Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
(Mark One)
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the quarterly period ended March 31,September 30, 2017
OR
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
for the transition period from              to             
 
Commission file number: 1-13888
 
graftechinternationala03.jpg
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware27-2496053
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
 
Suite 300 Park Center I982 Keynote Circle44131
6100 Oak Tree BoulevardBrooklyn Heights, OH(Zip code)
Independence, OH
(Address of principal executive offices) 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (216) 676-2000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  o    No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer o
Emerging Growth Company  o
Non-Accelerated Filer o
Smaller Reporting Company  o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a)of the Exchange Act. o
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of April 15,October 14, 2017, 100 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.
(Explanatory Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer and not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Although not subject to these filing requirements, the registrant has filed all reports that would have been required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months had the registrant been subject to such requirements.)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: 
  
Item 1. Financial Statements 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
Unuaudited
As of December 31, 2016 As of
March 31,
2017
As of December 31, 2016 As of
September 30,
2017
ASSETS      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$11,610
 $18,481
$11,610
 $16,376
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$326 as of December 31, 2016 and $365 as of March 31, 2017
80,568
 74,659
Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$326 as of December 31, 2016 and $387 as of September 30, 2017
80,568
 80,132
Inventories156,111
 159,393
156,111
 164,568
Prepaid expenses and other current assets21,665
 22,436
21,665
 19,978
Current assets of discontinued operations60,979
 53,812
60,979
 15,375
Total current assets330,933
 328,781
330,933
 296,429
Property, plant and equipment585,704
 594,394
585,704
 627,582
Less: accumulated depreciation76,849
 89,589
76,849
 118,118
Net property, plant and equipment508,855
 504,805
508,855
 509,464
Deferred income taxes19,803
 20,315
19,803
 19,220
Goodwill171,117
 171,117
171,117
 171,117
Other assets141,568
 138,609
141,568
 123,778
Total assets$1,172,276
 $1,163,627
$1,172,276
 $1,120,008
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable$47,663
 $44,718
$47,663
 $58,376
Short-term debt8,852
 10,356
8,852
 13,282
Accrued income and other taxes5,256
 5,909
5,256
 8,131
Other accrued liabilities30,594
 33,717
30,594
 34,027
Current liabilities of discontinued operations20,042
 17,316
20,042
 11,957
Total current liabilities112,407
 112,016
112,407
 125,773
Long-term debt356,580
 369,246
356,580
 320,430
Other long-term obligations82,148
 81,168
82,148
 78,976
Deferred income taxes42,906
 44,276
42,906
 43,368
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations850
 1,040
850
 581
Contingencies – Note 9
 

 
Stockholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock, par value $.01, 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued
 
Common stock, par value $.01, 225,000,000 shares authorized,
100 shares issued as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017

 
Common stock, par value $.01, 1,000 shares authorized, 100 shares
issued as of December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2017

 
Additional paid-in capital854,337
 854,337
854,337
 854,337
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(7,558) (2,718)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income(7,558) 13,583
Accumulated deficit(269,394) (295,738)(269,394) (317,040)
Total stockholders’ equity577,385
 555,881
577,385
 550,880
      
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,172,276
 $1,163,627
$1,172,276
 $1,120,008
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSSINCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three
Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine
Months Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172016 2017 2016 2017
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS          
Net sales$95,576
 $104,739
$111,590
 $137,245
 $322,530
 $358,298
Cost of sales97,014
 102,357
113,602
 120,420
 331,297
 329,200
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
11,537
 1,297
4,898
 264
 19,523
 1,773
Gross (loss) profit(12,975) 1,085
(6,910) 16,561
 (28,290) 27,325
Research and development651
 829
526
 1,338
 1,964
 3,110
Selling and administrative expenses13,794
 11,683
12,215
 13,322
 39,430
 37,200
Operating loss(27,420) (11,427)
Operating (loss) profit(19,651) 1,901
 (69,684) (12,985)
          
Other expense (income), net237
 3,067
Other (income) expense, net(567) (643) (1,528) 3,610
Interest expense6,460
 7,546
6,964
 7,792
 19,860
 23,240
Interest income(12) (123)(158) (58) (169) (320)
Loss from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes
(34,105) (21,917)(25,890) (5,190) (87,847) (39,515)
          
(Benefit from) Provision for income taxes(295) 361
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes(1,789) 1,963
 (7,675) 3,249
Net loss from continuing operations(33,810) (22,278)(24,101) (7,153) (80,172) (42,764)
          
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax *(2,565) (4,066)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax1,134
 3,234
 (107,568) (4,882)
          
Net loss$(36,375) $(26,344)$(22,967) $(3,919) $(187,740) $(47,646)
          
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS   
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)      
Net loss$(36,375) $(26,344)$(22,967) $(3,919) $(187,740) $(47,646)
Other comprehensive loss:   
Other comprehensive (loss) income:       
Foreign currency translation adjustments12,504
 4,840
2,300
 7,546
 13,974
 21,141
Commodities and foreign currency derivatives and other133
 
118
 
 145
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:12,637
 4,840
2,418
 7,546
 14,119
 21,141
Comprehensive loss$(23,738) $(21,504)
Comprehensive (loss) income$(20,549) $3,627
 $(173,621) $(26,505)

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands, unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
Cash flow from operating activities:      
Net loss$(36,375) $(26,344)$(187,740) $(47,646)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
cash provided by operations:
      
Depreciation and amortization19,458
 17,309
62,775
 50,982
Impairments
 2,500
105,623
 5,300
Gain on sale of assets
 (3,676)
Change in inventory lower-of-cost-or-market reserve
net of depreciation
9,962
 (1,282)6,000
 (1,578)
Deferred income tax provision(485) (761)(11,738) (3,049)
Post-retirement and pension plan changes1,046
 739
3,164
 2,226
Interest expense1,576
 1,686
4,872
 5,089
Other charges, net(750) 2,048
(2,042) 4,877
Net change in working capital*16,523
 8,646
54,005
 22,197
Change in long-term assets and liabilities(1,231) (2,724)(6,188) (1,141)
Net cash provided by operating activities9,724
 1,817
28,731
 33,581
Cash flow from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures(8,414) (7,996)(22,257) (23,028)
Proceeds from the sale of assets404
 368
685
 4,038
Proceeds from divestitures
 26,818
Other(253) 
(1,171) 
Net cash used in investing activities(8,263) (7,628)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(22,743) 7,828
Cash flow from financing activities:      
Short-term debt, net5,001
 (498)503
 5,945
Revolving Facility borrowings19,000
 13,000
40,000
 35,000
Revolving Facility reductions(23,000) 
(41,000) (77,755)
Revolving Facility refinancing fees(922) 
Principal payments on long-term debt(34) (36)(104) (107)
Net cash provided by financing activities967
 12,466
Net cash used in financing activities(1,523) (36,917)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents2,428
 6,655
4,465
 4,492
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents477
 216
755
 274
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period6,927
 11,610
6,927
 11,610
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$9,832
 $18,481
$12,147
 $16,376
* Net change in working capital due to the following components:      
Accounts and notes receivable, net$14,249
 $5,798
$9,685
 $1,961
Inventories4,871
 2,718
41,399
 8,588
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(2,873) (758)(1,170) (187)
Change in accounts payable and accruals(4,586) (3,927)(770) 7,135
Increase in interest payable4,862
 4,815
4,861
 4,700
Net change in working capital$16,523
 $8,646
$54,005
 $22,197

Note: The Statements of Cash Flows include both continuing and discontinued operations


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)



(1)Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Organization
GrafTech International Ltd. (the "Company") is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and providers of high quality graphite electrodes and needle coke. References herein to “GTI,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer collectively to GrafTech International Ltd. and its subsidiaries. On August 15, 2015, GrafTechGTI became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. ("Brookfield") through a tender offer to our former shareholders and subsequent merger transaction.
The Company's only reportable segment, Industrial Materials, is comprised of our two major product categories: graphite electrodes and needle coke products. Needle coke is the key raw material to producing graphite electrodes. The Industrial Materials business segment focuses on providing the highest quality graphite electrodes and providing the best customer service all while striving to be the lowest cost producer.
We previously operated an Engineered Solutions business segment which is currently held for sale.segment. See Note 2 "Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale" for further information. All results from the Engineered Solutions business have been excluded from continuing operations, unless otherwise indicated.
B. Basis of Presentation
The interim Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The December 31, 2016 financial position data included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “Annual Report”) but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP in audited financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes, contained in the Annual Report.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (all of which are of a normal, recurring nature) which management considers necessary for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
C. New Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605—Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. This ASU requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU was expected to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we completed the initial evaluation of the new standard and the related assessment and review of a representative sample of existing revenue contracts with our customers. We determined, on a preliminary basis, that although the timing and pattern of revenue recognition may change, the amount of revenue recognized during the year should remain substantially the same. We intend to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective method. We have begun an initiative to offer three to five year supply contracts to our strategic customers. ASU No. 2014-09 could have a material impact on the way in which we would recognize revenue under these contracts. We will continue to evaluate revenue recognition of these contracts as they are entered into.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under this new guidance, a company will now recognize most leases on its balance sheet as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes the second step of the goodwill impairment test, which requires that a hypothetical purchase price allocation be performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any. Under this new guidance, a goodwill impairment charge will be based on the amount by which
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its results of operations.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This standard requires an entity to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net (benefit) cost including our annual mark-to-market re-measurement, will be required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its results of operations. The components of the net (benefit) cost are shown in Note 4, "Benefit Plans."
(2)Discontinued Operations and Related Assets Held for Sale
On February 26, 2016, the Company announced that it had initiated a strategic review of its Engineered Solutions business segment to better direct its resources and simplify its operations. Any potential sale of assets was prohibited by the Revolving Facility without approval of the requisite lenders thereunder. On April 27, 2016, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the Revolving Facility (see Note 6 "Debt and Liquidity") which, among other things, permits the sale of assets with the restriction that the proceeds be utilized to pay down revolver borrowings. As of June 30, 2016, the Engineered Solutions segment qualified for reporting as discontinued operations as its divestiture represents a strategic shift for the Company.
During the second quarter of 2016, we evaluated the fair value of the Engineered Solutions business segment utilizing the market approach (Level 3 measure). As a result, we incurred an impairment charge to our Engineered Solutions business segment of $105.6$120 million to align the carrying value with estimated fair value. The analysis was updated as of December 31, 2016, resulting in an additional impairment charge of $14.3 million. DuringWe continued to update this estimate and during the first quarter ofnine months ended September 30, 2017, we further reduced the estimated fair value by $2.5$5.3 million based upon current information. The current estimate reflects Management’s view of the manner in which the Engineered Solutions business will be divested, including  assumptions as to if and how it will be split, given the lines of business and asset groups that constitute the Engineered Solutions segment. Amongst other things, the split into groups influences the computation of the impairment charge.These assumptions and estimates are subject to change until divestiture is completed and may be adjusted in the quarter that the information becomes available.
On November 30, 2016, we completed the sale of our Fiber Materials Inc. business, which was a business line within our former Engineered Solutions business. The sale resulted in cash proceeds of $15.9 million and a loss of $0.2 million. We have the ability to realize up to $8.5 million of additional proceeds based on the earnings of the Fiber Materials business over the 24 months following the transaction. We have elected to record this contingent consideration as it is realized and as such, it is not recognized thus far on the transaction.
On July 3, 2017 we completed the sale of our Advanced Energy Technologies (AET) business. AET was a product line within our Engineered Solutions business which had been classified as held for sale since the second quarter of 2016. The sale resulted in cash proceeds of $28.5 million.
On September 30, 2017, we completed the sale of the majority of the U.S. assets of our GrafTech Advanced Graphite Materials (GAGM) business, which was a component of our Engineered Solutions business. The sale of the Italian GAGM assets closed on October 5, 2017. In the jurisdictions where the GAGM assets were not acquired, we initiated the wind-down of the business which we expect to be substantially completed by year-end. The sale was structured as a non-cash transaction with the buyer assuming certain liabilities associated with the assets acquired. In addition, GrafTech retained certain current assets of GAGM, mostly receivables, which will be substantially realized in the course of the 4th quarter of 2017. As such, the disposition of the GAGM assets did not result in any cash proceeds in the third quarter of 2017.
As a result of the sales described above, we recorded a gain of $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2017. The disposition of the Engineered Solutions business is now substantially complete, with only the wind-down in the fourth quarter of 2017 remaining.
In accordance with our Credit Facility, all cash proceeds from these sales were used to pay down our Revolving Facility and Term Loan.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The following tables summarize the results of the Engineered Solutions business segment, reclassified as discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2017.
 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
  
