3 $57.3 $(46.2)$11.1 
                    
      2003             
      Metal Segment $117.3 $32.9 $(33.5)$(0.6)
      Plastic Segment  17.6  6.1  (5.3) 0.8 
      Other      (1.3) (1.3)
      Consolidated $134.9 $39.0 $(40.1)$(1.1)
                    

      "Other" — Operating loss includes costs of executive and legal departments and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.


        
         


      Page 10 0f 27

      The following is the segment information for the six-monthsnine-months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and  2003:

       

       

      (in millions)

        

      Net Sales

        

      Gross Mat’lMargin

        

      OtherOper Exp

        

      Operating Income(Loss)

       

      2004

                   

      Metals Segment

       

      $

      320.8

       

      $

      93.3

       

      $

      (76.6

      )

      $

      16.7

       

      Plastics Segment

        

      43.0

        

      14.2

        

      (11.5

      )

       

      2.7

       

      Other

        

        

        

      (2.2

      )

       

      (2.2

      )

      Consolidated

       

      $

      363.8

       

      $

      107.5

       

      $

      (90.3

      )

      $

      17.2

       
                    

      2003

                   

      Metals Segment

       

      $

      243.2

       

      $

      70.7

       

      $

      (79.4

      )

      $

      (8.7

      )

      Plastics Segment

        

      32.4

        

      11.4

        

      (10.1

      )

       

      1.3

       

      Other

        

        

        

      (1.4

      )

       

      (7.4

      )

      Consolidated

       

      $

      275.6

       

      $

      82.1

       

      $

      (90.8

      )

      $

      (8.8

      )

       

        

       

        

       

        

       

        

       

       

       
       
      (in millions)
       Net Sales Gross Mat’l Margin Other Oper Exp Operating Income (Loss) 
      2004             
      Metal Segment $495.4 $142.4 $(115.5)$26.9 
      Plastic Segment  67.8  22.4  (17.4) 4.9 
      Other      (3.5) (3.5)
      Consolidated $563.2 $164.8 $(136.4)$28.3 
                    
      2003             
      Metal Segment $360.5 $103.6 $(112.8)$(9.2)
      Plastic Segment  50.0  17.5  (15.4) 2.1 
      Other      (2.7) (2.7)
      Consolidated $410.5 $121.1 $(130.9)$(9.8)
                    


      "Other" — Operating loss includes costs of executive and legal departments and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.

      The segment information for total assets at JuneSeptember 30, 2004, December 31, 2003 was as follows:

       

      (in thousands)

        

      June 30,

      2004

        

      December 31,

      2003

       

      Metals Segment

       

      $

      332,900

       

      $

      306,892

       

      Plastics Segment

        

      32,436

        

      31,388

       

      Other

        

      408

        

      660

       

      Consolidated

       

      $

      365,744

       

      $

      338,940

       
              


      (in thousands)
      September 30,
      2004
       
      December 31,
      2003
       
      Metal Segment$342,736 $306,892 
      Plastic Segment 46,293  31,388 
      Other 310  660 
      Consolidated$389,339 $338,940 
             

      "Other" — The segment's total assets consist solely of the Company's income tax receivable (the segments file a consolidated tax return).

      10. Asset Impairment and Special Charges


      10.  Asset Impairment and Special Charges
      After a review of certain of its under-performing operations within its metals segment, the Company initiated a major restructuring program during the second quarter of 2003. The restructuring anticipated the sale or liquidation of several under-performing and cash consuming business units, which were not strategic to the Company’s long-term strategy and were reporting operating losses and/or consuming cash. The restructuring included the closing of KSI, LLC a chrome bar plating operation; the liquidation or sale of the Company’s 50% interest in Laser Precision, a joint venture which produces laser cut parts; the sale of the operating assets of Keystone Honing Company, a subsidiary which processes and sells honed tubes; the disposal of selected pieces of equipment which interfere with more efficient use of theth e Company’s distribution facilities; and the sale of the Company’s 50 % interest in Energy Alloys, a joint venture which distributes tubul artubular goods to the oil and gas field industries.


        
         



      Page 11 of  27

      The impairment and special charges consisted of $1.5 million of inventories anticipated to be sold or liquidated in connection with the disposition of these businesses; the impairment of long-lived assets of $4.9 million based on their anticipated sale price or appraisal value; the accrual of $1.0 million of contract termination costs under operating leases associated with the sale of the businesses’ non inventory assets, which are included in "impairmentåimpairment and other operating expenses"expensesæ; and a $2.8 million impairment on the investment in the two joint ventures; which are included in "impairmentåimpairment to joint venture investment and advances."

      æ

      The following table summarizes the restructurerestructuring reserve activity:

      (in millions)

        

      December 31, 2003

      Balance

       

       

      First Half 2004

      Spending

       

       

      June 30, 2004

      Balance

       

      Lease and other contract transition costs

       

      $

      0.3

       

      $

      (0.3

      )

      $

       

      Environmental clean-up costs

        

      0.8

        

      (0.8

      )

       

       

      Legal fees on asset sales/divestiture

        

      0.1

        

      (0.1

      )

       

       

      Total

       

      $

      1.2

       

      $

      (1.2

      )

      $

       
                 

      (in millions)
       
      December 31, 2003
      Balance
       
      Nine Months 2004
      Spending
       
      Sept 30, 2004
      Balance
       
       Lease and other contract transaction costs  $0.3   $(0.3 ) $--  
      Environmental clean-up costs  0.8  (0.8)  
      Legal fees on asset sales/divestiture  0.1  (0.1)  
      Total $1.2 $(1.2)$ 
                 
      11.Pension and Post Retirement Benefits

      The following are the components of the net pension and post-retirement benefit activities for the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):


        
       
      Pension Benefits 
      Other Benefits
       
      Total Benefits
         
      2004
        
      2003
        
      2004
        
      2003
        
      2004
        
      2003
       
       
      Service cost
       
      $
      (594.2
      )
      $
      (785.8
      )
      $
      (29.0
      )
      $
      (22.6
      )
      $
      (623.2
      )
      $
      (808.4
      )
       
      Interest cost
        
      (1,448.1
      )
       
      (2,239.2
      )
       
      (38.1
      )
       
      (34.9
      )
       
      (1,486.2
      )
       
      (2,274.1
      )
       
      Expected return on plan assets
        
      2,396.7
        
      3,763.1
        
        
        
      2,396.7
        
      3,763.1
       
       
      Amortization of prior service cost
        
      (16.9
      )
       
      (26.1
      )
       
      (11.9
      )
       
      (9.5
      )
       
      (28.8
      )
       
      (35.6
      )
       
      Amortization of net (loss) gain
        
      (366.3
      )
       
      (78.6
      )
       
      2.4
        
      7.0
        
      (363.9
      )
       
      (71.6
      )
       
      Net periodic (cost) benefit
       
      $
      (28.8
      )
      $
      633.5
       
      $
      (76.6
      )
      $
      (60.0
      )
      $
      (105.4
      )
      $
      573.5
       
      The following are the components of the net pension and post-retirement benefit activities for the quarters ended Junenine months September 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):

       
      Pension Benefits

      Other Benefits

      Total Benefits

       

        

      2004

        

      2003

        

      2004

        

      2003

        

      2004

        

      2003

       

      Service cost

       

      $

      (594.2

      )

      $

      (372.1

      )

      $

      (29.0

      )

      $

      (22.6

      )

      $

      (623.2

      )

      $

      (394.7

      )

      Interest cost

        

      (1,448.1

      )

       

      (1,060.4

      )

       

      (38.1

      )

       

      (34.9

      )

       

      (1,486.2

      )

       

      (1,095.3

      )

      Expected return on plan

        

      2,396.7

        

      1,782.1

        

        

        

      2,396.7

        

      1,782.1

       

      Amortization of prior service cost

        

      (16.9

      )

       

      (12.4

      )

       

      (11.9

      )

       

      (9.5

      )

       

      (28.8

      )

       

      (21.9

      )

      Amortization of net (loss) gain

        

      (366.3

      )

       

      (37.2

      )

       

      2.4

        

      7.0

        

      (363.9

      )

       

      (30.2

      )

      Net periodic (cost) benefit

       

      $

      (28.8

      )

      $

      300.0

       

      $

      (76.6

      )

      $

      (60.0

      )

      $

      (105.4

      )

      $

      240.0

       

      The following are the components of the net pension and post-retirement benefit activities for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 (in thousands):

       

      Pension Benefits

      Other Benefits

      Total Benefits

       Pension Benefits 
       
      Other Benefits
       
      Total Benefits

       

      2004

      2003

      2004

      2003

      2004

      2003

        
      2004
        
      2003
        
      2004
        
      2003
        
      2004
        
      2003
       

      Service cost

       

      $

      (1,188.4

      )

      $

      (744.2

      )

      $

      (58.0

      )

      $

      (45.2

      )

      $

      (1246.4

      )

      $

      (789.4

      )

       
      $
      (1,782.6
      )
      $
      (1,530.0
      )
      $
      (87.0
      )
      $
      (67.8
      )
      $
      (1,869.6
      )
      $
      (1,597.8
      )

      Interest cost

        

      (2,896.2

      )

       

      (2,120.8

      )

       

      (76.2

      )

       

      (69.8

      )

       

      (2,972.4

      )

       

      (2,190.6

      )

        
      (4,344.3
      )
       
      (4,360.0
      )
       
      (114.3
      )
       
      (104.7
      )
       
      (4,458.6
      )
       
      (4,464.7
      )

      Expected return on plan

        

      4,793.4

       

      3,564.2

       

       

       

      4,793.4

       

      3,564.2

       
      Expected return on plan assets
        
      7,190.1
       
      7,327.3
       
       
       
      7,190.1
       
      7,327.3
       

      Amortization of prior service cost

        

      (33.8

      )

       

      (24.8

      )

       

      (23.8

      )

       

      (19.0

      )

       

      (57.6

      )

       

      (43.8

      )

        
      (50.7
      )
       
      (50.9
      )
       
      (35.7
      )
       
      (28.5
      )
       
      (86.4
      )
       
      (79.4
      )

      Amortization of net (loss) gain

        

      (732.6

      )

       

      (74.4

      )

       

      4.8

       

      14.0

       

      (727.8

      )

       

      (60.4

      )

        
      (1.098.9
      )
       
      (153.0
      )
       
      7.2
       
      21.0
       
      (1,091.7
      )
       
      (132.0
      )

      Net periodic (cost) benefit

       

      $

      (57.6

      )

      $

      600.0

       

      $

      (153.2

      )

      $

      (120.0

      )

      $

      (210.8

      )

      $

      480.0

        
      $
      (86.4
      )
      $
      1,233.4
       
      $
      (229.8
      )
      $
      (180.0
      )
      $
      (316.2
      )
      $
      1,053.4
       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

       

                     



        
         



      12.Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
      Page 12 of 27

      12.Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

      At JuneSeptember 30, 2004 the Company had no outstanding guarantees of $2.0 million for bank loans made to one of its unconsolidated affiliates. Also outstanding wereaffiliate. The Company had $1.8 million of irrevocable letters of credit and $0.7 million of cash deposits outstanding at quarter end to comply with the insurance reserve requirements of its workers’ compensation insurance carrier. The letter of credit is secured with a Certificate of Deposit, which is included in "AdvancesåAdvances to joint ventures and other current assets"assetsæ on the Comparative Balance Sheets.

      The Company is the defendant in several lawsuits arising out of the conduct of its business. These lawsuits are incidental and occur in the normal course of the Company’s business affairs. It is the opinion of the Company’s in-house counselmanagement that no significant uninsured liability will result from the outcome of the litigation, and thus there is no material financial exposure to the Company.



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


      Financial Review

      This discussion should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes for A. M. Castle & Co. (the "Company"åCompanyæ).


      Executive Overview

      Recent Economic Trends and Events

      Strong market and pricing trends continued throughout

      As has been the second quarter of 2004. Globalcase since late 2003, global shortages of the basic raw materials for steel making, are stretching mill lead times andcoupled with increased demand, have resulted in accelerated metal prices since the falland longer mill lead times. The Company’s metal segment represents 88% of 2003. During this same time period, economic activityits consolidated revenue base (remaining 12% is plastic). To assess demand growth trends in the durable goods manufacturing sector has surged above prior year levels, resulting in higher tonnage requirements. Thewhich our metal segment serves, management reviews the Purchaser’s Managers Index ("PMI"(åPMIæ) as provided by the Institute of Supply Managers(see Table 1 below),shows this favorable trend beginning in the third quarter of 2003 and its continuation through the second quarter of 2004. .Generally speaking, an index above 50.0 indicates growth in the manufacturing sector of theth e U.S. economy.

      As the table shows, the growth that began in the third quarter of 2003 has continued through each subsequent quarter in 2004.