Net sales$29,089
 $31,765
Cost of sales25,985
 28,412
    Gross profit3,104
 3,353
Research and development878
 570
Selling and administrative expenses4,455
 3,693
Impairment
 2,500
    Operating loss(2,229) (3,410)
Other expense9
 32
Interest expense719
 607
Loss from discontinued operations
    before income taxes
(2,957) (4,049)
Provision for (benefit from) income
    taxes on discontinued operations
392
 (17)
Loss from discontinued operations$(2,565) $(4,066)
 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 2016 2017 2016 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
        
Net sales$30,165
 $14,528
 $89,184
 $78,721
Cost of sales23,497
 14,574
 74,051
 71,596
    Gross profit (loss)6,668
 (46) 15,133
 7,125
Research and development707
 106
 2,398
 1,387
Selling and administrative expenses3,983
 3,561
 13,474
 11,360
Gain on sale of assets
 (3,676) 
 (3,676)
Impairments
 
 105,623
 5,300
    Operating income (loss)1,978
 (37) (106,362) (7,246)
Other income(3) (56) (75) (71)
Interest expense783
 
 2,452
 1,131
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    before income taxes
1,198
 19
 (108,739) (8,306)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    on discontinued operations
64
 (3,215) (1,171) (3,424)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations$1,134
 $3,234
 $(107,568) $(4,882)
The significant components of our Statements of Cash Flows for the Engineered Solutions business segment held for sale are as follows:
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2016 2017
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017(Dollars in thousands)
      
Depreciation and amortization$1,947
 $1,768
$3,849
 $2,418
Impairment
 2,500
105,623
 5,300
Gain on sale of assets
 (3,676)
Inventory(217) 13,804
Deferred income taxes(393) 17
(1,172) (3,068)
Capital expenditures715
 228
3,621
 528
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017.
As of
December 31, 2016
 
As of
March 31, 2017
As of
December 31, 2016
 As of
September 30, 2017
(dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Assets of discontinued operations:      
Accounts receivable$17,094
 $18,899
$17,094
 $10,004
Inventories71,816
 66,209
71,816
 8,092
Prepaid expenses and other current assets320
 548
320
 2,173
Net property plant and equipment79,048
 78,699
79,048
 8,892
Other assets12,608
 11,864
12,608
 746
Total assets of discontinued operations prior to impairment180,886
 176,219
180,886
 29,907
      
Impairment(119,907) (122,407)(119,907) (14,532)
      
Total assets of discontinued operations$60,979
 $53,812
$60,979
 $15,375
      
Liabilities of discontinued operations:      
Accounts payable$7,253
 $7,316
$7,253
 $1,270
Accrued income and other taxes2,326
 1,834
2,326
 238
Other accrued liabilities10,463
 8,166
10,463
 10,449
Total current liabilities of discontinued operations20,042
 17,316
20,042
 11,957
      
Other long-term obligations850
 1,040
850
 581
      
Total liabilities of discontinued operations$20,892
 $18,356
$20,892
 $12,538
(3)Segment Reporting

We previously operated two reportable business segments, Industrial Materials and Engineered Solutions. During 2016 the Company decided to sell the businesses that comprised our Engineered Solutions segment to focus on our Industrial Materials segment. During the second quarter of 2016 the Engineered Solutions segment qualified as held for sale status and as such the related results have been excluded from continuing operations. See Note 2 "Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale" for significant components of the results of our Engineered Solutions segment.
Our Industrial Materials segment manufactures and delivers high quality graphite electrodes and needle coke products. Electrodes are key components of the conductive power systems used to produce steel and other non-ferrous metals. Needle coke, a crystalline form of carbon derived from decant oil, is the key ingredient in, and is used primarily in, the production of graphite electrodes.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Information concerning our reportable segment is as follows:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172016 2017 2016 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Net sales to external customers:          
Industrial Materials$95,576
 $104,739
$111,590
 $137,245
 $322,530
 $358,298
          
Operating (loss) income:          
Industrial Materials(20,247) (6,398)(14,238) 8,308
 (50,776) 4,218
Corporate, R&D and Other expenses(7,173) (5,029)(5,413) (6,407) (18,908) (17,203)
Total operating loss$(27,420) $(11,427)
Total operating (loss) income$(19,651) $1,901
 $(69,684) $(12,985)
          
Reconciliation of segment operating loss to
loss before provision for income taxes
          
Other expense (income), net$237
 $3,067
$(567) $(643) $(1,528) $3,610
Interest expense6,460
 7,546
6,964
 7,792
 19,860
 23,240
Interest income(12) (123)(158) (58) (169) (320)
Loss from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes
$(34,105) $(21,917)$(25,890) $(5,190) $(87,847) $(39,515)
(4)Benefit Plans
The components of our consolidated net pension costs are set forth in the following table:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172016 2017 2016 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost$508
 $496
$506
 $496
 $1,517
 $1,487
Interest cost1,498
 1,385
1,498
 1,385
 4,494
 4,154
Expected return on plan assets(1,310) (1,389)(1,307) (1,389) (3,922) (4,166)
Net cost$696
 $492
$697
 $492
 $2,089
 $1,475
The components of our consolidated net postretirement costs are set forth in the following table: 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172016 2017 2016 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Service cost$1
 $1
$1
 $1
 $3
 $1
Interest cost272
 241
272
 241
 815
 724
Net cost$273
 $242
$273
 $242
 $818
 $725
(5)Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We are required to review goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets annually for impairment. Goodwill impairment is tested at the graphite electrodes reporting unit level (for example, graphite electrodes, needle coke, etc.) on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
The following tables representsrepresent the changes in the carrying value of goodwill and intangibles during threefor the nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017:
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Goodwill
Balance as of December 31, 2016$171,117
$171,117
Adjustments

Balance as of March 31, 2017$171,117
Balance as of September 30, 2017$171,117
Intangible Assets
As of December 31, 2016 As of March 31, 2017As of December 31, 2016 As of September 30, 2017
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization & Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization & Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated
Amortization & Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization & Impairment
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
(Dollars in Thousands)(Dollars in Thousands)
Trade name$22,500
 $(3,235) $19,265
 $22,500
 $(3,811) $18,689
$22,500
 $(3,235) $19,265
 $22,500
 $(4,954) $17,546
Technological know-how55,300
 (10,397) 44,903
 55,300
 (12,173) 43,127
55,300
 (10,397) 44,903
 55,300
 (15,646) 39,654
Customer –related
intangible
64,500
 (6,177) 58,323
 64,500
 (7,295) 57,205
64,500
 (6,177) 58,323
 64,500
 (9,527) 54,973
Total finite-lived
intangible assets
$142,300
 $(19,809) $122,491
 $142,300
 $(23,279) $119,021
$142,300
 $(19,809) $122,491
 $142,300
 $(30,127) $112,173
Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets was $3.5 millionand $10.7 million in the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016and $3.4 million and $10.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. Estimated amortization expense will approximate $10.1$3.3 million in the remainder of 2017, $12.9 million in 2018, $12.2 million in 2019, $11.4 million in 2020 and $10.7 million in 2021.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


(6)Debt and Liquidity
The following table presents our long-term debt: 
As of
December 31, 2016
 As of
March 31, 2017
As of
December 31, 2016
 As of
September 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Credit Facility (Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility)$90,731
 $103,331
$90,731
 $54,076
Senior Notes274,132
 275,732
274,132
 278,959
Other Debt569
 539
569
 677
Total Debt365,432
 379,602
365,432
 333,712
Less: Short-term Debt(8,852) (10,356)(8,852) (13,282)
Long-term Debt$356,580
 $369,246
$356,580
 $320,430
The fair value of debt, which was determined using Level 2 inputs, was $356.5$347.4 million versus a book value of $379.6$333.7 million as of March 31,September 30, 2017. As a result of our acquisition by Brookfield and the resulting purchase price accounting adjustments, our Senior Notes were adjusted to their fair market value as of August 15, 2015. The discount to fair value will be accreted over the remaining term of the Notes.
Credit Facility
On April 23, 2014, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with a borrowing capacity of $400 million and a maturity date of April 2019 (the "Revolving Facility"). On February 27, 2015, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a further Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that provides for, among other things, greater financial flexibility and a $40 million senior secured delayed draw term loan facility (the "Term Loan Facility").
On July 28, 2015, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to change the terms regarding the occurrence of a default upon a change in control (which is defined thereunder to include the acquisition by any person of more than 25 percent of GrafTech’s outstanding shares) to exclude the acquisition of shares by Brookfield.  In addition, effective upon such acquisition, the financial
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


covenants were eased, resulting in increased availability under the Revolving Facility. The size of the Revolving Facility was also reduced from $400 million to $375 million. The size of the Term Loan Facility remained at $40 million.
On April 27, 2016, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the Revolving Facility. The size of the Revolving Facility was permanently reduced from $375 million to $225 million. New covenants were also added to the Revolving Facility, including a requirement to make mandatory repayments of outstanding amounts under the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility with the proceeds of any sale of all or any substantial part of the assets included in the Engineered Solutions segment and a requirement to maintain minimum liquidity (consisting of domestic cash, cash equivalents and availability under the Revolving Facility) in excess of $25 million. The covenants were also modified to provide for: the elimination of certain exceptions to the Company’s negative covenants limiting the Company’s ability to make certain investments, sell assets, make restricted payments, incur liens, incur debt and incur debt;prepay or redeem other indebtedness; a restriction on the amount of cash and cash equivalents permitted to be held on the balance sheet at any one time without paying down the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility; and changes to the Company’s financial covenants so that until the earlier of March 31, 2019 or the Company has $75 million in trailing twelve month EBITDA (as defined in the Revolving Facility), the Company is required to maintain trailing twelve month EBITDA above certain minimums ranging from ($40 million) to $35 million after which the Company’s existing financial covenants under the Revolving Facility will apply.
With this amendment, the Company has full access to the $225 million Revolving Facility, subject to the $25 million minimum liquidity requirement. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, the Company had $73.8$35.3 million of borrowings on the Revolving Facility and $13.8$11.6 million of letters of credit drawn against the Revolving Facility.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The $40 million Term Loan Facility was fully drawn on August 11, 2015, in connection with the repayment of the Senior Subordinated Notes. The balance of the Term Loan Facility was $29.5$18.8 million as of March 31,September 30, 2017.
The interest rate applicable to the Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility is LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 4.75% (depending on our total senior secured leverage ratio). The borrowers pay a per annum fee ranging from 0.35% to 0.70% (depending on our senior secured leverage ratio) on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Facility.
Senior Notes
On November 20, 2012, the Company issued $300 million principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are the Company's senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with all of the Company's existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company's existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee certain other indebtedness of the Company or another guarantor.
 
The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2020.
 
The Company is entitled to redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time on or after November 15, 2016, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture. In addition, prior to November 15, 2016, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a “make whole” premium determined as set forth in the indenture.

The indenture for the Senior Notes states that if, prior to maturity, a change in control (as defined in the indenture) of the Company occurs and thereafter certain downgrades of the ratings of the Senior Notes as specified in the indenture occur, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase any or all of the Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. On August 17, 2015, a change in control occurred due to the Merger. However, the downgrade of the ratings of the Senior Notes, as specified in the indenture, did not occur. Therefore, the Company was not required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes as a result of the Merger.

The indenture for the Senior Notes also contains covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) create liens or use assets as security in other transactions; (ii) engage in certain sale/leaseback transactions; and (iii) merge, consolidate or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of their assets.

PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


The indenture for the Senior Notes also contains customary events of default, including (i) failure to pay principal or interest on the Senior Notes when due and payable, (ii) failure to comply with covenants or agreements in the indenture or the Senior Notes which failures are not cured or waived as provided in the indenture, (iii) failure to pay indebtedness of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or Significant Subsidiary (each, as defined in the indenture) within any applicable grace period after maturity or acceleration and the total amount of such indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $50.0 million, (iv) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization, (v) failure to pay any judgment or decree for an amount in excess of $50.0 million against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary that is not discharged, waived or stayed as provided in the indenture, (vi) cessation of any Subsidiary Guarantee (as defined in the indenture) to be in full force and effect or denial or disaffirmance by any subsidiary guarantor of its obligations under its subsidiary guarantee, and (vii) a default under the Company's Senior Subordinated Notes. In the case of an event of default, the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest may be accelerated.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


(7)Inventories
Inventories are comprised of the following: 
As of
December 31, 2016
 
As of
March 31, 2017
As of
December 31, 2016
 As of
September 30, 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Inventories:      
Raw materials and supplies$54,469
 $51,037
$54,469
 $55,492
Work in process52,379
 60,979
52,379
 65,349
Finished goods49,263
 47,377
49,263
 43,727
Total$156,111
 $159,393
$156,111
 $164,568
Due to decreased pricing in our graphite electrode product line, weWe recorded a lower of cost or market inventory adjustmentadjustments of $11.5$19.5 million and $1.3$1.8 million in the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017, respectively. The decrease is attributable to the reduction in product costs and increases in prices.
(8) Interest Expense
The following tables present the components of interest expense: 
For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 20172016 2017 2016 2017
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Interest incurred on debt$4,897
 $5,870
$5,306
 $6,097
 $15,020
 $18,183
Accretion of fair value adjustment on
Senior Notes
1,563
 1,599
1,581
 1,618
 4,715
 4,826
Amortization of debt issuance costs
 77
77
 77
 125
 231
Total interest expense$6,460
 $7,546
$6,964
 $7,792
 $19,860
 $23,240
Interest Rates
The Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility had an effective interest rate of 5.52% and 5.74%5.99% as of December 31, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017, respectively. The Senior Notes have a fixed interest rate of 6.375%
(9)Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various investigations, lawsuits, claims, demands, environmental compliance programs and other legal proceedings arising out of or incidental to the conduct of our business. While it is not possible to
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


determine the ultimate disposition of each of these matters, we do not believe that their ultimate disposition will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Litigation has been pending in Brazil brought by employees seeking to recover additional amounts under certain wage increase provisions applicable in 1989 and 1990 under collective bargaining agreements to which employers in the Bahia region of Brazil were a party (including our subsidiary in Brazil), plus interest thereon. Prior to October 1, 2015, we were not party to such litigation. Companies in Brazil have recently settled claims arising out of these provisions and, in May 2015, the litigation was remanded, in favor of the employees, by the Brazil Supreme Court to the lower courts for further proceedings which included procedural aspects of the case, such as admissibility of instruments filed by the parties. We cannot predict the outcome of such litigation. On October 1, 2015, an action was filed by current and former employees against our subsidiary in Brazil to recover amounts under such provisions, plus interest thereon, which amounts together with interest could be material to us. In the 1st quarter 2017, this case
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


was ruled in favor of the employees at the state court level. The Company has appealed and intends to appeal and to continue vigorously defending against it.defend itself. The claims specify neither the employees covered nor the amount of damages sought, therefore a range of potential losses cannot be estimated.
Product Warranties
We generally sell products with a limited warranty. We accrue for known warranty claims if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. We also accrue for estimated warranty claims incurred based on a historical claims charge analysis. Claims accrued but not yet paid and the related activity within the accrual for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017, are presented below: 
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2016$969
$969
Product warranty adjustments(210)
Accruals and Payments(394)(290)
Balance as of March 31, 2017$575
Balance as of September 30, 2017$469
(10)Income Taxes
We compute and apply to ordinary income an estimated annual effective tax rate on a quarterly basis based on current and forecasted business levels and activities, including the mix of domestic and foreign results and enacted tax laws. The estimated annual effective tax rate is updated quarterly based on actual results and updated operating forecasts. Ordinary income refers to income (loss) before income tax expense excluding significant, unusual, or infrequently occurring items. The tax effect of an unusual or infrequently occurring item is recorded in the interim period in which it occurs as a discrete item of tax.
The following tables summarize the provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017:
For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
2016 2017 2016 2017
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017(Dollars in thousands)
      
Tax (benefit) expense$(295) $361
$(1,789) $1,963
 $(7,675) $3,249
Pretax loss(34,105) (21,917)(25,890) (5,190) (87,847) (39,515)
Effective tax rates0.9% (1.6)%6.9% (37.8)% 8.7% (8.2)%
   
For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2017 the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to recent losses in the U.S. and Switzerland where we receive no tax benefit due to a full valuation allowance and worldwide earnings from various countries taxtaxed at different rates. The recognition of the valuation allowance does not result in or limit the Company's ability to utilize these tax assets in the future.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


As of March 31,September 30, 2017, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.3$2.6 million, $3.0$2.3 million of which, if recognized, would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. All U.S. federal tax years prior to 20132014 are generally closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the applicable domestic tax authorities. All other jurisdictions are still open to examination beginning after 2010.

We continue to assess the realization of our deferred tax assets based on determinations of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Examples of positive evidence would include a strong earnings history, an event or events that would increase our taxable income through a continued reduction of expenses, and tax planning strategies that would indicate an ability to realize deferred tax assets. In circumstances where the significant positive evidence does not outweigh
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required, we have established and maintained valuation allowances on those net deferred tax assets.
(11)Derivative Instruments
We use derivative instruments as part of our overall foreign currency and commodity risk management strategies to manage the risk of exchange rate movements that would reduce the value of our foreign cash flows and to minimize commodity price volatility. Foreign currency exchange rate movements create a degree of risk by affecting the value of sales made and costs incurred in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Certain of our derivative contracts contain provisions that require us to provide collateral. Since the counterparties to these financial instruments are large commercial banks and similar financial institutions, we do not believe that we are exposed to material counterparty credit risk. We do not anticipate nonperformance by any of the counter-parties to our instruments. Our derivative risk management strategy has not resulted in a material impact to our financial results in 2016 or 2017. Our derivative assets and liabilities are included within "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" and "Other current liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and effects of these derivatives are recorded in revenue, cost of goods sold and other expense (income) on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Foreign currency derivatives
We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency instruments, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures such as foreign currency denominated debt, sales, receivables, payables, and purchases. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. There was no ineffectiveness on these contracts designated as hedging instruments during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
In 2016 and 2017, we entered into foreign currency derivatives denominated in the Mexican peso, South African rand, Brazilian real, euro and Japanese yen. These derivatives were entered into to protect the risk that the eventual cash flows resulting from commercial and business transactions may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso, euro, South African rand and Japanese yen. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, we had outstanding Mexican peso, euro, and Japanese yen currency contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $17.6$18.8 million. The foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of March 31,September 30, 2017, have maturities through April 30,December 29, 2017.
Commodity derivative contracts
We periodically enter into derivative contracts for certain refined oil products and natural gas. These contracts are entered into to protect against the risk that eventual cash flows related to these products may be adversely affected by future changes in prices. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, we had no outstanding derivative swap contracts for refined oil products or natural gas.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Net Investment Hedges
We use certain intercompany debt to hedge a portion of our net investment in our foreign operations against currency exposure (net investment hedge). Intercompany debt denominated in foreign currency and designated as a non-derivative net investment hedging instrument was $13.3 million and $14.1$13.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017, respectively. Within the currency translation adjustment portion of other comprehensive income, we recorded a losslosses of $0.6$0.9 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, respectively. We incurred a gain of $0.5 million and we incurred $0.8a loss of $0.2 million loss in the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017, respectively, resulting from these net investment hedges.
(12)Guarantor Information

On November 20, 2012, GrafTech International Ltd. (the “Parent”) issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes. The Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2020 and bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior basis by the following wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent: GrafTech Finance Inc.,
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


GrafTech Holdings Inc., GrafTech USA LLC, Seadrift Coke LLP,LP, GrafTech Global Enterprises Inc., GrafTech International Holdings Inc., GrafTech DE LLC, GrafTech Seadrift Holding Corp, GrafTech International Trading Inc., GrafTech Technology LLC, GrafTech NY Inc., and Graphite Electrode Network LLC.
The guarantors of the Senior Notes, solely in their respective capacities as such, are collectively called the “Guarantors.” Our other subsidiaries, which are not guarantors of the Senior Notes, are called the “Non-Guarantors.”
    All of the guarantees are unsecured. All of the guarantees are full, unconditional (subject to limited exceptions described below) and joint and several. Each of the Guarantors are 100% owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent. All of the guarantees of the Senior Notes continue until the Senior Notes have been paid in full, and payment under such guarantees could be required immediately upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Notes. If a Guarantor makes a payment under its guarantee of the Senior Notes, it would have the right under certain circumstances to seek contribution from the other Guarantors.
The Guarantors will be released from the guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:  the unconditional release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the Senior Notes by such Guarantor; the sale or other disposition, including by way of merger or consolidation or the sale of its capital stock, following which such Guarantor is no longer a subsidiary of the Parent; or the Parent's exercise of its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described in the indenture applicable to the Senior Notes.  If any Guarantor is released, no holder of the Senior Notes will have a claim as a creditor against such Guarantor. The indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables and preferred stock, if any, of each Guarantor are effectively senior to the claim of any holders of the Senior Notes.
Investments in subsidiaries are recorded on the equity basis.
    The following tables set forth condensed consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017, and condensed consolidating statements of operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2017 and the condensed consolidating statements of cashflows for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2017.
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
 ASSETS          
 Current Assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $
 $636
 $10,974
 $
 $11,610
    Accounts receivable - affiliates 51,592
 3,624
 19,643
 (74,859) 
    Accounts receivable - trade 
 7,518
 73,050
 
 80,568
    Inventories 
 44,563
 111,548
 
 156,111
    Prepaid and other current assets 1,350
 4,853
 15,462
 
 21,665
    Current assets of discontinued operations 
 51,160
 14,296
 (4,477) 60,979
      Total current assets 52,942
 112,354
 244,973
 (79,336) 330,933
           
 Investment in affiliates 844,379
 601,597
 
 (1,445,976) 
 Property, plant and equipment 
 191,503
 317,352
 
 508,855
 Deferred income taxes 
 
 19,803
 
 19,803
 Goodwill 
 70,399
 100,718
 
 171,117
 Notes receivable - affiliate 
 49,003
 
 (49,003) 
 Other assets 
 70,767
 70,801
 
 141,568
      Total Assets $897,321
 $1,095,623
 $753,647
 $(1,574,315) $1,172,276
           
 LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
          
 Current Liabilities:          
    Accounts payable - affiliate $806
 $71,243
 $2,810
 $(74,859) $
    Accounts payable - trade 964
 8,033
 38,666
 
 47,663
    Short-term debt 
 3,062
 5,790
 
 8,852
    Accrued income and other taxes 
 2,095
 3,161
 
 5,256
    Other accrued liabilities 2,444
 12,205
 15,945
 
 30,594
    Short-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 20,381
 4,138
 (4,477) 20,042
         Total current liabilities 4,214
 117,019
 70,510
 (79,336) 112,407
           
 Long-term debt - affiliate 41,590
 
 7,413
 (49,003) 
 Long-term debt - third party 274,132
 81,695
 753
 
 356,580
 Other long-term obligations 
 50,943
 31,205
 
 82,148
 Deferred income taxes 
 909
 41,997
 
 42,906
 Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 678
 172
 
 850
 Stockholders' equity 577,385
 844,379
 601,597
 (1,445,976) 577,385
   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $897,321
 $1,095,623
 $753,647
 $(1,574,315) $1,172,276
           
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of September 30, 2017
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
 ASSETS          
 Current Assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $
 $1,117
 $15,259
 $
 $16,376
    Accounts receivable - affiliates 51,592
 9,022
 25,510
 (86,124) 
    Accounts receivable - trade 
 9,262
 70,870
 
 80,132
    Inventories 
 41,118
 123,450
 

 164,568
    Prepaid and other current assets 555
 3,641
 15,782
 
 19,978
    Current assets of discontinued operations 
 10,083
 5,447
 (155) 15,375
      Total current assets 52,147
 74,243
 256,318
 (86,279) 296,429
           
 Investment in affiliates 839,335
 592,304
 
 (1,431,639) 
 Property, plant and equipment 
 179,635
 329,829
 
 509,464
 Deferred income taxes 
 
 19,220
 
 19,220
 Goodwill 
 70,399
 100,718
 
 171,117
 Notes receivable - affiliate 

 61,006
 
 (61,006) 
 Other assets 
 61,554
 62,224
 
 123,778
      Total Assets $891,482
 $1,039,141
 $768,309
 $(1,578,924) $1,120,008
           
 LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
          
 Current Liabilities:          
    Accounts payable - affiliate $825
 $77,103
 $8,196
 $(86,124) $
    Accounts payable - trade 
 10,392
 47,984
 