      Table 1

       
      YEAR
       
      Qtr 1
       
      Qtr 2
       
      Qtr 3
       
      Qtr 4
       
      2003
       
      49.7
       
      48.9
       
      54.1
       
      60.6
      200462.562.159.8 

      YEAR

      Qtr 1

      Qtr 2

      Qtr 3

      Qtr 4

      2003

      49.7

      48.9

      54.1

      60.6

      2004

      62.5

      62.1

        

      Total tons shipped in the metalsMetal business are up 13.2%11.0% and 15.2%13.8% versus the secondthird quarter and six-monthnine-month periods of 2003, respectively. Additionally, management estimates that mill prices are up 21.9%29.5% versus the secondthird quarter of last year and 15.4%19.4% versus the corresponding six-monthnine-month period of 2003. Lines sold, a measurement of individual items handled, shipped and invoiced to customers increased .6%decreased 3.7% in the second quarter of 2004 and 5.0%are up 2.1% year-to-date compared to the corresponding periods of 2003. Lines drive the Company’s variable expenses, not tons sold or dollar sales which can be affected by product mix and pricing fluctuations. As a result ofIn summary, the Company is enjoying increased metal volume, increased metal prices, and larger order sizes structural cost base reductions (largely duein its metal segment.

      The plastic segment has also shown significant sales growth of 40.6% versus the third quarter of 2003 and 35.6% as compared to the 2003 sheddingnine-month period last year. During the third quarter of non-profitable business units2004, plastic material price increases were beginning to appear. Given the diverse product offerings and other permanent fixed cost reductions) and improved productivity, operating expenses have been heldrelated mix of suppliers, it is difficult to minimalpinpoint the impact of price increases of 6.5% and 6.3% for the second quarter and year-to-date periods, providing strong earnings leverage on incremental sales.

      in this

        
         


      segment. Management roughly estimates that third quarter plastic segment sales growth includes a price increase of less than 5.0%. This is the first quarter where price has played a role in sales growth. Most of the year-over-year growth is volume driven, including increased sales due to planned geographic expansion.
      Page 13
      In recent years prior to 2004, the Company completed a multi-faceted planned restructuring that lowered its structural cost base through the shedding of 27non-profitable business units and other permanent fixed cost reductions. Additionally, during this same timeframe, productivity enhancements were made across its operations. As a result of these difficult actions, third quarter and year-to-date incremental operating expense as a percent of incremental sales were only 9.5% and 7.5% respectively. Management believes, as a general rule of thumb, a ratio of 10% or lower represents very strong cost containment and favorable earnings leverage on incremental sales.


      Current Business Outlook

      As of this filing, there

      There are no immediateapparent signs of demand softening in either segment and, in the near-term metal availability is expected to remain tight. As a result, mill pricing will likely remain near its current levels, through the balance of 2004.2004 and likely into 2005. Plastic prices are expected to rise gradually in the next few months, but are estimated to average about 5.0% for the year. The Company’s efforts in 2003 and earlier to lower its operating cost structure along with the sale or disposal of under-performing business units, has positioned it to continue to leverage earnings favorably ason the sales increased. Incremental operating expense for the second quarter of 2004 was held to 5.0% of the $54.2 million increase in sales over the same period last year. For the six-months ended June 2004, incremental operating expense was only 6.1% of the $88.2 million additional sales versus 2003.increase. The integration of Castle’s Mexico operations generated $4.6$5.1 million of added sales in the secondthird quarter and $6.8$11.9 million year-to-date, contributing operating profit margin of 10%slightly over 10.0% for both the second quarter and year-to-date periods. The Company’s plastic subsidiary, TP ITPI (Total Plastics, Inc.) continues to report double-digit year-over-year sales and earnings growth, driven by improved demand and geographic market expansion into Florida in 2003. Unlike the metals segment, the plastic business has not experienced dramatic raw material price increases from its supplier base. In summary, the Company has enjoyed a strong first halfnine-months of 2004 in both sales and earnings performance.


      Risk Factors

      As part of its current financing agreements with its various lenders, the Company has specific principal payments required over the next few years as summarized below in Table 2(dollars in millions):


      Table 2

       
      Oct - Dec
      2004
       
      2005
       
      2006
       
      2007
      2008 and Beyond
      Required Principal
      Payments on Debt
      $0.3$11.4$16.2$16.2$56.3
        
      July – Dec
      2004 

       

       

       

      2005

       

       

       

      2006

       

       

       

      2007

       

       

      2008 andBeyond

       

      Required Principal

      Payments on Debt

       

      $

      1.8

       

      $

      11.4

       

      $

      16.2

       

      $

      16.2

       

      $

      56.3

       

      In addition, the Company’s principal source of operating cash is derived from its Accounts Receivable Securitization Agreement, which expires in December 2005.

      Despite an upswing in the manufacturing sector of the economy, there can be no guarantee as to its magnitude or duration. Additionally, the Company’s ability to continue to pass-through supplier-driven material cost increases to its customer base is also critical to meeting required debt service requirements and remaining in compliance with its debt covenants. Should the economic and market recovery turn out to be short term in length, management could pursue further options to ensure it generates enough cash to facilitate the required payments of principal as outlined in its agreements with its primary lenders. These options could include, but not necessarily be limited to, further operating costc ost reductions and organizational restructuring, further working capital improvements, deferral of non-critical capital projects, sale of assets or business units, refinancing of the Company through additional equity or debt infusions, or renegotiating



      existing loans outstanding. Management cannot guarantee tha tthat any of these options will be available if needed. None of these options are under consideration at this time, other than the ongoing analysis and review of operating expense and levels of working capital required in the business.

      All current business conditions lead management to believe itthe Company will continue to be able to generate sufficient cash from operations and planned working capital improvements, to fund its ongoing capital expenditure program and to meet its debt obligations.


      Page 14 of 27

      Results of Operations: Year-to-Year Comparisons and Commentary

      Second


      Third Quarter 2004 versus SecondThird Quarter 2003:

      Consolidated results by business segment are summarized in Table 3 for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and 2003. The table includes impairment and other restructuring related charges the Company recorded in the second quarter of 2003. Please refer to Footnote 10 within the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details on the nature of these charges.