 58,376
    Short-term debt 
 4,334
 8,948
 
 13,282
    Accrued income and other taxes 
 1,686
 6,445
 
 8,131
    Other accrued liabilities 7,225
 9,350
 17,452
 
 34,027
    Liabilities of discontinued operations 
 8,805
 3,307
 (155) 11,957
         Total current liabilities 8,050
 111,670
 92,332
 (86,279) 125,773
           
 Long-term debt - affiliate 53,593
 
 7,413
 (61,006) 
 Long-term debt - third party 278,959
 40,595
 876
 
 320,430
 Other long-term obligations 
 45,882
 33,094
 
 78,976
 Deferred income taxes 
 1,283
 42,085
 
 43,368
 Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 376
 205



581
 Stockholders' equity 550,880
 839,335
 592,304
 (1,431,639) 550,880
   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $891,482
 $1,039,141
 $768,309
 $(1,578,924) $1,120,008
           


PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
 ASSETS          
 Current Assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $
 $636
 $10,974
 $
 $11,610
    Accounts receivable - affiliates 51,592
 3,624
 19,643
 (74,859) 
    Accounts receivable - trade 
 7,518
 73,050
 
 80,568
    Inventories 
 44,563
 111,548
 
 156,111
    Prepaid and other current assets 1,350
 4,853
 15,462
 
 21,665
    Current assets of discontinued operations 
 51,160
 14,296
 (4,477) 60,979
      Total current assets 52,942
 112,354
 244,973
 (79,336) 330,933
           
 Investment in affiliates 844,379
 601,597
 
 (1,445,976) 
 Property, plant and equipment 
 191,503
 317,352
 
 508,855
 Deferred income taxes 
 
 19,803
 
 19,803
 Goodwill 
 70,399
 100,718
 
 171,117
 Notes receivable - affiliate 
 49,003
 
 (49,003) 
 Other assets 
 70,767
 70,801
 
 141,568
 Long-term assets of discontinued operations 
 
 
 
 
      Total Assets $897,321
 $1,095,623
 $753,647
 $(1,574,315) $1,172,276
           
 LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
          
 Current Liabilities:          
    Accounts payable - affiliate $806
 $71,243
 $2,810
 $(74,859) $
    Accounts payable - trade 964
 8,033
 38,666
 
 47,663
    Short-term debt 
 3,062
 5,790
 
 8,852
    Accrued income and other taxes 
 2,095
 3,161
 
 5,256
    Other accrued liabilities 2,444
 12,205
 15,945
 
 30,594
    Short-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 20,381
 4,138
 (4,477) 20,042
         Total current liabilities 4,214
 117,019
 70,510
 (79,336) 112,407
           
 Long-term debt - affiliate 41,590
 
 7,413
 (49,003) 
 Long-term debt - third party 274,132
 81,695
 753
 
 356,580
 Other long-term obligations 
 50,943
 31,205
 
 82,148
 Deferred income taxes 
 909
 41,997
 
 42,906
 Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 678
 172
 
 850
 Stockholders' equity 577,385
 844,379
 601,597
 (1,445,976) 577,385
   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $897,321
 $1,095,623
 $753,647
 $(1,574,315) $1,172,276
           

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three months ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
           
 Sales - affiliates $
 $16,334
 $10,078
 $(26,412) $
 Sales - third party 
 21,891
 89,699
 
 111,590
    Net sales 
 38,225
 99,777
 (26,412) 111,590
 Cost of sales 
 36,886
 103,128
 (26,412) 113,602
Additions to lower cost or market inventory reserve 
 1,915
 2,983
 
 4,898
      Gross loss 
 (576) (6,334) 
 (6,910)
           
 Research and development 
 526
 
 
 526
 Selling and administrative expenses 
 3,906
 8,309
 
 12,215
      Operating loss 
 (5,008) (14,643) 
 (19,651)
           
 Other expense (income), net 
 287
 (854) 
 (567)
 Interest expense - affiliate 268
 
 
 (268) 
 Interest expense - third party 6,362
 473
 129
 
 6,964
 Interest income - affiliate 
 (268) 
 268
 
 Interest income - third party 
 
 (158) 
 (158)
 Loss from continuing operations
  before provision for income taxes
 (6,630) (5,500) (13,760) 
 `(25,890)
           
 Provision for income taxes 
 123
 (1,912) 
 (1,789)
 Equity in loss from continuing
operations of subsidiary
 (17,471) (11,848) 
 29,319
 
      Net loss from
continuing operations
 (24,101) (17,471) (11,848) 29,319
 (24,101)
           
Income from discontinued
     operations, net of tax
 
 958
 176
 
 1,134
Equity in income from
   discontinued operations
 1,134
 176
 
 (1,310) 
      Net income from
discontinued operations
 1,134
 1,134
 176
 (1,310) 1,134
           
      Net loss $(22,967) $(16,337) $(11,672) $28,009
 $(22,967)
           
           
 Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          
           
Net loss $(22,967) $(16,337) $(11,672) $28,009
 $(22,967)
Other comprehensive income 2,418
 2,418
 2,418
 (4,836) 2,418
Comprehensive loss $(20,549) $(13,919) $(9,254) $23,173
 $(20,549)
           

PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
As of March 31, 2017
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
 ASSETS          
 Current Assets:          
    Cash and cash equivalents $
 $663
 $17,818
 $
 $18,481
    Accounts receivable - affiliates 51,592
 10,104
 17,484
 (79,180) 
    Accounts receivable - trade 
 6,775
 67,884
 
 74,659
    Inventories 
 44,198
 115,195
 

 159,393
    Prepaid and other current assets 1,440
 4,260
 16,736
 
 22,436
    Current assets of discontinued operations 
 43,380
 13,579
 (3,147) 53,812
      Total current assets 53,032
 109,380
 248,696
 (82,327) 328,781
           
 Investment in affiliates 829,921
 596,259
 
 (1,426,180) 
 Property, plant and equipment 
 187,936
 316,869
 
 504,805
 Deferred income taxes 
 
 20,315
 
 20,315
 Goodwill 
 70,399
 100,718
 
 171,117
 Notes receivable - affiliate 

 49,380
 
 (49,380) 
 Other assets 
 67,706
 70,903
 
 138,609
      Total Assets $882,953
 $1,081,060
 $757,501
 $(1,557,887) $1,163,627
           
 LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
          
 Current Liabilities:          
    Accounts payable - affiliate $1,184
 $68,734
 $9,262
 $(79,180) $
    Accounts payable - trade 964
 8,372
 35,382
 
 44,718
    Short-term debt 
 4,362
 5,994
 
 10,356
    Accrued income and other taxes 
 1,097
 4,812
 
 5,909
    Other accrued liabilities 7,225
 8,930
 17,562
 
 33,717
    Liabilities of discontinued operations 
 16,137
 4,326
 (3,147) 17,316
         Total current liabilities 9,373
 107,632
 77,338
 (82,327) 112,016
           
 Long-term debt - affiliate 41,967
 
 7,413
 (49,380) 
 Long-term debt - third party 275,732
 92,737
 777
 
 369,246
 Other long-term obligations 
 48,869
 32,299
 
 81,168
 Deferred income taxes 
 1,037
 43,239
 
 44,276
 Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 
 864
 176



1,040
 Stockholders' equity 555,881
 829,921
 596,259
 (1,426,180) 555,881
   Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $882,953
 $1,081,060
 $757,501
 $(1,557,887) $1,163,627
           
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Three months ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
           
 Sales - affiliates $
 $23,063
 $22,665
 $(45,728) $
 Sales - third party 
 32,617
 104,628
 
 137,245
    Net sales 
 55,680
 127,293
 (45,728) 137,245
 Cost of sales 
 58,380
 107,768
 (45,728) 120,420
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
 
 
 264
 
 264
      Gross (loss) profit 
 (2,700) 19,261
 
 16,561
           
 Research and development 
 1,338
 
 
 1,338
 Selling and administrative expenses 
 3,471
 9,851
 
 13,322
      Operating (loss) income 
 (7,509) 9,410
 
 1,901
           
 Other expense (income), net 1
 229
 (873) 
 (643)
 Interest expense - affiliate 916
 
 
 (916) 
 Interest expense - third party 6,399
 1,264
 129
 
 7,792
 Interest income - affiliate 
 (916) 

 916
 
 Interest income - third party 
 
 (58) 
 (58)
 (Loss) income from continuing
   operations before provision for
     income taxes
 (7,316) (8,086) 10,212
 
 `(5,190)
           
 (Benefit from) provision
    for income taxes
 
 (524) 2,487
 
 1,963
 Equity in income from continuing
    operations of subsidiary
 163
 7,725
 
 (7,888) 
      Net (loss) income from
continuing operations
 (7,153) 163
 7,725
 (7,888) (7,153)
           
Income (loss) income from
  discontinued operations, net of tax
 
 7,637
 (4,403) 
 3,234
Equity in income (loss) from
  discontinued operations
 3,234
 (4,403) 
 1,169
 
      Net income (loss)
        from discontinued operations
 3,234
 3,234
 (4,403) 1,169
 3,234
           
      Net (loss) income $(3,919) $3,397
 $3,322
 $(6,719) $(3,919)
           
           
 Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          
           
Net (loss) income $(3,919) $3,397
 $3,322
 $(6,719) $(3,919)
Other comprehensive income 7,546
 7,546
 7,546
 (15,092) 7,546
Comprehensive income $3,627
 $10,943
 $10,868
 $(21,811) $3,627
           
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
           
 Sales - affiliates $
 $95,471
 $45,802
 $(141,273) $
 Sales - third party 
 64,534
 257,996
 
 322,530
    Net sales 
 160,005
 303,798
 (141,273) 322,530
 Cost of sales 
 142,299
 330,271
 (141,273) 331,297
 Additions to lower cost or market
   inventory reserve
 
 5,697
 13,826
 
 19,523
      Gross profit (loss) 
 12,009
 (40,299) 
 (28,290)
  

 

 

 

 

 Research and development 
 1,964
 
 
 1,964
 Selling and administrative expenses 
 13,695
 25,735
 
 39,430
      Operating (loss) income 
 (3,650) (66,034) 
 (69,684)
  
 
 
 
 
 Other expense (income), net 6
 1,029
 (2,563) 
 (1,528)
 Interest expense - affiliate 702
 
 
 (702) 
 Interest expense - third party 19,059
 527
 274
 
 19,860
 Interest income - affiliate 
 (702) 
 702
 
 Interest income - third party 
 
 (169) 
 (169)
 Income (Loss) from
  continuing operations before
   provision for income taxes
 (19,767) (4,504) (63,576) 
 `(87,847)
  
 
 
 
 
 Provision for (benefit from)
  income taxes
 
 378
 (8,053) 
 (7,675)
 Equity in loss from
continuing operations of subsidiary
 (60,405) (55,523) 
 115,928
 
      Net loss from
continuing operations
 (80,172) (60,405) (55,523) 115,928
 (80,172)
  
 
 
 
 
Loss from discontinued
     operations, net of tax
 
 (104,372) (3,196) 
 (107,568)
Equity in loss from
   discontinued operations

 (107,568) (3,196) 
 110,764
 
      Net loss from
discontinued operations
 (107,568) (107,568) (3,196) 110,764
 (107,568)
  

 

 

 

 

      Net loss $(187,740) $(167,973) $(58,719) $226,692
 $(187,740)
  
 
 
 
 
           
 Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          
           
Net loss $(187,740) $(167,973) $(58,719) $226,692
 $(187,740)
Other comprehensive income 14,119
 14,119
 14,119
 (28,238) 14,119
Comprehensive loss $(173,621) $(153,854) $(44,600) $198,454
 $(173,621)
  

 

 

 

 


PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)
          
       Consolidating         Consolidating  
     Non- Entries and       Non- Entries and  
 Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
                    
Sales - affiliates $
 $40,899
 $19,643
 $(60,542) $
 $
 $69,860
 $47,373
 $(117,233) $
Sales - third party 
 20,820
 74,756
 
 95,576
 
 76,980
 281,318
 
 358,298
Net sales 
 61,719
 94,399
 (60,542) 95,576
 
 146,840
 328,691
 (117,233) 358,298
Cost of sales 
 61,602
 95,954
 (60,542) 97,014
 
 150,164
 296,269
 (117,233) 329,200
Additions to lower cost or market inventory reserve 
 2,073
 9,464
 
 11,537
Gross profit (loss) 
 (1,956) (11,019) 
 (12,975)
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
 
 934
 839
 
 1,773
Gross (loss) profit 
 (4,258) 31,583
 
 27,325
 

 

 

 

 

          
Research and development 
 651
 
 
 651
 
 3,110
 
 
 3,110
Selling and administrative expenses 
 6,074
 7,720
 
 13,794
 
 10,740
 26,460
 
 37,200
Operating (loss) income 
 (8,681) (18,739) 
 (27,420)
Operating (loss) profit 
 (18,108) 5,123
 
 (12,985)
 
 
 
 
 
          
Other expense (income), net 6
 270
 (39) 
 237
 7
 665
 2,938
 
 3,610
Interest expense - affiliate 198
 
 
 (198) 
 2,363
 
 
 (2,363) 
Interest expense - third party 6,344
 41
 75
 
 6,460
 19,170
 3,739
 331
 
 23,240
Interest income - affiliate 
 (198) 
 198
 
 
 (2,363) 
 2,363
 
Interest income - third party 
 
 (12) 
 (12) 
 
 (320) 
 (320)
Income (Loss) from
continuing operations before
provision for income taxes
 (6,548) (8,794) (18,763) 
 `(34,105)
(Loss) income from continuing
operations before provision
for income taxes
 (21,540) (20,149) 2,174
 
 `(39,515)
 
 
 
 
 
          
Provision for income taxes 
 17
 (312) 
 (295)
(Benefit from) provision for
income taxes
 
 (270) 3,519
 
 3,249
Equity in loss from
continuing operations of subsidiary
 (27,262) (18,451) 
 45,713
 
 (21,224) (1,345) 
 22,569
 
Net loss from
continuing operations
 (33,810) (27,262) (18,451) 45,713
 (33,810) (42,764) (21,224) (1,345) 22,569
 (42,764)
 
 
 
 
 
          
Loss from discontinued
operations, net of tax
 
 (1,578) (987) 
 (2,565)
Equity in loss from discontinued operations of subsidiary

 (2,565) (987) 
 3,552
 
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax
 77
 (143) (4,816) 
 (4,882)
Equity in loss from
discontinued operations
 (4,959) (4,816) 
 9,775
 
Net loss from
discontinued operations
 (2,565) (2,565) (987) 3,552
 (2,565) (4,882) (4,959) (4,816) 9,775
 (4,882)
 

 

 

 

 

          
Net loss $(36,375) $(29,827) $(19,438) $49,265
 $(36,375) $(47,646) $(26,183) $(6,161) $32,344
 $(47,646)
 
 
 
 
 
          
                    
Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
                    
                    
Net loss $(36,375) $(29,827) $(19,438) $49,265
 $(36,375) $(47,646) $(26,183) $(6,161) $32,344
 $(47,646)
Other comprehensive income 12,637
 12,637
 12,637
 (25,274) 12,637
 21,141
 21,141
 21,141
 (42,282) 21,141
Comprehensive loss $(23,738) $(17,190) $(6,801) $23,991
 $(23,738)
Comprehensive (loss) income $(26,505) $(5,042) $14,980
 $(9,938) $(26,505)
 

 

 

 

 

          
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)
       Consolidating  
     Non- Entries and  
 Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:$(9,568) $19,207
 $19,092
 $
 $28,731
          
Cash flow from investing activities:         
   (Loans to) repayments from affiliates
 (9,568) 
 9,568
 
  Capital expenditures
 (7,453) (14,804) 
 (22,257)
  Other
 
 (1,171) 
 (1,171)
  Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
 458
 227
 
 685
    Net cash (used in) provided by
       investing activities

 (16,563) (15,748) 9,568
 (22,743)
          
Cash flow from financing activities:         
  Loans from (Repayments to) affiliates9,568
 
 
 (9,568) 
  Short-term debt, net
 3
 500
 
 503
  Revolving Facility borrowings
 35,000
 5,000
 
 40,000
  Revolving Facility reductions
 (36,000) (5,000) 
 (41,000)
  Principal payments on long term debt
 (104) 
 
 (104)
  Revolver facility refinancing
 (922) 
 
 (922)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities
9,568
 (2,023) 500
 (9,568) (1,523)
          
Net change in cash and
   cash equivalents

 621
 3,844
 
 4,465
Effect of exchange rate changes
   on cash and cash equivalents

 
 755
 
 755
Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period

 646
 6,281
 
 6,927
Cash and cash equivalents
   at end of period
$
 $1,267
 $10,880
 $
 $12,147

PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)
           
        Consolidating  
      Non- Entries and  
  Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
           
 Sales - affiliates $
 $25,344
 $12,085
 $(37,429) $
 Sales - third party 
 21,881
 82,858
 
 104,739
    Net sales 
 47,225
 94,943
 (37,429) 104,739
 Cost of sales 
 46,470
 93,316
 (37,429) 102,357
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
 
 725
 572
 
 1,297
      Gross profit 
 30
 1,055
 
 1,085
           
 Research and development 
 829
 
 
 829
 Selling and administrative expenses 
 3,299
 8,384
 
 11,683
      Operating (loss) 
 (4,098) (7,329) 
 (11,427)
           
 Other expense (income), net 7
 215
 2,845
 
 3,067
 Interest expense - affiliate 659
 
 
 (659) 
 Interest expense - third party 6,380
 1,052
 114
 
 7,546
 Interest income - affiliate 
 (659) 
 659
 
 Interest income - third party 
 
 (123) 
 (123)
 Loss from continuing operations
before provision for income taxes
 (7,046) (4,706) (10,165) 
 `(21,917)
           
 Provision for income taxes 
 131
 230
 
 361
 Equity in loss from continuing
    operations of subsidiary
 (15,232) (10,395) 
 25,627
 
      Net loss from
continuing operations
 (22,278) (15,232) (10,395) 25,627
 (22,278)
           
(Loss) income from discontinued
     operations, net of tax
 
 (4,142) 76
 
 (4,066)
Equity in (loss) income from
  discontinued operations of
     subsidiary

 (4,066) 76
 
 3,990
 
      Net (loss) income from
discontinued operations
 (4,066) (4,066) 76
 3,990
 (4,066)
           
      Net loss $(26,344) $(19,298) $(10,319) $29,617
 $(26,344)
           
           
 Statements of
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
          
           
Net loss $(26,344) $(19,298) $(10,319) $29,617
 $(26,344)
Other comprehensive income 4,840
 4,840
 4,840
 (9,680) 4,840
Comprehensive loss $(21,504) $(14,458) $(5,479) $19,937
 $(21,504)
           
PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
       Consolidating  
     Non- Entries and  
 Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:$(6) $8,007
 $1,723
 $
 $9,724
          
Cash flow from investing activities:         
   (Loans to) repayments from affiliates
 (6) 
 6
 
  Capital expenditures
 (3,828) (4,586) 
 (8,414)
  Other
 
 (253) 
 (253)
  Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
 391
 13
 
 404
    Net cash (used in) provided by
       investing activities

 (3,443) (4,826) 6
 (8,263)
          
Cash flow from financing activities:         
  Loans from (Repayments to) affiliates6
 
 
 (6) 
  Short-term debt, net
 1
 5,000
 
 5,001
  Revolving Facility borrowings
 19,000
 
 
 19,000
  Revolving Facility reductions
 (23,000) 
 
 (23,000)
  Principal payments on long term debt
 (34) 
 
 (34)
    Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities
6
 (4,033) 5,000
 (6) 967
          
Net change in cash and
   cash equivalents

 531
 1,897
 
 2,428
Effect of exchange rate changes
   on cash and cash equivalents

 
 477
 
 477
Cash and cash equivalents at
   beginning of period

 646
 6,281
 
 6,927
Cash and cash equivalents
   at end of period
$
 $1,177
 $8,655
 $
 $9,832

PART I (CONT'D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)
      Consolidating        Consolidating  
    Non- Entries and      Non- Entries and  
Parent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations ConsolidatedParent Guarantors Guarantors Eliminations Consolidated
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:$(96) $(11,077) $12,990
 $
 $1,817
$(9,660) $25,784
 $42,076
 $(24,619) $33,581
                  
Cash flow from investing activities:                  
Loans to affiliates
 (96) 
 96
 

 (9,660) 
 9,660
 
Capital expenditures
 (1,069) (6,927) 
 (7,996)
 (2,835) (20,193) 
 (23,028)
Proceeds from sale of assets
 4
 364
 
 368

 433
 3,605
 
 4,038
Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities

 (1,161) (6,563) 96
 (7,628)
Proceeds from divestitures
 26,818
 
 
 26,818
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities

 14,756
 (16,588) 9,660
 7,828
                  
Cash flow from financing activities:                  
Loans from affiliates96
 
 
 (96) 
9,660
 
 
 (9,660) 
Dividends to affiliates
 
 (24,619) 24,619
 
Short-term debt, net
 (699) 201
 
 (498)
 2,803
 3,142
 
 5,945
Revolving Facility borrowings
 13,000
 
 
 13,000

 35,000
 
 
 35,000
Revolving Facility reductions
 (77,755) 
 
 (77,755)
Principal payments on long term debt
 (36) 
 
 (36)
 (107) 
 
 (107)
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities
96
 12,265
 201
 (96) 12,466
9,660
 (40,059) (21,477) 14,959
 (36,917)
        

        

Net change in cash and
cash equivalents

 27
 6,628
 
 6,655

 481
 4,011
 
 4,492
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents

 
 216
 
 216

 
 274
 
 274
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period

 636
 10,974
 
 11,610

 636
 10,974
 
 11,610
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period
$
 $663
 $17,818
 $
 $18,481
$
 $1,117
 $15,259
 $
 $16,376

Table of Contents    
PART I (CONT’D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

Introduction to Part I, Item 2, and Part II, Item 1 and Item 1A
Important Terms. We define various terms to simplify the presentation of information in this Report. These terms, which definitions are incorporated herein by reference, are defined in “Part I – Preliminary Notes – Important Terms” of the Annual Report.
Presentation of Financial, Market and Legal Data. We present our financial information on a consolidated basis.
Unless otherwise noted, when we refer to dollars, we mean U.S. dollars.
Unless otherwise specifically noted, market and market share data in this Report are our own estimates or derived from sources described in “Part I – Preliminary Notes – Presentation of Financial, Market and Legal Data” in the Annual Report, which description is incorporated herein by reference. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Forward Looking Statements and Risks” in this Report and “Forward Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this market and market share data and have not independently verified it. None of the sources has consented to the disclosure or use of data in this Report.
Reference is made to the Annual Report for background information on various risks and contingencies and other matters related to circumstances affecting us and our industry.
Neither any statement made in this Report nor any charge taken by us relating to any legal proceedings constitutes an admission as to any wrongdoing.
Forward Looking Statements
Forward Looking Statements and Risks. This Report contains forward looking statements. In addition, we or our representatives have made or may make forward looking statements on telephone or conference calls, by webcasts or emails, in person, in presentations or written materials, or otherwise. These include statements about such matters as future, targeted or expected (or the impact of current, future, expected or targeted): outlook for 2017 or beyond; operational and financial performance; growth prospects and rates; future or targeted profitability, cash flow, liquidity and capital resources, production rates, inventory levels and EBITDA; the impact of rationalization, product line change, cost and liquidity initiatives; changes in the operating rates or efficiency in our operations or our competitors' or customers' operations; product quality; diversification, new products, and product improvements and their impact on our business; the integration or impact of acquired businesses; divestitures, asset sales, investments and acquisitions that we may make in the future; possible debt or equity financing or refinancing (including factoring and supply chain financing) activities; the impact of customer bankruptcies; conditions and changes in the global financial and credit markets; possible changes in control of the Company and the impacts thereof; the impact of accounting changes; and currency exchange and interest rates and changes therein; changes in production capacity in our operations and our competitors' or customers' operations and the utilization rates of that capacity; growth rates for, prices and sales of, and demand for, our products and our customers' products; costs of materials and production, including increases or decreases therein, our ability to pass on any such increases in our product prices or impose surcharges thereon, or customer or market demand to reduce our prices due to such decreases; changes in customer order patterns due to changes in economic conditions; productivity, business process and operational initiatives; the markets we serve and our position in those markets; financing and refinancing activities; investments and acquisitions and the performance of the businesses underlying such acquisitions and investments; employment and contributions of key personnel; employee relations and collective bargaining agreements covering many of our operations; tax rates and the effects of jurisdictional mix; capital expenditures and changes therein; nature and timing of restructuring and rationalization charges and payments; inventory and supply chain management; customer and supplier contractual provisions and related opportunities and issues; competitive activities; strategic plans, initiatives and business projects; regional and global economic and industry market conditions, the timing and magnitude of changes in such conditions; interest rate management activities; currency rate management activities; deleveraging activities; rationalization, restructuring, realignment, strategic alliance, raw material and supply chain, technology development and collaboration, investment, acquisition, venture, operational, tax, financial and capital projects; legal proceedings, investigations, contingencies, and environmental compliance including any regulatory initiatives with respect to greenhouse gas emissions; consulting projects; and costs, working capital, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, cost savings and reductions, margins, earnings and growth. The words will,” may,” plan,” estimate,” project,” believe,”
Table of Contents    
PART I (CONT’D)
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(Unaudited)