      Table 3

      Operating Results by Segment

      (dollars in millions)

        
      Quarter Ended Sept 30
       
        
      2004
       
      2003
       
      Fav/
      (Unfav)
       
      Fav/(Unfav)% Change
       
       
      Net Sales
                   
          Metal
       $174.5 $117.3 $57.3  48.8%
          Plastic
        24.8  17.6  7.2  40.9 
          Total Net Sales
       $199.3 $134.9 $64.5  47.8%
                    
      Gross Material Margin             
          Metal
       $49.1 $32.9 $16.2  49.2%
          % of Metal Sales
        
      28.1
      %
       
      28.1
      %
       
      0.0
      %
         
          Plastic
        8.2  6.1  2.1  34.4 
          % of Plastic Sales
        
      33.1
      %
       
      34.7
      %
       
      (1.3
      )%
         
          Total Gross Material Margin
       $57.3 $39.0 $18.3  46.9%
          % of Total Sales
        
      28.7
      %
       
      28.9
      %
       
      (0.2
      )%
         
                    
      Operating Expense             
          Metal
       $(38.9)$(33.5)$(5.4) (16.1)%
          Plastic
        (6.0) (5.3) (0.7) (13.2)
          Other
        (1.3) (1.3)    
          Total Operating Expense
       $(46.2)$(40.1)$(6.1) (15.2)%
          % of Total Sales
        
      (23.2
      )%
       
      (29.7
      )%
       
      6.5
      %
         
                    
      Operating Income             
          Metal
       $10.2 $(0.6)$10.8  1800.0%
          % of Metal Sales
        
      5.8
      %
       
      (0.5
      )%
       
      6.3
      %
         
          Plastic
        2.2  0.8  1.4  175.0 
          % of Plastic Sales
        
      8.9
      %
       
      4.5
      %
       
      4.4
      %
         
          Other
        (1.3) (1.3)    
          Total Operating Income
       $11.1 $(1.1)$12.2  1109.1%
      % of Total Sales
        
      5.6
      %
       
      (0.8
      )%
       
      6.4
      %
         
       
       
      "Other" includes costs of the executive and legal departments, and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.

       

       

      Quarter Ended June 30,

      Fav/(Unfav)

       

        

      2004

        

      2003

       

      Fav/
      (Unfav)

       

      % Change

      Net Sales

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      166.1

       

      $

      117.6

       

      $48.5

       

      41.2

      %

      Plastics

        

      22.1

        

      16.3

       

      5.8

       

      35.6

       

      Total Net Sales

       

      $

      188.2

       

      $

      133.9

       

      $54.3

       

      40.6

      %

                  

      Gross Material Margin

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      49.0

       

      $

      33.1

       

      $15.9

       

      48.0

      %

      % of Metals

        

      29.5

      %

       

      28.1

      %

      1.4%

         

      Plastics

        

      7.3

        

      5.8

       

      1.5

       

      25.9

       

      % of Plastics

        

      33.1

      %

       

      35.4

      %

      (2.3)%

         

      Total Gross Material Margin

       

      $

      56.3

       

      $

      38.9

       

      $17.4

       

      44.7

      %

      % of Total

        

      29.9

      %

       

      29.1

      %

      0.8%

         
                  

      Operating Expense

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      (38.0

      )

      $

      (42.5

      )

      $4.5

       

      10.6

      %

      Plastics

        

      (5.7

      )

       

      (5.0

      )

      (0.7)

       

      (14.0

      )

      Other

        

      (1.2

      )

       

      (0.6

      )

      (0.6)

       

      (100.0

      )

      Total Operating Expense

       

      $

      (44.9

      )

      $

      (48.1

      )

      $3.2

       

      6.7

      %

      % of Total

        

      (23.9)

      %

       

      (35.9)

      %

      12.0%

         
                  

      Operating Income

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      11.0

       

      $

      (9.4

      )

      $20.4

       

      217.0

      %

      % of Metals Sales

        

      6.7

      %

       

      (8.0)

      %

      14.7%

         

      Plastics

        

      1.6

        

      0.8

       

      0.8

       

      100.0

       

      % of Plastics Sales

        

      7.2

      %

       

      4.9

      %

      2.3%

         

      Other

        

      (1.2

      )

       

      (0.6

      )

      (0.6)

       

      (100.0

      )

      Total Operating Income

       

      $

      11.4

       

      $

      (9.2

      )

      $20.6

       

      223.9

      %

      % of Total Sales

        

      6.1

      %

       

      (6.9)

      %

      13.0%

         
       

      "Other" includes costs of the executive and legal departments, and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.



        
         


      Page 15 of 27

      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin:

      Table 4 below summarizes the change in sales and gross material margin between the secondthird quarter of 2003 and the same quarter of 2004.


      Table 4

      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin Bridge 
      Quarter Ending September 30, 2004 Vs. 2003 
      (dollars in millions)
       
       
       
       
       
      Net Sales 
      Gross Material Margin
         Dollars  Percent  Dollars  Percent 
      Quarter Ended 9/30/03           
          Metal
       $117.3  58.8%$32.9 57.4%
          Plastic
        17.6  8.8% 6.1 10.7%
          Total Company
       $134.9  67.6%$39.0 68.1%
                  
      Change 3Q04 Vs. 3Q03           
          Metal
                 
                   Volume $17.6  13.1%$6.0 15.4%
                   Price  34.6  25.7% 7.0 17.9%
                   Mix/Other  (0.1) 0.0% 2.3 5.9%
                   Mexico  5.1  3.8% 0.9 2.3%
              Total Metals
       $57.2  42.4%$16.2 41.5%
          Plastic
        7.2  5.3% 2.1 5.4%
          Total Company
       $64.4  47.8%$18.3 47.1%
                  
      Quarter Ended 9/30/04           
          Metal
       $174.5  87.6%$49.1 85.7%
          Plastic
        24.8  12.4% 8.2 14.3%
          Total Company
       $199.3  100.0%$57.3 100.0%


      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin Bridge

               

      Quarter Ending June 30, 2004 Vs. 2003

               

      (dollars in millions)

                   
       
      Net Sales

      Gross Material Margin

        

      Dollars 

       

       

      Percent

       

       

      Dollars

       

       

      Percent

       

      Quarter Ended 6/30/03

                   

      Metals

       

      $

      117.6

        

      62.5

      %

      $

      33.1

        

      58.8

      %

      Plastics

        

      16.3

        

      8.7

      %

       

      5.8

        

      10.3

      %

      Total Company

       

      $

      133.9

        

      71.2

      %

      $

      38.9

        

      69.1

      %

                    

      Change 2Q04 Vs. 2Q03

                   

      Metals

                   

      Volume

       

      $

      19.2

        

      14.3

      %

      $

      5.7

        

      14.7

      %

      Price

        

      24.6

        

      18.4

      %

       

      5.0

        

      12.9

      %

      Mix/Other

        

      0.1

        

      0.1

      %

       

      2.8

        

      7.2

      %

      Mexico

        

      4.6

        

      3.4

      %

       

      0.9

        

      2.3

      %

      Impairment(2003 charge)

        

        

        

      1.5

        

      3.9

      %

      Total Metals

       

      $

      48.5

        

      36.2

      %

      $

      15.9

        

      40.9

      %

      Plastics

        

      5.8

        

      4.3

      %

       

      1.5

        

      3.9

      %

      Total Company

       

      $

      54.3

        

      40.6

      %

      $

      17.4

        

      44.7

      %

                    

      Quarter Ended 6/30/04

                   

      Metals

       

      $

      166.1

        

      88.3

      %

      $

      49.0

        

      87.0

      %

      Plastics

        

      22.1

        

      11.7

      %

       

      7.3

        

      13.0

      %

      Total Company

       

      $

      188.2

        

      100.0

      %

      $

      56.3

        

      100.0

      %


      As shown above, the primary factors increasing metals sales for the secondthird quarter of 2004 by 41.2%48.8% versus the same period last year are volume (14.3%(15.0%), mill price increase (18.4%(29.5%) and the Mexico operation which became a wholly-owned consolidated entity in January 2004 (3.4%(4.3%). As mentioned in the executive summary, improving conditions in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy and accelerated metal pricing are the primary factors contributing to the quarter-over-quarter sales increase. The PlasticsPlastic segment sales are up 35.6%40.9% versus the corresponding quarter of 2003, due largely to increased demand and planned geographic market expansion. MaterialManagement estimates that pricing increases of less than 5% occurred in this segment during the plastics segment is relatively stable.

      quarter.

      Gross material margin in the metalsMetal segment increased 41%49.4% versus the secondthird quarter of 2003. Increased volume and material cost and margin pass-through account for nearly 30%214% of this increase. The second quarterIncluded in the 2004 result is a charge of 2003 included $1.5$1.7 million resulting from a company-wide physical count of restructuring related charges (see footnote 10), not repeatedits plate inventory conducted in 2004 and theJuly. The Mexico operation contributed nearly $0.9 million of margin in the 2004 quarter. Favorable margins associated with product mix changes versus 2003 account for the balance of the total metalsMetal segment improvement. PlasticsPlastic margin improvement versus the secondthird quarter of 2003 is primarily volume related.

      related but this is the first quarter where margin reflects modest price increases.


        
         

      Page 16 of 27


      Operating Expense:

      Excluding a $5.9

      Consolidated operating expense increased 15.3% or $6.2 million impairment charge incurred in the second quarter of 2003, consolidated operating expenses increased 6.5% or $2.7 millionon substantial sales growth in the same quarter of 2004.2003. This incremental increase represents less than 5%9.5% of the $54.3$64.5 million sales increase versus prior year. Actions taken in 2003 and earlier to reduce the Company’s operating costs and enhance productivity are proving fruitfulcontinue to have a positive impact on earnings in 2004.


      Other Income and Expense, and Net Results:

      Joint venture equity earnings of $1.1$1.5 million compare favorably to a minimal loss ($44K)gain in the secondthird quarter of 2003 (prior to a $2.8 million impairment charge taken in the second quarter of 2003).2003. The Company’s sole remaining joint venture, Kreher Steel, is also experiencing increased volume and pricing dynamics similar to the Company’s own metalsMetal segment.

      Financing costs (interest expense and discount on sale of accounts receivable) decreased $0.3$0.4 million to $2.2$2.3 million in the secondthird quarter of 2004 on lower total borrowings and accounts receivable sold.

      Consolidated net income was $5.8 million or $0.36$0.37 per share (basic EPS, after preferred dividends of $0.2 million) in the secondthird quarter of 2004 versus a net loss of $9.3$2.6 million or $0.59$0.16 per share (after preferred dividends of $0.2 million) in the corresponding period of 2003. The 2003 net loss for the quarter includes $10.3 million of pre-tax impairment and restructuring related charges. These charges account for $0.40 per share of the reported second quarter 2003 loss.





      Year-to-Date 2004 versus Year-to-Date 2003:

      Consolidated results by business segment are summarized in Table 5 for the six-monthsnine-months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2004 and 2003. The table includes impairment and other restructuring related charges the Company recorded inthrough the secondthird quarter of 2003. Please refer to footnote 10 for more details on the nature of these charges.


      Table 5
      Operating Results by Segment
      (dollars in millions)
       
      Nine-Months Ended September 30
       
        
      2004
       
      2003
       
      Fav/
      (Unfav)
       
      Fav/(Unfav) % Change
       
       
      Net Sales
                   
          Metal
       $495.4 $360.5 $134.9  37.4%
          Plastic
        67.8  50.0  17.8  35.6 
          Total Net Sales
       $563.2 $410.5 $152.7  37.2%
                    
      Gross Material Margin             
          Metal
       $142.4 $103.6 $38.8  37.5%
          % of Metal Sales
        
      28.7
      %
       
      28.7
      %
       
      0.0
      %
         
          Plastic
        22.4  17.5  4.9  28.0%
          % of Plastic Sales
        
      33.0
      %
       
      35.0
      %
       
      (2.0
      )%
         
          Total Gross Material Margin
       $164.8 $121.1 $43.7  36.1%
          % of Total Sales
        
      29.3
      %
       
      29.5
      %
       
      (0.2
      )%
         
                    
      Operating Expense             
          Metal
       $(115.5)$(112.8)$(2.7) (2.4)%
          Plastic
        (17.5) (15.4) (2.1) (13.6)
          Other
        (3.5) (2.7) (0.8) (29.6)
          Total Operating Expense
       $(136.5)$(130.9)$(5.6) (4.3)%
          % of Total Sales
        
      (24.2
      )%
       
      (31.9
      )%
       
      7.7
      %
         
                    
      Operating Income             
          Metal
       $26.9 $(9.2)$36.2  389.3%
          % of Metal Sale
        
      5.4
      %
       
      (2 .6
      )%
       
      8.0
      %
         
          Plastic
        4.9  2.1  2.8  133.3 
          % of Plastic Sales
        
      7.3
      %
       
      4.2
      %
       
      3.1
      %
         
          Other
        (3.5) (2.7) (0.8) (29.6)
          Total Operating Income
       $28.3 $(9.8)$38.2  385.9%
          % of Total Sales
        
      5.0
      %
       
      (2.4
      )%
       
      7.4
      %
         
       
       
      "Other" includes costs of the executive and legal departments, and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.