anticipate,” expect,” intend,” should,” would,” could,” target,” goal, continue to,” positioned to and similar expressions, or the negatives thereof, identify some of these statements.
Our expectations and targets are not predictors of actual performance and historically our performance has deviated, often significantly, from our expectations and targets. Actual future events and circumstances (including future results and trends) could differ materially, positively or negatively, from those set forth in these statements due to various factors. These factors include:
the possibility that additions to capacity for producing EAFelectric arc furnace ("EAF") steel, increases in overall EAF steel production capacity, and increases or other changes in steel production may not occur or may not occur at the rates that we anticipate or may not be as geographically disburseddistributed as we anticipate;
the possibility that increases or decreases in graphite electrode manufacturing capacity (including growth by producers in developing countries), competitive pressures (including changes in, and the mix, distribution, and pricing of, competitive products), reduction in specific consumption rates, increases or decreases in customer inventory levels, or other changes in the graphite electrode markets may occur, which may impact demand for, prices or unit and dollar volume sales of graphite electrodes and growth or profitability of our graphite electrodes business;
the possible failure of changes in EAF steel production or graphite electrode production to result in stable or increased, or offset decreases in, graphite electrode demand, prices, or sales volume;
the possibility that a determination that we have failed to comply with one or more export controls or trade sanctions to which we are subject with respect to products or technology exported from the United States or other jurisdictions could result in civil or criminal penalties, denial of export privileges and loss of revenues from certain customers;
the possibility that, for all of our product lines, capital improvement and expansion in our customers' operations or increases in demand for their products may not occur or may not occur at the rates that we anticipate or the demand for their products may decline, which may affect their demand for the products we sell to them, which could affect our profitability and cash flows as well as the recoverability of our assets;
the possibility that assumptions related to future expectations of financial performance materially change and impact our goodwill and long-lived asset carrying values;
the possibility that our financial assumptions and expectations materially change as a result of government or state-owned government subsidies, incentives and trade barriers;
the possibility that current economic disruptions or other conditions may result in idling or permanent closing of blast furnace capacity or delay of blast furnace capacity additions or replacements which may affect demand and prices for our refractory products;
the possibility that continued global consolidation of the world's largest steel producers could impact our business or industry;
the possibility that average graphite electrode revenue per metric ton in the future may be different than current spot or market prices due to changes in product mix, changes in currency exchange rates, changes in competitive market conditions or other factors; 
the possibility that price increases, adjustments or surcharges may not be realized or that price decreases may occur;
the possibility that current challenging economic conditions and economic demand reduction may continue to impact our revenues and costs;
the possibility that U.S., European, Chinese, or other governmental monetary or fiscal policy may adversely affect global economic activity and demand for our products;
Table of Contents    
PART I (CONT’D)
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(Unaudited)

the possibility that potential future cuts in defense spending by the United States government as a part of efforts to reduce federal budget deficits could reduce demand for certain of our products and associated revenue;
the possibility that decreases in prices for energy and raw materials may lead to downward pressure on prices for our products and delays in customer orders for our products as customers anticipate possible future lower prices;
the possibility that customers may delay or cancel orders;
the possibility that we may not be able to reduce production costs or delay or cancel raw material purchase commitments;
the possibility that economic, political and other risks associated with operating globally, including national and international conflicts, terrorist acts, political and economic instability, civil unrest, community activism and natural or nuclear calamities might interfere with our supply chains, customers or activities in a particular location;
the possibility that reductions in customers' production, increases in competitors' capacity, competitive pressures, or other changes in other markets we serve may occur, which may impact demand for, prices of or unit and dollar volume sales of, our other products, or growth or profitability of our other product lines, or change our position in such markets;
the possibility that we will not be able to hire and retain key personnel, maintain appropriate relations with unions, associations and employees or to renew or extend our collective bargaining or similar agreements on reasonable terms as they expire or do so without a work stoppage or strike;
the possibility that there will be an adverse determination in litigation pending in Brazil involving disputes related to the proper interpretation of certain collectively bargained wage increase provisions applicable to both us and other employers in the Bahia region might result in the filing of claims against our Brazilian subsidiary;
the possibility that a Brazilian graphite electrode antitrust investigation could result in material fines or penalties;
the possibility that we will fail to retain or develop new customers or applications for our Engineered Solutions products or such new product applications will not be adopted by the market place;region;
the possibility that our manufacturing capabilities may not be sufficient or that we may experience delays in expanding or fail to expand our manufacturing capacity to meet demand for existing, new or improved products;
the possibility that we may propose acquisitions or divestitures in the future, that we may not complete the acquisitions or divestitures, and that investments and acquisitions that we may make in the future may not be successfully integrated into our business or provide the performance or returns expected or that divestitures may not generate the proceeds anticipated;
the possibility that challenging conditions or changes in the capital markets will limit our ability to undertake refinancing activities or obtain financing for growth and other initiatives, on acceptable terms or at all;
the possibility that conditions or changes in the global equity markets may have a material impact on our future pension funding obligations and liabilities on our balance sheet;
the possibility that the amount or timing of our anticipated capital expenditures may be limited by our financial resources or financing arrangements or that our ability to complete capital projects may not occur timely enough to adapt to changes in market conditions or changes in regulatory requirements;
the possibility that the actual outcome of uncertainties associated with assumptions and estimates using judgment when applying critical accounting policies and preparing financial statements may have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position;
the possibility that we may be unable to protect our intellectual property or may infringe the intellectual property rights of others, resulting in damages, limitations on our ability to produce or sell products or limitations on our ability to prevent others from using that intellectual property to produce or sell products;
Table of Contents
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(Unaudited)

the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances or changing interpretations and enforcement agendas relating to legal proceedings or compliance programs;
Table of Contents
PART I (CONT’D)
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(Unaudited)

the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances or changing interpretations and enforcement agendas relating to health, safety or environmental compliance or remediation obligations or liabilities to third parties or relating to labor relations;
the possibility that new or expanded regulatory initiatives with respect to greenhouse gas emissions could increase the capital intensive nature of our business and add to our costs of production;
the possibility that our provision for income taxes and effective income tax rate or cash tax rate may fluctuate significantly due to (i) changes in applicable tax rates or laws, (ii) changes in the sources of our income, (iii) changes in tax planning, (iv) new or changing interpretations of applicable regulations, (v) changes in profitability, (vi) changes in our estimate of our future ability to use foreign tax credits or other tax attributes, and (vii) other factors;
the possibility of changes in interest or currency exchange rates or in inflation or deflation;
the possibility that our outlook could be significantly impacted by, among other things, developments in North Africa, the Middle East, North Korea, and other areas of concern, the occurrence of further terrorist acts and developments resulting from the war on terrorism;
the possibility that interruption in our major raw material, energy or utility supplies due to, among other things, natural or nuclear disasters, process interruptions, actions by producers and capacity limitations, may adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products or result in higher costs;
the possibility that the magnitude of changes in the cost of major raw materials, energy or utility suppliers by reason of shortages, changes in market pricing, pricing terms in applicable supply contracts, or other events may adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products or result in higher costs;
the possibility of interruptions in production at our facilities due to, among other things, critical equipment failure, which may adversely affect our ability to manufacture and supply our products or result in higher costs;
the possibility that we may not achieve the earnings or other financial or operational metrics that we provide as guidance from time to time;
the possibility that the anticipated benefits from rationalizations and other cost savings initiatives may be delayed or may not occur, may vary in cost or may result in unanticipated disruptions;
the possibility of security breaches affecting our information technology systems;
the possibility that our disclosure or internal controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or personnel or that those controls may not operate effectively and may not prevent or detect misstatements or errors;
the possibility that severe economic conditions may adversely affect our business, liquidity or capital resources;
the possibility that delays may occur in the financial statement closing process;
the possibility of changes in performance that may affect financial covenant compliance or funds available for borrowing; and
other risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this Report or our other SEC filings, as well as future decisions by us.
Occurrence of any of the events or circumstance described above could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our common stock.
Table of Contents
PART I (CONT’D)
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(Unaudited)

securities.
No assurance can be given that any future transaction about which forward looking statements may be made will be completed or as to the timing or terms of any such transaction.
Table of Contents
PART I (CONT’D)
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(Unaudited)

All subsequent written and oral forward looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the SEC pursuant to the SEC's rules, we have no duty to update these statements.
For a more complete discussion of these and other factors, see “Risk Factors,” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Table of Contents    
PART I (CONT’D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

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

Global Economic Conditions, Outlook and OutlookBusiness Overview

Outlook. We are impacted in varying degrees, both positively and negatively, as global, regional or country conditions fluctuate. Our discussions about market data and global economic conditions below are based on or derived from published industry accounts and statistics.
In its April,July, 2017 report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increasedconfirmed its April estimated global growth rate toof 3.5 percent infor 2017 from its January update of 3.4 percent.and 3.6 percent for 2018. The IMF noted that although the changesunchanged global growth projections mask somewhat different contributions at a country level. U.S. growth projections are small, "therelower than in April reflecting the assumption that fiscal policy will be less expansionary going forward than previously anticipated. Growth estimated for Japan and the Euro area have been meaningful changesincreased due to country groups"positive surprises to activity in late 2016 and individual countries"early 2017". The IMF is predicting stronger rebound in advanced economies led by the United States. Emerging markets expeced growth wasestimates for China have also been revised downward slightly as weaker-than-expected growth in some larger countries more than offset growth in the overall group. The IMF noted however that there is still downside risksupwards since April 2017 due to uncertainty around fiscal policies.a strong first quarter of 2017.
In its short range outlook released on April 21,October 16, 2017, the World Steel Association (WSA) forecasts that global steel demand will increase by 1.3%to 1,622 million tons in 2017 to 1,535 million tons. This estimate is higher than the 1,510 million tons thatand 1,648 in 2018. Additionally, WSA forecastedestimates global steel production outside of China will grow 2.8% in October for 2017.2017 and 3.0% in 2018. WSA noted that "inboth advanced and developing economies are exhibiting stronger economic momentum this year. Confidence and investment sentiments are improving in a large part of the world despite some financial market volatility and growing concern of stock market overvaluation.
The graphite electrode industry has historically followed the growth of the electric arc furnace ("EAF") steel producing industry and to a lesser extent, the steel industry as a whole. Recent macroeconomic and industry-specific conditions have created significant increases in demand for graphite electrodes. First, Chinese steel exports have been reduced in 2017, leading to increased steel production outside of China which are the markets that we serve. The share of steel produced by EAF as compared to blast furnaces is significantly higher outside of China resulting in increased overall EAF production and 2018 we will see a cyclical upturn inincreased demand for electrodes. Additionally, economic advantages that traditional blast furnace steel demand with a continuing recoveryshops were experiencing in the developed economiesrecent past due to lower raw material costs have subsided, allowing EAF production and an accelerating growth momentumblast furnace production economics to be more in line with their historical balance. Finally, recent environmental restrictions imposed on Chinese manufacturing facilities has decreased graphite electrode production in China. Prior to this improvement in demand the electrode industry experienced a five year extended downturn resulting in a reduction of electrode capacity of approximately 200,000 metric tons (or approximately 20%) outside of China.
The culmination of these factors has led to considerable concern over the graphite electrode industry's ability to meet customers' demand in 2018. As a result, there has been a significant increase in the emergingcurrent spot market price of graphite electrodes. There are indications that this demand and developing economies." WSA estimates steel demandsupply imbalance could be an issue that persists for some time. As a result, we have begun an initiative to offer three to five year supply contracts to our strategic customers. We believe that these contracts will benefit our customers by providing them with long-term security of supply. This would also give us greater certainty to invest in developed countries will increaseour facilities to continue to provide the level of service, quality, and reliability that our customers expect and value.
Since our acquisition by 0.7%Brookfield two years ago, we have improved our operating performance by refocusing on our core electrode business, divesting of non-core segments, optimizing production and improving productivity at our low-cost plants, improving electrode performance, enhancing commercial strategy and reducing corporate overhead.  These actions have resulted in 2017 and 1.2%over $100 million of sustainable operating improvements.  This, along with the benefit of vertical integration in 2018. Estimated growthneedle coke, positions us to be one of the most reliable, lowest cost, highest quality producers of graphite electrodes in emerging and developing countries excluding China is 4.0% in 2017 and 4.9% in 2018. Offsetting these increases is an estimated zero growth 2017 for Chinese steel demand followed by a decline in demand of 2% in 2018.our industry.