        
         

      Page 17 of 27

      Table 5

      Operating Results by Segment


      (dollars in millions)

       

      Six-Months

      Ended June 30,

      Fav/(Unfav)

       

        

      2004

        

      2003

       

      Fav/

      (Unfav)

       

      %Change

       

      Net Sales

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      320.8

       

      $

      243.2

       

      $77.6

       

      31.9

      %

      Plastics

        

      43.0

        

      32.4

       

      10.6

       

      32.7

       

      Total Net Sales

       

      $

      363.8

       

      $

      275.6

       

      $88.2

       

      32.0

      %

                  

      Gross Material Margin

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      93.3

       

      $

      70.7

       

      $22.6

       

      31.9

      %

      % of Metals

        

      29.1

      %

       

      29.1

      %

      0.0%

         

      Plastics

        

      14.2

        

      11.4

       

      2.8

       

      24.6

       

      % of Plastics

        

      33.0

      %

       

      35.2

      %

      (2.2)%

         

      Total Gross Material Margin

       

      $

      107.5

       

      $

      82.1

       

      $25.4

       

      30.9

      %

      % of Total

        

      29.5

      %

       

      29.8

      %

      (0.3)%

         
                  

      Operating Expense

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      (76.6

      )

      $

      (79.4

      )

      $2.8

       

      3.5

      %

      Plastics

        

      (11.5

      )

       

      (10.1

      )

      (1.4)

       

      (13.9

      )

      Other

        

      (2.2

      )

       

      (1.4

      )

      (0.8)

       

      (57.1

      )

      Total Operating Expense

       

      $

      (90.3

      )

      $

      (90.9

      )

      $0.6

       

      0.7

      %

      % of Total

        

      (24.8)

      %

       

      (32.9)

      %

      8.1%

         
                  

      Operating Income

                 

      Metals

       

      $

      16.7

       

      $

      (8.7

      )

      $25.4

       

      291.9

      %

      % of Metals Sales

        

      5.2

      %

       

      (3.6)

      %

      8.8%

         

      Plastics

        

      2.7

        

      1.3

       

      1.4

       

      107.7

       

      % of Plastics Sales

        

      6.3

      %

       

      4.0

      %

      2.3%

         

      Other

        

      (2.2

      )

       

      (1.4

      )

      (0.8)

       

      (57.1

      )

      Total Operating Income

       

      $

      17.2

       

      $

      (8.8

      )

      $26.0

       

      295.5

      %

      % of Total Sales

        

      4.7

      %

       

      (3.2)

      %

      7.9%

         
       

      "Other" includes costs of the executive and legal departments, and other corporate activities which support both operating segments of the Company.


      Page 18 of 27

      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin:

      Table 6 below summarizes the change in sales and gross material margin between the six-monthnine-month period of 2003 and the same period of 2004.


      Table 6

          
      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin Bridge 
      Nine Months Ending September 30, 2004 Vs. 2003 
      (dollars in millions)
                   
        Net Sales Gross Material Margin
         Dollars   Percent  Dollars  Percent 
      Nine Months Ended 9/30/03             
          Metal
       $360.5  64.0%$103.6  62.9%
          Plastic
        50.0  8.9% 17.5  10.6%
          Total Company
       $410.5  72.9%$121.1  73.5%
                    
      Change YTD '04 Vs. '03             
          Metal
                   
              Volume
       $58.7  14.3%$17.9  14.8%
              Price
        70.0  17.1% 14.2  11.6%
              Mix/Other
        (5.8) -1.4% 2.7  2.2%
              Mexico
        11.9  2.9% 2.5  2.1%
              Impairment(2003 charge)
            1.5  1.2%
                  Total Metal
       $134.9  32.9%$38.8  32.0%
          Plastic
        17.8  4.3% 4.9  4.1%
          Total Company
       $152.7  37.2%$43.7  36.1%
                    
      Nine Months Ended 9/30/04             
          Metal
       $495.4  88.0%$142.4  86.4%
          Plastic
        67.8  12.0% 22.4  13.6%
          Total Company
       $563.2  100.0%$164.8  100.0%

      Net Sales and Gross Material Margin Bridge

         

      Six Months Ending June 30, 2004 Vs. 2003

               

      (dollars in millions)

                   
       

      Net Sales 

      Gross Material Margin

        

      Dollars 

        

      Percent

        

      Dollars

        

      Percent

       

      Six Months Ended 6/30/03

                   

      Metals

       

      $

      243.2

        

      66.8

      %

      $

      70.7

        

      65.8

      %

      Plastics

        

      32.4

        

      8.9

      %

       

      11.4

        

      10.6

       

      Total Company

       

      $

      275.6

        

      75.7

      %

      $

      82.1

        

      76.4

      %

                    

      Change YTD ‘04 Vs. ‘03

                   

      Metals

                   

      Volume

       

      $

      41.2

        

      14.9

      %

      $

      12.0

        

      14.6

      %

      Price

        

      35.4

        

      12.8

      %

       

      7.2

        

      8.8

      %

      Mix/Other

        

      (5.7

      )

       

      -2.1

      %

       

      0.4

        

      0.5

      %

      Mexico

        

      6.8

        

      2.5

      %

       

      1.5

        

      1.8

      %

      Impairment(2003 charge)

        

        

        

      1.5

        

      1.8

      %

      Total Metals

       

      $

      77.7

        

      28.2

      %

      $

      22.6

        

      27.5

      %

      Plastics

        

      10.6

        

      3.8

      %

       

      2.8

        

      3.4

      %

      Total Company

       

      $

      88.3

        

      32.0

      %

      $

      25.4

        

      30.9

      %

                    

      Six Months Ended 6/30/04

                   

      Metals

       

      $

      320.8

        

      88.2

      %

      $

      93.3

        

      86.8

      %

      Plastics

        

      43.0

        

      11.8

      %

       

      14.2

        

      13.2

      %

      Total Company

       

      $

      363.8

        

      100.0

      %

      $

      107.5

        

      100.0

      %

      Metals


      Metal sales for the first halfnine months of 2004 increased by 32%37.4% versus last year, primarily driven by increased volume (14.9%(14.7%), mill price increase (12.8%(19.4%) and the Mexico operation, which became a wholly-ownedwholly owned consolidated entity in January 2004 (2.5%(3.3%). As with the secondthird quarter comparisons, improving conditions in the manufacturing sector of the U.S. economy and accelerated metal pricing are contributing to the year-over-year sales increase. PlasticsPlastic segment sales are up 33%35.6% due to increased demand and planned geographic market expansion into Floridathe Southeast in late 2003.

      Gross material margin in the metals segment increased 32%37.5% versus the first halfnine months of 2003. Volume and materialMaterial cost increases combined for 28%contributed 13.5% of the year-over-year change. The Company recorded $1.5 million of restructuring related charges to remove non-productive assets (see footnote 10) in the second quarter of 2003 and2003. Included in the 2004 results is a charge of $1.7 million from the results of a company-wide physical count of its plate inventory in July. The Mexico operation contributed $1.5$2.5 million of margin in the first half of 2004. PlasticsPlastic margin improvement versus the six-monthnine-month period of 2003 is largely volume related.