Table of Contents    
PART I (CONT’D)
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

Results of Operations and Segment Review
The Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2016 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31,September 30, 2017
The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our Consolidated Statements of Operations and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Throughout our MD&A, insignificant changes may be deemed not meaningful and are generally excluded from the discussion.
(in thousands)For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 Three Months Ended September 30,
 2016 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
    
Net sales$95,576
 $104,739
 $111,590
 $137,245
Cost of sales97,014
 102,357
 113,602
 120,420
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
11,537
 1,297
 4,898
 264
Gross profit (loss)(12,975) 1,085
Gross (loss) profit (6,910) 16,561
Research and development651
 829
 526
 1,338
Selling and administrative expenses13,794
 11,683
 12,215
 13,322
Operating loss(27,420) (11,427)
Operating (loss) income (19,651) 1,901
Other expense (income), net237
 3,067
 (567) (643)
Interest expense6,460
 7,546
 6,964
 7,792
Interest income(12) (123) (158) (58)
Loss from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes
(34,105) (21,917) (25,890) (5,190)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(295) 361
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes (1,789) 1,963
Net loss from continuing operations(33,810) (22,278) (24,101) (7,153)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(2,565) (4,066)
Income from discontinued
operations, net of tax
 1,134
 3,234
Net loss$(36,375) $(26,344) $(22,967) $(3,919)
Net sales.Net sales for our Industrial Materials segment increased from $95.6$111.6 million in the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016to $104.7$137.2 million in the three months endedMarch 31, September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily driven by a 27%an 18% increase in sales volume of graphite electrodes in the first three months of 2017 as compared to the same period of 2016. This increase was partially offset by a 17% decrease in the weighted average sales price of graphite electrodes. Additionally, increased graphite electrode volumes contributed $6.2 million of additional revenue and we benefited from $2.1 million of advantageous foreign currency impacts.
Cost of salessales.. Cost We experienced increases in cost of sales increased from $97.0$113.6 million in the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016to $102.4$120.4 million in the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily the result of increased graphite electrode volumes increasing costs by $4.4 million. Additionally, costs were negatively impacted by $3.0 million of foreign currency impact and $2.1 million of cost resulting from damage to our Seadrift facility from Hurricane Harvey. Partially offsetting these increases were lower depreciation expense and lower per-unit cost. Depreciation decreased as a result of purchase price adjustments that have fully depreciated and per-unit cost decreases were driven primarily by increased sales volumes discussed above which increased costs by $18.7 million. This increase was partially offset by improvedour rationalization initiatives over the last three years, continued cost structure atcontrol initiatives and optimization of our graphite electrode and needle coke production facilities, and lower cost of raw materials.plant capacity.
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment. WeIn the three months ended September 30, 2016, we incurred a lower of cost or market adjustment of $11.5$4.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and $1.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 for certain product lines within our graphite electrode business.business reflecting decreased pricing. This adjustment totaled $0.3 million in the same period of 2017. The decrease is attributable to the reduction in product costs and associated improvement on product marginsin sales prices in the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period of 2016.
Selling and general administrative. Selling and general administrative expenses decreased from $13.8 million in the three months endedMarch 31, 2016 compared to $11.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 driven primarily by continued cost reduction efforts.
Other (Income) Expense. Other expense increased from $0.2 million in the three months endedMarch 31, 2016, to $3.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to negative foreign currency impacts on non-operating assets and liabilities.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased from $6.5 million in the three months endedMarch 31, 2016 to $7.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily due to increased borrowing costs on our Revolving Credit Faciltiy.
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Loss from Discontinued OperationsInterest Expense. ResultsInterest expense increased from our discontinued operations represented a loss of $2.6$7.0 million in the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, and a loss of $4.1to $7.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in loss wasSeptember 30, 2017 primarily due to a $2.5an increase in the variable interest rate on our Revolving Credit Facility.
Income from Discontinued Operations. Our income from discontinued operations increased from $1.1 million impairment chargefor the three months ended September 30, 2016 to align$3.2 million in the carrying valuethree months ended September 30, 2017. The 2016 results included three months of assets held for sale to their estimated fair value.results from our AET business that was sold on July 3, 2017.
Segment operating income (loss). The results discussed above are reflected infollowing table represents a reconciliation of our segment operating income (loss) by segment as follows: to total operating income (loss):
Three Months Ended September 30,
2016 2017
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017(Dollars in thousands)
    
Industrial Materials$(20,247) $(6,398)$(14,238) $8,308
Corporate, R&D and Other Expenses(7,173) (5,029)(5,413) (6,407)
Total operating loss$(27,420) $(11,427)
Total operating (loss) income$(19,651) $1,901
Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense/(benefit) for income taxes:  
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017Three Months Ended September 30,
 2016 2017
Tax expense (benefit)$(295) $361
(Dollars in thousands)
   
Tax (benefit) expense$(1,789) $1,963
Pretax loss(34,105) (21,917)(25,890) (5,190)
Effective tax rates0.9% (1.6)%6.9% (37.8)%
For the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and 2017, and 2016, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to recent losses in the U.S. and Switzerland where we receive no tax benefit due to a full valuation allowance and worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates. The recognition of the valuation allowance does not result in or limit the Company's ability to utilize these tax assets in the future.
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The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
The tables presented in our period-over-period comparisons summarize our Consolidated Statements of Operations and illustrate key financial indicators used to assess the consolidated financial results. Throughout our MD&A, insignificant changes may be deemed not meaningful and are generally excluded from the discussion.
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2016 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
    
Net sales$322,530
 $358,298
Cost of sales331,297
 329,200
Additions to lower of cost or
market inventory reserve
19,523
 1,773
     Gross (loss) profit(28,290) 27,325
Research and development1,964
 3,110
Selling and administrative expenses39,430
 37,200
     Operating loss(69,684) (12,985)
Other expense (income), net(1,528) 3,610
Interest expense19,860
 23,240
Interest income(169) (320)
Loss from continuing operations before
provision for income taxes
(87,847) (39,515)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes(7,675) 3,249
Net loss from continuing operations(80,172) (42,764)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(107,568) (4,882)
Net loss$(187,740) $(47,646)
Net sales. Net sales increased from $322.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $358.3 millionin the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017. Graphite electrode sales volume increased 10% in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2017 compared to the same period of 2016 driving the sales increase.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales decreased from $331.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016to $329.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Although greater sales volume of graphite electrodes increased total cost of sales by $19.2 million, this was more than offset by lower manufacturing costs and lower depreciation expense. Manufacturing costs were $12.5 million lower driven by lower raw materials cost and lower fixed costs from our rationalization initiatives and the optimization of our production platform. Depreciation expense was $9.2 million lower which was the result of purchase price adjustments that have fully depreciated.
Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment. We incurred a lower of cost or market adjustment of $19.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and $1.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 for certain product lines within our graphite electrode business. The year over year decrease is attributable to the reduction in product costs and improved pricing in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the same period of 2016.
Selling and general administrative. Selling and general administrative expenses decreased from $39.4 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016 compared to $37.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 driven primarily by continued cost reduction efforts.
Other (Income) Expense. Other expense decreased from income of $1.5 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016, to expense of $3.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to non-cash foreign currency impacts on non-operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by interest income received as part of the resolution of a value added tax dispute in a foreign jurisdiction.
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Interest Expense. Interest expense increased from $19.9 million in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016 to $23.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to increased borrowing costs on our Revolving Credit Facility.
Loss from Discontinued Operations. Results from our discontinued operations represented a loss of $107.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and a loss of $4.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in loss was primarily due to a $105.6 million impairment charge to align the carrying value of assets held for sale to their estimated fair value in the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2016 compared to an impairment of $5.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
Segment operating income (loss). The following table represents a reconciliation of our segment operating income (loss) to total operating income (loss): 
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2016 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
    
Industrial Materials$(50,776) $4,218
Corporate, R&D and Other Expenses(18,908) (17,203)
Total operating loss$(69,684) $(12,985)
Provision for income taxes. The following table summarizes the expense/(benefit) for income taxes:  
 For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2016 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
  
Tax (benefit) expense$(7,675) $3,249
Pretax loss(87,847) (39,515)
Effective tax rates8.7% (8.2)%
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to losses in the U.S. and Switzerland where we receive no tax benefit due to a full valuation allowance and worldwide earnings from various countries taxed at different rates. The recognition of the valuation allowance does not result in or limit the Company's ability to utilize these tax assets in the future.
 Effects of Changes in Currency Exchange Rates
When the currencies of non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility decline (or increase) in value relative to the U.S. dollar, this has the effect of reducing (or increasing) the U.S. dollar equivalent cost of sales and other expenses with respect to those facilities. In certain countries where we have manufacturing facilities, and in certain instances where we price our products for sale in export markets, we sell in currencies other than the dollar. Accordingly, when these currencies increase (or decline) in value relative to the dollar, this has the effect of increasing (or reducing) net sales. The result of these effects is to increase (or decrease) operating profit and net income.
Many of the non-U.S. countries in which we have a manufacturing facility have been subject to significant economic and political changes, which have significantly impacted currency exchange rates. We cannot predict changes in currency exchange rates in the future or whether those changes will have net positive or negative impacts on our net sales, cost of sales or net income.
For net sales of Industrial Materials, the impact of changes in the average exchange rates of other currencies against the U.S. dollar for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 was an decreasea increase of $0.5$0.3 million compared to the same period of 2016. The impact of the exchange rate changes on cost of sales of Industrial Materials for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 was a decrease of $2.2$0.4 million compared to the same period of 2016.
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As part of our cash management, we also have intercompany loans between our subsidiaries. These loans are deemed to be temporary and, as a result, remeasurement gains and losses on these loans are recorded as currency gains / losses in other income (expense), net, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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The remeasurement of intercompany loans and the effect of transaction gains and losses on intercompany activities resulted in a loss of $0.8$0.9 million in the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 compared to a loss of $0.3$1.5 million in the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017.
We have in the past and may in the future use various financial instruments to manage certain exposures to specific financial market risks caused by currency exchange rate changes, as described under “Part I, Item 3–Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.
 Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet our needs. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, we had cash and cash equivalents of $18.516.4 million, long-term debt of $369.2320.4 million, short-term debt of $10.413.3 million and stockholder’s equity of $556551 million.
On April 27, 2016, GrafTech and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment to the Revolving Facility. As a result of the amendment, the size of the Revolving Facility was permanently reduced from $375 million to $225 million. New covenants were also added to the Revolving Facility, including a requirement to make mandatory repayments of outstanding amounts under the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility with the proceeds of any sale of all or any substantial part of the assets included in the Engineered Solutions segment and a requirement to maintain minimum liquidity (consisting of domestic cash, cash equivalents and availability under the Revolving Facility) in excess of $25 million. The covenants were also modified to provide for: the elimination of certain exceptions to the Company’s negative covenants limiting the Company’s ability to make certain investments, sell assets, make restricted payments, incur liens and incur debt; a restriction on the amount of cash and cash equivalents permitted to be held on the balance sheet at any one time without paying down the Revolving Facility; and changes to the Company’s financial covenants so that, until the earlier of March 31, 2019 or the Company has $75 million in trailing twelve month EBITDA, the Company is required to maintain trailing twelve month EBITDA above certain minimums ranging from ($40 million) to $35 million after which the Company’s existing financial covenants under the Revolving Facility will apply.
With this amendment, the Company has full access to the $225 million Revolving Facility, subject to the $25 million minimum liquidity requirement. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, the Company had $73.8$35.3 million of borrowings on the Revolving Facility and $13.8$11.6 million of letters of credit drawn against the Revolving Facility. In addition to the Revolving Facility, the Company has $29.5$18.8 million outstanding on its Term Loan Facility.
We use cash flow from operations and funds available under the Revolving Facility (subject to continued compliance with the financial covenants and representations under the Revolving Facility) as well as cash on hand as our primary sources of liquidity. The Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility both mature in April 2019. Under the Revolving Facility, we have additional flexibility for investments, capital expenditures and acquisitions and we can issue letters of credit under the Revolving Facility in an amount not to exceed $35 million.
The interest rate applicable to the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility is LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 4.75% (depending on our total senior secured leverage ratio). The borrowers pay a per annum fee ranging from 0.35% to 0.70% (depending on our senior secured leverage ratio) on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Facility.