        
         


      Operating Expense:

      Page 19

      Consolidated operating expenses increased 4.3% or $5.6 million in 2004, versus the same nine-months of 27

      Operating Expense:

      2003. Excluding a $5.9 million impairment charge incurred in the first half of 2003, consolidated operating expenses increased 6.3%$11.5 million, or $5.4 million in 2004.9.2%. This incremental increase represents 6%7.5% of the $88.2$152.7 million sales increase versus prior year. Actions taken in 2003 and earlier, to reduce the Company’s operating costs and enhance productivity are the primary drivers of this favorable operating leverage.


      Other Income and Expense, and Net Results:

      Year-to-date joint venture equity earnings of $1.7$3.2 million compare favorably to a minimal loss ($81K)of $2.9 million in the first halfnine months of 2003 (prior to(including a $2.8 million impairment charge taken in the second quarter of 2003). Kreher Steel is the Company’s sole remaining joint venture in 2004. Its 2004 results reflect similar market dynamics as the Company’s metalsMetal segment.

      Financing costs (interest expense and discount on sale of accounts receivable) decreased $0.4$0.8 million to $5.0$7.4 million year-to-date in the third quarter of 2004. Strong cash flow from operations has contributed to lower borrowings and accounts receivable sold (underunder the Company’s Accounts Receivable Securitization facility).

      facility.


      Consolidated year-to-date net income was $7.8$13.7 million or $0.50$0.87 per share (basic EPS, after preferred dividends of $0.5$0.7 million) versus a net loss of $10.9$13.5 million or $0.69$0.86 per share (after preferred dividends of $0.2$0.7 million) in the corresponding period of 2003. The 2003 net loss for the six-monthnine month period includes $10.3 million of pre-tax impairment and restructuring related charges. These charges account for $0.40 per share of the reported loss in the first half 2003 loss.

      nine months of 2003.


      Critical Accounting Policies:

      There have been no changes in critical accounting policies as described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.


      Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The Company’s principal internal sources of liquidity are earnings from operations and management of working capital. Additionally, the Company utilizes an Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (see Footnote 4 within the Consolidated Financial Statements for more details) as its primary external funding source for working capital needs.

      Cash flow from operating activities in the first halfnine months of 2004 was positive $12.5$16.1 million. This included a $5.0$8.0 million decrease in accounts receivable sold under the Company’s Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility due to reduced funding requirements to support the business. Excluding the impact of receivables sold under the Company’s Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, cash flow from operations was a positive $17.5$24.1 million, versus a positive $3.0$4.5 million in the same period last year.

      Working capital, excluding the current portion of long-term debt, of $100.2$105.2 million is up $8.9$13.9 million since the beginning of the year. Trade receivables of $99.7$104.1 million (including $8.0an $5.0 million ofreduction in receivables sold under the Company’s receivable securitization financing facility)facility as of September 30, 2004) are up $29.8$36.9 million since the start of 2004 (including $13.0 million or receivables sold under the financing facility at the beginning of the year) due to increased sales activity.activity and increased pricing. Days sales outstanding (DSO) declined 1.62.8 days to a level of 46.445.2 days reflecting lower past due balances outstanding as a percent of sales. Inventory at net book value of $105.2$121.3 million, including LIFO (last-in, first-out) reserves of $65.1$79.6 million is down $12.1up $4.0 million for the year. Days sales in inventory at replacement value (DSI) of 109115 days is down substantially versus the December 31, 2003 level of 145 days. Actual stock on hand in the metals segment has dropped significantly from the beginning of the year on strong shipments and metal availability has lengthened mill delivery lead times.days, although there was slight rise quarter to quarter. Trade payables of $87.3$102.9 million are up $19.7$35.3 million reflecting increased mill pricing on metal purchases in the quarter.

      purchases.

        
         

      Page 20 of 27

      Capital expenditures in the first halfnine months of 2004 were $2.4$3.4 million versus $1.7$2.2 million last year. Current year expenditures are consistent with the Company’s historical maintenance capital requirements. We expect second halftotal 2004 capital expenditures to be similar to the first six-month level.approximately $4.5 million. The Company purchased it’sits former partner’s equity interest in a Mexico joint venture for $1.6 million effective January 1, 2004.

      At JuneSeptember 30, 2004, $8.0$5.0 million of receivables were sold or utilized under the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (versus $27.7$20.0 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2003 and $13.0 million at December 31, 2003). Available funds remaining under this facility are $41.5$43.1 million at the end of the secondthird quarter of 2004.

      As of JuneSeptember 30, 2004, the Company remains in compliance with the covenants of its financial agreements, which require it to maintain certain funded debt-to-capital ratios, working capital-to-debt ratios and a minimum equity value as defined within the agreement. A summary of covenant compliance is shown below.


       
      Required

      RequiredActual

      Actual

      6/

      9/30/04

      Debt-to-Capital Ratio

      <0.55

      <.55

      .41

      0.39

      Working Capital-to-Debt Ratio

      >1.00

      >1.00

      1.39

      1.55

      Minimum Equity Value

      $105.8 Million

      $

      103.3127.7 Million

      $

      121.1 Million

      All current


      Current business conditions lead management to believe it will be able to generate sufficient cash from operations and planned working capital improvements (principally from reduced inventories), to fund its ongoing capital expenditure programs and meet its debt obligations.


      Commitments and Contingencies

      The Company is the defendant in several lawsuits arising out of the conduct of its business. These lawsuits are incidental and occur in the normal course of the Company’s business affairs. It is the opinion of the Company’s in-house counselCompany management that no significant uninsured liability will result from the outcome of the litigation, and thus there is no material financial exposure to the Company.

      Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk


      The Company is exposed to various rate and metal price risks that arise in the normal course of business. The Company finances its operations with fixed and variable rate borrowings and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility. Market risk arises from changes in variable interest rates. An increase of 1% in interest rates on the variable rate indebtedness and Accounts Receivable Securitization facility would increase the Company’s annual interest expense and discount on sale of accounts receivable by approximately $0.3 million. The Company’s raw material costs are comprised primarily of highly engineered metals and plastics. Market risk arises from changes in the price of steel, other metals and plastics. Although average selling prices generally increase or decrease as material costs increase or decrease, the impact of a change in the purchase price of materials is more immediately reflected in the Company’s cost of goods sold than in is selling price.



        
         


      Page 21 of 27

      Item 4. Controls and Procedures:


        (a)
      1. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        .

      2. Castle maintains a system of internaldisclosure controls and procedures which are designed to provide reasonable assurance that its assets and transactions are properly recorded for the preparation of financial information. The system of internal controls is monitored and tested by Castle’s internal auditor. On a quarterly basis a formal senior management review of internal audit results; systems and procedures; variance reports; safety; physical security; and legal and human resource issues is conducted.