Senior Notes
On November 20, 2012, the Company issued $300 million principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes are the Company's senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with all of the Company's existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company's existing and future subsidiaries that guarantee certain other indebtedness of the Company or another guarantor. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.375% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Senior Notes mature on November 15, 2020.

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If, prior to maturity, a change in control (as defined in the indenture) of the Company occurs and thereafter certain downgrades of the ratings of the Senior Notes as specified in the indenture occur, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase any or all of the Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
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As of December 31, 2016 and March 31,September 30, 2017, approximately 75% and 73%84% our debt, respectfully, consisted of fixed rate or zero interest rate obligations.
Cash Flow and Plans to Manage Liquidity. Our cash flow typically fluctuates significantly between quarters due to various factors. These factors include customer order patterns, fluctuations in working capital requirements, timing of capital expenditures, acquisitions and other factors.
The Company has access to a $225 million Revolving Facility (subject to a $25 million minimum liquidity requirement). As of March 31,September 30, 2017, the Company had $73.8$35.3 million of borrowings and $13.8$11.6 million of letters of credit, for a total of $87.6$46.9 million drawn against the Revolving Facility.
Potential uses of our liquidity include capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt repayments and other general purposes, including cash outflows related to rationalization activities. Continued volatility in the global economy may require additional borrowings under the Revolving Facility. An improving economy, while resulting in improved results of operations, could increase our cash requirements to purchase inventories, make capital expenditures and fund payables and other obligations until increased accounts receivable are converted into cash. A downturn could significantly and negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows, which, coupled with increased borrowings, could negatively impact our credit ratings, our ability to comply with debt covenants, our ability to secure additional financing and the cost of such financing, if available.
In the event that operating cash flows fail to provide sufficient liquidity to meet our business needs, including capital expenditures, any such shortfall would need to be made up by increased borrowings under our Revolving Facility, to the extent available. We are currently marketinghave sold all of our Engineered Solutions businesses within the past twelve months in accordance with our plan to divest businesses that could result in the sale of one or more of such businesses. Cashare not core to our graphite electrode business. The cash proceeds from suchthe sales would bewere used to repay borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility and Revolvingin accordance with our Credit Facility. We cannot assure you that we will, or will be able to, consummate any such sales on acceptable terms or at all or as to the price, terms or conditions of any such sales. 
As of March 31,September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all financial and other covenants contained in the Revolving Facility, as applicable.
In order to seek to minimize our credit risks, we may reduce our sales of, or refuse to sell (except for cash on delivery or under letters of credit) our products to some customers and potential customers. In the current economic environment, our customers may experience liquidity shortages or difficulties in obtaining credit, including letters of credit. Our unrecovered trade receivables worldwide have not been material during the last 3three years individually or in the aggregate. We cannot assure you that we will not be materially adversely affected by accounts receivable losses in the future.
We manage our capital expenditures taking into account quality, plant reliability, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements, prudent or essential maintenance requirements, global economic conditions, available capital resources, liquidity, long-term business strategy and return on invested capital for the relevant expenditures, cost of capital and return on invested capital of the relevant segment and GrafTech as a whole, and other factors.
We had positive cash flow from operating activities during 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and through March 31,September 30, 2017. Although the global economic environment experienced significant swings in these periods, our working capital management and cost-control initiatives allowed us to remain operating cash flow positive in both times of declining and improving operating results.
Related Party Transactions. We have not engaged in or been a party to any other material transactions with affiliates or related parties except for reimbursement of certain costs incurred by Brookfield as required under the Investment Agreement, transactions with our current or former subsidiaries, compensatory transactions with directors and officers including employee benefits (including reimbursement to Brookfield for compensation costs incurred by it for certain personnel who devote substantially all of their working time to us), stock option and restricted stock grants, compensation deferral, stock purchases, and customary indemnification and expense advancement arrangements.
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Cash Flows.
The following table summarizes our cash flow activities:
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2016
 
For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2017
in millionsin millions
Cash flow provided by (used in):      
Operating activities$9.7
 $1.8
$28.7
 $33.6
Investing activities$(8.3) $(7.6)$(22.7) $7.8
Financing activities$1.0
 $12.5
$(1.5) $(36.9)
Operating Activities
Cash flow from operating activities represents cash receipts and cash disbursements related to all of our activities other than investing and financing activities. Operating cash flow is derived by adjusting net income (loss) for:
Non-cash items such as depreciation and amortization; impairment, post retirement obligations, and severance and pension plan changes; and stock-based compensation charges;
Gains and losses attributed to investing and financing activities such as gains and losses on the sale of assets and unrealized currency transaction gains and losses; and
Changes in operating assets and liabilities which reflect timing differences between the receipt and payment of cash associated with transactions and when they are recognized in results of operations.
The net impact of the changes in working capital (operating assets and liabilities), which are discussed in more detail below, include the impact of changes in: receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, accrued taxes, interest payable, and payments of other current liabilities.
During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, changes in working capital resulted in a net source of funds of $16.5$54.0 million which was impacted by:
net cash inflows in accounts receivable of $14.2 million from the decrease in accounts receivable due to the collection of customer sales;
net cash inflows from decreases in accounts payable and accruals of $4.9 million, due primarily to changes in tax accruals and payables; and
net cash outflows from increased prepaid expense of $2.9 million due to value added tax payments.
net cash inflows due to increased interest payable of $4.9 million primarily resulting from our Senior Notes.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, changes in working capital resulted in a net source of funds of $8.6 million which was impacted by:
net cash inflows in accounts receivable of $5.8$9.7 million from the decrease in accounts receivable due to the collection of customer sales;
net cash inflows from decreases in inventory of $2.7$41.4 million, due primarily to inventory management initiatives;
cash inflows resulting from increased interest payable of $4.8 million primarily resulting from our Senior Notes;
net cash outflows from increased prepaid expense of $0.8$1.2 million due to value added tax payments; and
net cash inflows due to increase in accounts payable and accruals of $1.8 million primarily resulting from timing of payments.
Other uses of cash in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included contributions to pension and other benefit plans of $8.8 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, changes in working capital resulted in a net source of funds of $22.2 million which was impacted by:
net cash inflows in accounts receivable of $2.0 million from the decrease in accounts receivable due to the collection of customer sales;
net cash inflows from decreases in inventory of $8.6 million, due primarily to inventory management initiatives;
net cash outflows from increased prepaid expense of $0.2 million due to advanced payments; and
net cash outflowsinflows due to decrease in accounts payable and accruals of $3.9$7.1 million primarily resulting from timing of payments.
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Other uses of cash in the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 included contributions to pension and other benefit plans of $2.8$6.7 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $8.3$22.7 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016 and included capital expenditures of $8.4 million.$22.3 million and $1.2 million related to cash settlements of derivative instruments.
Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $7.6$7.8 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 resulting from proceeds from divestitures and includedfixed asset sales totaling $30.8 million, partially offset by capital expenditures of $8.0 million and proceeds from the sale of fixed assets of $0.4$23.0 million.
 Financing Activities
Net cash inflow from financing activities was $1.0$1.5 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2016, resulting from net borrowings $0.5 million under our Revolving Facility.Facility and fees paid for the refinancing of our revolving credit facility totaling $0.9 million.
Net cash inflowoutflow from financing activities was $12.5$36.9 million during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017, resulting from net borrowings underpayments on our Revolving Facility.
Restrictions on Dividends and Stock Repurchases
It has generally been the policy of our Board of Directors to retain earnings to finance strategic and other plans and programs, conduct business operations, fund acquisitions, meet obligations and repay debt. We did not pay any cash dividends in 2014, 2015 or 2016. We periodically review our dividend policy.  We amended our Credit Facility on April 27, 2016 and, under the terms of the amendment, we are restricted from paying dividends.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We discuss recently adopted accounting standards in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Description of Our Financing Structure
We discuss our financing structure in more detail in Note 6, “Debt and Liquidity” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks primarily from changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, energy commodity prices and commercial energy rates. We, from time to time, routinely enter into various transactions that have been authorized according to documented policies and procedures to manage these well-defined risks. These transactions relate primarily to financial instruments described below. Since the counterparties to these financial instruments are large commercial banks and similar financial institutions, we do not believe that we are exposed to material counterparty credit risk. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes.
Our exposure to changes in interest rates results primarily from floating rate long-term debt tied to LIBOR or Euro LIBOR. Our exposure to changes in currency exchange rates results primarily from:
sales made by our subsidiaries in currencies other than local currencies;
raw material purchases made by our foreign subsidiaries in currencies other than local currencies; and
investments in and intercompany loans to our foreign subsidiaries and our share of the earnings of those subsidiaries, to the extent denominated in currencies other than the dollar.
Our exposure to changes in energy commodity prices and commercial energy rates results primarily from the purchase or sale of refined oil products and the purchase of natural gas and electricity for use in our manufacturing operations.
Currency Rate Management. We enter into foreign currency derivatives from time to time to attempt to manage exposure to changes in currency exchange rates. These foreign currency derivatives, which include, but are not limited to, forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options, attempt to hedge global currency exposures. Forward exchange contracts are agreements to exchange different currencies at a specified future date and at a specified rate. Purchased foreign currency options are instruments which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to exchange different currencies at a specified rate at a specified date or over a range of specified dates. Forward exchange contracts and purchased currency options are carried at market value.
The outstanding foreign currency derivatives as of December 31, 2016 represented a net unrealized loss of $0.2 million. There were no net unrealized gains or lossesmillion and a loss of $0.1 million as of March 31,September 30, 2017.
Energy Commodity Management. We periodically enter into commodity derivative contracts and short duration fixed rate purchase contracts to effectively fix some or all of our natural gas and refined oil product exposure. We had no outstanding commodity derivative contracts as of March 31,September 30, 2017.
Interest Rate Risk Management. We periodically implement interest rate management initiatives to seek to minimize our interest expense and the risk in our portfolio of fixed and variable interest rate obligations.
We periodically enter into agreements with financial institutions that are intended to limit, or cap, our exposure to incurrence of additional interest expense due to increases in variable interest rates. These instruments effectively cap our interest rate exposure. We currently do not have any such instruments outstanding.
Sensitivity Analysis. We use sensitivity analysis to quantify potential impacts that market rate changes may have on the fair values of our foreign currency derivatives and our commodity derivatives. The sensitivity analysis represents the hypothetical changes in value of the hedge position and does not reflect the related gain or loss on the forecasted underlying transaction. As of March 31,September 30, 2017, a 10% appreciation or depreciation in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies from the prevailing market rates would result in a corresponding decrease of $1.8$0.7 million or a corresponding increase of $1.8$0.7 million, respectively, in the fair value of the foreign currency hedge portfolio. Because of the high correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying exposure, fluctuations in the value of the instruments are generally offset by reciprocal changes in the value of the underlying exposure.
We had no interest rate derivative instruments outstanding as of March 31,September 30, 2017. A hypothetical increase in interest rates of 100 basis points (1%) would have increased our interest expense by $0.3$0.7 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017.
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(Unaudited)

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure controls and procedures at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a reporting company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31,September 30, 2017. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31,September 30, 2017.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES


Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Additional information required by this Item is set forth in Note 10, “Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors disclosed in Part I-Item IA of the Annual Report.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Not Applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not Applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
 
Item 5. Other Information.
Not Applicable


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item 6. Exhibits
The exhibits listed in the following table have been filed as part of this Report.
 
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
  
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Jeffrey C. Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer).
  
Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act by Quinn J Coburn, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer).
  
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Jeffrey C. Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer).
  
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by Quinn J Coburn, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer).
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Date:April 27,October 25, 2017By:/s/ Quinn JJ. Coburn
   Quinn JJ. Coburn
   
Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial Officer)


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