        A review and evaluation was performedinformation required to be disclosed by the Company’s management, includingCompany in reports that it files or submits under the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO")Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and Chief Financial Officer (the "CFO"),reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

            Based on the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation ofCompany have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13s-14Rules 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by the report, are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing of this annual report. Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, were effective in ensuring that the information the Company is required to disclose in this quarterly report1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, inwithin the time period required by the rules of theperiods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Commission’s rules and forms.

        (b)
      3. Changes in Internal Controls

      There have beenControl over Financial Reporting.

      Except as disclosed below, there was no significant changeschange in the Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or in other factors that could significantlyis reasonably likely to materially affect, these controls subsequent to our last evaluation at the endCompany’s internal control over financial reporting.
          During the 3rd Quarter the Company modified its control over the valuation of plate inventory by conducting a company-wide physical inventory count and reconciliation of all plate products. As a result of the first quarter. There were no material weaknesses identifiedphysical count and reconciliation the Company recorded a $1.7 million adjustment to reduce its inventory balance in the course of such review and evaluation during the period covered by this report and, therefore,3rd Quarter.
      Furthermore, the Company took no corrective measures.

      has implemented a formal change in the design of its internal controls extending to its entire inventory which includes:
      (1) The institution of new procedures in recording and reconciliation of all product inventories.
      (2) The requirement of a minimum of one (1) physical inventory count per calendar year in all of their major facilities.
          The institution of these new controls should ensure the accuracy and timely count and reporting of its inventory.

        
         

       


      Page 22 of 27

      Part II. OTHER INFORMATION



      Item 1.Legal Proceedings

      There are no material legal proceedings other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business of the Registrant.

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

      (a)

      The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on April 22, 2004.

      (b)

      At the Annual Meeting the full Board of Directors was elected. The following are the

      individual members and voting results:


        Director

        For

        Withheld

        Abstaining

            

        Edward F. Culliton

        14,061,821

        37,530

        ¾

        William K. Hall

        14,067,255

        37,098

        ¾

        Robert S. Hamada

        13,742,282

        357,070

        ¾

        Patrick J. Herbert

        13,742,319

        357,033

        ¾

        John W. McCarter, Jr.

        13,742,281

        357,070

        ¾

        John McCartney

        14,062,255

        46,616

        ¾

        G. Thomas McKane

        14,052,736

        46,616

        ¾

        John W. Puth

        13,740,450

        358,901

        ¾

        Michael Simpson

        12,986,479

        1,112,873

        ¾


       (c)  At the Annual Meeting the Stockholders ratified and adopted:

      (1)

      The 2004 Restricted Stock, Stock Option and Equity Compensation Plan. The results of the voting were 10,144,286 for the motion; 1,704,304 against the motion; and 111,583 shares abstained.

      (2)

      Deloitte & Touche, LLP as Castle’s independent auditor for 2004. The results of the voting were – 14,030,622 shares for the motion; 49,353 shares against the motion; and 19,374 shares abstained.

      Castle incorporates by reference its proxy statement filed in connection with the annual Meeting of Stockholders with the SEC pursuant to Rule 14A.

      Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a) Exhibit 31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 by CEO

      Item 6.Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


      (a)  Exhibit 31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 by CEO
      Exhibit 31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 by CFO

      Exhibit 32.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 by CEO

      Exhibit 32.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 906 by CFO

      (b)  The Company filed a Form 8-K, dated April 5, 2004, on April 5, 2004 in connection with the Company  

             dissemination of the Company's press release of first quarter results.


      (b)  

      The Company filed a Form 8-K, dated August 3, 2004, on August 3, 2004 under Item 12 the Company dissemination of the Company’s press release of second quarter results.

      The Company filed a Form 8K, dated September 15, 2004 on September 15, 2004 reporting under Item 7.01 the Company’s dissemination of a press release relating to the outlook for the second half of year sales.

      The Company filed a Form 8K, dated September 24, 2004 on September 24, 2004 reporting under Item 5.02 the retirement of the CFO and the election of the new CFO of the Company.

      Page 23 of 27SIGNATURES

      SIGNATURES



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



      A. M. Castle & Co.

      Co

      (Registrant)




      Date: July 30, 2004

      November 5, 2004
      By: /s/ Larry
      /s/ Lawrence A. Boik

       

      Larry

      Lawrence A. Boik

       

      Vice President – Controller & Treasurer

      and Chief Financial Officer

      (Mr. Boik is the Chief Accounting Officer and has been authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.)


        
         


      Page 24 of 27

      Exhibit 31.1



      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

      SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


      I, G. Thomas McKane, certify that:

      1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. M. Castle & Co.;
      2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report:
      3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
      4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
        1. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cause such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
        2. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
        3. Disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
      5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
        1. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
        2. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

      1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. M. Castle & Co.;
      2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report:
      3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
      4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
      a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cause such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
      b)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
      c)  Disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
      5.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
      a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

      Date:July 30, 2004

          b)  

      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a sisignificant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



      Date:
      November 5, 2004
      By:
      /s/ G. Thomas McKane

       

      G. Thomas McKane

       

      President and Chief Executive Officer





        
         


      Page 25 of 27

      Exhibit 31.2

      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

      SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

      I, Edward F. Culliton,Lawrence A. Boik, certify that:

      1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. M. Castle & Co.;
      2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report:
      3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
      4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
        1. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cause such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
        2. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
        3. Disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
      5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
        1. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
        2. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

      Date:July 30, 2004

      1.  

      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of A. M. Castle & Co.;

      2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report:
      3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
      4.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) for the registrant and have:
      a)  Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or cause such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
      b)  Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
      c)  Disclosed in this report any changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
      5.  The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
      a)  All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
          b)  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a sisignificant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

      Date:
      November 5, 2004
      By:
      /s/ Edward F. Culliton

      Lawrence A. Boik
       

      Edward F. Culliton

      Lawrence A. Boik
       

      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




        
         


      Page 26 of 27

      Exhibit 32.1




      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

      18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

      SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


      In connection with the Quarterly Report of A. M. Castle & Co. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period endedMarchendedMarch 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, G. Thomas McKane, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


      (1)

      The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


      (2)

      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.




      By:
      /s/ G. Thomas McKane

      G. Thomas McKane

      President and Chief Executive Officer

      July 30,

      November 5, 2004



        
         


      Page 27 of 27

      Exhibit 32.2




      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

      18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

      AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

      SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


      In connection with the Quarterly Report of A. M. Castle & Co. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Edward F. Culliton,Lawrence A. Boik, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:


      (1)

      The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and


      (2)

      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company.



      By:
      /s/ Edward F. Culliton

      Lawrence A. Boik

      Edward F. Culliton

      Lawrence A. Boik

      Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

      July 30,

      November 5, 2004